The Rest Is Classified – Episode 135: Is The CIA Arming Kurdish Militias In Iran?

Date: March 7, 2026
Host: David McCloskey (Goalhanger)
Guest: Clarissa Ward, Chief International Correspondent, CNN

Episode Overview

This episode delves into breaking reports alleging US (CIA) and Israeli backing for Kurdish militias preparing for potential ground operations in western Iran. Host David McCloskey, standing in solo with Gordon Corera away, is joined by Clarissa Ward, reporting directly from Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan. The conversation unpacks Kurdish political dynamics, US/Israeli covert action, the risks of regional destabilization, and historic cycles of foreign powers arming—and abandoning—the Kurds.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. On the Ground in Erbil: The Situation Unfolds

[04:07]

• Clarissa confirms an "uptick" in drone and missile attacks, mainly targeting the residual US presence in northern Iraq—especially around Erbil International Airport and the US Consulate.
• Notably, Iranian Kurdish camps in Iraqi Kurdistan are also being attacked, highlighting increasing tensions as these groups may be drawn into conflict on the Iranian side.

2. Who Are the Kurds? The Complexity of Identity and Faction

[05:47]

• “The Kurds are not a monolith. Whatever the opposite of a monolith is, that's what they are.” (Clarissa Ward, [07:09])
• Kurds number 30–40 million and are dispersed across Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey. Promised but denied a state after WWI, they have a long, fragmented struggle for autonomy or recognition.
• Six different Iranian Kurdish groups operate from Iraqi Kurdistan, forming recent coalitions but each with distinct agendas—ranging from separatism to calls for federal autonomy within Iran.

3. US-Kurdish Relations: Allies with Tensions and History

[08:10–09:22]

• Kurds have often fought as close US allies (notably against ISIS in Syria and Iraq). However, this scenario is fraught with division—especially among Iraqi Kurds about whether to remain neutral or get involved.
• David references the CIA’s own struggles to grasp the “confusing” alphabet soup of Kurdish parties and militias.

4. The Reporting Bombshell: CIA & Mossad Allegedly Arming Iranian Kurdish Groups

[10:31]

• Clarissa recounts meetings with senior Iranian Kurdish figures who claim US and Israeli support for an imminent ground offensive into Iran.
  • “He basically said to me, this is going to happen. We're going in... with the support of the US and Israel.” (Clarissa Ward, [11:00])
• CNN’s DC contacts corroborate: CIA has backed some groups, seeking to foment unrest and destabilize Iran.
• She expresses deep skepticism: “Anyone... can see the manifold reasons why this is fraught with risk, with complexity.” ([11:56])
• The motives for the US are unclear: Is it to bog down Iran militarily, create openings for protests, or even seek regime change?

5. Is It All a Psyop? The Role and Motive of Leaks

[15:09–16:59]

• Clarissa posits much of the reporting could be deliberate "psyops"—noise meant to spook and distract Iranian leadership, not necessarily a real ground plan.
  • “This type of information doesn't get leaked unless somebody wants to leak it.” (Clarissa Ward, [15:39])
• David suggests such leaks rarely come from the CIA itself—more often from policy figures, Congress, or even Congressional aides.

6. Practical Concerns: Feasibility and Signals on the Ground

[19:22]

• Reportedly, only small arms and dozens of Toyota Land Cruisers have been provided so far—hardly the resources for serious ground operations.
  • “We spoke to a car dealer who said... one of these Iranian Kurdish groups came in and bought 50 Toyota Land Cruiser LC71s.” (Clarissa Ward, [20:57])
• Indicates improvisation and perhaps a lack of serious planning.

7. The “Arm the Kurds / Abandon the Kurds” Historical Pattern

[21:21, 29:21]

• David and Clarissa discuss the long US pattern: arming Kurdish groups for tactical reasons, only to later cut them loose (“Followed by Abandon the Kurds by Abandon the Kurds. That’s the next button.” — David, [18:21])
• Kurds, aware of this cycle, remain transactionally engaged—often using Western powers for their own aims as much as vice versa.
  • “We're using you too... when we get an opportunity, we use it for what we can get.” (Clarissa Ward, [31:42])

8. Iraqi Kurdish Reactions and Reluctance

[22:01–23:49]

• Kurdish officials in Erbil are "freaked out"—they want neutrality and fear severe Iranian reprisals and regional destabilization.
  • “They don't want their territory to be used as a launchpad... because they understand that President Trump might change his mind today, tomorrow, and then another three times next week... But they are still gonna be Iran's neighbor at the end of it...” (Clarissa Ward, [22:01])

9. The Israeli Factor: Mossad’s Role and Different Strategic Interests

[24:07–27:42]

• Clarissa: “From the conversations I am having, Mossad is definitely a very big part of this. One Iranian Kurdish official... said, this is Israel's war.” ([24:26])
• David notes divergent US/Israeli interests: chaos in Iran benefits Israel, but not necessarily the US, which may prefer a contained, strong central government.

