Well done interviewing a vet who's been there, but the title implies that the PYD/SDF's system governs all of Syria, as opposed to just the north east of the country referred to as either Rojava ("the west", as in western Kurdistan), or the Democratic Federation of Northern Syria.
Re: “Building a Democracy”
Another issue: The SDF is NOT formerly known as the YPG, rather the YPG is the chief component of the SDF.
I'd send you a chart , but this comment page doesn't allow attachments.