Russia and Turkey: The Arms Deal that Signals the Age of Pragmatism

by Nikolai Pakhomov If any single arms deal can capture the shifting nature of Russian cooperation in the post-Cold War era, it is the pending sale of S-400 air defense systems to Turkey that now looks increasingly likely to happen.… Continue Reading

Turkey’s Intentions in Iraq and the Battle for Mosul

by Robert Olson Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi has warned Turkey that if it keeps its forces in Iraq, it will risk “regional war,” especially if continues to train Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) Peshmerga forces. Spokespersons for the KRG came… Continue Reading

Turkey’s State of Emergency and the March to One-Man Rule

by Robert Olson Turkey declared a “State of Emergency” (OHAL) on July 20, five days after the failed coup. It is to last for three months but can be extended at four-month intervals indefinitely if parliament agrees., Since it became… Continue Reading

The Reconstruction of the Southeast and Turkey’s War in Syria

by Robert Olson Turkey’s Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on September 4 that Turkey would make a massive investment of $3.4 billion to rehabilitate the heavily Kurdish-populated southeast. The inclusion of substantial economic incentives could push the total package to… Continue Reading

Does Fighting in Hasakah Signal a Diplomatic Realignment on Syria?

by Derek Davison Last week, open warfare broke out in the northeastern Syrian city of Hasakah between militia forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government and forces affiliated with the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG). Street-level clashes between the… Continue Reading