Analysis Fidan heads to Egypt amid questions over Saudi Arabia-Turkey-Pakistan pact Conflicting accounts of why Egypt stayed out of the agreement have exposed the competing interests shaping the region’s emerging defense architecture. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Explainer As Turkey rivalry heats up, Greece to acquire $4B Israeli air defense system The Greek defense minister said that the air defense system will be operational within 35 months. Israel
Analysis From S-400s to SAMP/T: Turkey’s defense pivot gathers pace after NATO summit Turkey is seeking to turn the diplomatic momentum from the Ankara NATO summit into a broad defense realignment spanning US sanctions relief and fighter technology, European air defenses and deeper military cooperation with the UK. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Trump 'undecided' on Turkey's F-35s as Congress seeks answers on S-400 Top Democratic lawmakers say the ball is in Ankara’s court on rejoining the US-led F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, but suggest that Turkey offshoring its Russian-made S-400 system won’t be enough. Turkey
Why is France a useful adversary for Turkey? Although France has the means to hamper Turkey, both in the European Union and Africa, its current strategy often plays into Turkey’s hands, as evidenced by its recent failure to squeeze Turkey through a NATO probe. Turkey
Rising EU-Turkey tensions take center stage with Borrell visit to Ankara With EU accession talks frozen, the bloc’s foreign policy chief faces the tough task of creating a new negotiation table for the bloc and Ankara to address rising tensions. Turkey
France leaves NATO Mediterranean operation over dispute with Turkey The French decision follows NATO's report on a June incident in the Mediterranean Sea between France and Turkey amid tensions between the two NATO allies over the sea and Libya. Turkey
Why is Sirte everyone’s ‘red line’ in Libya? Libya’s coastal city of Sirte, a strategic gateway to major oil facilities, has emerged as a critical point of contention between Turkey and Russia, with France also scrambling to impede Turkey via NATO. Turkey
Intel: Russian-built aircraft actively using Libya’s Jufra air base Russian fighter aircraft recently delivered to Libya in support of Khalifa Hifter's campaign against the Tripoli-based government are now being put to use. Libya
NATO to investigate France-Turkey standoff in the Mediterranean NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the bloc will probe France's accusations that Turkey harassed one of its ships in the Mediterranean. Turkey
What does Libya’s ‘Syrianization’ scenario mean for key actors? Turkey may have gotten kudos for tipping the balance in Libya, but Russian countermoves raise the prospect of Turkish collaboration with Russia in the North African country, which is not to the liking of countries that have been giving plaudits to Ankara. Syria
Intel: Turkey says S-400 stance unchanged despite US pressure Turkey’s stance on its S-400s hasn’t changed, even as the United States appeared to dangle support in Syria in exchange for Ankara abandoning the controversial Russian missile defense systems, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Tuesday. Syria
Turkish envoy calls for more international support for Syria refugees, cease-fire deal Turkish Ambassador Serdar Kilic said Ankara is not receiving enough support from the international community as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Brussels for meetings with the European Council and NATO. Syria
Intel: US leans on Turkey despite tensions The top US military commander in Europe told Congress today that Turkey remains a key ally despite the Donald Trump administration’s decision to boot the NATO partner from the F-35 program after it took delivery of the Russian S-400 air defense system last summer. Syria
Can Ankara’s sudden change of heart on NATO save the day in Idlib? Ankara’s abrupt U-turn to reembrace NATO appears driven by conjunctural necessity to balance Russia in Idlib and Libya rather than a new realization of structural dependency between Turkey and NATO. Syria
How an ultra-secularist gained clout in Turkey's Islamist government Dogu Perincek, said to be a pillar of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's recent anti-West policies, has had a long history of controversial alliances and ideologies. Turkey
