Syria, centralization and the SDF ceasefire with Amy Austin Holmes

Our guest today is Amy Austin Holmes, a professor at Texas A&M University's Bush School of Government and Public Service in Washington DC, and author of the book, “Statelet of Survivors: The Making of a Semi-Autonomous Region in Northeast Syria.”Together with Turkey recap editor Diego Cupolo, she outlined developments before and after Damascus and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) reached a ceasefire deal on Jan. 30 to integrate their forces.Also covered are the security concerns regarding Islamic State-affiliated detainees that escaped prison camps during and after the January offensive as well as the changing US military role in Syria and also women’s changing role in the Syria transition.Referenced in this talk:Syria, Kurdish-led SDF reach integration deal after weeks of clashes (AFP)Syria’s New Order: Centralization by External Consent (Arab Center)US Intelligence Says at Least 15,000 at Large After ISIS Detention Camp Collapses in Syria (WSJ)Disarmament Without Safeguards Is a Death Sentence for Syria’s Minorities (Defense Post)Introduction to Leahy Vetting Policy (US State Dept)Syria’s Minorities Need American Help — by Sam Brownback (WSJ)Other ways to watch & listen:Our webcasts are also available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other podcast players.Turkey recap is an independent, reader-supported newsletter that helps people make sense of the fast-paced Turkey news cycle. Contact us: [email protected] here on Substack (or on Patreon for discount options). Paid subscribers get full access to our recaps, reports, members-only chat and news tracking tools.We are an affiliate of the Global Forum for Media Development and aim to produce balanced news that strengthens local media by supporting journalists in Turkey.Diego Cupolo, Editor-in-chiefEmily Rice Johnson, Deputy editorCeren Bayar, Parliament correspondentYıldız Yazıcıoğlu, Parliament correspondentGünsu Durak, Stüdyo recap editorDemet Şöhret, Social media and content manager This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.turkeyrecap.com/subscribe