U.S.-Syrian Kurds Relations: Strategic Alliance or Dynamic Alignment

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Corresponding Author, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science and International Relations, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science and International Relations, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran

Abstract

With the onset of the Syrian crisis, various domestic, regional, and international actors adopted distinct strategies in response to the situation. This was particularly evident due to Syria’s critical geopolitical and geostrategic position in West Asia. As a global superpower with extensive interests, the United States pursued an interventionist strategy aimed at safeguarding its interests and those of its regional allies throughout the Syrian crisis. Initially, the U.S. supported efforts to overthrow the Syrian regime by backing Arab opposition forces. However, as the opposition weakened and faced defeat against the Syrian regime and its allies, the U.S. shifted its focus to the Kurdish forces, seeking to maintain its strategic interests through a new partnership. This study aims to answer the main question: What strategy underlies the U.S. approach toward the Syrian Kurds? The hypothesis suggests that the relationship between these two actors is not characterized by the deep commitments typical of a strategic alliance. Instead, the U.S.-Syrian Kurds partnership is more accurately described as a dynamic alignment—temporary, conditional, and responsive to immediate threats, particularly in combating ISIS terrorism and containing regional powers such as Iran and Turkey. This article examines the factors shaping this dynamic alignment and the limitations that have prevented it from evolving into a strategic alliance. The research is qualitative, employing a descriptive-analytical approach based on the theory of dynamic alignment. Additionally, this study is document-based, utilizing library research methods (both printed and digital sources) for data collection.

Keywords

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References

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American Strategic Studies
Volume 4, Issue 4 - Serial Number 16
Serial number 16 - Winter 2025
February 2025
Pages 161-189

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History

  • Receive Date: 19 October 2024
  • Revise Date: 18 January 2025
  • Accept Date: 19 January 2025
  • Publish Date: 19 February 2025

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