Tag Archives: Syria

Baghdadi’s Death is a Huge Blow to Islamic State, But What Next?

IS will be set back for many months, and perhaps even years. It will struggle to regain the momentum it had under Baghdadi's leadership.

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US Airstrike on Syria: What Next?

Was this a one-off intervention – or a sign that Trump will undertake more of an effort to undermine the Assad regime?

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Trump’s Revised Travel Ban Still Faces Legal Challenges

The revised ban allows entry to citizens of Iraq, but continues to block citizens of six other Muslim majority nations.

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Thinking Outside the European Box

For better or worse, the refugee crisis underscores that Turkey is part of Europe. Pretending otherwise could have disastrous consequences.

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Why Putin Has Pulled Russia out of Syria

The Russian president is proving he has learned what America didn't: to quit while ahead.

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How Far Can the Syrian Conflict Spiral Out of Control: Interview With Pelicourt

Is the dangerously unspoken theory that ISIS is a bulwark against Iran what's keeping the West from tackling the Islamic State wholeheartedly on its territory? With no nation that can control it, the threat is now out of control and a war of ambiguous targets is emerging.

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ISIS, Turkey and Oil – The Bigger Picture: Interview With Pelicourt

Turkey's game of playing all sides in the balance of power game is difficult to sustain. The downing by Turkey of a Russian jet conducting air strikes over northern Syria is just the first move in the new phase of this game, and analysts should probably start looking at ISIS oil sales to Turkey in their examinations of why Turkey downed a Russian jet at a time when the Russians were specifically targeting ISIS-controlled oil facilities and tankers.

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Pakistanization of Turkey

It will be interesting tosee if the Syrian crisis affects Turkey the way the Afghan crisis impacted Pakistan.

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Russian Military Campaign and the New Reality in Syria

If the US government accepts the Russian military campaign in Syria, it means the United States unipolar moment has already passed and that the roles of other strong states in the region are growing in importance.

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European Countries Edge Towards War on Terror

For the first time, a European country has used military force to carry out the premeditated killing of a specific individual outside the context of regular hostilities. Apart from the issue of whether targeted strikes are an effective or wise policy against terrorism, the UK’s latest move raises huge legal questions.

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