I actually helped the Turks capture Abdullah Ocalan. Of course this was when the Kemalist’s CDP still ran Turkey, Israel was one of their best allies, women couldn’t wear head scarfs in the universities, and the Justice and Development Party (AKP) was banned. Seemed like a good idea at the time.
I’m not in love with Leftist (huge understatement)
Syrian Kurds are communalists, not communists.
Some other places probably are. They have a hard left following.
It is a fact that the PKK did train the YPG and YPJ in order to survive.
The YPG from N Syria steeped into the breech when the Ezidi’s were being massacred by ISIS and fled to Shingal mountain. They were not able to totally get it done and 800 PKK came to their aid. I was told there were 180 PKK killed in that incident.
I’ve heard excuses for the Iraq Peshmerga in this incident, I don’t believe those excuses are true.
I will say no more about that.
Erdogan has had no recent provocation to justify what he has done to Kurds in Turkey. NONE.
I read about the capture of Ocalan. It was quite an involved trap that was set.
I personally (opinions are like something else, everyone has one) don’t think PKK is nearly as evil as most nations believe. I have never met one. I do know people who have.
I believe that should not interfere with the outcome in Syria.
I believe that the US has enough clout to mend those fences if Erdogan is chained within Turkey. Leaves Iraq and stays away.
I still have a lot of hope that an understanding of common purpose in Syria between the US and Russia is not only constructive but is a place to build a better relationship.
Do I trust Putin? No. Do I think he is capable of dealing honestly? It would depend on the circumstance.
There is something about Erdogan that has always raised the hair on the back of my neck. I think he is the one the entire world needs to be weary of.