Thomas Seibert

Thomas Seibert is an Arab Weekly contributor in Istanbul.

Author Articles

Syrian President Bashar Assad (L) and Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei before their meeting in Tehran, February 25. (SANA)
Assad takes victory lap in Tehran amid power struggle among Iran’s elite
March 02, 2019
Vegetable tactics. Shoppers wait in line to buy groceries at a government-run market selling vegetables at discounted prices in Istanbul, February 17. (AP)
Erdogan’s problems deepen ahead of polls
March 02, 2019
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif speaking at a news conference in Tehran, Iran. (AP)
Zarif’s attempted resignation was ‘cry for help’ amid pressure by hardliners
February 28, 2019
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif delivers his statement, during the Geneva Conference on Afghanistan, at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, November 28, 2018. (Reuters)
Zarif’s resignation could be reflection of Iran infighting, boost for US hawks
February 26, 2019
A woman (C) carrying a baby is escorted into a vehicle in Syria’s north-eastern city of Qamishli, after she was accused of belonging to ISIS. (AFP)
Fate of foreign fighters could fan tensions between key players in Syria
February 23, 2019
Turkish journalist Busra Cebeci without the headscarf. (Courtesy of Busra Cebeci)
Shedding the headscarf, Turkish women tell of pressures and new solidarity
February 23, 2019
Sen. Lindsey Graham, who had harshly criticized US President Donald Trump’s decision to pull US forces out of Syria, is now applauding the decision to keep a small contingent of troops there to act as a “stabilizing force," Feb. 7, 2019. (AP)
US to keep soldiers in Syria in effort to win allies for international force
February 22, 2019
A general view at the trilateral summit on Syria in Sochi, February 14. (DPA)
Russian cold shoulder towards Turkey in Sochi
February 16, 2019
US Vice President Mike Pence peaks at a conference on Peace and Security in the Middle East in Warsaw, Poland, February 14. (AP)
US push against Iran highlights differences between Washington, EU
February 16, 2019
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras at the end of a joint news conference in Ankara, February 5. (AFP)
More symbolism than substance as Turkey and Greece vow to avert crises
February 09, 2019
A Muslim Shia cleric walks past the house of the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, in the holy city of Qom, on January 15, 2019. (AFP)
Iran facing its ‘biggest crisis’ 40 years after revolution
February 09, 2019
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks at his ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) parliamentary group meeting, in Ankara, Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019. (AP)
Turkey rejects US plan to leave Syrian safe zone to Western powers
February 06, 2019
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (R) and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas, last December. (AFP)
Wary of similar fate, Erdogan stands with Maduro
February 02, 2019
Multiplayer game. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (C), Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu (R) and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif attend a news conference in Moscow, last April. (AFP)
Syria’s constitutional efforts grind to a halt
February 02, 2019
Clipped wings. An Airbus A340-300 of Mahan Air is seen at Dusseldorf International Airport in Gemany, January 16. (Reuters)
Pressure on Iran grows as Europe gets tougher and oil exports fall
January 26, 2019
A partnership of convenience. Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan leave after a joint news conference in Moscow, January 23. (Reuters)
Russia is nudging Turkey to seek ties with Assad over Syria security concerns
January 26, 2019
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses a business meeting in Ankara, Turkey, Monday, Jan. 21, 2019. (AP)
Turkey claims Syria role as militants target US forces in second attack in days
January 21, 2019
The official inauguration of the Cologne Central Mosque, last September. (Reuters)
Turkey moves to widen influence among Muslims in Europe
January 19, 2019
Turkish young women look on as veiled women pass by in front of a fast-food restaurant at Istanbul’s Istiklal Avenue. (AFP)
After 16 years of Erdogan rule, Turks are less religious
January 19, 2019
Primacy at stake. A member of the Russian military stands guard on the border between Syria and Lebanon in Jdaidat Yabous. (AFP)
Russia strives to assert primacy, rein in Turkish ambitions in Syria
January 19, 2019