Iran’s loss is Turkey’s gain
Recent diplomatic tensions between Turkey and Iran reflect a broader shift in the Middle East: Turkey has filled the vacuum left by Tehran, much to the Islamic Republic’s discontent.
Ankara
How will the US-backed SDF be affected by PKK leader’s disarmament call?
On February 27, Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan called for the group to disarm and end its conflict with Turkey, according to a message he released from prison.
Op-eds
Can Syria Survive?
On February 25, Syria held a National Dialogue Conference, which is supposed to help the country come together after years of civil war and the toppling of the Assad regime. Syria’s new president,...
Op-eds
Lebanon seizes funds bound for Hezbollah at Beirut airport
On February 28, Reuters, quoting three anonymous and unidentified sources, reported that authorities at Lebanon’s Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport seized $2.5 million in cash destined for Hezbollah.
Op-eds
10 Things to Know About Turkey’s Interventions and Influence in Syria
Turkey intends to position itself as the most influential foreign actor in Syria. Following the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Turkey built close ties with jihadist militias fighting Bashar...
Insights
Turkey Marginalized? How Trump’s Middle East Strategy is Rewriting Alliances
Nearly a month into Donald Trump’s second term as U.S. President, we are beginning to see the contours of his foreign policy in the Middle East. Having campaigned on a promise to prioritize American...
Op-eds
Nuclear Power Plant Project Highlights Turkish Role in Russia’s Sanctions Evasion
The United States dealt Russian efforts to evade international sanctions a significant blow by ordering the American bank J.P. Morgan to freeze $2 billion of Russian funds destined for Turkey. The move...
Policy Briefs
U.S. Treasury Should Target Iran’s Trading Partners
“Make Iran broke again,” declared Scott Bessent, the incoming Treasury secretary, shortly before his confirmation. That is a realistic goal given Iran’s isolation from the international financial...
Policy Briefs
Macron Invites Syrian Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa to Visit France
Al-Sharaa Expected to Travel to France in Coming Weeks: French President Emmanuel Macron on February 5 invited Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa to visit France, becoming the first...
Flash Briefs
Syrian government forces enter Afrin, signaling a change in control
Forces from Syria’s General Security Department entered the northwestern Syrian city of Afrin on February 6, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported.
Op-eds
What does – and doesn’t – make sense about Trump’s Gaza plan
‘The US will take over the Gaza Strip – and we will do a job with it, too’, Donald Trump has said. He also stated that the US would ‘own’ it.
Op-eds
Erdogan and Syria’s New President Al-Sharaa Meet in Ankara to Discuss Defense Pact
Turkey and Syria to Agree on a Defense Partnership: Syria’s new transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are expected to discuss a joint...
Flash Briefs
Prominent Critic of Islam and Iran Murdered at Home in Sweden
Shot While Streaming on Social Media: A prominent free speech activist and critic of Islam known for staging public burnings of the Islamic holy book, the Quran, was murdered inside...
Flash Briefs
‘Hamas Can Never Govern Gaza or Threaten Israel Again’: Rubio to Egyptian Foreign Minister
Hamas Remains in Control of Gaza: Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty on January 28 that “Hamas can never govern Gaza or threaten Israel...
Flash Briefs
The strategic Tishrin Dam has become a flashpoint in post-Assad Syria
The Tishrin Dam on the Euphrates River in Syria has become a key point of conflict in the country’s post-Assad era. Since the fall of dictator Bashar al Assad’s regime on December 8, the dam has been...
Op-eds
Syria’s energy sector and its impact on stability and regional developments
Excerpt Syria has the potential to significantly increase its oil and natural gas production, which can provide energy and government revenue that are critical for its stability and reconstruction....
Op-eds
Turkey and HTS: A New Era of Extremism in Syria?
Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2023, Syria is now controlled by an alliance of opposition groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). While there has...
Op-eds
Trump Doctrine 2.0: What It Means for the Middle East
Countries across the Middle East are making moves and preparing for President Donald Trump’s incoming United States administration. Many of the region’s leaders were in power during the first...
Op-eds
Trump can’t leave Syria to others
After the fall of Bashar Assad‘s regime in Syria, the incoming Trump administration faces a complex set of challenges. Despite President-elect Donald Trump’s promise to reduce U.S....
Op-eds
Turkey Is Preparing to Invade Syria, Then Israel?
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is making no effort to disguise his ambitions. In a bold declaration following the first meeting of Turkey’s cabinet, Erdogan made it clear that he intends to...