About: Syria
US troop departure from Syria can improve Turkish-Kurdish relations
Has America used the Kurds in Syria only now to dump them? Observers who believe in moral debt, rather than the cold logic of realpolitik, understandably are concerned about the implications for the Kurds of an immediate US withdrawal from Syria, writes Ömer Taşpınar.
EU counter-terrorism chief: Europe ‘may see something like Daesh 2.0’
The level of terrorist threat remains "pretty serious" in several EU countries, Gilles de Kerchove, the EU's counter-terrorism coordinator, told EURACTIV.com in an interview hours before the latest attack in Strasbourg on Tuesday night (12 December).
Cyprus helps 36 Syria migrants to come ashore as influx grows
Cypriot marine police said they escorted 36 Syrian migrants ashore on Monday (3 September), at a time the authorities have raised concerns about an influx of boat people on the island.
Russian and Syrian authorities set up centre for refugees returning to Syria
Russia's Defence Ministry said yesterday (18 July) that Russian and Syrian authorities had set up a refugee centre in Syria to help refugees return home from abroad.
Turkey reboots with masterplan for Erdogan one-man rule until 2028
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will be sworn in for a second term today (9 July), wielding hefty new constitutional powers as he oversees a radically different system of government.
Georgia cuts diplomatic ties with Syria after recognition of separatists
Georgia said on Tuesday (29 May) it had started procedures to sever diplomatic relations with Syria after Damascus recognised its breakaway regions as independent states, a move Tbilisi dubbed manipulation from Russia.
Assad accuses Erdogan of close ties to Muslim Brotherhood
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was assigned by the US government to interfere in Syria when the terrorists lost control of different areas, Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad told Greek daily Kathimerini in an interview.
Macron wants to treat France’s addiction to public money
In an interview given with the Journal du Dimanche (JDD) and the Figaro, French President Emmanuel Macron said he wanted to wean the French off public fund allocations, as he assessed his first year in office. EURACTIV.fr reports.
Strikes in Syria: first and foremost a political manoeuvre
The joint strikes in Syria launched by France, the UK and the US seem to have a symbolic rather than military purpose, writes Nicolas Gros-Verheyde.
The EU had a great plan for Jordan – now it’s time to make it work
In order to help Syrian refugees, the EU must improve its deal with Jordan and deliver on its promise to boost Jordanian exports and refugee hiring, write Gideon Maltz & Cindy Huang.
Putin predicts global ‘chaos’ if West hits Syria again
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on Sunday (15 April) that further Western attacks on Syria would bring chaos to world affairs, as Washington prepared to increase pressure on Russia with new economic sanctions.
Hunger is no longer someone else’s problem, says WFP’s Husain
Food insecurity is on the rise globally and is unlikely to subside soon. Arif Husain, the chief economist of the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP), says hunger and migration "are no longer somebody else’s problem, we have to work collectively.”
Putin must nudge Syria into UN peace deal, mediator says
UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura urged Russia yesterday (13 December) to convince its ally the Syrian government of the need to clinch a peace deal to end the nearly seven-year-old war.
Need to Confront Iran’s Revolutionary Guards
The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has been leading Iran’s hidden invasion of several Middle-Eastern countries for years. The US administration’s recent decision to put the IRGC on the terrorist list makes it imperative to confront the regime and its proxies all over the region, writes Alejo Vidal-Quadras.
We need to talk about climate refugees
Climate change is not just about polar bears, it is about all life on our planet, and it poses a threat to humanity as great – or greater – than war or terrorism. Steve Trent warns that climate change is increasingly viewed as a threat to global peace.
Baghdad piles pressure on Iraqi Kurds to reverse overwhelming independence vote
Baghdad heaped pressure on Iraq’s Kurds yesterday (27 September), demanding they cancel their overwhelming vote for independence while parliament urged the Iraqi central government to send troops to take control of vital oil fields held by Kurdish forces.
Migration and Europe: The view from Turkey
European governments seem to be treating Turkey like a game on a football pitch, pushing the ball of inclusion around, but never really having the intention of allowing it to become an equal player on their field, writes Egemen Bağış.
World Bank: More than reconstruction, post-conflict Syria will need development aid
The economic disorganisation of Syrian society, lost connectivity and destruction of business networks has an impact on GDP 20 times bigger than the destruction of buildings, World Bank officials have told EURACTIV.com.
Trans-Europe Express: Erdogan is bad for everyone
He never missed an opportunity to miss an opportunity. So went the Abba Eban-penned 1973 slogan used to describe the late PLO chief, Yasser Arafat, who was routinely blamed for failing to secure peace with Israel.
EU sanctions 16 more Syria officials over chemical weapons use
The European Union imposed sanctions on Monday (17 July) against another 16 high-ranking Syrian military officials and scientists for their role in the development and use of chemical weapons against civilians, the bloc said in a statement.
Trans-Europe Express: Gay marriage and the German elections
Call it the Merkel tack. “For me, personally, marriage is a man and a woman living together. That is my concept, but I support civil partnerships,” she told YouTube vlogger Le Floid, AKA Florian Mundt, in July 2014.
Europe should not be deceived by Iran’s bid for sympathy
Former European Parliament Vice-President Alejo Vidal-Quadras warns that the West must be vigilant not to fall for Iranian state propaganda depicting the world’s top state sponsor of terrorism as an ally in the War on Terror.
Germany urges lasting ceasefire in eastern Ukraine
German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel on Wednesday (28 June) called for Ukraine and Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine to extend a harvest-related ceasefire, saying it could help pave the way for a political solution.