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Amberin Zaman

Amberin Zaman

Al Monitor

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Syria turns to Turkey for military support as US envoy urges strategy rethink

Syria turns to Turkey for military support as US envoy urges strategy rethink

The move deepens Ankara’s influence with the new government as Kurdish forces in Syria's northeast face new pressure to integrate with Syrian army.

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Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Suwayda violence boosts Kurds’ leverage as US Syria envoy, SDF chief meet

Suwayda violence boosts Kurds’ leverage as US Syria envoy, SDF chief meet

Syria's Kurds remain hesitant about integration with Damascus as interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa struggles with unrest in Suwayda.

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Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Mediators working to bridge gaps in faltering Gaza truce talks

Mediators working to bridge gaps in faltering Gaza truce talks

Stuttering Gaza ceasefire talks entered a second week on Monday, with meditators seeking to close the gap between Israel and Hamas, as more than 20...

14.07.2025 4

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

'One road to Damascus': Syria's Kurds recoil as US envoy urges deal with Sharaa

'One road to Damascus': Syria's Kurds recoil as US envoy urges deal with Sharaa

Tom Barrack’s call for Kurdish integration under a central Syrian government reflects a shift in US policy, drawing concern from Kurdish leaders...

14.07.2025 30

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkey's spy chief heads for Iraq as PKK militants prepare to disarm

Turkey's spy chief heads for Iraq as PKK militants prepare to disarm

The planned weapons handover marks a major step in Turkey’s quiet bid to end the PKK’s decades-long insurgency and secure Kurdish political...

08.07.2025 7

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Why peace with Turkey has come to mean survival for Armenia’s Pashinyan

As Yerevan edges closer to the West, regional power struggles and domestic unrest threaten to derail the Armenian leader’s strategy.

03.07.2025 7

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkey jails satirical magazine staff over alleged Prophet Muhammad cartoon

Four staff members of the satirical weekly LeMan were arrested and charged with “publicly insulting religious values” amid protests against the...

02.07.2025 6

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkey gives drought-stricken Iraq more water in boost to PM Sudani

The agreement is expected to ease tensions and advance a joint infrastructure project linking Iraq’s Faw port to Turkey.

02.07.2025 6

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Over 14 million people could die from US foreign aid cuts: study

More than 14 million of the world's most vulnerable people, a third of them small children, could die by 2030 because of the Trump administration's...

01.07.2025 2

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkey's Erdogan vows justice amid rage over alleged Prophet Muhammad cartoon

A controversial cartoon has sparked mass protests, arrests and threats against a leading Turkish satire magazine.

01.07.2025 4

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

UN officials say new Gaza aid system leads to mass killings

United Nations officials on Friday said a US- and Israeli-backed distribution system in Gaza was leading to mass killings of people seeking aid and...

27.06.2025 4

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

US Syria envoy Barrack to meet Iraqi Kurdish PM Barzani in Erbil

Tom Barrack is likely to also meet with SDF chief Mazloum Kobane, sources told Al-Monitor.

27.06.2025 3

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Iran empties Evin prison, reports fatalities after Israeli strike

Iran says it relocated inmates after the strike, while Trump blames both sides for breaking the truce.

24.06.2025 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Armenia's Pashinyan, Turkey's Erdogan to hold 'historic' talks amid Iran-Israel war

The meeting comes as both countries weigh the fallout of a widening regional conflict and rising tensions along their shared border with Iran.

18.06.2025 3

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Armenia's Pashinya, Turkey's Erdogan to hold 'historic' talks amid Iran-Israel war

The meeting comes as both countries weigh the fallout of a widening regional conflict and rising tensions along their shared border with Iran.

18.06.2025 20

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

US troops in Syria's Kurdish northeast will remain in single base near Rmeilan oil fields

The consolidation comes as tensions rise between Iran and Israel, heightening risks for remaining US forces.

18.06.2025 3

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Families of Kurdish journalists slain in suspected Turkish drone strike in Syria want their remains

Ankara’s refusal to repatriate the journalists' remains underscores the political stakes of acknowledging the drone strike.

07.06.2025 20

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Ankara’s direct talks with Syrian Kurds began last year in Europe, continue in Turkey

The talks are part of a sweeping effort to end Turkey’s decades-long war with the PKK and reshape Ankara’s relationship with Kurdish-led forces in...

03.06.2025 2

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Syrian Kurds, Damascus agree to prisoner swap following normalization talks

Nearly 470 prisoners are set to be exchanged between Syrian Kurdish forces and Damascus as part of a deal reached after high-level talks.

02.06.2025 6

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

US Syria envoy Barrack calls Kurdish SDF chief Kobane as Turkey mulls meeting

Sources tell Al-Monitor that Turkish officials have proposed a high-level meeting with SDF commander Mazlum Kobane in Damascus, contingent on the...

30.05.2025 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

EU sanctions Sunni factions accused of violence against Syria’s Alawites, Kurds

As former rebel leaders take positions in the new Syrian government, Kurdish officials warn of renewed threats to their autonomy.

29.05.2025 5

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkey's Erdogan angles to retain power despite denying plans for third term

As Turkey's president touts democratic reform, critics say he’s laying the groundwork to bypass term limits.

29.05.2025 20

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

India wages economic war on Turkey for supporting Pakistan in Kashmir

Turkish business interests are taking a hit as India retaliates against Ankara’s backing of Pakistan on Kashmir.

16.05.2025 4

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Syrian Kurdish negotiator Yusuf: No agreement yet with Damascus on Tishreen Dam

President Donald Trump’s meeting with Syria’s interim president has sparked Kurdish fears of being sidelined in future talks.

