In an exclusive interview with Medya News, Meghan Bodette of the Kurdish Peace Institute has described the recent visit by members of the US Congress to Turkey-backed opposition-held areas in northwest Syria as “dangerous” and “extremely incongruous” with any hope for a political solution in Syria, especially in light of Turkey’s destabilising actions in the region.
This comes amid ongoing Turkish extrajudicial killings, including an alleged drone strike on 23 August in northeastern Syria that severely injured Delila Agit, a reporter for the women-led Kurdish television station Jin TV, and killed her driver, Najm el-Din Faisal Haj Sinan. Agit was en route to cover a ceremony commemorating the victims of another Turkish drone strike: Qamishlo Canton Co-Chair Yousra Derwish, Qamishlo Canton Deputy Co-Chair Leyman Shouish, and Syriac Union Party member Firat Touma. Meghan Bodette has criticised these actions for contributing to “democratic backsliding and instability”.
Referring to the US Congress members’ visit, “The delegation went for half an hour with a heavily armed military escort and had to cut their trip short for security reasons,” Bodette said. “I have never felt unsafe in Northeast Syria [which is under the control of the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration]. That difference right there shows all the differences that people need to know,” Bodette added, contrasting the security conditions between the two areas, which she believes serve to underline her point.
Bodette, who holds a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University, emphasised the need for a political solution to the ongoing conflict in Syria. “There is a perception that the strategy of every international power involved in Syria seems to just be prolonging this conflict,” she explained. “We need political solutions.”
She also highlighted the importance of engaging politically with Northeast Syria. “They need to have a fundamental economic and physical level of security that allows the system there to thrive,” she added. “And there needs to be an outline of a plan to get the Autonomous Administration into essentially two separate deals.”
One of these deals, according to Bodette, should be with the Syrian government to preserve as much of their autonomy as possible. The other should be with Turkey to end the ongoing crisis there. “For any deal with Turkey to work, it needs to be part of an overall Turkish change in its perception of the Kurdish issue,” she urged.
Bodette’s comments are particularly relevant given her previous criticisms of Turkey’s military actions, including targeted drone strikes against feminist Kurdish journalists. “Turkey’s military aggression contributes to democratic backsliding and instability across the region,” she had stated in a prior interview.
“To those congressmen, I would say if you want to end endless wars and promote stability, get to work on finding a just, democratic, political solution to the Kurdish question in Turkey,” she concluded. “This is what has to be done.”
Recommendations for US Policy in Syria
Bodette offers an in-depth critique and set of recommendations for US policymakers concerning Syria, emphasising the need for a multi-faceted political solution that goes beyond military engagement. She advocates for political engagement with the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), arguing that they should be given a “fundamental basis of physical and economic security” to strengthen their position in negotiations. She outlines the necessity for two separate deals: one with the Syrian government to preserve as much autonomy for the AANES as possible, and another with Turkey to end the ongoing crisis there.
She also calls for a change in Turkey’s perception of the Kurdish issue, urging an end to its “militarised, securitised approaches”. Bodette stresses the need for a third-party involvement in negotiations to hold all sides accountable.
To US Congress members, she says, “If you want to end endless wars and promote stability, get to work on finding a just, democratic, political solution to the Kurdish question in Turkey.” She also advises establishing political relationships with the AANES so they can negotiate from a position of strength.
Bodette concludes by stating that addressing basic needs like water and food security is crucial for any negotiations to be effective. “This is what has to be done,” she asserts, inviting members of Congress to contact the Kurdish Peace Institute for an expert briefing on these complex issues.
Bodette’s latest piece, which provides a comprehensive overview of Turkey’s targeted attacks on Kurdish feminist journalists, can be found on the Kurdish Peace Institute’s website. For an in-depth understanding of Meghan Bodette’s insights, the complete interview is available for viewing on Medya News’ YouTube platform.
