The events in the Middle East over the past few years have prompted intense speculation about whether Iraq and Syria will collapse and be replaced with new political entities reflective of ethnic and sectarian differences. In today’s show, Aaron speaks with Michael Stephens, the Research Fellow for Middle East studies and Head of RUSI Qatar, about the recent Kurdish offensive in Syria, the problems in the Kurdistan Regional government, and the various plans for the establishment of buffer zones in Syria. The show asks whether the current efforts to defeat the Islamic State are effective and delves into the question of whether the break up of Iraq and Syria is inevitable.
The YPG: America’s new best friend? – Michael Stephens and Aaron Stein
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Turkey Wonk: Nuclear and Political Musings in Turkey and Beyond 