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Sinan Ciddi @sinanciddi.bsky.social · 1d

My latest for @kathimerini.gr w/Will Doran

Erdogan’s Imagined ‘arms race’ in Cyprus

“🇹🇷 highly militarized occupation of the island’s northern 3rd for the past half-century demonstrates that Ankara is far more a military threat to Cyprus than vice versa”

Erdogan’s imagined ‘arms race’ in Cyprus | eKathimerini.com

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his loyalists wasted no time last week blasting Nicosia’s purchase of Barak MX air defense systems, denouncing it as a dire threat to Turkey and its client r...

www.ekathimerini.com

Sinan Ciddi @sinanciddi.bsky.social · 12d

😂 braun electric razor and “amerikan saç” kesimi!

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Sinan Ciddi @sinanciddi.bsky.social · 12d

Who got what out of the Turkey-Trump meeting?

Erdogan-Trump bulusmasinda kim ne aldi-verdi?

@alinozinian.bsky.social ile keyifli ve uzun soluklu bir sohbet www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdd1...

Trump- Erdoğan Zirvesinden Ne Çıktı: Yaptırımlar Hızla Kalkabilir mi? F-35, CAATSA, Nükleer Anlaşma

YouTube video by VIA TV

www.youtube.com

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Sinan Ciddi @sinanciddi.bsky.social · 15d

Let’s be blunt. Selling Erdogan F35's would mean arming a state sponsor of terrorism

He is not some misunderstood ally gone astray, but an Islamist strongman who bankrolls and shelters terrorists

Trump should not reward him. My latest for
@nypost.com

Turkey’s Erdogan gets Trump’s red carpet — but don’t reward his treachery with US fighter jets

Let’s be blunt: Selling Turkey the F-35, our most advanced fighter jet, would mean arming a state sponsor of terrorism.

nypost.com

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Sinan Ciddi @sinanciddi.bsky.social · 15d

He blasts what remains of pol opposition & dem institutions in 🇹🇷

Comes to NY & speaks on camera that he supports terrorist orgs designated by 🇺🇸

Militarily escalates against 🇺🇸 allies daily & now wants F35s

DC can stop Erdogan - my latest for Washington Examiner

An autocratic Turkey does not deserve US military aid

If Erdogan is not able to honor NATO's commitment to democracy and the rule of law, then Trump should cut him off from American largesse.

www.washingtonexaminer.com

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Sinan Ciddi @sinanciddi.bsky.social · 21d

Ahead of Sharaa's UN visit, it's important to remember that unity in Syria is fragile at best & tensions are running high, especially w/military threats from 🇹🇷

In our latest analysis for FDD Ahmad Sharawi, William Doran and & I offer some recommendations

Renewed Fighting Between Kurds and Government Forces Threatens Syria’s Unity

Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Syrian forces traded rocket artillery fire near Deir Hafir, east of Aleppo, on September 10. While no military personnel were killed, two civilians died ...

www.fdd.org

Sinan Ciddi @sinanciddi.bsky.social · 24d

ICYMI: I analyzed the likelihood and consequences of armed conflict between 🇹🇷 & 🇮🇱 for @haaretzcom.bsky.social

What did I learn from the experience?

Mostly that people don’t read, but sure have a lot of heated opinions and savor the thought of violence

Turkey could be next in Israel's cross-hairs after Qatar. The consequences? Catastrophic | Opinion

***

www.haaretz.com

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Sinan Ciddi @sinanciddi.bsky.social · 27d

Israel struck Qatar for hosting Hamas' leaders. Is Turkey next?

