Latest news with #2025ShifaGardiAward
Rudaw Net
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Russia ‘not withdrawing' from Middle East after losing ally Assad: Analyst
Also in World UN welcomes Ocalan's call on the PKK to disarm, disband Germany welcomes Ocalan's call for the PKK to lay down arms, disband Sudani and Rubio discuss Iraq-Turkey oil pipeline, security challenges Rudaw presents 2025 Shifa Gardi Award to British-Iranian journalist Leila Molana-Allen A+ A- ERBIlL, Kurdistan Region - Russia will deepen its engagement in the Middle East despite losing its Syrian ally Bashar al-Assad, experts said at the Erbil Forum 2025 on Friday. "We lost one ally - Syria - but we have other partners," said Nikolay Surkov, a senior research fellow at the Institute of World Economy and International Affairs, emphasizing Russia's pragmatic approach to regional diplomacy in a panel on Russia's presence in the Middle East in the middle of global transformations. "We are not withdrawing," he said, confirming Russia's intent to maintain a long-term presence in the region amid speculations of alliance shifting after the fall of Assad. With regards to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's reported plans to redraw the region in collaboration with the United States, Surkov said that Russia prioritizes the status quo, opposes destabilization, and supports national governments against extremism. He acknowledged Moscow's engagement with the Taliban, but said that certain "benchmarks," such as forming an inclusive government, respecting minorities, and combating terrorism, must be met, referring to the possibility of establishing diplomatic relations with the new authority in Damascus. He underscored Russia's commitment to a multipolar world, and said Moscow is increasingly focused on strengthening ties with the Global South and the East. Dr. Jahangir Karami, an expert on Russia and a professor of international relations at the University of Tehran, said that 'A new regional system is unfolding in the Middle East following the conclusion of the Syrian civil war.' The Middle East, now more than at any other time, is tilting towards multipolarity, according to Karami. Surkov explained that "Russia tries to build new economic and political alignments," highlighting strategic partnerships with Egypt, Algeria, and the United Arab Emirates. Despite global rivalries, he asserted that pressing global challenges, including strategic stability, pandemics, food security, and climate change, necessitate broad international cooperation. Surkov dismissed the notion of geopolitical competition in the Middle East, stating that Russia seeks "multidimensional ties" and desires to see the region "prosperous, stable, and safe." He positioned Russia and Arab states as allies in the broader struggle to fix global imbalances. The panelists also addressed Russia's internal vulnerabilities. "Russia has a huge Muslim population that is vulnerable to extremism," Surkov warned, reinforcing the need for stability in the Middle East. "Any destabilization of the region will result in crises that will reverberate globally." Addressing Russia's approach to the Kurdish issue, Ambassador Aleksander Aksenenok, vice president of the Russian International Affairs Council, said that Moscow has consistently advocated for Kurdish minority rights within the framework of international law. "Russia never betrayed Kurdish aspirations for autonomy," he said, clarifying that while Moscow does not support secession, it has explored different models of governance for Kurdish communities.
Rudaw Net
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
UN welcomes Ocalan's call on the PKK to disarm, disband
Also in World Germany welcomes Ocalan's call for the PKK to lay down arms, disband Sudani and Rubio discuss Iraq-Turkey oil pipeline, security challenges Rudaw presents 2025 Shifa Gardi Award to British-Iranian journalist Leila Molana-Allen Politicians react to CDU victory in Germany election A+ A- NEW YORK - The United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Thursday welcomed the call by the leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) Abdullah Ocalan for the group he founded over 40 years ago to lay down arms and dissolve itself to pave the way for a peace process in Turkey. The move offers a glimmer of hope, Guterres added. 'The Secretary General welcomes this important development. This represents a glimmer of hope which would lead to a resolution of a long standing conflict,' Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for Guterres, said during a press briefing. 'This is an extremely important event and news we received today,' Dujarric told Rudaw during the event. 'We are monitoring the situation. We are trying, obviously, to get more details on exactly the next steps. What I can tell you is that, for us, it really offers a glimmer of hope in a conflict that has been going on for so long, in which so many civilians have suffered and paid the ultimate price,' he added. Ocalan said in a letter, which was read out by the delegation that has visited him several times to mediate peace talks between Ankara and the PKK, that the PKK must convene and make a decision - 'all groups must lay down their arms, and the PKK must dissolve itself.' Founded in 1978, the PKK initially advocated for the establishment of an independent Kurdistan but now seeks autonomy. Turkey, the European Union, and the United States classify the group as a terrorist organization. The PKK began its armed struggle against the Turkish state in 1984. The conflict has caused at least 40,000 casualties from both sides and civilians. A spokesperson for the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in a statement that the German leader welcomes the move by Ocalan. UK has also welcomed the development. "We welcome progress towards peace and security for the people of Turkey, a close NATO Ally and longstanding partner in counter-terrorism. We encourage all parties to engage in a peaceful and constructive process that ensures security, stability, and respect for the rule of law," a UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson, said, reported Reuters.
