Michael Weiss

They are led by Syrian Kurds that are aligned with the PKK, which is a Designated terror organization, but we like to pretend that it's not because they're really good at fighting ISIS.

They are led by Syrian Kurds that are aligned with the PKK, which is a Designated terror organization, but we like to pretend that it's not because they're really good at fighting ISIS.

What has happened now is a former al-Qaeda franchise, and I'll get into why we know it's former, which has spent the last several years creating a state apparatus in northwest Syria, Idlib province, and a state apparatus that does things like controls the traffic, electricity grids, had a COVID relief plan, jihadis who do sort of technocratic governance, believe it or not.

What has happened now is a former al-Qaeda franchise, and I'll get into why we know it's former, which has spent the last several years creating a state apparatus in northwest Syria, Idlib province, and a state apparatus that does things like controls the traffic, electricity grids, had a COVID relief plan, jihadis who do sort of technocratic governance, believe it or not.

What has happened now is a former al-Qaeda franchise, and I'll get into why we know it's former, which has spent the last several years creating a state apparatus in northwest Syria, Idlib province, and a state apparatus that does things like controls the traffic, electricity grids, had a COVID relief plan, jihadis who do sort of technocratic governance, believe it or not.

They have been champing at the bit to go on the offensive against Assad because they realize he has never been weaker than he is now. As I mentioned, his – not his strategic partner, his patron, the Iranians, are a busted flush more or less. The Russians are, as you may have noticed, preoccupied elsewhere.

They have been champing at the bit to go on the offensive against Assad because they realize he has never been weaker than he is now. As I mentioned, his – not his strategic partner, his patron, the Iranians, are a busted flush more or less. The Russians are, as you may have noticed, preoccupied elsewhere.

They have been champing at the bit to go on the offensive against Assad because they realize he has never been weaker than he is now. As I mentioned, his – not his strategic partner, his patron, the Iranians, are a busted flush more or less. The Russians are, as you may have noticed, preoccupied elsewhere.

And so they have been asking their patron, the Turks – the Turks control the border crossings in northern Syria and this – at least in this part of the country. They pay the salaries of HTS, the group I alluded to. They give them weapons. They have garrisons in Idlib, including with artillery that are there to protect HTS from Russian and Syrian onslaught.

And so they have been asking their patron, the Turks – the Turks control the border crossings in northern Syria and this – at least in this part of the country. They pay the salaries of HTS, the group I alluded to. They give them weapons. They have garrisons in Idlib, including with artillery that are there to protect HTS from Russian and Syrian onslaught.

And so they have been asking their patron, the Turks – the Turks control the border crossings in northern Syria and this – at least in this part of the country. They pay the salaries of HTS, the group I alluded to. They give them weapons. They have garrisons in Idlib, including with artillery that are there to protect HTS from Russian and Syrian onslaught.

The Turks have kept them at bay for several months saying, no, we don't want you to go on the offensive.

The Turks have kept them at bay for several months saying, no, we don't want you to go on the offensive.

The Turks have kept them at bay for several months saying, no, we don't want you to go on the offensive.

So the Turks have absolutely no problem lying down with Sunni Islamist radicals, particularly those who will advance. Turkey has one overriding national security concern in Syria, and that is the aforementioned PKK. And for many years, since our counter ISIS mission got underway 2014, Turkey has been pissed off at the United States for partnering with

So the Turks have absolutely no problem lying down with Sunni Islamist radicals, particularly those who will advance. Turkey has one overriding national security concern in Syria, and that is the aforementioned PKK. And for many years, since our counter ISIS mission got underway 2014, Turkey has been pissed off at the United States for partnering with

So the Turks have absolutely no problem lying down with Sunni Islamist radicals, particularly those who will advance. Turkey has one overriding national security concern in Syria, and that is the aforementioned PKK. And for many years, since our counter ISIS mission got underway 2014, Turkey has been pissed off at the United States for partnering with

as I say, a designated Kurdish terrorist group, designated by the U.S., not just by Turkey, by the way, which Turkey has been on and off at war with for 40 years. This started as a separatist movement inside Turkey. These guys, their headquarters is the Kandil Mountains, but the Syrian branch or affiliate of it is now

as I say, a designated Kurdish terrorist group, designated by the U.S., not just by Turkey, by the way, which Turkey has been on and off at war with for 40 years. This started as a separatist movement inside Turkey. These guys, their headquarters is the Kandil Mountains, but the Syrian branch or affiliate of it is now

as I say, a designated Kurdish terrorist group, designated by the U.S., not just by Turkey, by the way, which Turkey has been on and off at war with for 40 years. This started as a separatist movement inside Turkey. These guys, their headquarters is the Kandil Mountains, but the Syrian branch or affiliate of it is now