What Are Russians up to in Syria?

by Eldar Mamedov In remarks on December 11 intended to increase pressure on Turkey, President Vladimir Putin ordered Russia’s military to act in an “extremely tough way” in Syria to protect Russian forces attacking Islamic State (ISIS or IS) targets.… Continue Reading

Combating the Islamic State: Turkey the Spoiler

by Wayne White Turkey has disrupted efforts to isolate and weaken the Islamic State (ISIS or IS) since last year. Having the longest border with Syria, Turkey has been a serious obstacle in dealing with the military challenge IS poses… Continue Reading

Will Russia and Iran Finally Tie the Knot?

by Shireen Hunter Despite its slogan of “Neither East Nor West, only Islamic Republic” and its labeling of the USSR as the “little Satan,” the Islamic Republic of Iran from its very early days viewed the USSR and the other… Continue Reading

Turkey and the Kurds: The Question Mark at the Heart of the Region

by Graham E. Fuller Predictions among Turkey-watchers about the outcome of Turkey’s 1 November elections were mostly wrong—including my own— as Erdogan managed to regain majority control of Parliament. Anxiety over potential political and social chaos played a significant role… Continue Reading

Turkey: Back to the 20th Century?

by Eldar Mamedov When Turkey suffered the deadliest terror attack in its history on October 10 in Ankara, the country’s Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu was quick to blame it on a wholly implausible “terror cocktail” of the Islamic State (ISIS or… Continue Reading