Rojava with Andrew

This episode of 'It Could Happen Here' examines the current crisis facing Rojava, the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime in late 2024. Host Andrew Sage and guest James discuss Rojava’s origins in the Kurdish liberation struggle, its ideological foundation in democratic confederalism, and its groundbreaking social reforms—particularly gender liberation and pluralistic governance. Despite international admiration, the project has faced relentless pressure from Turkey, ISIS, and now the Islamist-led Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) government, which seized power after Assad’s fall. The episode details the brutal assault on Rojava’s territory, including the siege of Kobani, the destruction of civilian infrastructure, and the forced withdrawal of the SDF after losing 80% of its territory. The SDF ultimately signed a ceasefire with the new Syrian government, agreeing to integrate militarily and administratively into the state, securing limited rights on paper but facing uncertain implementation. The hosts emphasize that Rojava’s struggle is not over and that solidarity must be critical, not blind, acknowledging both achievements and flaws while condemning the imperialist manipulation of regional conflicts. They argue that true liberation requires a global, cross-national uprising from below, not state-based compromises.