Sunday, November 13, 2016
GDBB 3 - The Future of Kurdistan
Use one of the current events sources linked at http://hwc-spring2017.blogspot.com/2016/11/approved-sources-for-hwc-current-events.htmlto find at least 2 recent news article that relate to, support, or refute Krajeski's positions on the Kurds and Kurdistan. Your comment should include the titles of and links to the news article. Then, briefly summarize these articles with an explanation of how these sources relate to the arguments presented in the briefing book. Don't forget to check your rubric for evaluation criteria!
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Aid to Sunni Arabs in Kurdistan comes with a side of suspicion
ReplyDeletehttp://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2014/0828/Aid-to-Sunni-Arabs-in-Kurdistan-comes-with-a-side-of-suspicion
This article begins by describing the living conditions of people in a camp in Khanaqin, Iraq. Many of the people need medical attention and most of the men cannot fight; because of this, Kurdish security forces have been trying to shelter these people from nearby air strikes. Though the camp's intentions seem genuine, there is the possibility of hostility between Kurds and Arabs. The conditions in the camps are bare-minimum, and they are kept that way because local authorities feel that some of the families stayed in the city with the Islamic State for too long, and some of the families even welcomed them. This article connects to the topic because the Kurds are once more doing something that they will not be paid back for: protecting camps.
Car bomb hits bus carrying soldiers in Turkey
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/12/blast-hits-bus-turkey-central-province-kayseri-161217063957100.html
The article starts by describing casualties of a car bomb in Kayseri, Turkey: 13 people were killed and 56 were injured. Authorities in Turkey have been searching for possible suspects and have found 7 so far. Many bombings this year have been claimed by Kurdish fighters, including the detrimental bombing in Istanbul that killed 44 people. The car bomb attack is similar to other attacks by the Kurds, but the attacker is still unknown. This article relates to the topic because all of these attacks on other countries could prevent Kurdistan from getting what it has wanted for years: its own country.
Who are the Kurds?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29702440
This article explains in detail about who the Kurds are, where they live, why they do not have their own nation, why they are at the forefront of the battle against ISIS, their relationship with Turkey, whether or not they gain independence, and their goals. The article presents this information in an organized format along with pictures. Although most of these topics were covered in the Great Decisions Book, this article helps to expand on the information with more facts and visuals, and condense the information so it takes less time to read. The article summed up the information the topic offered on the Kurds and gave extra, more recent facts about them as well.
Iraqi Kurdistan profile - timeline
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-15467672
This article gave a timeline of all the major events that happened to the Kurds from 1918 to 2015. It begins with the end of World War I and makes its way chronologically all the way to the US invasion of Iraq to recent events with Turkey. The major categories are Uprising, Autonomy granted, Iranian involvement, Save haven, Moves toward unity, US-led invasion of Iraq, Kurdish parliament, Turkish attacks, Oil row, Refugee flood, Independence plans, and constitutional reform. With all of these events, it is organized and easy to see the way Kurdistan developed. This relates to the topic because the topic mentions many of these events and this article helps to organize them and put them in chronological order. It also presents other events that the topic did not mention as well, expanding the information given.
A summary of the Kurd position in the Middle East: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29702440
ReplyDeleteKurdish President says, “we will not cede the territory we capture”: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/06/140628-iraq-kurds-independence-kurdistan-sunni-baghdad/
As said in the article from BCC, “In recent decades, Kurds have increasingly influenced regional developments, fighting for autonomy in Turkey and playing prominent roles in the conflicts in Iraq and Syria, where they have resisted the advance of the so-called Islamic State…”. Throughout the passage, the author makes the point that the Kurds are effectively already a nation, with strong feelings of nationalism and support for their community. Not only this, the the Kurds have played a surprisingly important role in the fight against ISIS, providing knowledge of the land, acting as translators for Western reinforcements, and even as autonomous fighting units. The combination of their increased relevance in modern times and well as their long time goal of becoming their own nation has created a sense of urgency to claim their own land. In the fight against terror, the Iraqi army scattered leaving the Kurds to fight the enemy. With the Iraq government in chaos, the Kurds have called for him to step down and allow them to claim the land they fiercely protected as their own. This is seeming more and more likely as time goes on the Kurds continue to repel ISIS forces. Once again, it seems that the Great Decisions Book was correct in their evaluation of the situation in ‘Kurdistan’.
