October 18, 2019
Discussing Turkey’s Offensive Against the Kurds in Syria with Nick Heras
The United States’ withdrawal and the Turkish military’s incursion into the Kurdish-controlled northeast have completely changed the balance of power in Syria. Without American support and minimal humanitarian aid, Kurdish forces have said they cannot simultaneously hold off Turkey’s advance and maintain guard over thousands of former ISIS fighters and their families. CNAS Middle East Security Senior Fellow Nick Heras joins Andrea Kendall-Taylor and Jim Townsend to discuss the latest developments, the Kurds' prospects in a prolonged conflict, and what this means for U.S. policy toward Syria and in the Middle East.
More from CNAS
-
The United States, Iran, and the Risk to NATO
On March 14, in the wake of a global energy shock triggered by the United States military campaign against Iran, President Donald Trump called on allies to help reopen the Str...
By Andrea Kendall-Taylor & Jim Townsend
-
Europe’s New Nuclear Deterrence Debate and France’s Answer
On March 2, 2026, in a speech at France’s Île Longue base, French President Emmanuel Macron unveiled major changes to France’s nuclear deterrence doctrine. First, Macron annou...
By Andrea Kendall-Taylor & Jim Townsend
-
Can China Capitalize on Changing Transatlantic Currents?
This week’s episode of Brussels Sprouts picks up in the aftermath of the Munich Security Conference. The U.S. tone at Munich was notably more conciliatory than last year, as U...
By Andrea Kendall-Taylor & Jim Townsend
-
Can Europe (Ever) Defend Itself?
Today’s Brussels Sprouts discussion follows on from our conversation last week on whether middle powers have the ability to chart a course more independent of the United State...
By Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Jim Townsend & Franz-Stefan Gady