Washington
The Kurds’ Washington Dilemma
The Kurds are once again confronting a dilemma in their relationship with the United States. This time it is in Iran. Reports indicate that Washington may be exploring ways to train and support Iranian Kurdish forces for a potential ground offensive inside Iran, as U.S. and Israeli strikes continue to target the regime’s military and security infrastructure from the air. President Donald Trump even said it would be “wonderful” if the Kurds launch such an offensive.
For the Kurds, the situation revives a long-standing calculation: Aligning with Washington offers opportunities but carries the risk of abandonment, but refusing cooperation may prove even more costly in a volatile region.
The Kurds, who make up roughly 10 percent in a country of 92 million, long have been among the most marginalized communities in Iran.
It may seem natural for Iranian Kurds to align with Washington as the clerical regime in Tehran crumbles. After all, the Kurds, who make up roughly 10 percent in a country of 92 million, long have been among the most marginalized communities in Iran. Their cultural rights are restricted, political representation nonexistent, and Kurdish regions neglected economically. The regime treats even modest efforts to promote Kurdish language and culture have as security threats, with activists and teachers facing arrest and imprisonment. This systematic repression has turned the Kurds into a cohesive bloc of opposition to the Iranian regime.
Moreover, the Kurds in Iran, like in Iraq, Syria, and Turkey, are largely secular and pro-American. Their willingness to work with Washington is not merely an act of opportunism aimed at benefiting from a superpower. Rather, many Kurdish political movements view partnership with the United States as aligned with their broader aspiration for democratic governance and a secular political order. Ordinary Kurds generally hold a strong affinity for America.
Repressive policies across the region have contributed to the emergence of a survival mechanism among the Kurds, most evident in their highly disciplined and organized military mindset. It is mainly for this reason that Washington has often relied on Kurdish forces to undertake some of the most difficult tasks that even conventional militaries sometimes struggle to accomplish. It has created a unique partnership to which American commanders working with Kurds, particularly in Syria, can readily attest.
Yet both distant and recent episodes of Kurdish partnership with the United States send mixed signals to the Kurds, especially now in Iran, about whether a military alignment with Washington would serve their long-term strategic interests.
The losses suffered by Kurds and the status they enjoy in Iraq, and to a lesser extent in Syria, are in large part the result of American intervention and protection.
This is a paradox. American policies have shaped both the major gains and setbacks experienced by the Kurds at different historical stages. The losses suffered by Kurds and the status they enjoy in Iraq, and to a lesser extent in Syria, are in large part the result of American intervention and protection. The U.S.-Kurdish partnership, therefore, is far from black and white; it is complex and unfolds across multiple national borders.
Part of this asymmetrical partnership with the United States is the Kurds’ lack of sovereignty. Without a state of their own, the Kurds remain not only subject to the shifting priorities of different U.S. administrations, but also lack the institutional tools needed to formalize and sustain a long-term partnership with Washington.
But Washington has the tools to recalibrate its relationship with Kurds across the region. It remains the primary power shaping developments the Middle East. And as a new regional order seems to be emerging, it is critical for the United States to maintain more partners who are aligned with its vision. Particularly in Iran, if the current war leads to regime change, having a reliable partner such as Kurds could offer Washington important strategic leverage to shape the country’s future governance.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 21: Voi Tunuufi #52 of the Washington Huskies gestures during the third quarter of the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Husky Stadium on September 21, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. The Huskies defeated the Wild (Alika Jenner / Getty Images)
Former University of Washington defensive lineman Voi Tunuufi has died at the age of 23, the school announced on Monday night.
“Our hearts are with the Tunuufi family, his loved ones, and every brother who wore the W beside him. Forever in The Pack,” the school posted in an announcement on Twitter.
According to Andy Yamashita of The Seattle Times, Tunuufi’s sister, Sanita, said that he died in a car accident.
Tunuufi appeared in 52 games for the Huskies over four seasons from 2021-24, which included Washington’s run to the National Championship against Michigan in 2023. Tunuufi had 86 total tackles with 12.5 sacks, a forced fumble and two passes defended during his career.
The Source: Information in this story came from the University of Washington and The Seattle Times.
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Washington
YOU’RE INVITED! Exclusive Sneak Peek of the New Burn Building at the Washington County Public Safety Training – Washington County
Join us for a first look at this state-of-the-art training facility, designed to enhance firefighter and first responder preparedness through realistic, hands-on, live-fire training scenarios. This new addition will be placed in service by the end of June; and, it represents a major step forward in strengthening emergency response capabilities across Washington County and the region.
Training programs offered at the PSTC continue to emphasize the importance of joint training among fire, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), law enforcement, and emergency management partners. Facilities like the burn building allow multiple agencies to train together in realistic environments, improving coordination, communication, and overall response during critical incidents.
This event will also highlight the future vision of the training center, including plans for construction of a tactical village. The proposed tactical village will further expand multi-agency training opportunities and provide realistic environments for real-life, public safety scenario-based exercises.Guests will be treated to a sneak peek demonstration. The demonstration will showcase the capabilities and training value of the new burn building, as well provide a glimpse into future plans for the PSTC.
We hope you’ll join us as we showcase this exciting milestone. Come help us celebrate the continued growth of public safety training in Washington County.
Address: 18350 Public Safety Pl, Hagerstown, MD 21740
Date: May 19, 2026
Time: 2:00 p.m.
The East Potomac Golf Course could, starting Monday, undergo extensive renovations under the Trump administration’s guidance, and for some the fight to try to stop that from happening continues.
Renderings of East Potomac “reimagined” as a championship golf course and a formal memorial space were included in a document obtained by the Washington Post allegedly seeking donations that will support President Donald Trump’s plans to remake parts of D.C.’s waterfront, including East Potomac Golf Course.
The renderings depict new water features and a redesigned clubhouse. They also show the golf course occupying most of the space, with much of the park’s existing bike paths and open recreational space gone.
Mike McCartin, National Link Trust Co-Founder, says these spaces are part of why the course is so special.
“It’s a great symbiotic relationship, and it goes back to the history of why this place was made in the first place to provide active recreation not just golf but a bunch of different ways of recreational activities to the residents of D.C.,” he said.
The image also appears to include fewer than 18 holes compared to the current 36 total holes.
The news organization NOTUS reported Friday that deferred maintenance work at the course would begin Monday.
Not knowing specifics of the project, like in which capacity this space will be available for D.C. residents after the upcoming renovations, makes some regulars feel uneasy.
“Golf is a game that is played by people who have a lot of resources and access to private courses, and this was the place where anybody could play and see these incredible views and come and just really be part of D.C., so I think it’s a huge loss,” said Caroline Holt, who played at the course for over 15 years.
Features that are part of the current site, including the mini golf course and the nearby East Potomac Tennis Center, also are not visible in the image.
As part of an ongoing lawsuit against the U.S. Department of the Interior, the D.C. Preservation League filed for an emergency pause Sunday to prevent the golf course from closing. The document asks a federal judge in D.C. to set an emergency status conference and to prevent the administration from undertaking any steps towards the closure.
News4 reached out to the White House for comment about the specifics of the golf course project, when the park will reopen and comment on the petition for an emergency pause. We were deferred to the Department of the Interior and are still waiting on an answer from them.
Now, who will manage the course possibly starting tomorrow or once the administration officially takes over the project? Those are questions that as of now remain unanswered. The National Link Trust Team says for now, they will be there Monday with its usual opening time of 7 a.m.
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