My latest for @haaretzcom.bsky.social

Turkey could be next in Israel's cross-hairs after Qatar. The consequences? Catastrophic | Opinion

***

www.haaretz.com

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Reposted by Sinan Ciddi

Voice4Justice @voices4justice.bsky.social · 27d

🇹🇷 Turkey could be next in Israel's cross-hairs after Qatar. The consequences? Catastrophic www.haaretz.com/opinion/2025...
@sinanciddi.bsky.social
By @sinanciddi.bsky.social 🧵👇

Turkey could be next in Israel's cross-hairs after Qatar. The consequences? Catastrophic | Opinion

***

www.haaretz.com

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Sinan Ciddi @sinanciddi.bsky.social · Sep 8

My latest for Kathimerini👇

"Erdogan’s ambitions rest not on cooperation but coercion. By rewriting maritime borders unilaterally and courting both sides of a divided Libya, Turkey signals that it does not accept international law when it stands in the way of its geopolitical designs"

Turkey is escalating tensions in the Mediterranean (again) | eKathimerini.com

Turkey is once again stoking tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean – this time by undermining the sovereignty of Greece and Cyprus while wagering that Washington and Brussels will look the other way.

www.ekathimerini.com

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Sinan Ciddi @sinanciddi.bsky.social · Sep 7

Ne ezik, korkak, leş kokusu bir rejim dimi?

T24 @t24.com.tr · Sep 7

📢 CHP İstanbul İl Binası önünde toplanan vatandaşlar, telefonlarının flaşlarıyla polise tepki gösterdi

🎙️@GulsevenOzkan

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Sinan Ciddi @sinanciddi.bsky.social · Sep 7

While Europe and Washington twiddle their thumbs, 🇹🇷 is preparing to escalate tensions in the Mediterranean (again)

My latest for Kathimerini

Turkey is escalating tensions in the Mediterranean (again) | eKathimerini.com

Turkey is once again stoking tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean – this time by undermining the sovereignty of Greece and Cyprus while wagering that Washington and Brussels will look the other way.

www.ekathimerini.com

Sinan Ciddi @sinanciddi.bsky.social · Sep 3

My latest for Jerusalem Strategic Tribune & Part 4 in my 🇹🇷 involvement in 🇸🇾 series👇

"In 2013, some 30K foreign fighters are estimated to have joined the Caliphate by crossing into Syria via 🇹🇷 Brett McGurk...alleged that 🇹🇷 had harbored the caliph, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi"

Turkey’s Quiet Relationship with ISIS – The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune

Essays – On June 29, 2014, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of the Islamic State in al-Sham (ISIS), was recorded on video speaking at the al-Nuri Mosque in Mosul,

jstribune.com

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Sinan Ciddi @sinanciddi.bsky.social · Aug 26

Erdogan and Davutoglu––in their quest for regime change, underwrote the bloodiest chapters of the Syrian civil war, transforming Turkey into a "jihadi highway"

My latest for Jerusalem Strategic Tribune & FDD

Part 3 in my 🇹🇷 involvement in Syria series👇

Turkey’s Push for Regime Change in Syria: The Jihadi Highway – The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune

Essays – Syria’s civil war broke out in March 2011, in reaction to the brutal crackdown by the regime of Bashar al-Asad of popular protests that were part of the

jstribune.com

Sinan Ciddi @sinanciddi.bsky.social · Aug 25

🇹🇷 moves to ban maritime shipping to 🇮🇱 a 2nd major move since banning trade w/the Jewish state in 2024

So far, no official government memorandum, but verbal instructions issued by port authorities to vessels

My latest for Long War Journal & FDD

Turkey implements barriers to prevent shipping to and from Israel

Turkey has imposed an informal maritime ban targeting Israel, prohibiting Israel-linked ships from docking in Turkish ports and barring Turkish-flagged vessels from sailing to Israel, which Turkish Pr...

www.longwarjournal.org

Sinan Ciddi @sinanciddi.bsky.social · Aug 20

ICYMI: here is Part I:

Erdoğan’s Long Game in Syria – The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune

Essays – When Bashar al-Asad’s regime abruptly collapsed in December 2024, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan saw more than just a regional upheaval. He saw a

jstribune.com

Sinan Ciddi @sinanciddi.bsky.social · Aug 20

The 2nd piece of my Turkey's involvement in Syria piece for
Jerusalem Strategic Tribune & FDD is up

Why did Erdogan turn against Assad-a man he invested so much in?

🇹🇷 Syria policy can't be explained if we don't remember Ahmet Davutoglu's role

Turkey’s Neo-Ottoman Moment – The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune

Essays – Turkey’s Syria policy didn’t materialize in a vacuum. Rather, it was a reaction to the Arab uprisings that began in January 2011, known as the Arab

jstribune.com

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Sinan Ciddi @sinanciddi.bsky.social · Aug 14

Turkey showcases new weapons capabilities-but to what end?

