Turkey Archives - Arab Digest

Syria – the Trump withdrawal

11 January 2019Oliver MilesIran, Syria, Turkey, UK, USA

Confusion about the future of US action in Syria as Trump’s announcement of withdrawal is seemingly undermined.

4 January 2019Oliver MilesIsrael, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Turkey, UK, USA, Yemen

Trial of 11 unnamed persons for the Khashoggi murder begins. Any stick will now do to beat Saudi Arabia.

3 January 2019Oliver MilesIran, Iraq, IS, Syria, Turkey, USA

Iraq politicking – no government six months after the election. Trump’s undiplomatic visit. IS ruination – the fight continues.

2 January 20192 January 2019Oliver MilesIran, Russia, Syria, Turkey, USA

Turkey still poised to extend its invasion of northern Syria, but faces uncertainties with US and Russia.

17 December 2018Oliver MilesKurds, Syria, Turkey, USA

Any Turkish strike on Kurds in Syria east or west of the Euphrates unwelcome to the Pentagon and would risk a clash with US-led or actual US troops.

16 November 2018Oliver MilesFrance, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, UK, USA, Yemen

Khashoggi – Turkey keeps up the pressure. Saudi Arabia on the back foot. Congress and media want action. US and other governments face a dilemma.

9 November 20189 November 2018Oliver MilesSyria, Turkey, USA

Turkish/US relations warmer, Trump/ Erdoğan meeting Sunday, but objectives in Syria seem irreconcilable.

5 November 20185 November 2018Oliver MilesIsrael, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, UK, USA, Yemen

Erdoğan all but fingers MBS for the murder. Prince Ahmad returns from London. Saudi Arabia losing some of its international grip, e.g. on Yemen.

31 October 2018Oliver MilesHuman rights, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, USA

surviving the siege. Further slow reform. A useful mediator.

29 October 2018Oliver MilesFrance, Germany, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kurds, Russia, Syria, Turkey, UK, USA

Syria – Idlib ceasefire holds. Turkey/Russia/Germany/France summit. Political agreement still elusive, many local problems.