Analysis A surprise handshake in Turkey's parliament: Nationalist-Kurdish thaw or political maneuver? The escalating conflict in the region — among other considerations — has prompted unexpected handshakes between two foes in Turkey: pro-Kurdish DEM Party lawmakers and Nationalist Movement Party leader Devlet Bahceli. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Interview Syrian-Kurdish KNC leader decries abuse by Turkey-backed Sunni factions in Afrin Kurdish National Council President Sleiman Oso told Al-Monitor that dialogue with his group's rivals, the PYD, is still possible. Sleiman Oso Kurdish National Council President
Turkish soldier killed in PKK clash in Iraqi Kurdistan as Baghdad presses Ankara to withdraw Recent civilian deaths have reignited calls from Iraqi officials for the withdrawal of thousands of Turkish troops deployed across Iraqi Kurdistan. Turkey
Civilian toll rises in Turkey’s attacks against Kurdish militants in Iraq The recent spike in Turkish attacks comes at an especially critical time as Iraq's Kurdistan Region prepares to hold long-delayed parliamentary elections. Turkey
Analysis What Turkey's latest cruise missile means for defense industry, regional posture By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis Turkey’s security pact with Iraq: Which side came out on top? By Amberin Zaman In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Risking Turkey’s ire, Iraqi Kurds back Syrian brethren The oft-disunited Kurds of Iraq, Syria and Turkey are united against Turkey's invasion of areas in Syria where Kurds had achieved self-rule. Iraq
Trump’s amity with Erdogan deepens Turkey’s isolation The double blow the US House dealt Turkey over its military campaign in Syria shows how wrong Erdogan is to rely solely on his personal relationship with Trump to manage ties with the United States. Turkey
Kurdish self-administration under fire People living to the east of the Euphrates in Syria wonder about the fate of the Kurdish self-administration after the Turkish military attack and the recent Russian, Turkish and US political agreements on the status of this region. Syria
As Syria constitution talks kick off, is Kurdish administration 'finished'? As representatives from Syria's government, opposition and civil society meet in Geneva to draft a new constitution for the war-torn country, Al-Monitor spoke with French academic Fabrice Balanche on prospects for the talks. Iraq
Psychologists build bonds between Turks, Syrians even as refugee sentiment sours Turkey may be pushing for the return of refugees to Syria, but their advocates are still working to create ties between children, preparing for what is likely to be a much longer stay. Syria
Congress hammers Turkey with sanctions and Armenian genocide votes Still outraged by Turkey’s Syria incursion, Congress votes to sanction Turkey and recognize the Armenian genocide. Syria
Why is Russian military skeptical about US claim of Baghdadi's killing? The Russian military's incredulity about the US raid that killed Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has some basis in practical reasons that go beyond just "great power jealousy." Iraq
Kurds use Syria incursion to chip away at Erdogan The Syrian Democratic Forces, after having contributed to the death of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as well as an IS spokesman, push for a greater US condemnation of Turkey's latest incursion into Syria. Syria
Kurdish leader's rising profile with US, Russia angers Turkey The Turkish government has kicked off a campaign to demonize Syrian Democratic Forces commander Mazlum Kobane after the latter's recent conversations with the US president and top Russian officials. Syria
Pentagon weighs options to deter Russians in Syria After Russian forces in Syria appeared to be heading toward oil fields, the Pentagon proposed deploying tanks as a measure to guard the installations, a US official told Al-Monitor. Iraq
How Iran sees Russia-Turkey deal on northeastern Syria Iran's exclusion from the Turkey-Russia talks on northern Syria reflected its lack of leverage on the matter, but Tehran welcomed the agreement forged, especially its support for the Adana Agreement. Syria
Trump administration scrambles to salvage US troop presence in Syria President Trump says he would leave some US troops in Syria to keep the Assad regime and Iranian forces away from oil fields; the Syrian Democratic Forces commander speaks with both Trump and the Russian army chief of staff. Iraq