North-east Syria’s frozen conflict will erode security

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Content Type ◽  
North East ◽  
Kurdistan Workers Party ◽  
Frozen Conflict

Significance North-east Syria is divided into three zones: Damascus-controlled areas backed by Russia and Iran, SDF-held areas backed by the United States and territory dominated by the Syrian National Army (SNA), backed by Turkey. Pro-Turkish forces have in recent days been shelling government positions near Tal Abyad and the strategic M4 road near SDF-held Ain Issa. Impacts The increase in more sophisticated IS attacks does not imply a full 'resurgence' of the group along 2014 lines. Even under US pressure, the SDF would be unwilling to break ties with the rebel Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in Turkey. Any new offensive in Idlib, in the northwest, could temporarily relieve pressure on the SDF.

Arab gripes pose challenges for Syrian Kurds’ control

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
The United States ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Power Dynamic ◽  
North East ◽  
The North ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Underlying Causes

Subject Kurdish-Arab tensions in north-east Syria Significance Significant protests between April and June by Arab tribes in north-eastern Syria against Kurdish governance have subsided in north-eastern Syria after Saudi Arabia intervened to encourage de-escalation. However, the underlying causes, including grievances over economic distribution, heavy-handed security methods and a lack of Arab representation in decision-making, have not been resolved. Impacts A deterioration in cooperation between Arab tribes and the SDF may facilitate the operations of IS sleeper cells. The United States and partners will look for further ways to alleviate the concerns of Arab tribes in the area. Ankara and Damascus, which both have designs on the north-east, will play up protests to justify intervention. A mooted Turkish invasion of the border area could radically shift the power dynamic in the region.

Syria players’ next steps hinge on US withdrawal plans

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Military Policy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
North East ◽  
The North ◽  
Us Military

Significance Confusion still reigns over US military policy on Syria two months after US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a withdrawal. Washington is seeking a deal between Kurdish elements of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) -- its local allies -- and Ankara, which wants to invade areas of the north-east, but has not yet found one. Impacts Ankara will not engage in any offensive that could bring Turkish troops into conflict with US forces. If the United States leaves suddenly, the Turkish army will move quickly to seize priority targets. An emphasis on Kurdish identity by SDF elements could provoke unease among the north-east’s Arabs.

Syria's Kurds may be forced to align with Damascus

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Middle East ◽  
The United States ◽  
Content Type ◽  
North East ◽  
The North

Significance This follows President Donald Trump's surprise decision to withdraw troops from Syria, where Washington has been supporting the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in fighting IS. Previously, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had threatened to invade SDF-held areas in the north-east. Impacts US credibility as a partner in the region will be substantially diminished. Russian and Iranian influence in Syria and the wider Middle East will grow. If Washington disengages from Syria at diplomatic level, a Russian-led initiative to form a constitutional committee will likely succeed. The United States will assist Turkey in moving against the PKK in Iraq.

Turkey-US talks over Syrian ‘safe zone’ will drag on

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Safe Zone ◽  
Syrian Refugees ◽  
Content Type ◽  
North East ◽  
Us Military ◽  
Military Involvement ◽  
Social Tensions ◽  
The Subject

Significance The plans are currently the subject of intensive discussions with the United States. For Erdogan, the safe zone is seen as key to boosting his flagging domestic popularity and defusing growing social tensions over Syrian refugees in Turkey. The outcome will have major repercussions not only for the future of US military involvement in Syria but also for Turkish-US bilateral ties. Impacts A final deal would help protect US Kurdish allies against Turkey, damaging Erdogan’s support among ultranationalists. A threatened unilateral Turkish invasion would be hugely costly, both politically and militarily. Erdogan cannot relocate sufficient numbers of refugees to north-east Syria to defuse domestic social tensions. Although it is content to stoke US-Turkish tensions, Russia will want to avoid Turkey increasing the Syrian territory it occupies. If his ambitions are frustrated in north-east Syria, Erdogan will compensate with a domestic crackdown on Kurds.

Turkish invasion of north-east Syria is a risky gambit

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Syrian Refugees ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
North East ◽  
Turkish Economy ◽  
Social Tensions ◽  
Turkish Lira

Significance The offensive has, however, exacerbated Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s already-strained relations with the United States and EU. The longer fighting persists and the farther Turkey tries to penetrate, the higher the risk that the United States in particular will impose severe sanctions and send the Turkish economy deeper into recession. Although tensions between Washington and Ankara serve Moscow's interests, Russia too has no desire to see Turkey expand the area of Syria it already controls. Impacts The incursion has fuelled nationalist fervour inside Turkey and, in the short term at least, boosted Erdogan’s previously fading popularity. Yet it will not alleviate social tensions by providing a solution to the continued presence of so many Syrian refugees. US sanctions in particular would trigger a run on the Turkish lira. The international outrage over the incursion has made the PKK less likely to launch a bombing campaign inside Turkey. Such a respite may be short lived if international condemnations of Turkey are not followed by concrete measures.