Baghdad, Kurds at odds over control of post-ISIL Mosul
ReplyDeletehttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/11/baghdad-kurds-odds-control-post-isil-mosul-161117150810662.html
Who are the Kurds?
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29702440
These two articles support Krajeski's claim that Kurdistan is at risk to ISIS and are fighting with the United States to help save, and protect the land where they reside. The first article talks about how the Kurds and Iraq took back Mosul. It shows how the Kurds are fighting to gain control back from ISIS of their land. The second article goes in depth about who the Kurds are, why they don't have a country, and why they're fighting. Around 35 million Kurds inhabit areas around Iraq, Turkey, Syria, Iran and Armenia. Since being the fourth largest ethnic group in the Middle East, it is a big question as to why they don't have their own country. This could be the reason that they're fighting against ISIS so that if and when they beat them, they can gain land for their own.
Turkey Deports New York Times Journalist
ReplyDelete“Turkey Deports New York Times Journalist.” Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera, 18 Jan. 2017, www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/01/turkey-deports-york-times-correspondent-170118091.
This article talks about Rod Nordland, a journalist for the New York Times, who was deported from Turkey when attempting to enter the country. Turkey apparently did this because Nordland had written articles supporting the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK. In addition, this is not the first time Turkey has done this. The article reflects how at-odds the Turks and the Kurds currently are, as mentioned in the Great Decisions chapter, and that these tensions will probably not let up easily or soon.
Obama's Stark Options on ISIS: Arm Syrian Kurds or Let Trump Decide
Gordon, Michael R., and Eric Schmitt. “Obama's Stark Options on ISIS: Arm Syrian Kurds or Let Trump Decide.” The New York Times, The New York Times Company, 17 Jan. 2017, www.nytimes.com/2017/01/17/world/middleeast/obama-isis-syria-kurds.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=second-column-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0.
This article discusses the tough decisions Obama faces on whether to help the Syrian Kurds in their fight to take the city of Raqqa back from ISIS. The problem with helping the Kurdish is that the US would alienate Turkey, who considers the Kurdish militia to have ties to terrorists, in doing so. However, the Pentagon is urging Obama to follow through with the decision. His other option is to leave the decision to president-elect Trump, or to come up with some sort of compromise. This again emphasizes Turkey's antagonistic relationship with the Kurds, and how it not only affects them but other powers as well.
Kurds Fear the U.S. Will Again Betray Them, in Syria
ReplyDeletehttps://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/02/world/middleeast/kurds-syria-turkey.html
This article talks about how the United States help the Kurds one second, but yet betray them the next. This is highlighted when the U.S. gives the Syrian Kurds weapons and training, but then is 'fighting' against the U.S. when Turkish forces started to battle with the Kurds to stop them from advancing in northern Syria, with Turkey having support from America. The article then mentions how this is not the first time the Kurds have been betrayed by America, citing the time they were going to give the Kurds weapons to fight, but then stopped it at the last second. The article also goes into detail about the complicated relationship between Turkey and the Kurds. The article relates to the book because it talks about how America is inconsistent when helping the Kurds, like in the book when the U.S. did not help the Kurds when they were attacked by chemical weapons. The article also mentions Turkey as who the Kurds are clashing with, which is discussed in the book as well.
