Thomas Seibert

Thomas Seibert is an Arab Weekly contributor in Istanbul.

Author Articles

US President Donald Trump (L) and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attend the start of the NATO summit in Brussels, last July. (Reuters)
Turkish-US tensions over Syria, Iran set to continue after midterms
November 10, 2018
Iran’s Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zangeneh speaks to journalists at a hotel in Vienna, last June. (AP)
US elections unlikely to offer relief to Iran as sanctions come into force
November 10, 2018
Esenyurt Mayor Ali Murat Alatepe (R) at a recent farewell ceremony for Syrian refugees returning to their country. (Esenyurt Municipality)
Turkey steps up efforts to send Syrian refugees home
November 10, 2018
Turkish and US troops conduct joint patrols around the Syrian town of Manbij, as part of an agreement that aimed to ease tensions between the two NATO allies. (AP)
Turkish-US tensions over Syria, Iran set to continue after midterms
November 07, 2018
The calm before the storm. A Turkey-backed Syrian fighter sits at the newly renamed “Salah Aldin Alaiobi” circle in the north-western Syrian city of Afrin, on October 9. (AFP)
Amid shelling of Kurdish positions, Turkey plans new incursion into Syria
November 03, 2018
A file picture shows Iranians shouting slogans during a protest against President Donald Trump’s decision to walk out of a 2015 nuclear deal, in Tehran. (Reuters)
Iran continues plots abroad as new American sanctions kick in
November 03, 2018
An aerial view of Istanbul’s new airport. (AP)
Turkey to open new Istanbul airport but runways mostly empty
October 27, 2018
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a meeting in Ankara. (AP)
Erdogan in risky balancing act over Khashoggi case
October 27, 2018
Iran’s President Hassan Rohani (3rd L) attends a cabinet meeting in Tehran, on October 24. (Iranian Presidency)
As new US sanctions loom, Iran looking for ways to ‘muddle through’
October 27, 2018
Syrian rebel fighters walk through a trench at the front line facing regime areas in the southern countryside of Aleppo, on October 14. (AFP)
Turkey and Russia play for time, try to avoid risks
October 20, 2018
Adviser to Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Yasin Aktay speaks in Istanbul next to an empty chair with a picture of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi placed on it. (AP) 
Turkey sees advantages and risks in Khashoggi case
October 17, 2018
Religious outreach. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (2nd-R) cuts the ribbon on the day of the official inauguration of the Cologne Central Mosque in Germany, on September 29. (AP)
Turkey seeks to widen influence in Europe, Africa
October 13, 2018
US pastor Andrew Brunson and his wife Norine arrive at the airport in Izmir, on October 12. (Reuters)
Pastor freed after presssures but US-Turkey rift widens over Syria
October 13, 2018
Turkish soldiers atop an armoured personnel carrier secure the streets of the north-western city of Afrin, last March. (AP)
Turkey eyes new Syria incursion after Idlib deal
September 29, 2018
A man sits by an emblem for Turkey’s unsuccessful bid as candidate for UEFA Euro 2024 in central Istanbul’s Taksim Square, on September 27. (AP)
Turkey angry over failure to host Euro 2024
September 29, 2018
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu (Front-R) exchanges documents with Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar (Front-L) with Russian President Vladimir Putin (Back-R) and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in attendance during a joint news conference in Sochi, on September 17. (AFP)
Turkey seeks to use Idlib deal to gain another foothold in Syria, faces high risks
September 22, 2018
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani in Ankara, on August 15. (Reuters)
Erdogan under pressure after ‘gift’ of $500 million ‘flying palace’ from Qatar
September 22, 2018
Israelis look across the border to watch warplanes backing a Syrian government offensive carry out air strikes in the Syrian province of Daraa. (AFP)
Syria’s war within the war expected to continue despite downing of Russian plane
September 22, 2018
Fighters from the extremist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) attend a mock battle in anticipation of an attack by the regime on Idlib province, last August. (AFP)
Russia gives Turkey more time to find a solution for Idlib
September 15, 2018
Uighur men stand in front of a map showing the area claimed by Uighur separatists as “East Turkistan” marked in blue at a resettlement community in central Turkey. (AP)
Anxious not to offend China, Turkey stays mum on treatment of Uighurs
September 15, 2018