Prospects for Syria to end-2019

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Donald Trump ◽  
Content Type ◽  
North East ◽  
The North ◽  
North Western

Subject Prospects for Syria to end-2019 Significance Fighting is continuing in north-western Syria's Greater Idlib region between forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad and remaining rebels, despite recent Russian claims of a negotiated ceasefire. Meanwhile, the United States has not vacated the north-east, as US President Donald Trump indicated last December. The economic gains of 2017 and 2018 are foundering amid stiffened US sanctions on both Syria and Iran, a key economic partner.

NCSS notable trade book lesson plan: the girl who buried her dreams in a can

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-126
Author(s):  
Takisha Durm
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Research Design ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Lesson Plan ◽  
The United States ◽  
Elementary Grades ◽  
Effect Change ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Similarities And Differences ◽  
Future Date

PurposeThe Girl Who Buried Her Dreams in a Can, written by Dr Tererai, profiles a cultural, yet global experience of the power of believing in one's dream. Through this study of the similarities and differences of how children in the United States and abroad live and dream of a better life, this lesson seeks to enhance students' understandings of the power and authority they possess to effect change not only within their own lives but also in the lives of countless others in world. After reading the text, students will work to create vision boards illustrating their plans to effect change within their homes, schools, communities, states or countries. They will present their plans to their peers. To culminate the lesson, the students will bury their dreams in can and collectively decide on a future date to revisit the can to determine how far they have progressed in accomplishing their goals.Design/methodology/approachThis is an elementary grades 3–6 lesson plan. There was no research design/methodology/approach included.FindingsAs this is a lesson plan and no actual research was represented, there are no findings.Originality/valueThis is an original lesson plan completed by the first author Takisha Durm.

Washington will rethink its foreign chip strategy

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
The United States ◽  
Export Controls ◽  
Political Pressure ◽  
Technical Standards ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Us ◽  
Technology Competition ◽  
Business In China

Significance Follow-on action from Washington and responses from foreign actors will shape the US government’s adversarial policy towards China in semiconductors and other strategic technologies. Impacts The Biden administration will likely conclude that broad-based diversion of the semiconductor supply chain away from China is not feasible. The United States will rely on export controls and political pressure to prevent diffusion to China of cutting-edge chip technologies. The United States will focus on persuading foreign semiconductor leaders to help develop US capabilities, thereby staying ahead of China. Washington will focus on less direct approaches to strategic technology competition with China, notably technical standards-setting. Industry leaders in the semiconductor supply chain worldwide will continue expanding business in China in less politically sensitive areas.

Canada-US ties will see fewer irritants under Biden

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Prime Minister ◽  
Oil Industry ◽  
The United States ◽  
Donald Trump ◽  
Federal Election ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Un Peacekeeping ◽  
Keystone Xl ◽  
Keystone Xl Pipeline

Significance Canada’s Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is preparing to welcome a more predictable and stable partner in Biden than outgoing Republican President Donald Trump. However, Biden is also expected quickly to cancel the Keystone XL pipeline, cutting another lifeline to Canada’s oil industry and creating some strain in Canada-US ties. Impacts Improved Canada-US ties will persist even if Trudeau loses the next federal election to Conservative Erin O’Toole. Canada will re-engage militarily with UN peacekeeping and NATO deployments. Trudeau will encourage Biden to end US prosecution of Meng Wanzhou, allowing Canada to release her; Biden may agree. Canada’s border with the United States will open in stages as COVID-19 recedes. Ottawa will push Biden to end ‘Buy American’ procurement policies, with little success.

Washington will engage more with South-east Asia

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
East Asia ◽  
The United States ◽  
South East Asia ◽  
National Unity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Set Up

Significance She addressed two key issues during her trip: tensions in post-coup Myanmar and China’s growing regional footprint. Shortly after she left the region, the United States announced that it would donate unused COVID-19 vaccines abroad, including to South-east Asia. Impacts Washington will tighten its sanctions on the Myanmar military while supporting ASEAN’s five-point plan to ease the country’s crisis. The National Unity Government, a parallel administration to Myanmar’s junta set up by its opponents, will try to attract greater US backing. Manila and Washington may extend negotiations over renewing their Visiting Forces Agreement to prevent the pact expiring in August.

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