10. Potential Regional Fallout: Echoes of Iraq and Syria

[27:42–29:21]

• Risk of destabilizing not only Iran but also Iraq, where peshmerga may face off against Iran-backed militias—compounding the region’s fragility.
  • “This is a fragile state... All of this is incredibly and profoundly destabilizing… Pottery Barn rules. You break it, you buy it, you own it.” (Clarissa Ward, [27:42])

11. Kurdish Motivations: Risk, Opportunity, and Proverbial Caution

[30:58–33:42]

• The famous Kurdish proverb: “No friend but the mountains.”
• Kurds see a rare “once in a many decade opportunity,” knowing risks—and history—not all are separatists or maximally ambitious, mostly seeking security and autonomy within Iran.

12. Clarissa’s On-the-Ground Perspective: Uncertainty and Jenga Metaphor

[35:17–37:30]

• The mood: "It feels like an unraveling. It feels very out of control. Normally when you cover war, you quickly understand the objectives... This war is a surprise every single day… it's the first conflict I have covered where I have no idea where it's going and how it ends. And that is precisely why it is so scary…” (Clarissa Ward, [35:17])
• Warns of “Jenga” style regional balances, threatened by reckless, chaotic action.
  • “I'm a little concerned that we're not playing Jenga to the best of our ability here.” ([37:03])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Kurdish Complexity:
  “The Kurds are not a monolith. Whatever the opposite of a monolith is, that's what they are.” — Clarissa Ward, [07:09]

• On Leak Motives:
  “This type of information doesn't get leaked unless somebody wants to leak it.” — Clarissa Ward, [15:39]

• On the US Pattern:
  “It does seem like sometimes there is just an arm the Kurds button that's right there... Followed by Abandon the Kurds by Abandon the Kurds. That's the next button. Right. So everybody has seen this movie before.” — David McCloskey, [18:21]

• On Kurdish Use of Allies:
  “We're using you too… when we get an opportunity, we use it for what we can get.” — Clarissa Ward, [31:42]

• On Jenga & Regional Fragility:
  “You've played Jenga, David?... You can't just pull one out... I'm a little concerned that we're not playing Jenga to the best of our ability here.” — Clarissa Ward, [37:03]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Who are the Kurds & Political Complexity: [05:47]–[10:31]
• US/Israeli Covert Action Allegations: [10:31]–[16:59]
• Feasibility, Arms Shipments, On-the-Ground Realities: [19:22]–[22:01]
• Kurdish Reluctance & Dangers of Escalation: [22:01]–[23:49]
• Mossad’s Role & Diverging US-Israeli Interests: [24:07]–[27:42]
• Historical Cycles of Arming & Abandoning the Kurds: [29:21]–[33:42]
• Clarissa’s “Jenga” Assessment & Closing Thoughts: [35:17]–[37:30]

Summary Takeaways

• Situation is Fluid and Highly Dangerous: US and Israeli covert support for Iranian Kurdish militias may be real or partially a psychological operation. Regardless, it injects further chaos into an already volatile region.
• Kurds are Wary Partners: They know the risk of Western betrayal, act transactionally, and are bitterly divided among themselves.
• Iraqi Kurds Want Out: Kurdish leaders in Erbil are desperate to avoid being dragged into a fight between the US/Israel and Iran—they’re the ones who will pay if things go wrong.
• US and Israeli Aims May Not Align: Israel may profit from an unstable, divided Iran; US interests are less clear and potentially undermined.
• Regional Stability is at Risk: The episode ends with a warning—destabilizing interventions risk toppling the "Jenga tower" of regional balances, with consequences for civilians and fragile states alike.

A must-listen for anyone wanting to understand the tangled web of espionage, covert operations, and the fraught politics of “arming the Kurds” in the current Middle East turmoil.