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Showing posts with the label PKK

From the shadows to supreme power: why Iran chose Ahmad Vahidi to lead its confrontation with the United States

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By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj | Kurdish Policy Analysis Who Is Ahmad Vahidi? The Secretive IRGC Commander now shaping Iran's confrontation with the United States From the founding of the Quds Force to commanding the Revolutionary Guards, Ahmad Vahidi's rise signals a new era in Iran's military-led decision-making. As Tehran braces for a prolonged confrontation with Washington, one of Iran's most secretive and hardline military figures has emerged at the center of power—signaling a dramatic shift in how the Islamic Republic intends to wage its geopolitical struggle. Who is Ahmad Vahidi? Explore the rise of Iran's IRGC commander and how his growing influence could reshape Tehran's strategy toward the United States and the Middle East. For decades, Ahmad Vahidi remained largely behind the scenes, shaping Iran's military doctrine and regional strategy away from the public spotlight. Today, however, he stands at the heart of Iran's national security apparatus, overs...
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Can the PKK Party move beyond armed struggle and adjust to new geopolitical realities?

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By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj | Kurdish Policy Analysis   Why the PKK Went Into Retreat: How Turkey, the US, and Syria Reshaped the Kurdish Armed Struggle A new assessment examines how shifting geopolitics, Turkey's military adaptation, changing US priorities, and the Syrian conflict transformed the PKK from a growing regional actor into a movement seeking peace negotiations. Why did the PKK retreat after decades of insurgency? An analysis of Turkey's military strategy, US policy shifts, Syria, and the movement's return to peace talks. Summary For much of the early 2000s, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) appeared to be in decline. Following the capture of Abdullah Öcalan in 1999, the organization abandoned its immediate goal of an independent Kurdish state, declared ceasefires, and attempted to reinvent itself around democratic autonomy while relocating much of its leadership to the mountains of northern Iraq. The outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011 dramatically alt...
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Öcalan urges optimism: 'We are at the beginning of a democratic path'

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By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj |   Kurdish Policy Analysis Imprisoned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan has called for no pessimism about drafting a "framework law" for the "peace process and democratic society," based on dissolving the PKK, laying down arms and ending nearly half a century of armed conflict. The Turkish government is intensifying efforts to prepare a draft law that includes the return of PKK fighters and their integration into society, after ensuring that all weapons are dismantled and laid down. Ocalan has sent a new message from his prison in western Turkey's Imrali prison, urging PKK members and the Kurdish community not to be pessimistic about the delay in submitting the bill to the Turkish parliament for approval. pace "We are at the beginning of a democratic path in which the efforts are no less than those made during the establishment of the Republic of Turkey (in 1923 under Mustafa Kemal Ataturk)," Ocalan said. ...
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Türkiye, Iraq, and KRG reach tripartite understanding to close Makhmour Camp under new peace framework

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By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj | Kurdish Policy Analysis Turkish media reports that Türkiye, Iraq, and the KRG have reached a preliminary understanding to close Makhmour Camp as part of Ankara's evolving peace process, though no government has officially confirmed the claim. Turkish media says proposed plan would facilitate the return of 16,000 residents and establish a legal process for PKK-linked individuals, though no government has officially confirmed the report A new Turkish media report claims that Türkiye , the Government of Iraq , and the Kurdistan Regional Government have reached a preliminary understanding to close the Makhmour Refugee Camp as part of Ankara's evolving peace initiative with the ** Kurdistan Workers' Party >. According to Turkish daily Nefes , the plan would allow approximately 16,000 camp residents to return to Türkiye following the adoption of new legislation intended to support the country's peace process. However, neither the Turkish gover...
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PKK withdraws from 81 border positions in major step toward Turkey's peace process

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  By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj | Kurdish Policy Analysis The Kurdistan Workers' Party has reportedly evacuated dozens of strategic positions along the Turkey-Iraq border as Ankara advances its "terror-free Turkey" initiative, raising hopes for the most significant breakthrough in decades of conflict. The PKK has reportedly withdrawn from 81 positions along the Turkey-Iraq border, marking a significant step in Turkey's evolving peace process. PKK Reportedly Vacates 81 Border Positions The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has reportedly withdrawn its fighters from 81 camps and military positions along the Turkey-Iraq border, marking one of the largest reported redeployments since the organization announced its decision to dissolve and disarm. According to Turkish media and security sources, Turkish military and intelligence units verified the evacuation after conducting inspections and reviewing satellite imagery. The reported withdrawal forms part of Ankara's b...
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Turkey urges Iran to halt strikes on Kurdish groups as regional tensions threaten Ankara's peace strategy

