... cooperation with Russia is a tactical phenomenon that was caused by Western partners’ inability to show solidarity on many occasions and to act against Russia.
Differences over political issues like the fate of Assad’s regime or scope of rights for Kurds may be pushed from the agenda in the mid-term, allowing bilateral cooperation on Syria to be focused on economic matters like reconstruction, trade, energy projects. These are the areas that are important for Russian plans to rebuild Syria and that ...
Working Paper #46 / 2019
This working paper looks into the complex issue of Russia–Iraq relations. It provides a detailed analysis of the foundations of the bilateral ties between the two countries, Russia’s approach to the Kurdish issue, and the future of cooperation between Russia and Iraq now that both countries have completed their respective electoral cycles.
After the Caliphate: The Prospects of Russia–Iraq Relations
, 3.8 Mb
... Regional Government (KRG) in Garmian, Halabja, and Shakal. More recently, Rosneft was awarded contracts by the KRG to develop the KRI’s oil and natural gas export pipelines via Turkey.
These developments have been very welcome, particularly by the Kurds, not only for the generated income but also for drawing Russia into the security dynamics which was believed to have helped prevent a total energy blockade on the KRI in the aftermath of the KRG referendum for independence.
What is the attitude ...
... the
peshmerga
in Iraq, and revealed their further transformation into a powerful force with international support. The rise of IS in the broader region of the Middle East highlighted Kurdish fighters as the main frontline troops against IS. Iraq’s Kurds have thus received the opportunity to advance their strategy and policies. This has not been easy, however, following a lengthy period of non-involvement in hostilities.
Defence remains the long-term posture of the KRG and the Kurdish armed forces....
International Coverage and Comments on the Olive Branch Operation
With the Afrin canton in northern Syria under the control of the Turkish army and its administrative center successfully taken, Ankara’s counter-terrorist military operation, “Olive Branch”, is about to reach its objectives. Since its commencement on January 20, the Turkish border operation has been pursuing several objectives; primary among them is clearing the Afrin region of the PYD armed groups who pose a direct threat to Turkey’s...
....S. support for the Syrian Kurdish polity and long-term plans to retain its own limited military presence in northern Syria are already straining relations between Ankara and Washington. Reluctance to make a compromise on the issue of PYD-led Syrian Kurds may prompt Turkey to seriously consider
military and political cooperation
with Iran in Syria and Iraq.
Yuri Barmin:
The Syrian Congress in Sochi: Too Much Too Soon
However, it is related political issues that may strain relations between the ...
... seems that Russia learnt its lesson the hard way in January 2017 having had its project dismissed by virtually all sides to the Syrian conflict and decided to give Syrians a platform in Sochi to launch the discussion on the constitution.
Dropping the Kurds from the list of participants was Russia’s price to pay for Turkey’s backing the Congress. Turkey arguably played a key role in legitimizing the Congress but HNC low-key participation and complete absence of the Kurds at the end of the day may ...
... providing military equipment to certain opposition groups in Syria referring to Donald Trump’s phone call with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. According to the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Trump had “given clear instructions” that the Kurds (Kurdish People's Protection Units) will “receive no more weapons.” The Pentagon reiterated the claim announcing “pending adjustments to the military support provided to the Kurdish partners.”
Evgeniia Drozhashchikh, Rethinking Russia expert ...
... events of 2014, when Islamic State intensified its advance and surrounded the (mainly Kurd-populated) city of Kobani in Northern Syria, were another source of irritation for Washington. It was some time before the Turkish authorities decided to help the Kurds, which also dealt a blow at the country’s image in the eyes of the international community. As a result, Washington strengthened its cooperation with the Kurds in fighting Islamic State. In addition, it is clear that the White House has rule out ...
The official referendum for Iraqi Kurdistan is soon. The referendum which is designed to sense the will of Iraqi Kurds about independence from Iraq and starting a Kurdish state among Iran, Syria, Iraq and Turkey. Theoretically, this might seem possible since Kurds already enjoy an autonomous rule in northern Iraq, they have their own president paramilitary forces ...
