Thomas Seibert

Thomas Seibert is an Arab Weekly contributor in Istanbul.

Author Articles

Dangerous gulf. US President Donald Trump meets with Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan at the White House in Washington, November 13. (Reuters)
Trump, Erdogan fail to overcome differences over Syria
November 14, 2019
Turkey's Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu speaks on the phone in Ankara, Turkey. (AP)
Turkey starts deporting foreign ISIS fighters
November 11, 2019
Men, allegedly affiliated with ISIS, sit on the floor in a prison in the north-eastern Syrian city of Hasakah, October 26. (AFP)
Turkey raises pressure on Europe to take back foreign ISIS fighters
November 09, 2019
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei attends the graduation of military cadets in Tehran, November 4. (AFP)
Iran seeks to pressure Europe through ‘nuclear extortion’
November 09, 2019
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a meeting in Ankara, November 6. (AP)
Erdogan, Trump to meet in Washington amid deepest diplomatic crisis in decades
November 09, 2019
A raid cloaked in secrecy. Assistant to the US Secretary of Defence for Public Affairs Jonathan Hoffman (L) and Marine Corps General Kenneth F. McKenzie hold a news conference and show a declassified video of US commandos entering the compound where ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was hiding, October 30. (DPA)
Killing of ISIS leader exposes deep rift in US-Turkish ties
November 02, 2019
US wavering. Russian troops on patrol with Turkish forces in the countryside of the town of Darbasiyah in Syria’s north-eastern Hasakah province on the border with Turkey, November 1. (AFP)
As Russians extend footprint, US troops move back into Syria
November 02, 2019
A stallholder reads a newspaper as he waits for customers at a bazaar in Ankara. (Reuters)
Erdogan enjoys domestic boost from Syria move but economy weighs on citizens’ minds
November 02, 2019
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. (Reuters)
Iran sidelined as Russia, Turkey strengthen hold on Syria
October 26, 2019
Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after a joint news conference in Sochi, October 22. (AP)
Russian-Turkish deal on north-eastern Syria signals power shift after US exit
October 26, 2019
Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after a joint news conference in Sochi, October 22. (AP)
Syria 'enters new phase' with Russian-Turkish accord on north-east
October 24, 2019
Fragile deal. US Vice-President Mike Pence (R) meets with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, October 17. (AP)
Turkish-US deal gives boost to Erdogan as he prepares for meeting with Putin
October 19, 2019
Dealmaker? US President Donald Trump talked about Turkey’s agreement to a ceasefire in Syria, October 17. Speaking to reporters as he arrived in Fort Worth, Texas, he compared the conflict between Turkish forces and Kurds to a fight between children. (Reuters)
US and Turkey strike a deal on Syria but doubts remain
October 19, 2019
A map showing Turkey’s suggested operation in Syria is placed to be used for a TV broadcast by journalists in Akcakale, Sanliurfa province, in south-eastern Turkey, October 11.(AP)
Government critics decry ‘black propaganda’ crackdown as an assault on free speech
October 19, 2019
Soldiers and military vehicles at a Turkish staging area in the Turkish town of Akcakale along the border with the Syrian town of Tal Abyad. (DPA)
Turkey threatened with ‘sanctions from hell’ after foray in Syria
October 12, 2019
Wherever you turn your eyes. Iranian rial banknotes on display at a market in the city of Najaf in Iraq. (Reuters)
Protests in Iraq could pose problems for Tehran
October 12, 2019
People gather at the site of an explosion in the northeastern Syrian Kurdish city of Qamishli on October 11. (AFP)
Turkey warned to expect 'Pyrrhic victory' through Syria intervention
October 11, 2019
Risky move. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) chairs the Coordination meeting with the attendance of Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar (L) and officials in Ankara; October 9. (AFP)
Start of Turkish incursion into Syria could trigger new conflicts
October 09, 2019
Turkish army soldiers drive towards the border with Syria near Akcakale in Sanliurfa province on October 8. (AFP)
Following US retreat, Turkish town on Syrian border awaits army move
October 09, 2019
Syrian boys watch as a Turkish military vehicle patrols along with the US military the Syrian village of al-Hashisha on the outskirts of Tal Abyad town along the border with Turkey, October 4. (AFP)
First soldiers, then teachers: Turkey widens presence in northern Syria
October 05, 2019