Sinan Ciddi

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...

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”

😂 braun electric razor and “amerikan saç” kesimi!

YouTube video by VIA TV Trump- Erdoğan Zirvesinden Ne Çıktı: Yaptırımlar Hızla Kalkabilir mi? F-35, CAATSA, Nükleer Anlaşma

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...

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.

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

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.

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

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 ...

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

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

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 ***

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 ***

🇹🇷 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 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.

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"

Ne ezik, korkak, leş kokusu bir rejim dimi?

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.

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

My latest for Kathimerini

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,

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 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

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 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...

🇹🇷 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

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

ICYMI: here is Part I:

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

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

Inside Turkey’s arms and munitions economy

Turkey showcases new weapons capabilities-but to what end?

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

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.

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"

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

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?

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...

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”

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.

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 🇸🇾"

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.

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

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.

"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"

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.

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"

Sinan Video_F-35s

Should 🇹🇷 be able to acquire the F-35 stealth fighter jet from the United States?

A firm 'no' from your friendly team at FDD

Analysis: Turkey still wants to join BRICS while pretending to be a NATO ally Turkey's attempt to join BRICS, a bloc that seeks to undermine the foundations of the Western world order, is only one of many transgressions against the interests of its ostensible allies in NATO, th...

🇹🇷 was denied BRICS membership in 2024, so it re-applied again

It perceives the anti-NATO/Western org as pragmatic-multilateralism

It's nothing short of undermining the transatlantic alliance & 🇺🇸 wants to sell 🇹🇷 F-35's?

My latest for Long War Journal

S-400s or not, don’t give Turkey the F-35 - Breaking Defense Bradley Bowman and Sinan Ciddi in this op-ed say that regardless if Turkey ever gives up its S-400, the risk is too great for the US to send it any F-35s.

Our latest for Breaking Defense with FDD colleague Brad Bowman

"Can we trust Erdogan to ensure sensitive info related to the F-35 doesn't find its way to Moscow, Beijing, Tehran, and Pyongyang? & should an ally of Hamas have 🇺🇸 most advanced fighter jet?

The Israel-Iran War: The View from Ankara – The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune Essays – When Israel struck Iran on June 13, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan waited several hours before issuing a fiery rebuke, accusing Israeli Prime

In my latest for @jstribune I argue

“🇹🇷 sorely lacks air defense capability. One Turkish defense analyst now recommends that Turkey puts “all [its] money on…Iron Dome, Kaan-Hurjet, air-to-air missiles and ballistic-cruise missile programs”

The Israel-Iran War: The View from Ankara – The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune Essays – When Israel struck Iran on June 13, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan waited several hours before issuing a fiery rebuke, accusing Israeli Prime

🇹🇷 welcomes Iran’s demise as 🇮🇱’i strikes decimate the mullah’s regime

On the other hand, lacking air defenses leaves Ankara exposed in a volatile Middle East beyond recognition

Erdogan’s chickens have come home to roost. My latest for JST👇