Turkish Prosecutors Demand 142 Year Jail Term for Kurdish Leader
http://www.euronews.com/2017/01/17/turkish-prosecutors-demand-142-year-jail-term-for-kurdish-leader
This article discusses how a leader of the People's Democratic Party for the Kurds, Selahattin Demirtas, is being charged with links to Kurdish militants, and the Turks want to sentence him to 142 years in jail. Although the defendants of this case deny any links, his co-leader is also facing 83 years, along with 10 others charged, making it probable that he will be sentenced. This article shows the deeply rooted hatred between the two groups, doing anything to bring down the other. In the book, Turkish and Kurdish relationships are explained and how they have been at each other for a long time, and this reinforces the idea by showing how their fight is still prevalent.
Syria’s Civil War Explained
ReplyDeletehttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/05/syria-civil-war-explained-160505084119966.html
This article is mainly about how the Muslim Brotherhood and Syria itself are now in war. This article starts off by stating that many people have been killed, and people are looking for new and safe places to live. This whole battle started over fifteen boys who wrote graffiti supporting Arab Spring. These boys were tortured, and this torturing got the attention of many people. This Civil War has gotten the attention Russia, and Russia is now an alliance, bombing terrorist groups. It states, just like in “The Future of Kurdistan”, that the U.S. is reluctant to involve itself, because of the past bombing of chemicals.
Stop Recruiting Children Soldiers in Iraq
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2016/12/stop-recruiting-child-soldiers-iraq-161223152518018.html
This article is mainly about children being sent to become soldiers, and Kurds not being treated fairly. Kurds and their children were sent to war, even though some of the kids were sent illegally. Many of the children soldiers were not taken care of, and many have psychological problems from when in battle. This was caused by seeing their friends and family die right beside them.
Turkey urges Trump administration to turn back on Syrian Kurdish forces
ReplyDeletehttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/03/turkey-sets-out-terms-for-co-operation-with-trump-us-administration
This article is about the differing relations of the Kurds with several nations and the opinions of other countries on their stance. It starts by discussing how Turkey wants the United States to stop supplying Syrian Kurdish forces with weapons, which the U.S. has denied doing, as to not disrupt their own alliance with them. This would cause a problem between Turkey and the U.S. because Turkey views Syrian Kurdish forces as a terrorist organization due to the conflicts between them and Syrian Kurdish rebel groups. It became clear that the U.S. had actually agreed to supply the Kurds if they led a battle against ISIS in Raqqa, Syria. This was held off by the Kurds though because they wanted the Syrian government to end their violations to their ceasefire. This relates to the topic because it demonstrates how uncertain the future is for the Kurds because they have several possible allies and enemies, but nothing concrete for the time being. Also, it shows how they could be a major force against ISIS and how the U.S. would potentially utilize that, as mentioned in the great decisions topic.
Arab-Kurds tensions simmers in shadow of Mosul Campaign
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/11/arab-kurd-tensions-simmer-shadow-mosul-campaign-161122055709252.html
This article starts by describing how their control of cities that they captured, like Baghdad, could be an opportunity. There has been possibility of retreat of Kurdish forces from those cities under advisement of other countries, but they are reluctant because it could help secure their future as an independent region. While some agreements have been made over which land the Kurds should retreat from, with help from the United States, tensions are still high about areas like Mosul that other countries are asking Kurds to retreat from. This article relates to the topic because they both focus on what the strength of Kurdish forces against ISIS could mean for their potential future as an independent region. They also need to be cautious due to the fighting that could be triggered by their attempts at independence, which is also mentioned in the topic.
“Who are Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) rebels?” http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-20971100
ReplyDeleteThe PKK arose in the 1970s and has caused trouble for Turkey ever since. There are conflicting statements as to whether the PKK wants to separate from Turkey or not and over 40,000 people have died because of the clashing reports. Turkey is also claiming that several other groups are allied with the PKK, however the groups refuse to admit their alliance. The PKK has also made terroristic attacks such as setting off car bombs and is recognized as a terror group by Turkey, the EU, and the US. This article related to “The future of Kurdistan” because both readings talk about the PKK.