I joined @cbsnews.com John Batchelor Show to discuss👇

Inside Turkey’s arms and munitions economy

www.fdd.org

Sinan Ciddi @sinanciddi.bsky.social · Aug 13

In my latest for National Security Journal, I argue:

"🇹🇷 record tells a different story-one of opportunistic power projection, escalating militarism, & strategic partnerships with actors hostile to Western interests. Whether in 🇱🇾, 🇸🇴, 🇸🇾, or 🇨🇾, Ankara is redrawing the map of the region"

Turkey is Making a Power Play to Dominate the Middle East

As Iran's power fades, Turkey is making an aggressive play to dominate the Middle East, a move that has its neighbors and key U.S. allies on high alert for a new, regional conflict.

nationalsecurityjournal.org

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Sinan Ciddi @sinanciddi.bsky.social · Aug 11

In the first of a series of articles for Jerusalem Strategic Tribune, I examine 🇹🇷 involvement in Syria

This piece is an origins story, detailing Turkey's Islamist movement & its ideological outlook towards the Baathist movement

Why did Erdogan both pursue and resent Assad?

Erdoğan’s Long Game in Syria – The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune

Essays – When Bashar al-Asad’s regime abruptly collapsed in December 2024, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan saw more than just a regional upheaval. He saw a

jstribune.com

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Sinan Ciddi @sinanciddi.bsky.social · Jul 27

My latest for FDD with Ahmad Sharawi

“Syria after Bashar al-Assad is a country in chaos, but that does not mean it cannot get worse. One way that could happen would be a direct Turkish military intervention”

U.S. Must Apply Pressure to Prevent Turkish Military Intervention in Syria

Syria after Bashar al-Assad is a country in chaos, but that does not mean it cannot get worse. One way that could happen would be a direct Turkish military intervention. Unfortunately, that is exactly...

www.fdd.org

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Sinan Ciddi @sinanciddi.bsky.social · Jul 25

My latest for the National Interest argues that

"Since the fall of Assad’s regime in 2024, 🇹🇷 has pursued a singular objective: the “Sunnification” of Syria. Erdogan has shown little interest in fostering a stable, inclusive 🇸🇾"

Erdogan and Shara’s “Sunnification” Project

The recent sectarian violence shows that the Syrian government and its Turkish backers share a dangerous vision of a Sunni-dominant Syria.

nationalinterest.org

Sinan Ciddi @sinanciddi.bsky.social · Jul 24

Erdogan is already doing enough to consolidate his autocratic vision for 🇹🇷

Turkey's Kurdish movement shouldn't lend him a helping hand to achieve this malign goal

My latest for National Security Journal

Turkey’s Kurds and the Making of Erdoğan’s Autocracy

In a "Faustian bargain," Turkey's persecuted Kurdish party is now allying with Erdoğan, potentially helping him destroy democracy in exchange for concessions.

nationalsecurityjournal.org

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Sinan Ciddi @sinanciddi.bsky.social · Jul 18

"Ciddi emphasized that Turkey's aging military hardware and lack of air defense leave it highly exposed. Yet, Turkey is deeply invested in al-Sharaa political survival, hoping to leverage him for influence and economic ties in post-war Syria"

Regional powers clash after Israel targets Syrian territory in defense of vulnerable Druze civilians

Violence in Syria's Druze province has triggered Israeli military action, complicating relations with Turkey and creating a power vacuum that Iran could exploit.

www.foxnews.com

Sinan Ciddi @sinanciddi.bsky.social · Jul 15

My latest for @newsweek.com FDD colleague Tyler Stapleton

"no one inside🇹🇷has the power to put...brakes on Erdogan's...power grab...makes it crucial for pressure to come frm🇹🇷allies, not just to offer a dem lifeline to🇹🇷 but also to preserve Western security"

What Washington Can Do To Slow Turkey's Despotic Turn | Opinion

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is tearing his country's democracy apart, and getting bolder by the day.

www.newsweek.com