ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that the Democratic Union Party (PYD) is far one of the few winners of the Syrian Civil War. The system established by the PYD in the Kurdish areas of Syria is referred to as "democratic autonomy" and "democratic confederalism". The main reason for the People's Defense Forces’ (YPG) strength is the fact that it is the only armed Kurdish group in Syrian-Kurdistan. Even though the Kurdistan's Workers Party (PKK) is listed as a terrorist group in the United States (US), Kobani was the beginning of US armament of the YPG. Moreover, whenever necessary, the YPG—officially a Syrian-Kurdish militia—is supported by fighters from Turkey. Additionally, depending on the evolution of the conflict, the convergence of interest between the YPG/PKK and the US on the one hand and the YPG/PKK and the Syrian regime on the other hand may well end.