“How a Rex Tillerson oil deal nearly sparked an Iraqi-Kurdish war” https://www.pri.org/stories/2017-01-05/how-rex-tillerson-oil-deal-nearly-sparked-iraqi-kurdish-war
The United States has helped the Kurds to the point where they now occupy a part of northern Iraq which houses forty percent of the nation’s oil reserves. The government thought that they should control the oil, however the Kurds in the north wanted control as well. In 2011, Exxon approved a deal with the Kurds for oil, but the government was enraged. Iraqi troops were stationed around places where Exxon planned to drill for oil to try and prevent them from drilling. This caused many problems to the point where if Exxon would have drilled it would have been considered an act of war. This article relates to “The future of Kurdistan” because throughout many parts of the reading in GGBB it talks about the Kurds almost getting oil-rich cities.
Kurdish Delegation In Washington Looks For U.S. Assistance To Fight ISIS
ReplyDeletehttp://www.npr.org/2016/01/12/462754304/kurdish-delegation-in-washington-looking-for-u-s-assistance-to-fight-isis
The first article I have found on NPR explains how the Iraqi Kurdish forces ask assistance for the U.S. To aid them in the fight against ISIS. To start with, refering back to the GDBB, the United States and the Kurds have had a relationship before in the past to fight agaisnt Saddam Hussein in 2003 during the Iraq War. The Kurdistans role in the war was actually vital in the victory of taking down Hussein according to the U.S. Military. Additionally, the U.S. Helped the Iraqi Kurds by creating a region for them to start parliments that they so desired. The article from NPR simply supports and builds upon the whole relationship between the Kurds and the U.S. However, this time it is against the Jihadi terrorist group known as ISIS. Knowing in the past the U.S. has in fact help train the Kurdish forces as well, It would be a well hypothesis the U.S. Will continue to help them out. Such as finacial aid and nonlethal military equiment like boots and clothing.
Turkey's Jets Fire On Syrian Kurds Allied With U.S. Against ISIS
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/10/27/452192207/turkey-s-jets-fire-on-syrian-kurds-allied-with-u-s-against-isis
As quoated in the NPR article, "Turkey has acknowledged attacking a Kurdish militia group that has been a U.S. ally in the fight against ISIS, saying fighters had crossed into an off-limits area in Syria. Turkey also says it has attacked ISIS within its own borders." This explains pretty much what the article is about. Basically, Turkish forces attacked Kurdish focres whom are allied with the U.S. With fighter jets in order to take down ISIS forces. In the GDBB it explained how much the U.S. And Kurdistan are close allies and it is intersting to ponder about what actions the U.S. May take against Turkey for attacking a close ally. The U.S. Trained these Kurdish soldiers and supplied them as well and suddenly Turkish Air Forces attacked them. Turkeynsimply believes that Syrian Kurds may expand their boarders near Turkey to fight ISIS which Turkey does not want whatsoever. As we know in the GBDD, the U.S. Has helped expand the region for the Kurdistans and they even established their own parliment. And intersting question to maybe think about is, what if the Kurds expand their boarders? Will the U.S. Help thrm in that expansion since they have done it before?
Kurdish Journalists, Embedded With Peshmerga, Live-Stream Mosul Battle
ReplyDeletehttp://www.npr.org/2016/10/25/499262774/kurdish-journalists-embedded-with-peshmerga-live-stream-mosul-battle
Kurdish journalists are starting to livestream the battle for Mosul between the Peshmerga and the Iraqi forces online. Rudaw is the Kurdish network that started to livestream the battle. The head of media Hemin Lihony explains that they have two cameramen at the battle they keep in touch with. When one of them sees anything happen, they call and the station will give them access to livestream. In order to ensure the content of the livestream doesn’t go against online guidelines, the stream is closely monitored to avoid the filming of any graphic content. Lihony also said that he found it ironic that ISIS uses social media to recruit its members, while Rudaw uses social media to expose and humiliate ISIS. This relates to the chapter because it expands upon the fighting in Iraq.
