Greater Middle East

Syria: Turkey invades —against ISIS or Kurds?

Turkey launched a major military intervention in Syria to assist rebel forces fighting ISIS—but threatening the Kurdish forces also fighting ISIS, portrayed as equally "terrorist."

Greater Middle East

Escalating internationalization of Syria war

The US  for the first time scrambled jets in response to Assad regime aggression when its Kurdish anti-ISIS partners came under bombardment—foreboding direct conflict with Russia.

Greater Middle East

Erdogan dictatorship in wake of coup attempt?

With a post-coup purge of his enemies now underway, Erdogan is positioned to push through his proposed constitutional change that would establish an autocracy in Turkey.

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.