Turkey wants PKK leader Ocalan to sway Kurdish-led SDF on joining Syria army Ankara seeks to leverage peace talks with PKK while renewing threats against the SDF. Turkey
Culture Turkey's women, LGBTQ artists top targets of Erdogan's drive for cultural hegemony From pop stars to performers, Turkey’s secular arts scene faces increasing pressure under Erdogan’s conservative push. Turkey
From F-35s to Ukraine: Erdogan-Trump talks signal reset, but sanctions obstacles remain The summit underscored both leaders’ personal chemistry while highlighting the limits of what the partnership can deliver. Turkey
Turkey’s Erdogan eyes F-35s, Kurdish concessions in White House talks with Trump Erdogan is pressing Washington for a return to the F-35 program and a rollback of US support for Kurdish forces, even as Congress signals resistance. Turkey
Exclusive UK-based oil firm victim of standoff between Damascus, Syria’s Kurds By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
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
Weakened US sanctions threat lingers in wake of Turkish deal with Russia Possible US sanctions on Turkey are looming as fighting subsides in northeast Syria and Kurdish forces draw back following an agreement between Ankara and Moscow. Syria
Erdogan still under fire in Iran despite Syria agreement While Iran's Foreign Ministry has welcomed the Russia-Turkey agreement on Syria, the Turkish president remains in hot water over the offensive he launched against Syrian Kurds. Syria
Egypt escalates campaign against Turkey's Erdogan Egypt is working to mobilize Arab states and the United Nations against Turkey's president over his foreign policies and criticism of the Egyptian government. Egypt
US faces new facts on the ground as cease-fire expires Russia and Turkey strike a deal on a safe zone as the Syrian Democratic Forces told the Donald Trump administration that Kurdish forces had withdrawn from the Turkish border today in accord with a US-brokered agreement. Iraq
Turkey, Russia both claim win in Syria agreement Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan seems to get what he wants regarding the Kurdish People's Protection Units, and Russia appears to gain yet more influence in Syria; has Idlib become a pawn in Turkish-Russian negotiations? Iraq
