Ex-U.S. Envoy: American Vow to Defend Kurds Was "Limited, Tactical"

A former top U.S. diplomat has stated that Washington's military commitment to defending Syrian Kurdish forces was temporary, tactical, and driven by mutual interest. James Jeffrey, who served as the U.S. Special Representative for Syria and the anti-ISIS coalition, made the remarks in a recent interview. He clarified the scope of that American pledge. Jeffrey said the U.S. promise was strictly "limited to ISIS, Bashar al-Assad, and Russia." He explicitly stated it did not extend to protecting the Kurds from Turkey or from the Syrian government led by Ahmed al-Shara. His comments highlight the calculated nature of the U.S. alliance with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDG). This Kurdish-led group was the main ground partner in the fight against the ISIS terrorist group.