A year on, uncertainty shadows Washington's bet on Syria The Trump administration has embraced Syria's new leadership, but engagement is being tested by security risks and unresolved questions about Damascus' control. Syria
Turkey denies internal rifts as top officials in Syria ahead of SDF deadline Turkey’s ruling party denies there are internal rifts over the Syrian Democratic Forces and insists that the Kurdish-led group must disarm. Turkey
Analysis After Palmyra attack, Turkey adds pressure for SDF deal with Damascus The Islamic State attack that killed US personnel has deepened uncertainty over Washington’s Syria policy, pushing Ankara to accelerate efforts to integrate the SDF into the Syrian military. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Ankara: Jailed PKK chief favors unitary Syria, no separate Kurdish defense force The militant leader called for “police-like” security units in Syrian Democratic Forces areas during his landmark meeting with a Turkish parliamentary delegation, according to a transcript summary. Turkey
Exclusive Top PYD official Aldar Khalil: 'Syria is telling Kurds to separate' By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Analysis PKK leader Ocalan gains legitimacy in Turkey, bigger sway over Syria’s Kurds By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Analysis Could Trump be the one to deliver peace to Syria and Turkey's Kurds? By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Turkey’s pro-Kurdish DEM party to meet jailed PKK leader Ocalan The meeting will come as Ankara ramps up threats against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces to disarm. Turkey
Analysis Turkey’s gamble: Syria defense deal signals long road to rebuilding forces Experts say training police and army units could take years and billions, while Ankara seeks to curb SDF influence and expand its regional role. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Turkey’s parliamentary body on solving Kurdish issue bars Kurdish language speech Two Kurdish women invited to address the parliamentary committee were told they could not speak Kurdish during the session. Turkey
Turkey launches military training for Syria’s new army: What to know Ankara has launched training, consultancy and technical assistance support to Syrian troops, according to the Turkish Defense Ministry. Turkey
Turkey’s pro-Kurdish DEM slams Fidan’s threats against Syria's SDF As Ankara increasingly threatens the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, the opposition People's Equality and Democracy Party warns that a potential Turkish military operation against the Kurdish-led group could disrupt the peace process at home. Turkey
After inking military pact, Turkey to provide Syria with weapons, training The initial phase of Turkey-Syria military cooperation will address building a regular army and basic defensive needs, analysts say. Turkey
Will Turkey follow through on threats to attack Syria's Kurds? This week we unpack the stakes around Ankara's threats to take military action alongside Damascus against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. Turkey
Turkey, Syria ink defense cooperation deal as Ankara ups pressure on Kurdish-led SDF The military agreement comes amid Ankara’s warnings to the Pentagon-allied and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces over their refusal to integrate into Syria’s army. Turkey
Turkey-France rivalry disrupts US-led mediation between Damascus, Syrian Kurds Ankara is pressuring Damascus to cancel talks in Paris, fearing French support will tilt negotiations in favor of the Kurds, regional officials told Al-Monitor. Turkey
Turkey’s Fidan visits Syria as Ankara pushes SDF to disarm: What to know The top Turkish diplomat’s visit to Damascus comes as Ankara ramps up pressure for the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces to lay down arms. Turkey
Turkey turns up heat on SDF to disarm as US Syria envoy returns to Damascus While Turkey demands that the SDF disarms, Washington is trying to revive stalled talks between Kurdish forces and the new Syrian government in Damascus. Syria
Senate defense spending bill would restrict US troop drawdown from Syria Washington plans to zero out stipends for Iraqi Kurdistan’s peshmerga forces but will continue funding Iraq’s Counter-Terrorism Service and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces via its counter-ISIS authorities at least through 2026. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