Iraqi Troops Edge Deeper Into Mosul — With Caution
http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2017/01/15/509643740/iraqi-troops-edge-deeper-into-mosul-with-caution
Iraqi forces got to the Tigris River that runs through Mosul in Iraq last week for the first time since fighting began. ISIS had held Mosul and made it the capital of the Islamic State. The fight for Mosul has been going on for months and the Iraqi forces are slowly advancing. The Iraqi forces have recaptured parts of eastern Mosul, but ISIS still has control over the Western parts of the city. This relates to the chapter because it too expands upon the fighting in Iraq.
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/01/turkey-deports-york-times-correspondent-170118091705338.html
ReplyDeleteTurkey Deports New York Times Journalist
This articles describes how New York Times reporter, Rod Nordland, was denied access into Turkey. The Turkish government did not give an immediate statement on the deportation, and in previous years no New York Times correspondent was denied entry into the country. It was then discovered that Rod Norland was denied entry into the country for writing past “pro-Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) articles” for the New York Times. The article then discusses how the conflict between the Kurds and Turkish was reignited in the summer of 2015. Many people that have been linked to the PKK have been put in jail by the Turkish government because they’re seen as a terrorist organization. This article supports the claim that Turkey and the Kurds have been living in conflict for some time and more recently it has grown.
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/01/bomb-blast-kills-policemen-turkey-diyarbakir-170116154441718.html
Roadside bomb blast kills police in Turkey's Diyarbakir
This articles describes a bombing that took place in the Diyarbakir province that killed four police officers and wounded others. In Diyarbakir the Turkish army in previous years had launched a campaign that outlawed the Kurdistan Workers’ Party. Although there has been no immediate claim to who had committed this terrorist attack, but Turkey has reasons to believe that it was the PKK considering Diyarbakir is a Kurdish majority province. This articles helps to reinforce Krajeski’s claims that Turkey and the Kurds are currently in conflict.
Who are the Kurds?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29702440
This article gives information all about the Kurds, specifically information about where they came from and their battles with ISIS. Kurds came from Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Armenia, and a majority of them are Sunni Muslims and formed their homeland Kurdistan hoping one day it would be free. Then in 2013, ISIS attacked three Kurdish enclaves over and over again for a year. ISIS continued to attack and advance causing Kurds from other areas to get involved. Eventually a Kurdish army was sent to help which eventually withdrew after a surprise attack by ISIS allowing them to capturing a number of cities. The army, however, came back with more support from Iraq and other Kurdistan enclaves. The Kurdish army and US airstrikes helped the Kurds to gain their first victory against ISIS and have since had a number more. This relates to the chapter by expanding on the battle for Kobane which was talked about. Also it gives more background on who exactly the Kurds were instead so one can know who the chapter was talking about in more detail.
Kurdish president: Independent Kurdistan is ‘neither a rumor nor a dream’
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/kurdish-president-independent-kurdistan-is-neither-a-rumor-nor-a-dream/2017/01/19/0a832f62-ddbb-11e6-acdf-14da832ae861_story.html?utm_term=.18401fd65f4f
This article, although containing mostly a question and answer session with the Kurdish President, Massoud Barzani, provides a lot of information and insight on Kurdistan. The article begins by talking about the Peshmerga troops of Kurdistan who are fighting along side the Iraqi Forces. Then there was a list of approximately thirty questions that the Kurdish President was asked along with their respective answers. Most of the questions had to do with war, ISIS, or Washington's new Trump administration. From Massoud Barzani's answers it became apparent that he and Kurdistan are grateful for the United State's help in the battle against ISIS and expects to continue seeing support with Trump as president. Also it appears that the Kurds are not completely trusting of the United States and have stated that if they are abandoned by the United States it would allow for further spread of ISIS. Finally, Barzani talks about how Kurdistan becoming independent is a reality that will come true, this means that there is no doubt that eventually Kurdistan will be on its own. This relates to the chapter by showing the Kurdistan's desire to be independent. Also throughout the chapter it talks about the U.S. abandoning the Kurds multiple times throughout history and the Kurds have not forgotten that and still worry about abandonment today.
