Ejder Memis

In the End of Iraq, Peter Galbraith said that post-2003 Kurds continued to ask for autonomy whereas they should have demanded federation which they eventually got. IIRC, he said Kurdish leaders did not know the difference between autonomy and federation.

Within days of Trump decision to withdraw, "North Syria Federation" became "North Syria Autonomous Administration". This huge concession to Damascus went without notice and criticism by nearly all observers.

I think you're taking the semantics too seriously. At that time US went from "we'll stay for a long time" to "we'll leave in 30 days" while Turkey was days from attacking. Moves were made to ensure a quick deal with Damascus due to urgency.

As withdrawal has shown to be slower and more complicated, it will affect negotiations and demands. This semantic change is in no way binding. If an international safe zone will be established for example, I doubt SDC would want anything less than autonomy.

To repeat again, the difference between a 'federation' and 'autonomous' region or administration is not semantics. It is real. What is semantics is describing the federation in KRI as "semi-autonomous region" as many journalists still do.

I think that is because KRG is not recognized as an independent nation and thus not a federation in its own right. However, ironically, they usually acknowledge that Iraq is a federation with KRI being one of the federal components.

IIRC, in Iraq constitution, KRI is described as a federal region. KRG cannot be abolished by Baghdad without abolishing Iraq itself. Peshmerga is a separate entity. In Rojava, that was the plan too. Now they are talking about incorporating SDF into Syrian 'Arab' Army.

Agreed. But when KRG faces similar hard-decisions under pressure, our pro-PKK crowds accuse them of betraying the national cause. To repeat again, the current demands of Rojava Kurds is far less than that enjoyed by Kurds in KRI.

I personally don't take partisan attacks from KDP, PUK, PKK or supporters of any other group seriously. Partisans are always after scoring cheap points against the other team. I care about kurdish rights, who gets them is less important for me.

Neither do I. There should be more independent-minded Kurds who assess policies on merit alone. BTW, I love SDF and Rojava much more than peshmerga and KRI at the moment. Rojava Kurds would not give up federation for autonomous administration if not compelled by realities.

I personally hope the situation will change in their favour. The project has lots of potential and if they win the right concessions from Damascus, I doubt Turkey will be able to keep Bakur down for much longer.

You both are forgetting that ultimately Russia will decide the fate of Rojava. It gas shown Damascus to be toothless in the wake of its direction. That is what worries me. I worry Damascus is stalling for time and waiting for Russia to agree with Turkey on carving the area up.

Damascus care more about Idlib and the crude oil in Deir Ezzour than Kobane and the olive oil in Afrin. Damascus care more about wresting control of Arab areas than Kurdish ones.