Lebanon is awaiting the results of the Israeli elections and their potential implications. Official Lebanese sources indicate that no major political or military developments are expected this month. Negotiations are likely to remain frozen, but communication between the Lebanese presidency and certain established channels within the US administration continues, helping prevent further deterioration in the security situation.
Meanwhile, a new development concerning southern Lebanon has...
In the 1990s, Turkey and Israel described their partnership as a strategic alliance. Their militaries trained together, their intelligence services shared information, their businessmen discovered each other's markets, and hundreds of thousands of Israeli tourists made Antalya and Istanbul their favorite destinations. Three decades later, the same two states regard each other with suspicion bordering on hostility, and in some Turkish and Israeli policy...
In a lightening offensive reminiscent of their overthrow of Assad in December 2024, Syria’s new president Ahmed al-Sharaa’s forces took some 80 percent of...
The Fragile Turkish-PKK Peace Process Threatened by Renewed Fighting between the Syrian Army & Pro-Kurdish SDF
The sudden fighting in Aleppo between the Syrian army...
Two weeks ago, I again visited Iraqi Kurdistan—often referred to as the Iraqi Kurdistan Government (KRG)—to deliver the keynote address on “Kurdish Identity” at...
In Turkey, democracy has always been perceived as merely changing the government through elections. The act of holding elections, regardless of the conditions under...
The potential removal of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) from terrorism lists by Turkey, the EU, and the US could foster peace and enhance Turkish democracy. This designation often serves political motives rather than reflecting legal truths, complicating peace efforts. Historical context reveals that both Turkey and the PKK share blame for violence. Delisting the PKK might renew negotiations, benefiting all parties, albeit with risks of restoration to the terrorist list if unsuccessful.
