Turkey’s recent rift with Russia heralds an autonomous Kurdish region in Syria—an idea that has gained some sympathy in Washington circles. The current reality on the ground suggests that (1) the Kurdish cantons in the eastern Euphrates—namely Jazira and Kobani—would enjoy more domestic autonomy compared to ones in the western Euphrates, i.e., Afrin Canton and the Shahba region; and, (2) Washington’s strategic decisions, such as conditions for US arming of the YPG and measures to define future management of oil fields that are captured from the Islamic State, will be decisive in shaping the characteristics of Kurdish autonomy. READ MORE
Turkey-Russia Rift Heralds an Autonomous Kurdistan in Syria
Mustafa Gurbuz 
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