Steven A. Cook

July 2, 2025 | |

‘Striking All Components of the Axis Iran Has Built’: IDF Captures Iranian Operatives in Southern Syria

Israeli Forces Capture Iranian Terrorist Cell: The Israel Defense Forces announced the capture of an Iran-affiliated cell in southern Syria. The terrorists were apprehended at night...

July 1, 2025 | |

‘Path to Stability and Peace’: White House Terminates Most Sanctions on Syria

Syria Sanctions Terminated: The Trump administration issued an executive order officially lifting most of the U.S. sanctions imposed on Syria. The order is intended to “promote...

June 9, 2025 | Steven A. Cook, Sinan Ciddi

The Struggle for Syria

On May 14, President Donald Trump stood smiling with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman and Syria’s self-declared leader, Ahmed al-Shara’a, on the sidelines of the President’s visit...

March 28, 2025 | Jonathan Schanzer, Sinan Ciddi, Melissa Sacks, Michael Rubin

Hamas and Turkey: Partners in Terror

March 5, 2025 | Jonathan Schanzer |

Bridging the Gap

Turkey Between East and West

January 21, 2025 | |

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...

December 20, 2024 | Sinan Ciddi |

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...

December 16, 2024 | |

‘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...

December 13, 2024 | |

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...

December 10, 2024 | |

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...

December 9, 2024 | Steven A. Cook, Sinan Ciddi

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.

May 20, 2024 | |

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...

April 11, 2024 | |

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...

April 5, 2024 | |

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...

April 4, 2024 | Steven A. Cook, Sinan Ciddi

Post-Erdogan Turkey Is Finally Here

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

August 2, 2023 | Sinan Ciddi |

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.

April 28, 2023 | Bradley Bowman, Orde Kittrie, Ryan Brobst

The United States and Saudi Arabia: A Possible Path Forward

March 1, 2023 | Sinan Ciddi |

Turkey After Erdogan

December 11, 2020 | Varsha Koduvayur, Steven A. Cook

The Abraham Accords

Will they transform the Middle East?

April 8, 2020 | Aykan Erdemir, John Lechner

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.