U.S. policy focuses on stability over Kurdish issue – Ex-ambassadors
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – U.S. Ambassador James Jeffrey asserted on Tuesday that Washington does not officially recognize a distinct Kurdish issue, emphasizing a focus on regional stability rather than a specific Kurdish policy.
“Washington officially does not recognize a Kurdish issue…Neither Trump nor Harris will have a ‘Kurdish policy.’ What we do have is a policy of trying to maintain stability in the region and working with people who are willing to contribute to that stability,” Jeffrey said.
This came during an event held by the School of International Service at American University on the implications of the U.S. presidential elections for the Kurdish issue in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, Amb. William Roebuck, former deputy special envoy to the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, reiterated that a potential Harris administration would continue to focus on the threat posed by the Islamic State (ISIS), predicting that U.S. support for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) would remain crucial in countering this threat and maintaining security in the al-Hawl Camp.
Roebuck noted that President Trump is inclined to reduce military involvement abroad, believing ISIS has been largely defeated.
However, he acknowledged the complexities of U.S.-Turkey relations, stating, “Turkey has some very complicated calculations about NE Syria and the presence of the SDF in Syria.”
Amb. Jeffrey also commented on U.S. withdrawal scenarios, suggesting that a pullout from Iraq may not necessarily lead to a similar withdrawal from Syria. Roebuck, however, noted that ” the withdrawal of U.S. forces would create a vacuum in NE Syria that will be very unstable.”
In light of ongoing peace talks with Kurds in Turkey, Jeffrey remarked on Turkey’s interest in pursuing diplomatic efforts, asserting, “It is in US interests to promote it — to the extent we can, because it’s an internal Turkish question — because we want a stable Turkey that’s not at war.”
Roebuck underscored that reconciling the Kurdish issue in Turkey could foster stability and provide options for the SDF, especially in the context of a possible U.S. withdrawal.