Turkey’s Counter-Terrorism Efforts in 2018
With the recent U.S. decision to pull out of Syria and stop supporting the PKK’s Syrian offshoot PYD, it seems…
The Syrian Civil War is an ongoing multi-sided war in Syria fought between the Assad Regime and various domestic and foreign forces opposing both the regime and each other in varying combinations. It started as part of the Arab Spring protests in 2011 and escalated to an armed conflict due to the excessive use of force by the regime. The war is currently known to be the second deadliest of the 21st century.
Some Arab countries attempting to fill the power vacuum after US withdrawal from Syria
After the U.S. decision to withdraw troops from Syria, leaders from the Arab world have announced their intention to re-establish…
Military activity has started in Manbij after US withdrawal
News agencies reported yesterday that the Syrian regime is dispatching forces and equipment to the village of Arimah, 25 km…
Turkey, Russia and Iran agreed on the establishment of a constitutional commission in Syria
Yesterday in Geneva, Foreign Ministers of Turkey, Russia and Iran – Mevlut Cavusoglu, Sergey Lavrov, Muhammad Javad Zarif – agreed…
What is Turkey’s Military Agenda in Northern Syria?
Turkey’s strategic objective is clear: to de-territorialize the YPG/PYD alongside its Syrian border, fix relations with the U.S. in Syria…
Can the US have its Cake and Eat it too in Syria?
The U.S. balancing act between supporting the PYD and providing reassurances to Turkey to be able to cooperate on the…
Combatting Criminal Gangs in Northern Syria
While some media outlets reported efforts in Syria as “internal fighting among Turkey-backed groups,” in reality, there was a “clean…
Has Turkey’s Syria Policy Changed?
Turkey’s policy of keeping and enlarging its military presence in Syria has two aims: Sustaining Turkey’s national security against YPG…
Does Quadruple Talk in Istanbul Signal Peace for Syria?
One way to prevent a regime coalition offensive in Idlib would be if the U.S. stepped in. If the U.S.…
Turkey may consult with its 81 million citizens for EU accession process
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke at the TRT World Forum, touching upon issues such as reforming the UN, the…
The False Promise of the United Nations
In order to start a new initiative for UN reform, the UNGA should question President Trump’s speech as it reveals…
Turkey Buys Time (and Hope) for Idlib
Turkey’s Idlib deal gave the rebels one more month to consider their options. It gave Turkey another month to make…
Winning Idlib
At this stage, the most important objective for Turkey is to solve the potential radicalization of the armed groups. If…
Can the Turkish-Russian Deal Save Idlib?
Turkey’s diplomatic success may have just saved thousands of innocent lives as well as yet another unnecessary humanitarian crisis. However,…
As Diplomacy Moves on in Idlib, so does Turkey’s Deterrence Strategy
Turkey’s primary strategy in this game is to deter the Syrian regime from a brutal offensive while trying to find…
Does Turkey’s Idlib Resolution Work?
This is the right time for the international society to take real responsibility in order to overcome the already deepening…
Idlib and the Implications of a Shifting US Policy on Syria
With the recent U.S. appointment of James Jeffrey, the new representative for engagement on Syria, there are signs that Washington…
Idlib: Russia Should Compromise and the US Should Help
Defending civilians against the brutality of the Assad regime and his allies should not only be Turkey’s responsibility. The international…
