Analysis Kurds, Damascus step back from brink as SDF signs fresh deal with Syrian government After intense US-led diplomacy, Syria’s interim government and the Kurdish-led SDF agreed to a ceasefire and phased integration, averting all-out conflict. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Interview YPG spokesman: Syrian forces' strategy is to isolate Kurdish towns and cities In an interview with Al-Monitor, YPG spokesman Siyamend Ali said Kurdish forces were successfully repelling advances by the Syrian army, while Damascus accused the Kurds of launching unprovoked attacks. Siyamend Ali YPG spokesman
Turkey detains nurse over hair-braiding video in support of SDF Authorities say the nurse’s social media post amounted to terror propaganda, while critics argue that her symbolic protest falls under freedom of expression as tensions over Syria spill into Turkey’s fragile peace process. Turkey
Analysis Turkey’s Syria gains come with risks as Damascus pushes Kurdish integration Turkey has benefited from the Syrian government’s rollback of the Kurdish-led forces, but whether those gains translate into lasting security, refugee returns and domestic de-escalation will depend on political inclusion in Damascus. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis Could US shift on Syria’s Kurds unlock progress with Turkey? By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Trump praises Syria's Sharaa after truce reached with SDF By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Turkey pins hopes on cleric Sadr to form Iraqi government As Turkey waits to see which Iraqi political coalition comes up with the parliamentary majority necessary to install a new government, Ankara is rooting for the bloc of cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, which it sees as most likely to minimize US and Iranian influence in the country. Iraq
PKK feels heat from Turkey as commanders fall Baris Oner — code-named Tarik the Turk — is the third high-profile member of the Kurdistan Workers Party to be targeted this month. Turkey
Ankara to continue targeted killings of PKK leaders abroad Turkey is encouraged by the success of its surgical airstrike in Iraq that killed outlawed Kurdish leader Ismail Ozden. Iraq
Kurds discouraged by hard-liners in Turkey's new Cabinet Turkey's new government looks too much like the old one to offer Kurds much hope for a peaceful political resolution. Turkey
Soldiers’ funerals become bone of contention between AKP, opposition Turkey's interior minister claims the main opposition party supports terrorism and bans its officials from the funerals of service members. Turkey
Turkey tries to legitimize incursion in northern Iraq As Turkey advances inside Iraqi territory to eliminate members of the Kurdistan Workers Party, Baghdad has openly rejected the action, though the Kurdistan Regional Government remains curiously silent. Iraq
Will Iraq's Qandil become Erdogan’s quagmire? Although Turkey's military excursion into northern Iraq could be an electoral stunt by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, an expanded operation into Qandil Mountains could become a quagmire for Erdogan and pose great risks for regional stability. Iraq
Disgruntled Kurds emerge as potential kingmakers in Turkey’s polls Kurdish frustration with Ankara’s shift from a policy that favored settlement with the Kurds to hard-line nationalism could sway the outcome of critical snap polls in June. Turkey
Soccer mirrors politics in polarized Turkey Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's promotion of a soccer team that subscribes to conservative Islamic values has more so polarized fans than won them over. Turkey
Turkey's running out of time to pick a partner in Syria Turkey's been playing the field in Syria, but as the crisis escalates, Ankara may have to make a commitment to either its NATO allies or Moscow. Syria
Erdogan rebuffs Moscow’s call to hand Afrin to Syrian government Russia wants Turkey to hand control of Afrin province to Damascus, but Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says the territory will be returned to local residents at Ankara’s discretion. Syria
Turkey hosts Iran, Russia to discuss Syria’s future Iran’s president traveled to Ankara for the second trilateral summit on Syria with Turkish and Russian counterparts. Syria
