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понедельник, 19 января 2026 г.

Syria Puts a Boot on the Neck of the Kurds; Iranians Await U.S. Action

By Winfield Myers ● Jan 19, 2026

Smart Brevity^® count: 7 mins...1902 words

Jim Hanson says that Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria's interim president, may have trimmed his bead and exchanged army fatigues for business suits, but he's allowed "former" jihadists to carry out ethnic cleansing of the minority populations—and they now seem to be conducting a full-on seizure of much of the Kurdish regions. Sirwan Kajjo adds that in the span of just two weeks, Kurdish-led forces have lost more than two-thirds of the territory they controlled in northeast Syria.

Alex Selsky writes that, while Kurds under attack from the Syrian regime may feel abandoned by Israel, in fact Israel is constrained by the need to balance multiple interests to avoid actions that could worsen Kurdish outcomes and complicate regional dynamics. Loqman Radpey argues that the Kurdistan Workers' Party's ideology of a "peoples' brotherhood" has failed to create a durable and peaceful political order in the Kurds' host states. Michael Rubin speculates that Kurdish-Syrian fighting could spill over into Turkey to foment a level of violence not seen in 50 years.

Mardo Soghom reports that most Iranians now await the U.S. military intervention signaled by President Donald Trump. Other authors covering Iran in this issue include Shay Khatiri, Umud Shokri, and Mehrdad Marty Youssefiani.

Syria Puts a Boot on the Neck of the Kurds

A soldier with the Syrian Democratic Forces trains in a live-fire exercise with U.S. troops. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Trenton Pallone

By: Jim Hanson

Titular head of Syria Ahmed al-Sharaa, once known by his jihadist moniker Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, has allowed ethnic cleansing against minorities, and they now seem to be conducting a full-on seizure of much of the Kurdish regions.

Why it matters: The ongoing violence destabilizes the region and challenges U.S. diplomatic strategies.

The Trump administration's strategy in using the Gulf States and Turkey to try to keep al-Sharaa under control is not working; thus far, they don't seem to be holding up their end of the bargain.

Driving the news: Al-Sharaa's proclamations of Kurdish rights clash with aggressive military actions.

Kurdish communities view demands to disarm as a move toward forced submission, undermining trust in government promises.

What's next: Now, U.S. officials need to rein in al-Sharaa and weigh his pleasant platitudes against the violent slaughters his forces are committing against the people he rules.

We are rapidly becoming the frog looking shocked that the sweet-talking scorpion buried his stinger in our back.

To read the full article, click here.

Syria's Next Phase Offers Little Hope for Kurds

Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Shutterstock

By: Sirwan Kajjo

The moment of truth for the Kurds in Syria arrived dramatically: After a decade of self-rule, their dream of autonomy crumbles.

Why it matters: Kurdish-led forces lost over two-thirds of their territory in just two weeks, marking a severe setback.

The rapid territorial losses signal a collapse of Kurdish political aspirations, undermining years of U.S.-backed efforts.

Driving the news: Syrian government forces launched a large-scale offensive, toppling Kurdish control in key regions.

This offensive, backed by a new agreement, strips Kurdish forces of authority and integrates them into state structures.

What's next: Syrian Democratic Forces' collapse spells trouble for regional stability and democratic hopes.

The rise of former jihadist elements within Syria's government complicates Western efforts for peace.

To read the full article, click here.

Why Isn't Israel Intervening to Help Syria's Kurds?

The Israel Defense Forces is known for operational readiness and effectiveness in combat. Shutterstock

By: Alex Selsky

Many Kurds feel bitter over Israel's perceived inaction as Syrian forces attack them. Despite hopes, Israel remains strategically restrained.

Why it matters: Israel prioritizes dismantling Hezbollah and countering Iran over Kurdish support, fearing that public intervention would trigger broader conflicts.

Balancing multiple interests, Israel avoids actions that could worsen Kurdish outcomes and complicate regional dynamics.

Driving the news: Turkey's role adds complexity, as Ankara views Israeli support for Kurds as hostile, risking confrontation and affecting broader regional ties.

Dependence on President Donald Trump intensifies the restraint. Recent U.S. signals, including Turkey's role in Gaza governance, further constrain Israel's actions.

What's next: Israel navigates delicate diplomacy, preferring covert channels to preserve Kurdish space without escalation.

Dependence on U.S. support for the Iranian front necessitates caution, avoiding actions that might jeopardize strategic alliances.

To read the full article, click here.

PKK's 'Peoples' Brotherhood' Has No Place in the Middle East

The Syrian transitional government army stages a military parade in Damascus, Syria, in December 2025. Shutterstock

By: Loqman Radpey

Following the early January massacre and forced deportation of Kurds in Aleppo, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces now confront Syrian and Turkey-backed forces west of the Euphrates.

Why it matters: The defection of Arab tribal forces reveals the failure of the Kurdistan Workers' Party's ideology of "peoples' brotherhood."

This shift exposes Kurdish vulnerability, as their hopes for alliance crumble amidst nationalist agendas.

Driving the news: Turkey refuses to recognize Kurdish rights, continuing its efforts to dismantle the Kurdish-led administration in Syria.

Ankara's stance underscores the persistent imbalance, with Kurds advocating coexistence while facing nationalist resistance.

What's next: Kurds confront a critical moment, needing to reassess strategies and possibly align with the Kurdistan Regional Government's peshmerga for support.

Reality must guide Kurdish politics, as they face existential challenges and the need for pragmatic alliances.

To read the full article, click here.

Will Syria-Kurdish Fighting Spark Civil War in Turkey?

