Escalation in Syria and Libya tests limits of Erdogan-Putin ties

The recent escalation in Libya and Syria has put on display the limits of the relationship between the Turkish and Russian presidents.

Syria

Will Tunisia have a seat in future Libyan dialogues?

Tunisia appears to have lost an opportunity to garner international support to help it cope with the crisis in neighboring Libya when it rejected an invitation to the Berlin conference.

Algeria

What brought Iranian forces to Idlib front?

A number of developments, including Turkey's greater involvement in Syria and the US assassination of Iranian Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, may be driving Iran's move to get more involved in Idlib battlefield operations.

Syria

Algeria battles larger countries to vie for leading role in Libya peace process

Algeria is seeking to recover its diplomatic role in the region, by pushing for a political solution in Libya and condemning foreign interference in its affairs.

Egypt

Syrian mercenaries fight Turkey’s battles in Libya

Though the Free Syrian Army denies it has sent fighters to Libya, hundreds of Syrian fighters are now in Libya after being lured by high salaries.

Syria

Turkey expands gas exploration efforts to Libya’s offshore waters

Turkey has moved to expand its gas exploration drive in the tension-ridden eastern Mediterranean since signing a maritime accord with Libya’s Tripoli-based government, but there are also signs that Ankara might seek to break its isolation in the region.

Turkey

Pentagon: Turkey’s deployment to Libya threatens escalation

The United States' top military officer in Africa has warned that Ankara's decision to send troops to Libya "risks a significant escalation."

Turkey

Libyan divide deepens as eastern forces shut down oil ports

As the Libyan National Army accused the Government of National Accord and Tripoli-based National Oil Corporation of spending its revenues on mercenaries to fight along their ranks, the tribes in eastern Libya shut down multiple oil ports and demanded a new distribution of oil revenues.

Libya

Intel: Turkey downplays Erdogan’s phone call with Trump

The White House disclosed Jan. 28 details of a call between President Donald Trump and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Turkey

Egyptian army flexes muscle near border with Libya

The latest military maneuvers held in Egypt come in light of Turkey’s decision to deploy troops to support Libya’s UN-backed government against the offensive led by Egyptian-backed military strongman Khalifa Hifter.

Egypt

Interview

SDF commander says Kurds ready for dialogue if Ankara is sincere

In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor in northeast Syria, Gen. Mazlum Kobane speaks on a range of issues including prospects for reviving dialogue with Turkey, US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw US troops from Syria and the impact of Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani's killing in Iraq.

Mazlum Kobane

SDF commander in chief

Erdogan's Libya strategy: Jump first, think later

By openly taking sides in Libya, Turkey could end up undermining the clout it believes it has gained in that country.

Syria