Kurdish Independence Referendum Update

My good buddy Irish Jay (AKA Code Name: Silverback) has been sending me questions about the recent Kurdish referendum, particularly how it relates to the Syrian civil war. Rather than restrict my response to him, I wanted to post an update of some of the stories I've been keeping track of. Unlike the string of stories I posted before the referendum, I haven't had a chance to read through these yet; but the headlines alone provide a great deal of useful context. Go ahead and have a look - and remember that al Jazeera has a Qatari slant, al Arabiya has a Saudi slant, and al Monitor has a sort of international flavor to it. Process accordingly.

Regional implications of the Kurdish independence vote (al Jazeera)

Syrian Kurdish commander: We're 'ready to engage' with Damascus (al Monitor)

Iraqi Kurdistan referendum: High turnout in independence vote (BBC News)

Israel denies Turkish claim of involvement in Kurd vote (AFP)

Kurdish secession tops Erdogan's agenda in Iran visit (al Jazeera)

Iraqi Kurds watch nervously as Erdogan heads for Tehran (al Monitor)

Turkey’s Erdogan in Iran amid tensions over Iraqi Kurd vote (al Arabiya)

Turkey’s threat of sanctions against Iraqi Kurds rattles its own traders (al Monitor)

Turkey’s Erdogan says will impose further sanctions against northern Iraq (al Arabiya)

Ankara could misplay its hand again (al Monitor)

Turkey’s military options in Iraq and Syria hinge on US and Russia (al Monitor)

Turkey raises oil threat after Iraqi Kurds' referendum (al Jazeera)

Erdogan and Putin agree Iraqi Kurdish referendum has no legitimacy (al Arabiya)

Russia keeps eye on Kurdish oil contracts, referendum (al Monitor)

France offers to mediate between Baghdad and Kurds (al Arabiya)

Tensions mount as Iraqi militias boost numbers in contested areas while Kurds hold referendum (Long War Journal)

Iranian, Iraqi government forces to hold joint border drills (al Arabiya)

Iraqi military preparing to take control of Kurdish borders (al Arabiya)

Iran’s pressure on Kurds could backfire (al Monitor)

Iran’s Leaders Opposed Kurdish Independence Vote in Iraq. Iran’s Kurds Celebrated on The Streets. (Washington Post via Small Wars Journal)

Iraqi Kurdish opposition welcomes Abadi's post-referendum measures (al Monitor)

Abadi Wins ISIS War, Maliki Wins Elections: Time for US to Shift Policy on Kurdistan (Rudaw via Small Wars Journal)

The Kurds Are About to Blow Up Iraq (Michael J. Totten via World Affairs Journal)

The Trump Administration Just Stabbed the Kurds in the Front (Michael J. Totten via World Affairs Journal)