Analysis How Turkey's PKK amnesty law entwines Kurds' hopes with Erdogan's ambitions The first legislation to emerge from direct negotiations with Abdullah Ocalan offers a path to ending Turkey's war with the PKK while potentially giving President Recep Tayyip Erdogan the votes he needs to remain in power for a third term. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Iraqi Kurdish president’s meeting with Syria’s Sharaa signals shift in SDF dynamics KRG President Nechirvan Barzani’s meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa underscored the Kurdistan Region’s growing role in Syria’s Kurdish politics. Iraq
Zaidi to meet Erdogan as Turkey-Iraq ties take off, Kurds feel sidelined The Iraqi prime minister's visits to Ankara and Riyadh underscore Baghdad's push to deepen regional ties as Turkey seeks closer cooperation on energy and security. Turkey
Interview PJAK leader mocks Iran’s claim Turkey spiked US Kurdish-backed regime-change plan The PJAK co-leader says he does not believe Washington or Israel would abandon a strategic objective as significant as toppling Iran's government because of Turkish objections. Siamand Moeini PJAK Executive Council Member
Analysis Why Iran's Kurdish front is becoming a growing wartime concern By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
More Arab protests expected against Kurdish SDF in Syria Al-Monitor traveled recently to Syria's Deir ez-Zor province, an area of deadly unrest between Arab civilians and Kurdish-led factions, to speak with victims' families. Syria
Who are the heroes, hustlers and innovators of Kurdish wedding music? In marathon-like Kurdish weddings that can last for days, local wedding singers steer their audiences between folk songs, national anthems and even techno music. Syria
Intel: How new presidency will affect power dynamics in Iraqi Kurdistan Lawmakers in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region formally reactivated the office of the presidency in a legislative session presided over by the body’s first female speaker, Vala Farid. Iraq
Iraq's plans to take census raise controversy The central government's plans to undertake a census late next year have raised the concerns of groups in multicultural Iraqi cities such as Kirkuk. Iraq
Iraq hopes for dilemma-less summer Iraq’s new government faces potential problems and a cast of quirky characters. Iraq
How the Kurdish factor had a boomerang effect in Erdogan's election defeat Turkey’s main pro-Kurdish party played a key role in Erdogan’s defeats in big cities in the local polls, managing to get its voters to back mayoral candidates from the main opposition bloc while sitting out the races. Turkey
Syria's Kurds increasingly isolated as Arab tribes cut deals with regime As Damascus recovers more territory, Arab tribes throughout Syria are increasingly open to working with Damascus to restore security. Syria
Turkey relying on events to turn tide against Kurdish YPG A Turkish military operation in northern Syria does not appear to be in the cards, but Ankara is determined to use the threat of one to curb Kurdish aspirations. Iraq
Pentagon sustains budget for arming local anti-IS forces amid US pullout The Donald Trump administration's envoy for Syria issues said the United States is keeping “very limited” numbers of troops in the country as the Pentagon continues to build up the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Syria
Kurds in Afrin celebrate Nowruz despite ban Kurds in Syria’s northern city of Afrin, joined by internally displaced people, celebrated Nowruz despite a ban imposed by armed opposition factions. Syria
Is the PKK lying low as elections approach in Turkey? Turkish officials credit ramped up security operations for a noticeable decline in activity by the Kurdistan Workers Party, but some suspect the organization is intentionally maintaining a low-profile in the lead up to local elections. Iraq
