Sinan Ciddi

The New Sultanate

Erdogan’s words don’t pull the trigger — but they load the gun

The April 7 terrorist attack outside Israel’s consulate in Istanbul should end any lingering illusions about the consequences of Turkey’s political climate under President Recep Tayyip...

Turkey the new Iran? Ankara’s growing challenge to Western interests

Turkey’s growing regional influence and ties to Hamas challenge NATO and US security.

Turkey is the NATO ally Trump should pressure first

President Donald Trump is right to demand that NATO allies shoulder more of the burden for collective defense. For too long, the United States has underwritten the security of partners who...

Islamist Turkey: A Base for Muslim Brotherhood Jihadism

Turkish intelligence chief hosts Hamas leaders in Istanbul

Ibrahim Kalin, head of Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT), hosted senior leaders of Hamas in Istanbul on March 22, underscoring Ankara’s continued engagement with the Islamist...

Turkey’s Mission to Put an End to the Iran War

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan did not mince words as he toured the Middle East as the war in the region escalated: “It should be especially noted that the primary responsible party...

Treasury Lifts Sanctions on Turkish National Who Aided Russia’s Illegal War on Ukraine

A Turkish entrepreneur conducting extensive trade with Russia is the subject of an unusual decision by the U.S. Treasury Department to lift sanctions against him and three of his companies.  Berk...

U.S. Sanctions a New Wave of Turkish ‘Charities’ Supporting Hamas

They may call themselves charities, but that doesn’t mean the money they collect goes to a good cause. On March 12, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned three Turkish charities for their role in providing...

What Are Turkey’s Red Lines in the Iran Conflict?

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is reluctant to get involved in the Iran War, fearing it would hurt his party’s chances in the next election.

Why is Washington going soft on the Turkish banks enabling Iran’s terrorism?

The Turkish state-owned lender Halkbank has served as a conduit for illicit Iranian financing networks. It was indicted in the U.S. in 2019 for one of the largest sanctions-evasion...

Turkish Deployment of F-16s in Occupied Portion of Cyprus Raises Tensions in Eastern Mediterranean

Using the regional turmoil sparked by the war against Iran’s clerical regime as a cover, Turkey has deployed six F-16 fighter jets to the occupied part of Cyprus. Turkey’s March 9 action represents...

Will NATO’s Downing of an Iranian Ballistic Missile Over Turkey Shift Ankara’s Stance?

NATO forces intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile inside Turkish airspace on March 4 —the first instance of NATO territory receiving incoming fire from the Islamic Republic since conflict began on...

AI-Amplified Narratives: Measuring Propaganda in LLM Citations

Will Turkey Invade Iran?

Turkey views Iran’s sizable Kurdish population as a potential threat to Turkey’s internal unity.

‘They’re Attacking Our Embassies Directly’: Rubio Highlights Iranian Missile Salvos as U.S. Urges Citizens to Leave Middle East

Rubio Defends Strikes, Warns of Iran’s Potential Capabilities: Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters at a March 2 press conference to imagine the capabilities Iran...

Iran’s Retaliatory Strikes Spare Turkey, Tehran’s Quiet Ally Within the North Atlantic Treaty

The Islamic Republic’s thugs remember Erdogan’s kindness, and they see a strategic use for him.

Backing the Tehran Regime’s Survival, Turkey Condemns U.S. Strikes on Iran

Within hours of the launch of U.S. and Israeli combat operations targeting the Islamic Republic of Iran on February 28, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan publicly condemned both the offensive and...

As Erdogan Declines, Turkey’s Succession Crisis Is America’s Problem

Could a post-Erdogan Turkey replace Iran as the Middle East’s most destabilizing power?

Two Bad Apples Threaten to Spoil the Gaza Board of Peace

The inclusion of Qatar and Turkey puts the body’s peacemaking mission at risk.