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Amberin Zaman

Amberin Zaman

Al Monitor

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Kurds in Turkey protest over Syria Aleppo offensive

Protesters rallied for a second day in Turkey's main cities on Thursday to demand an end to a deadly Syrian army offensive against Kurdish fighters in...

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Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Top Syrian Kurdish official Foza Yusuf says war with Damascus lose-lose for all

The Syrian Kurdish official warns that fighting in Aleppo could deepen the humanitarian crisis and stall political negotiations.

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Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Aleppo clashes between Kurdish forces, Syrian government test US diplomacy

A violent escalation between the Syrian government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in Aleppo is worsening amid stalled US-brokered...

yesterday 3

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

From Red Sea to Horn of Africa: How Yemen exposed the Saudi-UAE divide

Saudi Arabia’s confrontation with the UAE in Yemen has laid bare a deeper struggle for influence over the Red Sea and surrounding regions.

previous day 4

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Laced with intrigue: What did Tom Barrack’s shoes reveal about US-Turkey ties?

US Ambassador Tom Barrack’s choice of Nike sneakers at high-profile meetings has sparked speculation, conspiracy theories and widespread debate in...

20.12.2025 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

US, Qatar, Turkey, Egypt to hold Gaza talks in Miami

US, Qatar, Turkey, Egypt to hold Gaza talks in Miami

US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff will hold talks with senior officials from Qatar, Egypt and Turkey in Miami on Friday on the...

18.12.2025 3

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

US imposes sanctions on two more ICC judges for Israel probe

US imposes sanctions on two more ICC judges for Israel probe

The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on two more judges of the International Criminal Court after they rejected a challenge by Israel which...

18.12.2025 3

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Syria’s Kurdish artists defy ISIS mentality through music, dance

Syria’s Kurdish artists defy ISIS mentality through music, dance

In northeast Syria, Kurdish women are using music and performance to assert cultural identity, promote female empowerment and navigate postwar...

18.12.2025 3

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Will deadly Palmyra attack accelerate SDF's integration into Syrian forces?

Following the Palmyra attack, analysts say the SDF may face growing pressure to align with Damascus.

16.12.2025 8

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Barham Salih slated to become first Kurd and Iraqi to lead UNHCR

Barham Salih — former Iraqi president of Iraq and widely respected politician in Washington — has been formally nominated to become the next UN...

12.12.2025 2

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Kurds from Syria's Afrin languish in camps as Sharaa, SDF remain unreconciled

One year after Assad’s fall, displaced Kurds from Afrin remain in camps such as Azadi, facing harsh conditions, property disputes and an uncertain...

11.12.2025 5

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Top PYD official Aldar Khalil: 'Syria is telling Kurds to separate'

Al-Monitor spoke exclusively to Aldar Khalil, a member of the executive council of the Democratic Unity Party (PYD), which shares power in the...

29.11.2025 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Israel says Gaza hostage coffin received from Red Cross

Israel said the Red Cross had on Tuesday handed over the coffin of a hostage held in Gaza, adding that the remains would soon be taken for forensic ...

26.11.2025 3

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

PKK leader Ocalan gains legitimacy in Turkey, bigger sway over Syria’s Kurds

The ongoing deadlock between Damascus and the SDF is seen as a major obstacle to progress in Turkey’s efforts to address its long-standing Kurdish...

26.11.2025 3

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Could Trump be the one to deliver peace to Syria and Turkey's Kurds?

As Trump deepens his Syria push, Washington is probing whether its leverage can turn fragile truces into lasting peace.

13.11.2025 6

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

SDF commander Hemo: Syria’s Kurds prepare for threat of war as Damascus talks falter

As US-brokered talks stall, Kurdish forces are preparing contingencies while continuing dialogue with Damascus to secure Syria’s future, SDF...

06.11.2025 30

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Syria’s Shibani says no concrete progress in integration talks with Kurds

Syria’s foreign minister cites a “positive trajectory,” but Damascus and Kurdish officials remain deadlocked despite US-brokered efforts...

02.11.2025 9

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Israeli defense minister says Lebanese government must fulfill commitment to disarm Hezbollah

(Reuters) -Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Sunday the Lebanese government must fulfill its commitment to disarm Hezbollah and remove it...

02.11.2025 9

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Syrian president will visit White House in early November, foreign minister says

(Reuters) -Syrian Foreign Minister Asad al-Shaibani confirmed on Sunday that President Ahmed al-Sharaa will visit the White House in early November...

02.11.2025 8

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Iran's president says Tehran will rebuild its nuclear facilities

DUBAI (Reuters) -Tehran will rebuild its nuclear facilities "with greater strength", Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian told state media on Sunday,...

02.11.2025 9

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Syria’s Shibani say no concrete progress so far in integration talks with Kurds

Syria’s foreign minister cites a “positive trajectory,” but Damascus and Kurdish officials remain deadlocked despite US-brokered efforts...

02.11.2025 10

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Egypt officially opens grand museum near pyramids

Egypt officially opened on Saturday the Grand Egyptian Museum, a long-awaited, billion-dollar showcase of pharaonic grandeur that Cairo hopes will...

02.11.2025 3

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Egypt opens grand museum in lavish, pharaonic ceremony

Egypt at last opened the $1 billion Grand Egyptian Museum on Saturday as performers dressed in white tunics embroidered with designs inspired by...

01.11.2025 2

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Syria’s Sharaa to sign deal at White House to join anti-ISIS coalition

US special envoy to Syria Tom Barrack said the Syrian president will formalize his country’s entry into the US-led alliance next week.

01.11.2025 3

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Syria's sole Christian lawmaker says she trusts Sharaa — other minorities are less sure

Syria’s only Christian lawmaker navigates a fractured political landscape as minorities and women seek representation under a new Islamist-led...

