Steven A. Cook

Hamas and Turkey: Partners in Terror

Bridging the Gap

Turkey Between East and West

Kurdish-Led Syrian Democratic Forces Battle Turkish Proxies Amid Calls for Their Dissolution 

Battles Near Tishreen Dam Continue: Heavy fighting between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) around the Tishreen...

Turkey’s Overreach in Syria: Erdogan Is ‘Playing with Fire’

In a recent Foreign Policy article, Steven Cook and I highlighted how Turkey may be overplaying its hand in Syria. With events evolving rapidly, it seems that Turkish President Recep...

‘Unfriendly Takeover’: Turkey Offers to Train New Syrian Army While Maintaining Threat Against Kurds

Turkey’s ‘Unfriendly Takeover’ in Syria: Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler said on December 15 that Turkey is willing to provide military training for Syria’s army if...

Turkey Brokers Agreement Between Ethiopia and Somalia, Denting Egypt’s Regional Standing

Turkey Mediates Ethiopia-Somalia Agreement: Turkey announced on December 11 that it mediated what President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called an “historic agreement” between Ethiopia...

Turkish-Backed Syrian National Army Seizes Manbij from U.S. Allied, Kurdish-Led Forces

Turkish-Backed Forces Advance on SDF Territory: On November 30, the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) launched “Operation Dawn of Freedom” targeting the Manbij region...

Erdogan Gets His ‘Leader of the Muslim World’ Moment

Syria's change of leadership has given Turkey’s president the regional influence he has always wanted.

Israel SitRep: May 20, 2024

Today’s Issue: Two Hamas Police Officials Eliminated in Targeted Strikes | IAF Kills Hamas Supply Department Official Who Facilitated Weapons Smuggling Into Gaza | 98th Division Continues Fighting in...

Turkey Initiates Trade War With Israel

Turkey announced on April 9 that it would ban certain exports to Israel until Jerusalem declares a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Ankara claimed that it put the ban in place after...

Israel SitRep: April 5, 2024

Today’s Issue: IDF Publishes Findings on Deaths of World Central Kitchen Aid Workers | IDF Continues Khan Younis Operations, IAF Strikes More Than 30 Gaza Targets | In Overnight West Bank Raids, Troops...

Post-Erdogan Turkey Is Finally Here

Last weekend’s elections offer a first glimpse of a political future beyond the reigning strongman.

Chasing The Mirage of Turkey’s Western Orientation

Turkey’s president might seem like he is shifting the country’s foreign policy back to the West. But Erdogan is simply an opportunist.

The United States and Saudi Arabia: A Possible Path Forward

Turkey After Erdogan

The Abraham Accords

Will they transform the Middle East?

Erdogan’s Response to Coronavirus Will Destroy Turkey’s Economy

Ankara’s finances were weak before the pandemic—but the combination of external debt, a public health crisis, and a president who chooses to protect his reputation rather than his people could spell disaster.

Putin Plays Erdogan Like a Fiddle

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended the opening of Russia’s international air show, MAKS, on Tuesday as the guest of his counterpart Vladimir Putin. Despite its NATO membership, Turkey has...