Feature After SDF-Damascus truce, is Kurdish haven still safe for Syria's Alawites? Thousands of Alawites who fled violence in western Syria now face uncertainty as the Syrian government and Kurdish forces reach a tentative truce. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Exclusive 100 non-Syrian Kurds return to PKK’s Qandil stronghold under SDF-Damascus deal The transfer of non-Syrian PKK fighters to Iraq’s Qandil Mountains follows a US-brokered SDF-Damascus deal aimed at easing tensions and preserving Kurdish forces under national army oversight. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Feature Syrian Kurds say US ignored pleas for help as ISIS detainees turned on them in al-Hol Chaos at al-Hol during clashes between Kurdish forces and Damascus underscored the widening security vacuum amid Kurdish claims of US abandonment. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
France's role in Syria-SDF agreement: What to know French diplomatic sources highlight the role played by Paris in recent months in reaching an agreement between the Sharaa government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. Syria
Analysis Kurds, Damascus step back from brink as SDF signs fresh deal with Syrian government By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Interview YPG spokesman: Syrian forces' strategy is to isolate Kurdish towns and cities Siyamend Ali YPG spokesman
Feature ISIS brides face uncertain future as Damascus clashes with Syria’s Kurds By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Turkey’s opposing camps seek to broaden base ahead of May elections The rapprochement between Erdogan’s People’s Alliance and the Kurdish Islamist Huda-Par, seen as the successor of Hezbollah, annoys nationalists, while the move toward arch-conservative New Welfare alarms women. Turkey
Anti-Kurdish racism stains soccer pitch in western Turkey The attacks raised the specter of inter-communal violence ahead of watershed elections that are due to be held on May 14 Turkey
Turkey's pro-Kurdish party HDP faces threat of closure after top court ruling The decision, which comes less than four months before the country’s fateful elections, raises the prospect of the pro-Kurdish party's running on other parties' tickets or as independent candidates. Turkey
Fleeing repression, Iran's Kurdish activists struggle to find refuge in Iraq The Kurdistan Region of Iraq has become a key escape route for an unknown number of Iranian Kurds fleeing brutal repression and torture in Iran, but most fail to find security and stability in Iraq. Iran
Turkey faces tough options on Syrian rebel allies amid Damascus thaw Ankara’s quest to restore ties with Damascus has left its Syrian rebel allies confused as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the jihadi group controlling Idlib, seeks to raise its profile and lure the disenchanted to its ranks. Turkey
Latest Islamic State attack highlights security challenges facing Iraq The Islamic State continues to carry out attacks in northern Iraq, creating serious security challenges for the country. Iraq
Turkey's Erdogan seeking a meeting with Assad and Putin In a reversal, Erdogan wants Russia to set-up a three-way meeting with Bashar Al-Assad, ten years after Ankara calling for his removal from power Turkey
US, Russia stall Turkey's ground operation, but Kurdish gains under threat The Russian and US policies of appeasing Turkey have averted a new Turkish ground operation in Syria for now, but they both lay the ground for a gradual undoing of Kurdish gains in the north. Turkey
Arab influx to Iraqi Kurdistan helps revive economy but corrupts local culture, critics say Iraqi Kurds are alarmed by the influx of Arabs into their region, fearing they will dilute their ethnic identity and corrupt their values. Yet the Arabs are critical to the region's economy, which increasingly caters to their needs. Iraq
Family feuds among Iraq’s Kurdish leaders embolden Iran Iraqi Kurdish leaders are at each other’s throats instead of closing ranks as Iran rains cross-border missile and drone attacks on the region and threatens a ground invasion. Iraq
Iran-linked militia in Iraq threatens Saudi Arabia as Iraqi PM visits Tehran Kataib Hezbollah are calling for more attacks on Saudi Arabia amid wrangling over who should protect the country’s borders. Iraq
Iran, Iraq sign $4 billion engineering agreement The deal comes at a notable time in Iran-Iraq relations, as the Islamic Republic continues to threaten and attack Kurdish groups in Iraq. Iran
