So Much for Russian-Turkish Rapprochement
Turkey’s downing of a Russian warplane near Syria ends any hope of improving relations.
Middle East and North Africa
NATO Meets After Turkey Shoots Down Russian Jet
NATO convenes an emergency session after Turkey shoots down a Russian military jet.
First French Jets Launch from Aircraft Carrier Near Syria
France carries out its first attacks against the self-declared Islamic State from the Charles de Gaulle.
Modest Proposal to End Syria’s Civil War, Destroy Islamic State
Ending both the Syrian War and the Islamic State will require cooperation unseen since 1945.
Why Turkey Doesn’t Do More to Defeat Islamic State
Turkey’s priorities are suppressing Kurdish nationalism and toppling Bashar Assad in Syria.
After Paris, Obama Stays the Course Against Islamic State
Politicians thumping their chests are letting the shock of the attacks cloud their judgement.
Europe and Arabia: A Geopolitical Perspective
Geography helps explain the complicated history between Europe and the Middle East.
Russia Retaliates Against Islamic State in Syria
Russia expands its airstrikes in Syria after blaming radical Islamists for crashing a Russian airliner.
French Warplanes Strike Islamic State Base in Syria
French jets bomb the headquarters of the Islamist group that claimed responsibility for attacks in Paris.
Obama Claims Steady Progress Against Islamists
The president says the self-declared Islamic State has been contained and now the region must do more.
France Deploys Carrier to Support War on Islamic State
President François Hollande announces the deployment of France’s only aircraft carrier.
Erdoğan Unexpectedly Wins Back Majority in Turkey
The veteran Turkish leader dumbfounds his opponents by taking back control of parliament.
Turkey’s Erdoğan Divides to Conquer
To win an election, Turkey’s leader has stretched communal relations almost to the breaking point.
Iran Invited to Syria Talks for First Time
Arab and Western opponents of Bashar Assad recognize that his main ally can no longer be excluded.
While Fighting Islamists, Iraq’s Kurds Succumb to Rivalries
Decades-old rivalries resurface in the north of Iraq.