Trump’s Syria Policy Could Be a Gift to ISIS

Juan Cole / Truthdig Oct 9, 2019 As a result of the turmoil the U.S. and Turkey are causing in the region, 12,000 Islamic State fighters in containment camps could escape. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Trump Is Inviting Genocide in Northern Syria

Juan Cole / Truthdig Oct 7, 2019 The White House says Turkey is planning to invade the Kurdish-majority region of northern Syria to establish what Ankara calls a “security zone.” Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Turkey’s Erdogan Claims Presidential Election Victory

SUZAN FRASER, ELENA BECATOROS and ZEYNEP BILGINSOY / The Associated Press Jun 24, 2018 Unofficial election returns show him with enough votes to serve another term, one that carries new executive powers. Critics had warned about re-electing Erdogan, citing his increasingly autocratic tendencies. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Turkey, Russia Deepen Ties Amid Troubles With the West

SUZAN FRASER and AYSE WIETING / The Associated Press Apr 2, 2018 The two countries are growing closer as Russia runs into diplomatic fallout from the poisoned-spy scandal in Britain and Turkey's relations with Western allies worsen over human rights issues. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Diplomatic Dimension to Turkey’s Drive Into Syria

Juan Cole / Informed Comment Jan 22, 2018 Ankara's appeal for NATO support for its military campaign receives a cool reception from the United States. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

The Difference Between Israeli and Turkish Policies

Juan Cole / Informed Comment Dec 11, 2017 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Turkish President Tayipp Erdogan accused one another of grave human rights offenses recently. Who has the better case? Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Trump Sends Troops to the Turkish-Syrian Border

By Juan Cole / Informed Comment May 1, 2017 The president is in the position of trying to separate—and make peace between—a major military power and a band of leftist Kurds. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

U.S. Declares Turkish-Backed Campaign Against Our Allies in Syria ‘Unacceptable’

By Juan Cole / Informed Comment Aug 31, 2016 Recent developments in Syria are reminiscent of the cartoon strip "Peanuts" scenario in which Lucy pulls the football away from Charlie Brown at the last minute and he ends up on his back In this case, Washington is playing Lucy and the Kurds are playing Charlie Brown Recent developments in Syria are reminiscent of the cartoon strip "Peanuts" scenario in which Lucy pulls the football away from Charlie Brown at the last minute and he ends up on his back. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Is Turkey’s Incursion Into Syria About Islamic State, or About the Kurds?

By Juan Cole / Informed Comment Aug 25, 2016 A spokesman for the Kurdish army said that attacks by the Turkish military constitute a naked act of aggression and intervention into the internal affairs of Syria. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

U.S.-Kurdish Force Moves on Islamic State at Manbij, and Turkey Goes Ballistic (Video)

Juan Cole / Truthdig Jun 2, 2016 Less than two weeks after the Syrian Democratic Forces announced their campaign against al-Raqqa, the capital of the phony caliphate of Islamic State, the SDF instead has veered off to the west in a bid to capture Manbij. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Syria’s Kurds to Declare Federal Province (Video)

Juan Cole / Truthdig Mar 17, 2016 Some pundits are interpreting the Kurdish move as a form of separatism, but so far it seems more like a demand for states’ rights, Alabama-style. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

In Syria, 500 Turkey-Backed Sunni Arab Fighters Cross to Defend Azaz From Kurds (Video)

Juan Cole / Truthdig Feb 18, 2016 On Thursday morning, according to the Syria Observatory and the Arabic press, some 500 Sunni Arab rebels based in Turkey crossed back into Syria to help defend the town of Azaz from the YPG militia of Syrian Kurds, which is advancing on the city. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )