Protests triggered by death of Iranian Kurdish woman Masa Amini Members of the outraged Kurdish political opposition in the country raging in Iran say they have not gotten a fair hearing in Washington. Khalid AziziSpokesperson for the Democratic Party of Iran Kurdistan (KDPI).
“Unfortunately, we are not in contact with them,” Azizi told Al Monitor at a recent event hosted by the Washington Kurdish Institute. We should be in a relationship.”
The KDPI is one of several Iranian dissident groups based in northern Iraq seeking greater autonomy for Iran’s Kurds, who make up an estimated 10% of Iran’s population. Tehran has accused KDPI and other armed “separatist” groups of organizing the protests, now in its seventh week.
In apparent retaliation, the KDPI’s headquarters in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region was attacked by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in late September. Iranian missile and drone strikes have killed eight people, including an American citizen who was a retired Peshmerga fighter.
Officials at KDPI and its historic rival Comala say they are unable to secure meetings with officials from the Biden administration, despite maintaining offices in Washington and meeting with past US administrations. These engagements ended after the then Secretary of State Mike Pompeo In January 2020, he ordered American diplomats to avoid meetings with Iranian opposition groups he accused of seeking tacit support in Washington.
Iran’s Kurdish opposition has historically been weaker than similar movements in Syria, Iraq and Turkey, which are better funded and organized.
“Even in the diaspora, where they have the opportunity to organize and mobilize, they have not been able to rally cross-border support like others,” he said. Denise Natalieauthor of “The Kurds and the State” and Director of the Institute for National Strategies at the National Defense University.
Asked if the State Department met with the expelled Kurdish opposition during the protests, a State Department spokesman told Al-Monitor: These public protests have nothing to do with outside groups. “
Despite many openly calling for the overthrow of the Iranian government, the regime has done its best to avoid characterizing the protesters’ demands. Observers say the regime is even less likely to show signs of supporting politicians who favor regime change or greater autonomy for Iran’s minorities.
But Azizi argues that speaking to him and other Kurdish groups would provide a different perspective for the United States.
“The United States must have some kind of relationship with the Iranian people,” Azizi said. “And it should be done through these parties.”
Subscribe here to receive The Takeaway in your inbox every week.
The Scoop: MPs Raise Egypt Concerns Before COP27
As we first reported, dozens of Democrats are running for president. Joe Biden On Wednesday, we will urge the Egyptian government to release political prisoners and environmental activists ahead of next week’s COP27 climate conference. Biden and his Climate Envoy, John Kellywill attend a summit in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El Sheikh beginning November 6.
“COP27, with the world’s attention on Sharm el-Sheikh this month, puts pressure on the US government to release these activists and demonstrate its commitment to comprehensive engagement with all stakeholders on solving the climate problem. We will provide you with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to apply forLetter to Biden led by Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Jeff Markley (D-Ore.) and the person in charge. David Shicilin (DR.I.) and Bill Keating (D-mass).
Read my full story here.
US-Saudi quarrel won’t derail Yemeni diplomacy
U.S. Special Envoy to Yemen Tim renderking Al-Monitor learned that he is traveling to Saudi Arabia this week to renew a ceasefire in the war-torn country that collapsed last month. It comes at a time when relations between Washington and Riyadh continue to be strained over the decision to slash Plas oil production.
Lender King is believed to be one of the highest-ranking US officials to visit the kingdom since the massive production cut was announced. He also traveled to Saudi Arabia last month.
A State Department spokesperson said the strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia “contains numerous interests,” including Yemen. A spokesperson said Yemen’s current period of relative calm is thanks to “strong diplomatic efforts” with partners, including Riyadh.
Yemen’s fragile armistice collapsed in early October after a last-minute Houthi demand. In remarks Wednesday at the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations meeting, Lenderking told rebels that the “only way forward to end the war in Yemen is through a negotiated political settlement.” accept that,’ he urged.
What Bibi’s return means for Biden
Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu After his fifth election in less than four years, he is poised to return to power.It’s no secret that the Biden administration wanted to win Yair Rapidcamp.
as ours Ben Caspit In other words, the election result is “clearly very bad news for the American government.
One issue of note is the future of the US consulate in Jerusalem, which remains closed despite Biden’s campaign promise to reopen the de facto US embassy to Palestinians.
“They let [former Prime Minister Naftali] Bennett And Rapid is making this happen,” Caspit said. “Since the Biden administration has ambitions to harm Netanyahu, such a consulate is more likely to open now.”
Have a question about Caspian? Ask him at his Al-Monitor PRO webinar tomorrow at 10am EST. You can register here.
US Eyes Bahrain Election Conditions
As Bahrain prepares for its third election since 2011, lawmakers, including members of the House of Commons, James McGovern (D Massachusetts) is calling on the Biden administration to delegitimize an election process that Freedom House has labeled “unfair.”
“What the government should not do after 12 November is congratulate the Bahraini government for holding elections that would not have been free and fair.”
A State Department official told Almonitor that the administration regularly raises such issues against Manama. ”
MENA Reader Traffic Report:
• November 1-2. egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-SisiLebanese prime minister nomination Najib Mikati and Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani He was one of the world leaders who attended the Arab League Summit in Algeria.U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary Yael Lempert and Ambassador Elizabeth Orbin represented the United States.Notable absences include the King of Morocco Muhammad VIKing of Jordan Abdullah II and Saudi Crown Prince muhammad bin salman.
• November 3-6. pope Frances Visited Bahrain, home to approximately 80,000 Catholics, and met with Rev. King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
• November 4thNATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg Visit Ankara for talks on Nordic expansion.
• November 7-9Oman Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Al Busaidi Almonitor learned that he was planning to visit Washington for meetings with US officials. This visit will be his first to DC as Oman’s Chief Diplomat.
• November 8th. prime minister of sweden Wolf Christerson Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Bilstrom meet with the president of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Turkey for NATO talks.
What we read:
• Mazar Mualem Here’s this post-mortem on Rapid’s campaign and why it failed to unite Israel’s centre-left.
• Elizia Volkmann He explained that an IMF loan is unlikely to save Tunisia’s economy.
• Iran meets Iraqi Shia cleric Muqtada Al Sadr Despite his harsh criticism of Iran and its allies, as an ally worth keeping, Ali Musawi Halkhali.
• water shortage north africa It will continue to trigger social unrest in the short term and pose a medium-term threat to business and political stability. Francisco Serrano is described in the latest PRO memo. (PRO subscribers only)