The Kurds May Seize the Moment to Break Free of Iraq
ReplyDeletehttp://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/06/140628-iraq-kurds-independence-kurdistan-sunni-baghdad/
The article goes over why now is a good time for the Kurds to become independent. It shows that they are moving and expanding their region as they hold off ISIS. ISIS has been causing such terror in the nation that it is easier to push for independence now rather than later when everything is settled. Another factor that goes into play is that they have a huge amount of oil fields that they conquered. This gives them good trading like Great Decisions said Exxon bought into some of their oil. So because of the chaos the country could truly expand and continue to work and make it independent. Great Decisions mentioned the want of Kurds to become independent and this article shows how they can continue to try to do that.
Religious Refugees Flee ISIS; Head To Kurdistan Border
http://www.npr.org/2014/08/12/339753073/religious-refugees-flee-isis-head-to-kurdistan-border
The interview discusses what the Kurds believe the possibility of a positive future. The prime minister is believed to do well however, it's the whole nation who has to support and work to become more independent. ISIS is forming a big predicament but luckily the US is continuing to assist by providing fire arms and their extension, they have given them firearms and necessities as well as preventions. The US Air Force is helping along with the Iraqi Air Force and they're looking forward to air strikes occurring in ISIS locations. The Yazidis are a religious minority who among the Kurdish are stuck on a mountain that is surrounded by ISIS. In order to protect them and decrease the chances of worse things happening the Kurdish will have to make a "humanitarian corridor" that will take out the threatened people in the area. ISIS needs to be removed in order for the people to not be threatened. Again this article relates to Great Decisions because it describes what the conditions are like and includes the details of the support the US gave to the Kurds.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/turkeys-pro-kurdish-party-leader-faces-142-years-in-prison/2017/01/17/661b33d6-dcd7-11e6-8902-610fe486791c_story.html?utm_term=.0316f75df81a
"Turkey’s pro-Kurdish party leader faces 142 years in prison"
The Chairman of the Peoples’ Democracy Party Selahattin Demirtas has been accused of leading a terrorist group which killed over 30 people in a show of street violence in 2014. According to the article, Demirtas and another man, Figen Yuksekda, were leaders of an outlaw faction of a banned Pro-Kurdish party, the PKK. They have allegedly been responsible for terror propaganda, as well as violating legislation laws. This goes to highlight and emphasize the turmoil that is still between Turkey and Kurdistan after their clash, and the fact that it will likely never fade in the forseeable future.
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/01/iraqi-forces-retake-parts-mosul-university-170114104200017.html
"Iraqi forces 'retake Mosul University' from ISIL"
The article describes the recapturing of a highly contested and strategic university in Mosul from ISIS, by the Peshmerga Kurdish forces. Sources say this will be key in allowing the Kurdish forces to drive ISIS out of the urban areas of Mosul. The university was originally seized in 2014, as ISIS advanced through the city, but was taken back by the elite fighters of Kurdistan. The push to retake Mosul started in October, and it is now in its final stages thanks to the intervention of these forces.
Kurdish women pray for peace as fears of civil war in Turkey mount
ReplyDeletehttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/16/women-join-kurdish-rebel-ranks
This article is about the citizens that fight for the KKP and the Turkish Military. The head of military in Turkey waged war and set off bombs for the first time in a few years. The KKP was wishing for peace and no more death of their citizens. In Great Decisions, that author spoke about the relationships between Kurdistan and Turkey. They seemed to be portrayed as friendly because Turkey kind of over powers Kurdistan. In this article, many, not all, Kurdistan citizens are not happy with the decisions being made for their region.
Kurds Struggle For Recognition in Syrian Revolt
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-kurds-idUSBRE82T05C20120330
This article is very similar and sends the same message as the previous article. The Kurds were seeking for someone to hear and listen to their voice being spoken. This was when they disagreed with the government on the decision to keep Assad. The Kurds and many others did not want to keep him and the government officials focused on the war rather than their own citizens opinions and happiness.