From last year’s speech to this year’s Promise: PKK disarmament, SDF issue in light of Devlet Bahceli’s addresses
Devlet Bahçeli’s Evolving Stance on the PKK and Turkey’s Regional Strategy: A Year in Review Exactly one year ago, on a day much like today, Devlet Bahçeli, leader of Turkey’s Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), delivered a speech in parliament that would mark the start of a new phase in the ongoing conflict between the Kurdistan […]
Suwayda; Israel’s disrespect and the armed forces’ lack of morale
Overview This opinion addresses two intertwined themes that sit in different realms: the geopolitics of southern Syria and the ethics of religious conduct. It argues that human dignity and international norms have been violated by Israeli policy, while also critiquing behaviors that echo the extremism Syrians rejected. How Did the Suwayda Conflict Escalate? According to […]
Kurdish Intellectuals at a Crossroads: Beyond the PKK and Toward a Pluralist Future in Turkey
TL;DR (3 bullets for featured snippets) With the PKK’s armed struggle ending, Kurdish rights in Turkey must advance through lawful, democratic means. Polarization and silence among Kurdish intellectuals are creating a vacuum that fuels cynicism and populism. A renewed, pluralist intellectual movement can shape policy, culture, and education without party dogma. A Pivotal Shift—and a […]
What Does an Erdogan-Assad Rapprochement Mean for Syrian Kurds?
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has intensified efforts to normalize relations with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a leader he once called a “terrorist.” This surprising U-turn raises a critical question: what would a Turkey-Syria rapprochement mean for Syrian Kurds, who are seen as a common adversary by both governments? The Kurdish Dilemma Amid Rapprochement For […]
What Is Turkey’s Opposition to NATO Enlargement Really About?
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s decision to block Sweden and Finland’s NATO accession during a war in Europe has sparked global debate. His demands—focused largely on the Kurdish issue—reveal deep insights into Ankara’s security priorities, domestic politics, and foreign policy calculations. Turkey’s Objections: Security Concerns or Political Theater? Ankara’s objections to Sweden’s NATO membership shocked […]
