Kenneth Pollack writes: Many Kurds still hope that independence will solve their problems in the short term, by allowing the KRG to borrow money both domestically and internationally, by eliminating the discount on KRG oil exports, and by giving them full control over their monetary policy. The fact that they now feel like there is real hope for a peaceful secession has been a significant psychological boon. However, over time, it is likely that if these far-reaching reforms in economics and governance continue and expand, they will ultimately be the greatest benefit to Kurdistan, potentially setting it on the course to eventual stability, if not real prosperity. – Brookings Institution
- Cautious optimism over efforts to combat ISIS in Baghdad
- Zimmerman, Cafarella: Al-Qaeda’s global attack campaign
The former head of Israel’s domestic intelligence agency, Avi Dichter, says Iran now commands a force of 25,000 Shia militants in Syria, fighting against the Sunni opposition to the Iranian-backed, Shia government of Syrian President Assad. These fighters are mostly recruits from Afghanistan, Pakistan and are in addition to Hezbollah, the Iranian terrorist army based out of Lebanon. – Washington Times
For some Syrian women living in Lebanon, the bitter realities of life as a refugee have nourished an unexpected side effect: empowerment…Uprooted from some familiar social constraints and exposed to programs promoting women’s rights through contact with aid groups, some of them have obtained a degree of personal autonomy they never experienced in Syria. – Washington Post
With the imminent arrival of its lone aircraft carrier off the coast of Syria, Russia is set to bulk up its military campaign ahead of what probably will be a renewed bombing campaign on the besieged city of Aleppo. – Washington Post’s Checkpoint
Defense Secretary Ash Carter applauded U.S.-backed coalition forces for opening a new "isolation" effort in Raqqa on Sunday as part of an operation to remove the Islamic State from its de facto capital in Syria, but neglected to offer any hint of progress made with Turkey in negotiating allowing the Kurdish-led Syrian forces to enter the city. – Washington Examiner
Joint Chiefs Chairman Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford on Sunday met in Ankara with his Turkish counterpart on the planned Raqqa offensive to be led by U.S.-backed Syrian Kurds considered terrorists by Turkey. – Military.com