Turkey
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Year after coup, Turkey's opposition on the march. But to where?
A 25-day march and rally days before Turkish President Erdoğan marks the coup anniversary were an emotional show of strength for his foes. But a charismatic leader is needed to unify their ranks.
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What Turkey's crackdown on NGOs means for Syrian war relief
A surge in anti-Western sentiment that fed into President Erdoğan's campaign for broader powers is one factor behind the crackdown. Some NGOs have been closed and their workers expelled, though the need for war relief is undiminished.
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How strong is the US-Kurdish alliance this time?
From the Kurds' perspective, many chapters in their history of military cooperation with the US have ended in disappointment. In Syria, the Kurdish YPG is the key US ally in the fight against ISIS, and they have expectations.
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For Turkey's Erdoğan, new powers present fresh challenges
The aftermath of Erdoğan's narrow referendum victory – marked by protests, arrests, and divisive rhetoric – is revealing the magnitude of his coming challenges, not least of which is unifying the Turkish people.
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Is Turkey ready for an all-powerful president? Erdoğan tries again.
Apparently fearful that polls showing a 50-50 split in the electorate are masking unfavorable sentiment, President Erdoğan and his AKP party are casting the Turks' choice in apocalyptic terms, with his opponents on the side of evil.
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To make life easier for German Turks, locals try sharing their personal histories
Germans of Turkish descent often find little understanding between themselves and their Germanic peers – especially amid a contentious referendum in Turkey that has Berlin and Ankara at odds. Some are trying to jump-start dialogue between the groups.
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How 'anti-terror' information sharing soured German-Turkish relations
When Turkey shared with Berlin a list of 300 names and 200 organizations in Germany that Ankara was spying on, it sparked a strong response from Germany.
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US-Turkey deal on ISIS assault? Why that's a tough sell for Tillerson.
On the secretary of State's agenda in Ankara Thursday is the Raqqa, Syria, offensive. But his real challenge is Turkey's disappointment that Trump's election hasn't brought a new alignment of US and Turkish interests.
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Is this the end of Turkey's flirtation with Europe?
It wasn't long ago that Turkey and Europe earnestly sought to forge a common future. But the exchange of accusations between the two, rooted in Erdoğan's effort to empower his presidency, may have pushed the relationship to a point of no return.
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How far will Erdoğan go in fanning Turkey's diplomatic crisis with Europe?
Turkey's President Erdoğan lashed out at the Dutch for blocking rallies aimed at garnering support from Turkish voters abroad ahead of an April referendum on his presidential powers. While that plays well at home, he may not want to push too hard, given close economic ties and shared interests.
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Focus In Turkey, Erdoğan fans an Islamic nationalism to build Ottoman-style influence
Fifteen years into his rule, Erdoğan has gradually turned his country away from the secular tradition of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. He has also moved away from democratic norms, complicating ties with the West.
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Russia leaves Syria talks with tentative plan. Up next: get US involved.
Russia, Iran, and Turkey agreed Tuesday to sketch the outlines of a wider political settlement to Syria's civil war, which would be taken to larger talks in Geneva that include the US, the EU, and other major players.
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Russia and Turkey close ranks. A victory for Putin?
Their partnership on Syria marks a significant shift for Turkey's President Erdoğan. Still, analysts say, there are limits to Russia’s new friendship with Turkey.
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Turkey's 'security' president, Erdoğan faces new test as attacks mount
Erdoğan pledged that he would keep Turks safe in a tumultuous region. Amid public anger, his dream of creating an all-powerful presidential system may now hang in the balance.
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Key to Syrian cease-fire: Sunni rebel groups
Rebel groups have signed on to the deal, but commanders tell the Monitor that if their political goals are not met they'll return to war.
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Briefing For a Mideast roiling with conflict and change, 2017 promises more of same
The conflict with ISIS and even older war in Syria will continue to radiate ferment across a region that will also witness an as-yet unknown Trump effect.
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Briefing The Trump presidency: What will it change in the Middle East? (+video)
US relations with Afghanistan, Iran, and Turkey are some of the most challenging in the region, and Donald Trump's election looks likely to unsettle them all.
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How Turkey's arrest of Kurdish lawmakers risks further civil strife
The Turkey-Kurdish peace process that Erdoğan once championed hits a new low, felled by Syria's conflict and his own ambition.
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Warming Russia-Turkey relations send a chill through Ukraine
A joint natural gas pipeline, announced Monday, would help Turkey become an energy hub and give Russia a way to cut out Ukraine from gas exports to the EU.
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Bridge, mosque, airport – can Turkey afford Erdoğan's mega-monuments?
With Turkey beset by a host of crises, President Erdoğan is pushing ahead with a grand list of mega-projects that project an image of success. The financing may be an issue.
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Turkey's push into Syria: Even limited objectives carry risk of backlash
Turkey's 'hard-powered' move onto Syria's complex battlefield – to push back ISIS and curtail Kurdish ambitions – could ensnare its forces and create growing risk of a backlash.
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In Turkey's cross-border operation into Syria, a dual purpose
Turkish officials vow to 'cleanse' the so-called Islamic State from its northern Syrian border stronghold, but analysts say more is at stake.
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Anti-Americanism surges in Turkey, fueled by politicians and zealous press
US Vice President Joe Biden will visit Turkey Wednesday to try to reassure President Erdoğan they still stand together against terrorism – and the coup attempt in July, about which conspiracy theories abound.
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Focus Afghans, the forgotten refugees
Afghan scholar Naser Mozaffari survived harrowing experiences in Afghanistan, Syria, and Turkey. But his asylum application in Turkey has yet to be approved.
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As Russia and Turkey seek closer ties, not all the leverage in Kremlin's hands
Easing tensions between Ankara and Moscow would seem to benefit both Mr. Erdoğan and Mr. Putin. But Turkey also presents a complicating factor to the Kremlin in its dealings with Turkic peoples at home and abroad.
