After ISIS, the Importance of the American-Kurdish Alliance

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-Mention Turkey’s opposition

-Current situation with Raqqa

-Why the SDF is a good ally

Iraqi Kurdistan

The government of Iraqi Kurdistan has so far avoided any repercussions for pursuing a referendum.  The Iraqi Government has condemned many Kurdish decisions, but has been powerless so far.  This is likely to change when ISIS is defeated if the United States does not back Iraqi Kurdistan.

-Why the Iraqi Kurds are a good ally

Despite the fierce opposition of Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria, Trump’s willingness to push back against Russia and Assad should encourage the Kurds.  The Kurds have demonstrated that they can build a relatively stable and tolerant society in the midst of chaos.  They have resisted and driven back ISIS, while their own government retreated in shame to Baghdad.  President Trump has many reasons to offer them his support. Yet this decision would still require sacrifices which realists at the State Department would never encourage.  The president must believe that these sacrifices are justified by the emergence of a loyal ally in an unpredictable region,and more importantly, that the American People will back this decision.