The Secret Plan to Weaponize the Kurds (Part 1) - with Itai Anghel
Summary
Host Dan Raviv interviews journalist Itay Engel about the Kurds’ complex relationship with Israel and their role in recent geopolitical conflicts. Engel shares insights from his time with Kurdish fighters in Syria and Iran, highlighting their strong affinity for Israel and their devastating betrayal when US-Israeli inaction allowed Syrian forces to crush their autonomous region. The episode examines why a planned Mossad operation using Kurdish boots on the ground against Iran failed due to lack of air support and Turkish pressure, leaving Kurds skeptical of Western allies.
Topics discussed
Intro: The Kurdish dilemma and episode structure
Sponsor: IDI and the 2026 Israeli elections
Itay Engel's connection to the Kurds and shared trauma
Kurdish history, geography, and the dream of Kurdistan
Kurdish guerrilla culture, women fighters, and ideology
Sponsor: Dan Sinor's daily news podcast
Kurdish women's role in fighting ISIS
The perceived betrayal of Kurds in Syria by Israel and US
Meeting Kurdish guerrillas on the Iran-Iraq border
The failed Mossad plan to support Kurds in Iran
Why the plan failed: Trust issues and geopolitical risks
Outro: Israel Votes event promotion
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