15.05.2025 4

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

PKK ends 40-year war against Turkey, vows to pursue Kurdish rights

The disarmament brings an end to one of the Middle East’s longest-running insurgencies, with the PKK vowing to pursue its goals through political...

12.05.2025 9

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

PKK holds congress in response to Ocalan's call to end war with Turkey

The PKK announced that it had held a congress in Iraqi Kurdistan, most likely to decide on disbanding after its leader's call to end its insurgency.

09.05.2025 8

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkey’s Erdogan rebukes Syrian Kurds over decentralization calls, but keeps tone mild

The Turkish president's restrained comments hint at an evolving strategy toward Kurdish forces in Syria.

30.04.2025 3

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

For Syria’s minorities, life under Kurds remains safest bet

Despite promises of reform from Syria’s new Islamist-turned-president, minorities fear retribution — and find uneasy refuge under Kurdish rule.

29.04.2025 3

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Syria’s Kurds reap benefits of Erdogan’s 'terror free Turkey' as Ankara halts attacks

Turkey’s softened stance signals a strategic shift in its approach to Syria’s Kurds and the PKK.

26.04.2025 20

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkey stops electricity sales to Iraq after Baghdad fails to settle $70M+ bill

Turkey halted electricity exports to Iraq over unpaid dues, straining ties as Baghdad faces a summer power crunch and unresolved Kurdish oil disputes.

24.04.2025 6

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Nightlife rocks Raqqa as Syria’s Islamist leaders navigate power

A reopened nightclub in Raqqa spotlights the uneasy balance Syria’s new Islamist-led government is striking between ideology and public life.

22.04.2025 20

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Syria's Kurds say Trump aid cuts are feeding radicalism in ISIS camps

In an interview at Syria’s Roj camp, the head of intelligence for the Women’s Protection Units warns that US funding cuts are fueling a resurgence...

16.04.2025 3

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

US in hurry for nuclear deal, Iran says after high-stakes talks

The United States wants a nuclear agreement "as soon as possible", Iran said after rare talks on Saturday, as US President Donald Trump threatens...

12.04.2025 3

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Israel expanding Gaza offensive, seizes key corridor

Israel said Saturday it planned to expand its military offensive in Gaza after seizing a new corridor as part of a broader effort to take large parts...

12.04.2025 6

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Syrian Kurd commander: Aleppo power-sharing deal could be model for nation

In his first interview since signing a landmark agreement with Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, SDF commander General Mazloum Kobane speaks...

12.04.2025 3

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Syria's Kurds to demand federalism in tactical push for decentralization

Syrian Kurdish groups are uniting to push for federalism and constitutional guarantees of Kurdish rights in talks with Damascus, despite skepticism...

11.04.2025 3

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Iraq seeks more compensation from Turkey, 'blocks' reopening of Kurds' oil pipeline

Disputes over oil revenues and arbitration claims have kept the Kurdish pipeline closed.

31.03.2025 3

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkey’s main opposition CHP seeks to sustain protests over Imamoglu’s arrest

The party faces mounting pressure as nationwide protests continue, with authorities cracking down on supporters and arresting key figures, including...

25.03.2025 4

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

As protests over Imamoglu arrest rock Turkey, what's next for Erdogan?

Protests continue in Turkey after the arrest of the opposition mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, challenging President Erdogan's authority and exposing potential...

25.03.2025 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Trump 'fully supports' Israeli actions in Gaza: White House

US President Donald Trump "fully supports" Israel's deadly resumption of air and ground operations in Gaza, White House Press Secretary Karoline...

20.03.2025 9

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkey’s shaky economy early casualty of Imamoglu’s arrest on terror charges

The arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on dubious terror charges has rattled investor confidence, sending the lira plunging, triggering market...

20.03.2025 4

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Erdogan’s enduring grip over Turkey assured with Imamoglu's arrest

The arrest of Istanbul’s opposition mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, on terror and corruption charges cements President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s dominance,...

19.03.2025 3

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Syria's Kurdish-led forces say Turkish strike kills 9 as Ankara mulls PKK peace

At least nine members of the same family, including seven children, were killed in an alleged Turkish drone strike on a rural area near Kobani.

18.03.2025 5

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Yemen's Huthis claim attacks on carrier group after US strikes

Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels claimed on Monday to have twice attacked an American aircraft carrier group within 24 hours, calling it retaliation...

17.03.2025 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Iran-backed Yemen rebels say attacked US carrier after air strikes

Iran-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen said Sunday they attacked a US aircraft carrier group in the Red Sea and will target American commercial vessels, a...

17.03.2025 4

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

US says 'multiple' leaders of Iran-backed rebels dead in Yemen strikes

A White House official on Sunday said a wave of United States air strikes on Yemen killed senior Huthi rebel leaders and sent a message to their...

16.03.2025 4

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkey's Erdogan discusses Russia-Ukraine war, Syria in first official call with Trump

In their first official call since Trump's return to office, the pair discussed efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, the situation in Syria, and...

16.03.2025 3

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkey’s Erdogan says he's ready to meet with Kurds brokering peace with PKK

Erdogan's willingness to engage with Kurdish leaders signals a potential shift in Turkey's stalled peace process with the PKK after years of tension...

13.03.2025 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

EU foreign affairs chief slams rise of the 'rule of force'

The EU's foreign affairs chief on Tuesday told the UN Security Council that Russia's invasion of Ukraine was just one of a rising number of cases...

11.03.2025 6

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Syria’s Kurds win big as Sharaa shakes hands with Kobane to save his own skin

The surprise deal between Syria’s interim president and the Kurdish leader marks a pivotal moment for the country’s Kurdish minority and shifts...

11.03.2025 4

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman