Greater Middle East

Turkish coup attempt: kismet for Erdogan?

Erdogan paradoxically summoned his supporters to take the streets to defeat a coup attempt—after crushing the Gezi Park protests and unleashing terror against the Kurds.

Greater Middle East

US, Russia broach Syria carve-up

Obama's proposed agreement with Russia for military cooperation in Syria in exchange for protected zones for US-backed rebels actually means a division of the country.

Greater Middle East

Erdogan exploits Istanbul terror —of course

ISIS claimed responsibility for the deadly Istanbul airport attack, but this did not prevent President Erdogan from exploiting the terror for anti-Kurdish propaganda.

Greater Middle East

Kurds and Assad in race for Raqqa

Russian and US warplanes are each backing rival sides as the Assad regime and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces race to take the ISIS "capital" of Raqqa.

Greater Middle East

US rejects autonomy for Syrian Kurds

The US State Department rejected the Syrian Kurds' declaration of autonomy—ironically, just as the Pentagon is coordinating with Kurdish forces for a major offensive against ISIS. 

Greater Middle East

Aleppo and Cizre: fearful symmetry

Supposed antagonists Assad and Erdogan are both in the process of reducing cities to rubble: Aleppo and Cizre, both with the connivance of the Great Powers.

Greater Middle East

Chemical attack against Syrian Kurds: report

Amnesty International notes claims that chemical weapons were used by Syrian rebels against the besieged Kurdish enclave of Sheikh Maqsood in the divided city of Aleppo.

Greater Middle East

Turkey refuses to modify anti-terrorism law

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced that he does not plan to change the country's anti-terrorism law, a requirement of the deal struck between Turkey and the EU.

Greater Middle East

More Green Berets to Syria: on whose side?

Obama is to mobilize 250 troops to Syria, helping Arab militias fight ISIS. Will these militias be brought under the Kurdish-led coalition—or will the Kurds be isolated to appease Turkey?