Are China and Russia Near a Full-Blown Alliance?
China and Russia are already operating on a model similar to that of the now-defunct Warsaw Treaty Organization.
Security
The YPG’s Child Recruits: An Accustomed Human Rights Abuse?
All the sources and data on the subject indicate that the PYD, which endeavors to idealize its armed conflict in…
What if the US and Turkey Agree on Manbij?
Turkey’s low-profile operation in northern Iraq against the terrorist organization, the PKK, illustrates that Ankara has patiently been weaving its…
Pulling Out of the Nuclear Deal: Towards a New Status Quo with Iran?
Reversing the deal may well result in catastrophe but it will more likely lead to a tit-for-tat in the region…
Is the Turkey-US Agreement Still Valid in Manbij?
While the U.S. reaffirmed their support for the established bilateral process to find a common way forward on Manbij, and…
What Does the Snap Election Mean for Turkish Foreign Policy?
The strategic reasons behind the early election decision are multidimensional and it may influence current Turkish foreign and security policies.…
To Hit or Not to Hit Assad, Is That the Matter?
April 2018 strikes gave the message to Assad that the volume of strikes will increase if he uses chemical attacks…
Without a Coherent Strategy, US Strikes Mean More Damage for Syria
If Trump chooses the “minimum strike” option by targeting more than one place including aircraft bases, ammunition stores and command…
What does US Withdrawal from Syria Mean for Turkey?
The recent announcement of President Trump to withdraw American troops from Syria has not only further complicated the situation for…
Turco-Qatari Military Buildup and its Regional Impact
The Turco-Qatari military cooperation holds a great potential in countering the Saudi-Iranian rivalry in the Middle East and thus the…
The PKK and its Complicated Future
The propaganda machine for the PKK has also lost its functionality after Turkey’s Afrin operation. This will certainly affect the…
Turkey in the Aftermath of the Afrin Operation
Turkey’s “allies” that arm, train, and protect the PKK may keep the group safe in some zones for some time,…
Strategic Exit in Afrin, but Whose Strategy?
Turkey’s encirclement strategy in Afrin, which is known for not letting easy retreat, left an exit door – or a…
How will Turkey carry out its Military Campaign beyond Afrin?
One way or another, it is clear that Turkey’s military-political victory will provide more opportunities for strategic manoeuvres in Ankara’s…
Who will land on both feet after the Afrin Operation?
Since Turkey implemented “boots on the ground” strategy in northern Syria, the Syrian crisis has become more complicated. Only those…
What are Israel’s Red Lines in Syria?
Israel will continue its precision airstrikes in Syria and increase its focus on the Israel-Syria border as well as its…
Some Myths about the YPG
Abandoning the myths about the YPG would serve the US interests. Then comes the hard task of crafting a realistic…
What will Turkey Face during the Afrin Operation?
In addition to the military difficulties to be embraced, Turkey has to ready itself for a propaganda war with the…
Operation Olive Branch: Direct Intervention, Indirect Message
Operation Olive Branch must be assessed in two aspects: the role of the operation in Turkey’s counter-terrorism policy and Ankara’s…
