Tag Archives: Turkey-Syria

The Idlib Problem Still with Us

Posted on April 27, 2020 by

April 27, 2020 Coronavirus is seen as the greatest global challenge of modern times. Because, the death toll in some countries has reached tens of thousands. Just as important is the shock of unpreparedness, helplessness and vulnerability of a technologically … Continue reading →

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IS Fighters’ Homecoming: Price for the Regime Change Project in Syria

Posted on February 22, 2019 by

February 22, 2019 The war in Syria appears to be coming to an end and the return of ISIS fighters and families to their countries is becoming a major issue. The UK is unwilling to agree to the return of … Continue reading →

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Worlds Apart

Posted on February 15, 2019 by

February 15, 2019 Yesterday was Valentine’s Day, the day of romance. Not on the international scene. The two important international meetings held on that very day reflected two worlds apart: the anti-Iran Warsaw meeting in effect “led and co-chaired by … Continue reading →

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Middle East Stability Still Faraway

Posted on January 18, 2019 by

January 18, 2019 It has been a month since President Trump declared victory against ISIS in Syria and said US troops were returning home. It was only to be expected that the decision would lead to questions. Because, this was … Continue reading →

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The Idlib Challenge and the Sochi Summit

Posted on September 18, 2018 by

September 18, 2018 On September 17, 2018, Presidents Putin and Erdoğan met in Sochi. On top of their agenda was Idlib. This is what President Putin said at the joint press conference following the talks: “We reviewed the situation in … Continue reading →

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Syria: A Bleak Future

Posted on October 4, 2016 by

October 4, 2016 On February 22, the United States and the Russian Federation, Co-Chairs of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG), issued the “Joint Statement on Cessation of Hostilities in Syria”. As a first reaction, even the most optimistic observers … Continue reading →

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Turkey’s Syria Policy: A Course Correction?

Posted on September 15, 2016 by

September 15, 2016 Turkey’s foray into the Syrian conflict has been, beyond a shadow of doubt, our worst foreign policy blunder since the founding of the Republic in 1923. The political, security, economic and trade costs are too obvious, unlikely … Continue reading →

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Turkey Needs to Launch a Syria Inquiry

Posted on August 25, 2016 by

August 25, 2016 Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus met a group of journalists, professors and think tank representatives on August 15, 2016. He reportedly said: “Many of the things Turkey is facing today is the result of our Syria policy. … Continue reading →

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Loneliness, Not So “Precious” After All

Posted on July 4, 2016 by

July 4, 2016 The mother of all Turkey’s current foreign policy problems in the Middle East is our misguided involvement in the Syrian conflict. Yes, President Assad may have been a dictator; yes, he may have missed opportunities to start … Continue reading →

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US, Russia and Their Regional Allies

Posted on May 19, 2016 by

May 19, 2016 International Syria Support Group (ISSG) met in Vienna on 17 May 2016. In keeping with the tradition, the Group issued a statement (*) and the Co-Chairs and UN Envoy Staffan di Mistura made remarks to the press … Continue reading →

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