Tag Archives: Afrin

Russia-West Tensions: Bad News for Syrian People

March 19, 2018 U.K.’s expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats, Moscow’s retaliation, Trump administration’s imposition of new sanctions on Russia, the Joint statement from the leaders of France, Germany, the United States and the United Kingdom on the Salisbury attack and … Continue reading

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UNSC Resolution 2401(2018): What It Does Say/Not Say About Afrin

February 28, 2018 UNSC Resolution 2401 (2018) of February 24 demands that all parties cease hostilities without delay for a durable humanitarian pause for at least 30 consecutive days throughout Syria. It calls upon all parties to immediately lift the … Continue reading

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Turkey’s Syria Predicament

February 22, 2018 In Syria, Turkey is running in a narrowing alley. On the one hand, Secretary Tillerson recently said, “…we’re not going to act alone any longer. We’re not going to be U.S. doing one thing and Turkey doing … Continue reading

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“Normalizing” Turkish-American Relations

February 18, 2018 In view of increasing tensions between Ankara and Washington, engaging in comprehensive, substantial and authoritative talks at sufficiently high level, preferably in Ankara to be of consequence, had become the dictate of diplomacy (1).  Last week, following … Continue reading

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Who are the terrorists?

February 5, 2018 Washington designated Hamas as a foreign terrorist organization in 1997. Last week the Department of State also designated its leader Ismail Haniyeh as a terrorist. Some in the Arab world were no doubt delighted whereas Turkish Foreign … Continue reading

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Turkish-American Relations Under Strain

January 29, 2018 On May 16, 2017 Presidents Erdogan and Trump had talks in Washington. A few days before the visit I had said: “…neither Ankara nor Washington can afford a too rocky relationship with too many ups and downs. … Continue reading

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Shifting Priorities in Syria

January 22, 2018 On January 17, Secretary Tillerson delivered remarks at Stanford University. His topic was “The Way Forward for the United States Regarding Syria”. Next to him was Condoleezza Rice, National Security Adviser and later Secretary of State during … Continue reading

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