SEDAT ERGİN

When Tahrir al-Sham forces accompany a Turkish military convoy in Idlib SEDAT ERGİN

When Tahrir al-Sham forces accompany a Turkish military convoy in Idlib

The topic first caught my attention when I read the news report titled “Attack against the convoy in Idlib” by daily Hürriyet’s deputy Ankara representative Uğur Ergan on Jan. 31.

February 15 2018
Who’s fooling who in Syria SEDAT ERGİN

Who’s fooling who in Syria?

On Feb. 7, militia forces loyal to the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria carried out an attack with tanks against a military base run by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor province, near a point where the Euphrates meets the Iraqi border. The SDF is dominated by the People’s Protection Units (YPG), an offshoot of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

February 13 2018
Those old days of the Pentagon SEDAT ERGİN

Those old days of the Pentagon

When I arrived in Washington D.C. as a correspondent for daily Hürriyet in August 1987, Ronald Reagan, a Republican president, was at the White House. Then, I saw the George Bush period from the beginning. Finally, I witnessed Bill Clinton take up his position in 1993, and then I came back to Turkey.

February 11 2018
Turkey and the US are now foes SEDAT ERGİN

Turkey and the US are now foes

At the moment Turkey and the U.S. are two foes in conflict, rather than allies. The relationship between Ankara and Washington is going downhill, spiraling in a crisis of unprecedented intensity.

February 09 2018
Turkey makes gains in northern Syria while al-Assad makes gains in the south SEDAT ERGİN

Turkey makes gains in northern Syria while al-Assad makes gains in the south

Turkey’s “Operation Olive Branch” is being carried out at a time when the Bashar al-Assad regime, supported by the Russian military, is making significant gains in the Idlib region, which is the gateway to the east and southeast of Aleppo.

February 02 2018
Why is Russia helping Turkey in Syria SEDAT ERGİN

Why is Russia helping Turkey in Syria?

“Operation Olive Branch,” launched by Turkey on Jan. 20 in the Syrian town of Afrin held by the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), has given impetus to a rapprochement process between Turkey and Russia. 

January 31 2018
What will Afrin operation’s ‘second phase’ entail SEDAT ERGİN

What will Afrin operation’s ‘second phase’ entail?

Former Turkish Chief of Staff Gen. İlker Başbuğ discussed the difficulties of carrying out anti-terror operations in city centers on Jan. 27 during Taha Akyol’s show on private broadcaster CNN Türk.

January 30 2018
The US should act responsibly in Afrin SEDAT ERGİN

The US should act responsibly in Afrin

The root cause of the problem Turkey is facing in Afrin is the strategic alliance the U.S. has forged with the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD)/ the People’s Protection Units (YPG), which are extensions of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and enjoy widespread support in northern Syria.

January 24 2018
Starting the New Year with Turkey’s brain drain SEDAT ERGİN

Starting the New Year with Turkey’s brain drain

“Three of my friends have left for the United States recently,” a young friend of mine told me. His comment shows how the tendency to settle abroad is gaining momentum.

January 04 2018