European Institute for Studies on
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Syria: The Disarmament of the Kurds, or the End of Rojava Era 

Loÿs de Pampelonne

Syria: The Disarmament of the Kurds, or the End of Rojava Era 

September 16, 2026

This article examines the content of the compromise reached between Damascus and the Syrian Kurds, its implication for the regional balance – Turkey, the United-States, Israel, and the peace process with the PKK – and places it within the long-term context of the Kurdish question, comparing it to the far more institutionalised but as fragile trajectory of  Iraqi Kurdistan, whose structural vulnerability, despite thirty years of constitutional autonomy, has been highlighted by Adel Bakawan. Finally, this article considers what the end of the Rojava era might mean for the future of the Kurdish national movement as a whole. 

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CATEGORIES

Turkey facing the geopolitical shift caused by Donald Trump’s return to power

March 13, 2025

Jean Marcou

Jean Marcou analyses here Turkey’s ambiguous position, navigating between its relations with Ukraine, Russia, and Western powers, while seeking to strengthen its regional influence and resolve the Kurdish issue. He highlights the strategic and diplomatic challenges Ankara faces.

Change in Iraq: A Quest for Alternative Modernities

January 24, 2025

Jérôme Chapuisat

Jérôme Chapuisat proposes an alternative modernity for Iraq, based on a civic patriotism that transcends ethnic and religious divisions. He challenges ethno-confessionalism and political instability, advocating for active and multicultural citizenship while considering the influence of Islam to build an inclusive and stable state.

Trump and the New Era of Middle Eastern Policies

January 17, 2025

EISMENA Staff

Abdullah Kiran argues that a possible second Trump term could lead to continued U.S. involvement in the Middle East, driven by concerns over Iran’s regional influence. He suggests that Iran, weakened in Syria and Lebanon, may shift its focus toward the Gulf, heightening tensions with Saudi Arabia and other GCC states. However, he notes that future U.S. intervention remains uncertain and depends on evolving political and strategic factors, with the risk that increased military presence could further escalate regional conflicts.

The Impact of a Potential Turkey-PKK Peace Agreement on the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

January 16, 2025

Mohammad Salami

According to Mohammad Salami, potential peace talks between Turkey and the PKK, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, could have major implications for the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Turkey: Towards the Resumption of a Peace Process with the Kurds?

January 10, 2025

EISMENA Staff

In this article, Jean Marcou examines the potential resumption of efforts to address the Kurdish question in Turkey, characterised by symbolic gestures and political initiatives. He analyses the historical context and recent developments, including the meeting with Abdullah Öcalan, while underscoring the domestic and international stakes for the Turkish government.

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Rojava: The Final Hours of a Revolution?

September 14, 2026

Dida Faridoon is one of the few journalists to have attended the meeting of Rojava’s political representatives held in Qamishli on August 29, 2026, with Mazlum Abdi and Ilham Ahmed among the participants. Reading her account, the meeting appears to have been a moment of truth. Away from the cameras, a difficult and at times painful debate unfolded among Kurdish leaders confronted with an existential question: what will remain of Rojava, the Syrian Democratic Forces, and the political and social achievements built over more than a decade? Through Dida Faridoon’s exceptional first-hand account, EISMENA offers access to the discussions behind closed doors, as well as to interviews she personally conducted with several senior figures about the future of Rojava, the SDF, and the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ).

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