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Kurdish National Council: Between Vision and Confusion...
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A Critical Review of Its Role in the Syrian Scene
Introduction:
After more than a decade since its establishment, the Kurdish National Council finds itself at a pivotal crossroads today. From an entity built on hopes of unifying the Kurdish ranks, to an institution facing accusations of stagnation and subservience, questions are intensifying about the feasibility of its continued existence in its current form. This article is a sincere attempt to analyze its history, extract what remains of its role, and identify what needs to change.
From Promising Beginnings to Political Retreat
When the Kurdish National Council in Syria was founded in 2011, it was considered a historic step toward organizing the Kurdish political stance during a decisive moment in Syria. The council then represented a comprehensive framework for a number of political forces and independent figures, declaring its goal: defending Kurdish national rights in a democratic and unified Syria.
At a time when the Syrian conflict was becoming more complex, the council adopted a moderate stance between the Syrian regime and the emerging administrative and military experiences in North and East Syria. Its engagement with the Syrian opposition (notably the National Coalition) also granted it a relatively external political recognition, enabling it to represent the Kurdish voice at regional and international levels.
Structural Decline: What Happened...?
However, the course soon changed. Internal political and organizational fractures gradually diminished the council's influence, leaving it stuck in a state of paralysis. The main challenges it faced can be summarized as follows:
1. Internal Penetrations and Changes in Rhetoric
Some individuals entered the council without a genuine political project, seeking personal gains at the expense of the nationalist discourse, which emptied the positions of their substantive meaning.
2. Lack of a Clear Strategic Vision
The council failed to formulate a clear stance on key issues: self-administration, Kurdish-Kurdish dialogue, relations with the opposition, and other Syrian components. It always appeared to be late in responding to developments.
3. Regional Subservience
Its orientations increasingly aligned with regional policies that largely disregard Kurdish national rights, causing it to lose its independence as a true representative of its constituency.
4. Disconnection from the Street
Effective channels of communication between the council and its base disappeared, gradually transforming it into an elitist body incapable of representing the people's pulse or understanding their aspirations, especially among youth.
The Needed Approach: A Rooted, Not Cosmetic, Review
If the council intends to regain some of its effectiveness, decisive steps must be taken, foremost among them:
- A comprehensive critical review of its political rhetoric, decision-making mechanisms, and alliances.
- Refreshing the leadership by replacing worn-out figures and involving active, young, and academic personalities.
- Opening up to grassroots support, transforming the audience from a passive crowd to engaged participants.
- Building bridges for a Kurdish national dialogue, instead of continuing isolation or adopting neutral stances.
- Expanding alliances with Syrian democratic forces to develop a national project that transcends narrow identities.
Summary: The Future of the Council Depends on Its Decisions, Not Its History
No one intends to exclude the Kurdish National Council from the scene, but if it continues in its current form, it will remain an empty title lacking influence and credibility. The ball is in its court—the choice is between renewal or fading away.
By: Maheen Shekhani
