Tag "Kurdistan"
Turkey and current climate of the HDP
On 4 November 2016, two leaders of the People’s Democratic Party (HDP) were arrested. This development is part of a downward spiral in the overall political climate of Turkey, especially
Why Manbij may define the future of the Syrian war
Violence in Turkey has suspicions pointing towards either ISIS or the Kurds. Turkey is currently fighting on two fronts but the real battlefront remains in Syria, particularly in Manbij. Indeed, Manbij may be decisive for the Kurdish-U.S alliance as well as Turkey-U.S cooperation.
The Kurdistan Freedom Falcons: A distinct terrorist threat
The Kurdistan Freedom Falcons are proving to be a major terrorist threat, and could continue to pose even more of a threat than the PKK.
The ‘pakistanization’ of Turkey
After the bombings in Ankara and Istanbul over the last week, it is hard to see Turkey as the economic and the democratically prosperous country it once was. Rather, with
The impact of the independence of Kurdistan
In this second of two articles on Kurdistan, GRI examines the likely repercussions of an independent Iraqi Kurdistan. The previous article made the case that this is a good time
Why the timing is ideal for Iraq’s Kurds to declare independence
In this first of two related articles, GRI examines why it is a good time for the Iraqi Kurdish population to declare independence. The next article will examine the regional
Kurdish groups are divided over Russian presence in Syria and Iraq
Russian airstrikes in Syria and military aid efforts in Iraq have placed Kurdish groups in both countries in an awkward position. As Russia and the U.S. pursue alternate strategies in
The many threats of Turkey’s PKK Conflict
Recent back-and-forth violence between the Turkish government and PKK militants has created a situation of uncertainty in many parts of both rural and urban Turkey. The conflict presents a security
The roots of Iraq’s coming financial crisis
Low oil prices and the battle against Islamic State (IS) are pushing Iraq toward a financial crisis. Only fundamental reforms, especially decentralization of power, can resolve the challenges facing Iraq
Turkey has much to lose in Kobani
With the Islamic State’s insurgency in Kobani still raging economic fallout in Turkey has already begun. The Turkish state is making significant unforced errors, with damaging long-term consequences for its
