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Kurdistan

Presidents Richard Nixon, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump | Illustration: Eddie Marshall | ChatGPT

Foreign Policy

A Brief, Bloody History of All the Times the U.S. Caused Chaos in the Middle East

The conflict with Iran is the latest in a decadeslong series of regime change operations, long-term entanglements, and all-out wars that always seem to invite more problems.

Matthew Petti | 6.23.2025 2:47 PM

Syria's interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa shaking the hand of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander-in-chief Mazloum Abdi after the signing of an agreement in Damascus, Syria. March 10, 2025. | Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)/UPI/Newscom

Foreign Policy

Has Trump Cut a Deal To Get U.S. Troops Out of Syria?

Syrian Kurdish rebels and the new Syrian government have agreed to reunite peacefully. The U.S. military may have helped broker the agreement.

Matthew Petti | 3.14.2025 11:55 AM

Tugboats assist an oil tanker leaving the pier at a sea port in Longkou in east China's Shandong province Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. | TANG KE/FEATURECHINA/Newscom

Foreign Policy

Does Trump Want Lower Gas Prices or Oil Sanctions on Iran?

The Trump administration’s math on Middle Eastern energy supplies just doesn’t add up.

Matthew Petti | 2.24.2025 10:24 AM

United States President Donald J Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel shake hands at the conclusion of a news conference at the White House in Washington, DC, February 4, 2025. | Chris Kleponis - CNP/Polaris/Newscom

Foreign Policy

Trump's Middle East Policy: Pull Troops Out of Syria To Put Them in Gaza?

The president says he wants peace in the Middle East. But his plans are all over the place.

Matthew Petti | 2.5.2025 10:15 AM

New York Police Department Counterterrorism officers are seen walking near Times Square in Manhattan, NY, on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023. | Cristina Matuozzi/ Sipa USA/Newscom

Terrorism

We Don't Need Terrorism Laws When Murder Is Already Illegal

The government has given itself special powers to deal with crimes that it could already prosecute.

Matthew Petti | 12.19.2024 5:30 PM

Kurdish militia members guard a protest against Turkish attacks in Raqqa, Syria. October 9, 2023. | Chris Huby/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Syria

Syria's Rojava Revolution Is in Grave Danger

Turkey is taking advantage of the power vacuum in Syria to crush the Kurdish-led anti-authoritarian uprising. And it's not clear what the U.S. wants.

Matthew Petti | 12.11.2024 10:45 AM

Members of the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group and allied opposition fighters gained control of Aleppo International Airport in Aleppo, Syria, on December 03, 2024. | Abaca Press/DIA Images/Abaca/Sipa USA/Newscom

Foreign Policy

Outlaws on Pickup Trucks Accomplish What $1 Billion in CIA Money Couldn't

The CIA spent four years trying to overthrow the Syrian government. It failed. But a former leader of Al Qaeda might do it in a few weeks.

Matthew Petti | 12.6.2024 9:59 AM

United States President Joe Biden meets with members of the National Security Council regarding the unfolding missile attacks on Israel in the Situation Room of the White House in Washington, DC, USA 13 April 2024. | Adam Schultz - White House via CNP/picture alliance / Consolidated News

Middle East

Biden Sends U.S. Forces To Protect Israel's Borders for the First Time Ever

Washington quietly funded Israeli-Iranian proxy wars for years. Now American men and women are directly involved.

Matthew Petti | 4.14.2024 10:15 AM

A painting by Syrian Kurdish American artist Lukman Ahmad titled 'The Other Side of the Coin.' | Oxford University Press

Syria

How the Threat of Genocide Sparked a Multi-Ethnic Revolution in Syria

In Statelet of Survivors, Amy Austin Holmes shows why the Syrian Kurdish revolution is no longer just for Kurds.

Matthew Petti | 3.30.2024 7:00 AM

Jalil Khayat Mosque, the largest house of worship in Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq | Jalil Khayat Mosque, the largest house of worship in Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq; Matthew Petti

Middle East

Conservative Cancel Culture Comes to Kurdistan

Religious Kurds used social media to shut down a rap concert—and they're swinging their weight around politics, too.

Matthew Petti | 12.8.2022 7:00 AM

Large image on homepages

Kurdistan

Bring the Syrian Kurds With You, America

They have been loyal allies and need an exit strategy too

Shikha Dalmia | 1.4.2019 9:45 AM

Large image on homepages | Defence Images

Turkey

Turkey Strikes Kurdish Positions After Ankara Terror Attack

Ankara and Istanbul have faced multiple attacks from a PKK off-shoot as well as ISIS.

Ed Krayewski | 3.24.2016 2:17 PM

Large image on homepages

Politics

Rand Paul's Plan for Kurdistan: 'Draw New Lines' and 'Promise Them a Country'

Kentucky's junior senator courts the hawks.

Jesse Walker | 3.11.2015 1:39 PM

Large image on homepages | Der Spiegel

ISIS

Kurds Reportedly Retake Kobane From "Demoralized" ISIS

Ed Krayewski | 1.9.2015 2:58 PM

World

Anarchy in Kurdistan?

Murray Bookchin's new fans

Jesse Walker | 9.3.2014 12:50 PM

Kurdistan

France Arming Kurdish Government

Weapons defend rights

Reason Staff | 8.13.2014 10:37 AM

Civil Liberties

Legalizing the Letter Q

And W and X, too.

Jesse Walker | 10.22.2013 11:26 AM

World

Syrian Kurds Face Off Against Islamists in Battle for Autonomy

It's a long-standing struggle

Reason Staff | 7.19.2013 7:00 PM

World

Turkish-Kurd Peace Process at Stand Still Over Safety Guarantees

Kurdish militants want legal protections from military attacks while withdrawing

Reason Staff | 4.2.2013 7:40 AM

World

Jailed Kurd Rebel Leader Orders Ceasefire

Decades long insurgency may be coming to an end

Reason Staff | 3.21.2013 11:00 AM

World

Turkish Kurd Rebels Free Turkish Soldiers Held in North Iraq

Turkey working to end 28-year insurgency

Reason Staff | 3.13.2013 10:20 AM

World

BP to Develop Iraqi Oil Field Near Kurdistan

While former BP CEO Tony Heyward is working for the Kurds

Reason Staff | 1.17.2013 10:12 AM

World

PKK Co-Founder, Two Other Kurds, Shot Dead in Paris

No doubt an execution authorities say

Reason Staff | 1.10.2013 7:40 AM

World

Turkey Ramps Up Campaign Against Kurds

Fighters seek autonomy in southeast. Villagers flee homes.

Reason Staff | 8.2.2012 3:00 PM

Politics

What's Up With Post-War Iraq?

Ed Krayewski | 4.5.2012 5:12 PM

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