we can have these debates from a distance, but it is ultimately up to the people to govern themselves, whatever you think of their structures. i think there's little doubt that some progress has been made in the region, especially if you compare it to the despotic regimes in the region, but the level of actual freedom for everybody in the society still no doubt pales to that that exists even in a half-secularized state like turkey, which is culturally responsible for where the kurds are coming from. as critical as people may be of turks or baathists, the kurds are a consequence both of the secular turkish state and of the movement towards secular nationalism in the arab world.

regardless, my position on the point is consistent: the kurds cannot expect protection from an imperial occupation that is illegal under international law. to begin with, they literally cannot expect it - the americans can literally not be trusted, in any serious way. second, the longer they rely on the cover of american imperialism, the more they become an imperial force, themselves - which is what we're seeing with their expansion to the south. the kurds are well out of their historical zone of occupation, which is particularly problematic given their history of complicity with genocide in the area. they need to pull back; if they don't, the comparisons to orwell's catalonia are going to become less relevant than the comparisons to animal farm, as they become little more than america's most recent group of occupying thugs.

but, when i say they cannot expect protection, that also means that they must defend themselves. what is an anarchist revolution under the protection of an imperial military force, but a colonial farce? what kind of statelessness is this?

i don't want to be too critical, because i understand that any progress in the region should be applauded. but, an honest analysis of the situation presents a set of rather cynical conclusions.

this is not a good reason to keep american troops in syria, in contravention of international law.

https://libcom.org/library/rojava-fraud-non-existent-social-revolution