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in an October 2025 photo. Shutterstock

By: Michael Rubin

On May 12, 2025, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), led by Abdullah Öcalan, ended its insurgency against Turkey, aiming for peace. Yet, Turkey's recent actions under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan betray this hope.

Why it matters: Erdoğan's insincere negotiations and attacks on Kurds are reigniting tensions and pushing Kurds back toward armed resistance.

The PKK's dissolution sought to protect Rojava and promote peace, but Turkey's aggression undermines these efforts.

Driving the news: Öcalan's bid for peace contrasts with Erdoğan's use of force, showing a lack of commitment to genuine reconciliation.

Turkey's attacks, using U.S.-supplied aircraft, signal bad faith and threaten regional stability.

What's next: Kurds face a critical choice between renewed conflict and political stagnation, as Erdoğan's actions dismantle hopes for peaceful coexistence.

Without restraint, Turkey risks fueling violence unseen in decades, endangering regional peace.

To read the full article, click here.

Iranians Await U.S. Action as Regime Violence Escalates

Activists say the Islamic Republic's goal is not simply to regain control, but to generate terror to deter any future protests. Shutterstock

By: Mardo Soghom

On January 18, 2026, a major incident exposed the Islamic Republic's vulnerability. Hackers interrupted regime-controlled broadcasts with a video of exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi and protest footage.

Why it matters: The regime's brutality and information blackout highlight its reliance on force to maintain power.

Reports of mass killings and severe abuses underscore the desperation and determination of both protesters and security forces.

Driving the news: Activists abroad detail systematic killings, with many deaths occurring at close range.

The use of Starlink by activists has been critical, though limited, in circumventing the regime's censorship.

What's next: Most Iranians now await U.S. intervention, as President Trump signals increased military presence. Without outside help, they argue, it is impossible to topple a theocracy that not only permits its forces to kill civilians but treats it as their duty.

With the regime's legitimacy eroded, many argue that external support is crucial for toppling the theocracy.

To read the full article, click here.

Iran Denies Trump's Claim That It Halted Hangings

U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in April 2025. Shutterstock

By: Mardo Soghom

President Donald Trump canceled anticipated military action against Iran on January 16, 2026, after thanking the regime for allegedly canceling 800 executions, a claim unverified by Iranian sources.

Why it matters: Trump's decision appears to have been justified internally by the claim that Iran had canceled the execution of 800 detainees.

Shortly afterward, the United States Department of State posted a message in Persian on X, warning that Tehran was preparing options to target U.S. bases. It concluded: "We have said this before and we say it again: Do not play games with President Trump."

Driving the news: Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei dismissed Trump's remarks and pledged to continue targeting "troublemakers."

Tehran's prosecutor called Trump's execution claims "nonsense," and threats to U.S. bases were made public.

What's next: Some observers argue that Trump has not entirely abandoned the option of striking regime targets.

Significant military assets are moving toward the region, including the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, en route from the South China Sea.

To read the full article, click here.

Khamenei Is Testing Trump's Credibility

Senior cleric Ahmad Khatami during Friday prayers at the Grand Mosalla of Tehran, in a file photo. Shutterstock

By: Shay Khatiri

On January 16, 2026, President Donald Trump said Iran canceled 800 executions. Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami later called for detainee executions.

Why it matters: Khatami's role signals Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's tacit support for harsh measures, while Trump risks credibility if he doesn't act on his threats.

The region recalls Obama's unenforced "red line" in Syria, which emboldened adversaries.

Driving the news: Khatami's calls for executions during Friday prayers reflect regime hardliners' influence.

Skepticism grows about Trump's intentions, as his envoy suggests negotiations over Iran's nuclear and missile programs.

What's next: Trump must decide between maintaining deterrence or risking international perception of weakness.

The regime's delay tactics threaten Iranian freedom, as detainees remain vulnerable to future reprisals.

To read the full article, click here.

How Iran Augmented Its Internet Shutdown Strategy in 2026

The Islamic Republic's internet shutdown of 2026 is different from those imposed during past protests. Shutterstock

By: Umud Shokri

The Islamic Republic of Iran's internet blackout during the January 2026 protests showcases a shift from total shutdowns to strategic degradation of connectivity.

Why it matters: By sabotaging internet protocols, Tehran extends its control over unrest and conceals violence more effectively.

This method reduces political costs and fragments international responses, giving the regime time to suppress dissent.

Driving the news: Protocol-level interference prevents reliable communication, disrupting protest coordination and concealing repression.

Tehran's multifaceted approach includes localized internet outages and degraded encryption, exhausting users and diminishing confidence in workarounds.

What's next: The blackout transforms synchronized uprisings into isolated confrontations, allowing the regime to manage protests sequentially.

Internationally, the strategy delays pressure, as information emerges slowly, blunting diplomatic responses and weakening accountability.

To read the full article, click here.

Western Progressives' Selective Silence on Iranians' Quest for Rights

Activists gather with Palestinian flags and

By: Mehrdad Marty Youssefiani

Iran faces its gravest crisis since the 1979 revolution, with protests against corruption turning into an uprising. Yet, progressives remain notably silent.

Why it matters: The regime's brutal crackdown, resulting in over 12,000 deaths, is met with a deafening silence from global progressives who fear accusations of Islamophobia.

This selective advocacy undermines credibility and emboldens the Iranian regime.

Driving the news: Prominent progressives like Mark Ruffalo and Susan Sarandon, vocal on other causes, have not addressed Iran's crackdown.

This silence prioritizes narratives over rights, betraying Iranian protesters who risk everything for freedom.

What's next: Progressives must confront their inconsistencies and support Iranian protesters, rejecting selective advocacy that ignores human rights abuses.