Exclusive US troops in Syria's Kurdish northeast will remain in single base near Rmeilan oil fields The consolidation comes as tensions rise between Iran and Israel, heightening risks for remaining US forces. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
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
Salih Muslim: Syria's Kurdish problems will be solved by Syrians, not Turkey In an interview just days before being arrested in Prague at Turkey's request, Syrian Kurdish leader Salih Muslim spoke to Al-Monitor about his relations with Ankara. Syria
Kirkuk not as liberated from IS as claimed Because of the crisis between Erbil and Baghdad over Kurdish independence, increased attacks by the Islamic State in the Kirkuk province have gone generally unnoticed by the government. Iraq
Iraqi Kurds maneuver to get closer to Iran Following the rupture caused by the Sept. 25 independence referendum, the Kurdistan Regional Government and Iran are moving to bolster ties. Iraq
Demirtas steps down as Turkey's Kurds ponder new strategy Selahattin Demirtas plans to relinquish his post as co-chair of the Peoples' Democratic Party, as Ankara continues to repress political opposition. Syria
Reviving Kurdish language in northern Syria The self-administration in northern Syria is teaching the Kurdish language in a bid to revive it among the local population after decades of marginalization. Iraq
Three months on from referendum, Kurds feel frustrated Iraqi Kurdistan suffers from a devastated economy and increasing public anger in the aftermath of the independence referendum. Iraq
Kurdistan protests more unrest than uprising Parts of Iraqi Kurdistan are witnessing turmoil as people living primarily around Sulaimaniyah are demonstrating against the Kurdistan Regional Government, but what's behind the turbulence? Iraqi-Kurdistan
Iran willing to normalize ties with KRG, but not without change Having helped bring the Iraqi Kurdish leadership to its knees, Tehran has increased its sway over the future of Iraqi Kurdistan. Iraq
How ‘Kurdistan’ became illegal in Turkey, again The Turkey of 2013 and the Turkey of 2017 are very different places, which is why uttering the word “Kurdistan” is once again a punishable offense in the parliament. Turkey
