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
Iraqi Kurdistan Cabinet finally sees daylight after 9 months The new prime minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government has a Cabinet now, with all but one ministerial position filled. Iraq
Kirkuk court issues arrest warrant for acting governor An integrity court in Kirkuk has issued an arrest warrant for Rakan Saeed al-Jabouri, the acting governor of Kirkuk, on financial corruption charges. Iraq
Meet Iraq's human rights advocate who lived through two genocides Dr. Widad Akreyi, who lived through the 1980s Anfal genocide and the 2014 Yazidi genocide, has become one of the major defenders of human rights in Iraq and beyond. Iraq
Syrian farmers suffer as Kurds' crops set ablaze Kurdish authorities in eastern Syria say politically motivated arsonists are setting fire to agricultural lands, destroying thousands of acres of farmers' crops. Syria
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