28.10.2025 3

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Former Assad mouthpiece Al-Thawra to test limits of Syria's new rulers

Despite the fall of Assad, Al-Thawra struggles to shed its propaganda legacy, as new editor Nour al-Din al-Ismail works to professionalize the...

21.10.2025 2

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Syria's business elite embrace Sharaa, push for Caesar sanctions repeal

Amid lingering fears and ongoing sanctions, Syrians are beginning to see signs of recovery and a fragile new beginning.

17.10.2025 2

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkey scrambles to contain fallout after Fidan says KAAN jet dependent on US

Critics say the admission underscores vulnerabilities in Turkey’s armed forces and highlights the challenges of achieving independence from...

29.09.2025 4

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Trump-Erdogan summit exudes love but few breakthroughs for Turkey

US President Donald Trump had raised expectations during a joint news conference in which he showered praise on Turkish President Recep Tayyip...

26.09.2025 4

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Trump says Turkey sanctions could end 'very soon' at White House meeting with Erdogan

During the meeting, Trump suggested the dispute over Turkey’s F-35 fighter jets could be resolved quickly as sanctions discussions continue.

25.09.2025 4

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkey touts gas, trade deals ahead of Erdogan-Trump summit

The flurry of agreements comes as the Turkish leaders looks to press the US president on fighter jets and Kurdish policy in Thursday's meeting.

24.09.2025 2

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

UK’s top spy uses farewell from Turkey to lure Russian recruits, sparks fury

The outgoing MI6 chief called on Russians with "truths to share" to contact the agency, sparking diplomatic unease just days before Erdogan’s...

23.09.2025 3

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkey, Egypt join forces for first EastMed drills in 13 years

The joint exercises signal a thaw in Ankara-Cairo relations after years of tension over regional rivalries and past political disputes.

19.09.2025 5

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

UN special envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen steps down after six years

Pedersen is leaving as Syria continues to grapple with political upheaval, humanitarian crises and ongoing conflict.

18.09.2025 5

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Israel threatens Hamas 'wherever they are' as Qatar hosts summit

By Andrew Mills, Jana Choukeir and Simon LewisDOHA/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he didn't rule out further ...

15.09.2025 4

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Iran's uranium-enrichment programme must be dismantled, US's Wright says

By Francois MurphyVIENNA (Reuters) -Iran's uranium-enrichment programme must be "completely dismantled", U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright told the ...

15.09.2025 5

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Israel attack aimed to halt Gaza talks, Qatar emir tells emergency summit

Qatar's emir accused Israel of trying to derail Gaza ceasefire efforts with its attack on Hamas in Doha, as Arab and Muslim leaders held emergency...

15.09.2025 7

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Ankara shrugs as Greece, Cyprus try to block Turkey from $170B EU defense scheme

The European Union faces fresh tensions as Greece resists Turkey’s effort to tap into a $170 billion defense fund, highlighting long-standing...

15.09.2025 4

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

UK-based oil firm victim of standoff between Damascus, Syria’s Kurds

Gulfsands Managing Director John Bell outlines his company’s plans and Syria’s energy prospects in an exclusive interview.

06.09.2025 8

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkey’s Erdogan holds hands with Iran’s Pezeshkian, sparks online buzz

A short video of Erdogan holding hands with Iran’s Pezeshkian at the SCO summit in China has captured global attention and stirred heated online...

03.09.2025 7

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Netanyahu makes ill-timed Armenian genocide nod as Yerevan courts Turkey

Ankara accused the Israeli premier of exploiting history for political gain after he became the first Israeli leader to use the term genocide for the...

27.08.2025 8

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Chobani founder’s football foray sparks nationalist ire in Turkey

Billionaire yogurt entrepreneur Hamdi Ulukaya has drawn criticism from Turkish nationalists after addressing citizens with a word seen by some as...

26.08.2025 5

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Iraqi Kurdish factional feuds erupt anew with violent arrest of Lahur Talabani

Violent clashes in Sulaimaniyah underscore long-standing political tensions and a scramble for influence in Iraqi Kurdistan.

22.08.2025 4

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Turkey’s parliamentary body on solving Kurdish issue bars Kurdish language speech

Two Kurdish women invited to address the parliamentary committee were told they could not speak Kurdish during the session.

21.08.2025 2

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Syria state media's Kurdish-language launch: tactical move or real shift?

SANA's foray into the Kurdish language is largely symbolic and part of Damascus’ efforts to project an image of compromise amid tense negotiations.

20.08.2025 6

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Iran’s Pezeshkian seeks assurances in Armenia as Yerevan, Baku nominate Trump for Nobel

Tehran is concerned that the new Armenia-Azerbaijan corridor, announced in an agreement brokered by Washington earlier this month, threatens its...

18.08.2025 4

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Will Turkey follow through on threats to attack Syria's Kurds?

This week we unpack the stakes around Ankara's threats to take military action alongside Damascus against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.

14.08.2025 8

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Hundreds evacuated in northwestern Turkey as authorities fight wildfires

ISTANBUL (Reuters) -Firefighters in Turkey are battling wildfires in the centre of the northwestern province of Canakkale, fanned by strong winds, and...

11.08.2025 3

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Syria vows to investigate footage of Sweida hospital killing

DAMASCUS (Reuters) -Syria's interior ministry said on Monday that it would investigate footage showing men in military fatigues shooting an unarmed...

11.08.2025 4

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman

Armenia seeks to allay Iran's fears as US-backed land route with Azerbaijan advances

The planned corridor aims to connect key players in the South Caucasus but has raised tensions with Iran over access and control.

11.08.2025 2

Al Monitor

Amberin Zaman