Clashes between Iraqi security forces and a Yazidi militia known as the Shingal Resistance Units (YBS) may represent one of several new fronts in escalating tensions between Iran and Turkey in Iraq. Turkey has intensified air, drone and artillery attacks against Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) targets beyond the remote, northern …
Read More »Turkey, Kazakhstan sign joint production accord for drones
Turkey and Kazakhstan agree on an enhanced strategic partnership during Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s first-ever state visit to Turkey . Turkey and Kazakhstan signed an agreement to start co-producing Turkey’s Anka drones in Kazakhstan during the first-ever state visit of Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Ankara. The memorandum of understanding signed between …
Read More »Syrian Kurdish unity talks crumble as Turkey escalates anti-PKK campaign
The breakdown between sides serves Turkey’s agenda of keeping its Kurdish foes divided and weak. Turkey’s military escalation against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) has deepened the gulf between Syrian Kurdish groups and put the kibosh on US-mediated talks that were aimed at forging unity in northeast Syria between the …
Read More »Revolution In The South Caucasus
While the Kremlin is busy in the west, developments to the south promise further threats to its aggressive policy in the borderlands. Overshadowed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the South Caucasus is witnessing huge developments which could potentially decrease tensions between Armenia on the one hand and Turkey and Azerbaijan …
Read More »US targets Islamic State financiers in Turkey, Syria, Indonesia
The Biden administration imposed economic sanctions on five Islamic State financiers in Turkey, Syria and Indonesia on Monday night. Members of the network played key roles in helping IS recruits join the group, and moved funds to help IS fighters obtain weapons and for children to be smuggled out of …
Read More »Turkey’s potential xenophobia goes beyond Syrian refugees
Growing popular resentment of refugees and migrants is on course to become the second hot-button election topic in Turkey after the economic crisis, but the government is not in a position to force the return of Syrians, the main component of the problem. The danger of xenophobia is rising in …
Read More »Turkish foreign minister to visit Israel
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu’s visit to Israel May 24 could finally open the way for both countries to reinstate their ambassadors. Israeli and Turkish representatives are both expected to participate May 10 at the spring meeting of the international donor group for Palestine (AHLC). But apart from the expected …
Read More »Can Ankara-Riyadh rapprochement help improve Turkey-Egypt ties?
Although Ankara has secured several diplomatic strides by normalizing its relations with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, rapprochement with Egypt still seems a challenging prospect. Turkey’s efforts to turn a fresh leaf with its former Arab rivals have so far been fraught with U-turns and unilateral concessions from …
Read More »Deteriorating Israeli-Russian Relations: Cautionary Message For UAE, Saudi Arabia, And Turkey – Analysis
Israel’s rapidly deteriorating relations with Russia contain a message for other Middle Eastern powers: attempting to remain on the sidelines of the conflict in Ukraine risks falling in between the cracks. Like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey, Israel has sought to maintain good relations with the United …
Read More »Russia and Turkey Seek to Reduce Tensions in the South Caucasus
Both powers are fostering a reconciliation between Armenia and Azerbaijan to promote greater stability in the region. Since Azerbaijani forces crossed into Armenia’s Syunik and Geghrkunik provinces in May 2021, border tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan have continued to flare. After a gradual ebb in hostilities from mid-January, Armenia repeatedly …
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