Author: Mehmet Rakipoglu
Syrians have toppled the 60-year-old Assad regime through civil and military resistance, unlike other revolutions. The unexpected moment attracted all attention to Syria, where I conducted field research through interviews with political and military elites in multiple cities, such as Azaz, Aleppo, Hama, Homs and Damascus. Thus, this piece aims to gain a better understanding of the post-Assad Syrian transition in terms of society, politics and security. These findings highlight a variety of dynamics, including security gaps, reconciliation initiatives, population movements and the important role played by external particularly Russia, in reshaping Syria’s political and social landscape. Azaz: Sanctuary for…
The absence of a dominant power in Iraq has transformed the country into a battlefield of geopolitical rivalry since 2003. Iraq presents geopolitical significance, triggering competition among countries. Regional actors, including Iran, the United States and Saudi Arabia, compete to expand their influence in Iraq’s political and security domains. Contrary to the other actors, Türkiye’s active involvement in Iraq stems from its desire to play a leading role in the region, underscored by recent diplomatic engagements, including Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al Sudani’s visit to Türkiye and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s reciprocal visit to Iraq. Such visits reflect a…