Noah Bonsey, a senior advisor at the International Crisis Group focusing on Syria, joins Turkey recap editor Diego Cupolo to discuss developments in Syria with a focus on integration efforts regarding the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, SDF.
Following a Syrian Army offensive that reclaimed most of the formerly SDF-held territory in northeast Syria, Damascus and the SDF signed a peace agreement in late January to combine forces under the Syria state structure after 14 years of war.
This podcast is a status update on how integration efforts are going in the context of escalated regional instability from the US-Israel war on Iran and amid the continued economic hardships faced by Syrian citizens.
The talk covers how Damascus-SDF negotiations impact the PKK peace process in Turkey, as well as the current challenges, opportunities and risks faced by the transitional government of Syrian Pres. Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Note: This episode was recorded May 25, 2026.
Referenced in this talk:
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PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan’s May 24 public statement (DEM Party)
‘The country is on fire’: Riot police storm CHP headquarters and Bilgi University (Turkey recap)
An Opportunity for Calm in North-eastern Syria (Crisis Group)
Comprehensive Overview of IDPs and IDP Returns 21-5-2026 (UNHCR)
First Turkey-Iraq transit convoy crosses through Syria (SANA)
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Diego Cupolo, Editor-in-chief
Emily Rice Johnson, Deputy editor
Ceren Bayar, Parliament correspondent
Yıldız Yazıcıoğlu, Parliament correspondent
Günsu Durak, Stüdyo recap editor
Demet Şöhret, Social media and content manager
