The United States trained and equipped Kurdish forces for decades, and established deep political ties with the Kurdish leadership. Further, the Kurds are officially allying with the Syrian government, and Russian troops are patrolling where the United States withdrew from, between Turkish and Syrian forces. Ongoing ties give the United States more possible “retaliatory linkage” opportunities (i.e., the United States can manipulate exiting ties, for example, aid or trade ties and punish defection). With the Kurds, the United States has cultivated ties over the past decade — resulting in successful cooperation against the Islamic State. The United States will thus likely feel the loss of its Kurdish partnership in the future — in Syria and beyond.

Source: Washington Post October 17, 2019 11:03 UTC