Massoud Barzani, president of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, has emerged as a key broker among Syrian Kurds in opposition to President Bashar Al-Assad.

Barzani spoke at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy on April 5, saying that with regard to the Syrian Kurds, "We are ready to support them, but not with military support or providing ammunition. It could be moral support, political support, financial support. And we will use our influence to help solve their problems."

That Barzani stopped short of a more active role in regime change in Syria reflects the complexities of the Iraqi Kurdish leadership’s predicament in managing the pressures and opportunities of dealing with both Baghdad and Ankara, while trying to assist Kurds in Syria.

Barzani explained his position directly to a meeting of the Syrian Kurdish National Council (SKNC) in December 2011, a month after its formation. He told them, “You must play your role very carefully and ensure that democratic values and Kurdish rights are recognized and guaranteed in the Syrian Constitution. I call on you to work closely with those both inside and outside the country who are prepared to meet your demands.”