The John Batchelor Show

VIDEO: Russian 'Complication'

January 29, 2016

Thursday  28 January 2016 / Hour 2, Block B:  Steven A. Cook, Eni Enrico Mattei senior Fellow for Middle East and Africa studies, Council on Foreign Relations;  in re: Russia is backing the Syrian Kurds (YPG), who opposed Assad, but both oppose Turkey’s Erdogan. Common cause in an effort to bring Erdogan down a peg or two.   The US and Turkey are coming in for a significant dipl clash.  US claims that the YPG is the same as the PKK in Turkey.  However, YPG are dong well in fighting ISISI and also are deeply embroiled in the Syrian civil war.  Russia doesn't much gain from an independent Kurdistan, but can play them as pawns and send a tough message to Erdogan. Putin will ride the Kurds as hard as he can then abandon them at the end, just as the US done in the past. JCB:  The Kurds and other minorities (Yazidis, et al.) have by their settled presence held together the dominant groups for the last millennium.  Iran has a history of good relations with the Patriotic Group of Kurdistan.  However, with Iraq failing, Iran will use the troubles to extend its influence throughout the region.  IS Turkey stable enough to survive for ten years? Actually, Turkey is a contrivance: the imagination of Ataturk. Can imagine, Iraqi Kurds going their own way; Erdogan messing up; Turkey could break up. Yes, at least it’s in for a big fight with the Kurds. http://www.wsj.com/articles/russian-foreign-minister-sergei-lavrov-says-syrian-kurds-must-be-invited-to-talks-1453807972  ;  http://www.thetower.org/2863-syrian-opposition-kerry-threatened-to-cut-aid-unless-we-agreed-with-irans-terms-for-talks/  ;  http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/sisis-fracturing-regime