Rudaw Net
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Germany welcomes Ocalan's call for the PKK to lay down arms, disband
Also in World US to reevaluate presence in Syria, increase pressure on Iraq: Former US official Sudani and Rubio discuss Iraq-Turkey oil pipeline, security challenges Rudaw presents 2025 Shifa Gardi Award to British-Iranian journalist Leila Molana-Allen Politicians react to CDU victory in Germany election A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Germany said on Thursday that it welcomes the anticipated call from the leader and founder of Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) Abdullah Ocalan for the group to lay down arms and dissolve itself. A spokesperson for the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in a statement that the German leader welcomes the move by Ocalan. 'The PKK is a banned terrorist organization in Germany, and its conflict has resulted in many casualties. Ocalan's request now finally creates an opportunity to overcome this violent struggle and achieve a permanent peaceful development in the Kurdish issue,' Scholz added. Ocalan said in a letter, which was read out by the delegation that has visited him several times to mediate peace talks between Ankara and the PKK, that the PKK must convene and make a decision - 'all groups must lay down their arms, and the PKK must dissolve itself.' 'This offers a historic opportunity to break the decades-long spiral of terror, violence, and retaliation that has cost the lives of tens of thousands of people,' the German foreign ministry said in a statement. 'An end to the violence is the important first step, but further steps are needed on the way to a viable solution for the people of Turkey. This includes, above all, respecting and guaranteeing the cultural and democratic rights of the Kurds in Turkey,' the ministry added. It also said that Germany is ready to support the process.
Rudaw Net
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
US to reevaluate presence in Syria, increase pressure on Iraq: Former US official
Also in World Sudani and Rubio discuss Iraq-Turkey oil pipeline, security challenges Rudaw presents 2025 Shifa Gardi Award to British-Iranian journalist Leila Molana-Allen Politicians react to CDU victory in Germany election Seven Kurds secure seats in German national parliament: exit polls A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Former United States assistant secretary of state for near eastern affairs stated on Thursday that the US might acquiesce to Turkey's request to leave Syria and draw Iraq into the 'maximum pressure' campaign on Iran, but resume 'conditioned' support to the Kurdistan Region. During a discussion on US foreign policy and its regional engagement in the Middle East at the Erbil Forum 2025, David Schenker noted that US President Donald Trump's foreign policy is largely defined by 'transactionalism.' This approach may result in 'downgraded US involvement in the Middle East' and a focus on 'deal-making' in the region instead. Schenker addressed the deployment of some 2,500 US troops in Iraq and another 850 in Syria, stating that Trump views these forces as part of 'forever wars,' which he vowed to end during his electoral campaign. Describing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as the 'Trump whisperer,' Schenker noted that Erdogan had phoned Trump to convince him that 'Turkey can play the US role in Syria,' urging Washington 'to pull out.' He explained that Turkey sees 'Syria as a sphere of influence' and is willing to 'take up the US's role' in the country, including in routing out remnants of the Islamic State (ISIS). Schenker also referenced Trumps' stance, stating that 'he's not interested in being involved in Syria' and views such a move as a mistake. However, he suggested that shaping Syria's future might be a task Trump 'is delegating it to the Europeans.' On Iraq, Schenker stated that the US might expand its 'maximum pressure' policy against Iran to include Iraq to compel Baghdad to stop 'smuggling dollars to the regime in Tehran' and cease 'providing a safe haven to Iranian proxies like the Popular Mobilization Forces [PMF].' The PMF was formed amid the ISIS blitz in 2014, as an umbrella organization comprising some 70 predominantly Shiite armed groups in Iraq. Trump restored the maximum pressure policy against Iran in early February, arguing that Tehran is 'too close' to obtaining nuclear weapons, but expressed interest in negotiating a deal with Iran. For its part, Tehran has repeatedly denied any intentions of developing nuclear weapons. 'Iraq has to balance its relationships between the United States and Iran,' the former US official noted, adding that Baghdad 'pays the salaries of 338,000 [PMF] members,' including 'several US-designated terrorist organizations.' Anticipating that the financial support to the Kurdish Peshmerga 'will likely continue,' Schenker added that it might be 'conditioned' on the unification of the Peshmerga forces. Despite multiple rounds of military aid from the US and efforts by Washington and European countries, the Peshmerga forces remain divided between the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). The former US official explained that in the event of downsizing US troops in Iraq, a 'residual [US military] force' might remain in the Kurdistan Region. The three-day Erbil Forum 2025, organized by Rudaw Research Center, is taking place at the Rotana Hotel in the Kurdistan Region's capital. The event features speeches, interviews, and panel discussions focusing on key regional and global political issues.
