Exclusive Ankara’s direct talks with Syrian Kurds began last year in Europe, continue in Turkey The talks are part of a sweeping effort to end Turkey’s decades-long war with the PKK and reshape Ankara’s relationship with Kurdish-led forces in Syria. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Exclusive US Syria envoy Barrack calls Kurdish SDF chief Kobane as Turkey mulls meeting Sources tell Al-Monitor that Turkish officials have proposed a high-level meeting with SDF commander Mazlum Kobane in Damascus, contingent on the outcome of ongoing talks with Syria’s interim government. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Turkey unveils prison reform bill, but Kurds say it falls short The proposed changes would expand conditional release for some inmates but fail to meet demands of the pro-Kurdish DEM Party amid peace efforts. Turkey
EU sanctions Sunni factions accused of violence against Syria’s Alawites, Kurds As former rebel leaders take positions in the new Syrian government, Kurdish officials warn of renewed threats to their autonomy. Syria
Analysis Syria’s Kurds reap benefits of Erdogan’s 'terror free Turkey' as Ankara halts attacks By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Iran’s shadow looms large over southeastern Iraqi Kurdistan The recent bust of a major fraud and smuggling network at one of Iraqi Kurdistan's border crossings has drawn attention to the power wielded by Iran in that area, both on the local economy and on local water supplies due to dams built in recent years. Iraq
High unemployment forces Iranian Kurds into smuggling, with deadly consequences A new wave of deadly violence targeting Iranian Kurdish smugglers in the country's mountainous border region has renewed focus on decades-long state neglect of the minority group. Iran
Iraqi Kurdistan president carries conciliatory message from Baghdad to Ankara Iraqi Kurdistan President Nechirvan Barzani carried a conciliatory message from Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi to Ankara. Iraq
Who is behind wave of killings of tribal sheikhs in east Syria? Syria's eastern province of Deir ez-Zor sees escalating tensions between Arab tribes and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. Syria
Iraqi Kurdistan president leaves Ankara talks with two Yazidi children A senior Iraqi Kurdistan official told Al-Monitor that the talks with Ankara were “really good," and the delegation had brought two Yazidi children back with them on the plane. Iraq
Austria says Turkish spy caught amid probe into Turkish-Kurdish clashes Austria will prosecute an individual who reportedly confessed to spying on behalf of Turkey. Turkey
US backs Iraqi progress on budget deal with Kurdistan Region The Trump administration says it supports Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi's progress so far in working out a budget agreement with the Kurdistan Region. Iraq
Intel: Unpaid salaries fuel protests in Iraqi Kurdistan Ongoing budget disputes with Baghdad have fueled salary delays and a lack of business bailouts in the Kurdistan Region as KRG debt swells to $27 billion. Iraq
What's next for Turkish-Iraqi ties after deadly drone strike? The killing of Iraqi border guards in a Turkish drone strike undermines Baghdad’s traditional flexibility toward Ankara at a time when Turkey’s Arab adversaries are seeking to draw Iraq to their side. Iraq
Turkish drone strike kills two senior Iraqi officers, army says Officials say the Tuesday strike targeted a meeting between Iraqi border officials and Kurdish militants. Iraq
The Takeaway: Will catastrophe reshape Lebanon’s social contract? The scoop on the Syrian Kurdish oil deal; Sisi to challenge Erdogan in Iraq and Syria; Lapid leads list of contenders to challenge Bibi; don’t shortchange Iraq’s resilience. Lebanon
Can Syria's Kurds reel in Turkey with profits from American oil deal? The recent deal signed between the SDF and a US oil company is as much about political brinkmanship as oil. Syria