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  By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj Kurdish Policy Analysis Ankara fears continued Iranian attacks on Kurdish opposition groups could drive them closer to Israel, destabilize Iraq's Kurdistan Region, and jeopardize Turkey's fragile peace process with the PKK. Turkey has reportedly urged Iran to halt attacks on Kurdish opposition groups, warning that further escalation could undermine the PKK peace process and destabilize Iraqi Kurdistan. Turkey Urges Iran to Halt Strikes on Kurdish Groups as Regional Tensions Threaten Ankara's Peace Strategy Behind the public diplomacy between Ankara and Tehran, a quieter but strategically significant dialogue appears to be unfolding. According to a report by Middle East Eye , Turkey has urged Iran to halt its attacks on Iranian Kurdish opposition groups, warning that continued military pressure could have unintended consequences for regional stability. For Ankara, the issue extends far beyond Iran's internal security. Turkish officials report...
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Erdogan says PKK dissolution legislation will reach parliament within days

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  By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj Kurdish Policy Analysis The proposed legal package aims to establish the framework for implementing the PKK's disarmament and dissolution, potentially marking the beginning of a new chapter in Turkey's Kurdish peace process. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says legislation implementing the PKK's dissolution will soon reach parliament, advancing Turkey's peace process. Erdogan Says PKK Dissolution Legislation Will Reach Parliament Within Days Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced that legislation implementing the dissolution of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) will be submitted to parliament in the coming days, marking another significant milestone in Turkey's evolving Kurdish peace process. Speaking after a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Erdogan said the government had completed work on a legislative package designed to provide the legal and institutional framework needed to implement the PKK's decision to disar...
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Lindsey Graham Passing Reshapes Republican Foreign Policy—and Raises Questions for the Kurds

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  By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj | Kurdish Policy Analysis The sudden death of one of Washington's most influential Republican hawks removes a powerful congressional advocate for Ukraine, Israel, a hardline Iran policy, and Kurdish aspirations in the Middle East. The death of Senator Lindsey Graham removes one of Washington's strongest advocates for the Kurds, Ukraine, Israel, and a tougher US policy toward Iran. Lindsey Graham's Sudden Death Leaves a Strategic Void in Washington WASHINGTON — Senator Lindsey Graham , one of the Republican Party's most influential foreign policy voices and one of President Donald Trump's closest congressional allies, has died at the age of 71 following a sudden illness, according to a statement released by his office. His unexpected death comes at a particularly volatile moment in American and Middle Eastern politics. Graham had recently traveled to Ukraine, remained deeply involved in congressional debates over Iran and Israel, and was p...
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Lindsey Graham's Death Leaves a Void in US-Kurdish Relations

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  By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj | Kurdish Policy Analysis     The passing of Senator Lindsey Graham removes one of the most influential American advocates for the Kurdish people, raising questions about the future of bipartisan support for Kurdistan amid shifting US foreign policy priorities. The death of Senator Lindsey Graham removes one of Washington's strongest advocates for the Kurdish people, creating uncertainty for future US-Kurdish relations. The Loss of a Longstanding Friend of Kurdistan The sudden death of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham has prompted an outpouring of tributes not only across Washington but throughout the Kurdistan Region, reflecting the rare position he occupied as one of the most consistent and influential American advocates for Kurdish interests. The Washington Kurdish Institute described Graham as a steadfast supporter whose commitment to the Kurdish people extended beyond political rhetoric, offering condolences to his family while highlighting...
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Can the stateless Nation of Kurdistan help save the Global Order?

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By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj A new geopolitical analysis argues that Kurdistan's experience of survival, mediation, and pragmatic diplomacy offers unexpected lessons as the international order faces its deepest crisis since World War II. A new geopolitical analysis argues Kurdistan's experience offers vital lessons for rebuilding international order amid the Iran war and global instability. As the World Fragments, Kurdistan Offers an Unexpected Lesson The international system is under unprecedented strain.  Russia's war in Ukraine, escalating tensions between Iran and the West, the paralysis of the United Nations, and growing competition among major powers have raised a fundamental question: Who still defines the rules of international order? According to a new geopolitical analysis by Greg Mills and Basil Gavalas , the answer may not come from Washington, Moscow, Beijing, or Brussels—but from an unlikely place: Iraq's Kurdistan Region . While lacking international r...
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