Out of Nowhere: The Kurds of Syria in Peace and War

by Michael M. Gunter

In mid 2012 the previously almost forgotten Syrian Kurds suddenly emerged as a potential game-changer in the country's civil war when, in an attempt to consolidate its increasingly desperate position, the Assad government abruptly withdrew its troops from the major Kurdish areas in Syria. The Kurds in Syria had suddenly won autonomy, a situation that has huge implications for neighboring Turkey and the near-independent Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq. Renowned scholar Michael Gunter examines these important events and what they portend for the future.

176 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2014

Reviews

[Lump.n.prole · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only English language history of the PYD that I'm aware of. An indispensable background overview for the present conflict in Rojava. The rapidly changing nature of a civil war has unfortunately made some of the authors speculations (especially regarding Turkey) out of date.

[Nisreen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Exceptionally badly written book that would have benefited from more thorough editing.
The author has done extensive research on the history and geopolitics of the region and the Kurdish question. However, he failed in presenting a cohesive and purposeful work due to:
1) over-reliance on quoting other authors and researchers (quotes and analysis of other books/reports/research were inserted randomly and without clear purpose throughout the book.)
2) the author failed in presenting a well-constructed argument as he tended to express half thoughts and to draw conclusions only to contradict them later (sometimes even within the same paragraph)

NOT recommended to any reader not well-versed in the history of the region and the politics and dynamics of the Syrian conflict, as it most likely will confuse (and in certain cases misinform) readers and scholars looking to understand the region and the Kurdish question.

[Diego · Rating 4 out of 5]

It helps understand the Kurdish dilemma not only in Syria but Turkey and Iraq in the Syrian Civil War context.

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un libro que ayuda a comprender la problemática kurda, no sólo en Siria sino en los cuatro países en que habitan los kurdos, sus problemáticas principales y procesos de organización política.
Breve y claro análisis que pone también especial atención en los actores trasnacionales y su papel en la región. La guerra civil en el país, un proceso aún no logrado de autonomía, la perspectiva de los kurdos en Siria, verdaderamente un magnífico texto, incluso para los no especialistas.