Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (right) shakes hands with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi at the end of a joint press conference following their meeting in Ankara on Dec.2, 2024. (Credit: Adem Altan/AFP)
The Syrian rebels' surprise offensive on Wednesday has triggered a flurry of diplomatic activity across the region. Damascus and its allies, Russia and Iran, were clearly caught off guard by the attack. While no foreign power seems to want all-out chaos in Syria, many observers suspect Turkey might stand to benefit from the instability. This operation gives Ankara a chance to address the persistent challenges of Syrian refugees and the Kurdish presence along its border.How are negotiations progressing to date?As jihadists and Turkish-backed rebels seized Tall Rifaat north of Aleppo, calls for calm arose from all sides. Even as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Damascus last Sunday to show support for the Syrian regime, Moscow urged Tehran to engage with Ankara to de-escalate the situation. This followed a phone call...
The Syrian rebels' surprise offensive on Wednesday has triggered a flurry of diplomatic activity across the region. Damascus and its allies, Russia and Iran, were clearly caught off guard by the attack. While no foreign power seems to want all-out chaos in Syria, many observers suspect Turkey might stand to benefit from the instability. This operation gives Ankara a chance to address the persistent challenges of Syrian refugees and the Kurdish presence along its border.How are negotiations progressing to date?As jihadists and Turkish-backed rebels seized Tall Rifaat north of Aleppo, calls for calm arose from all sides. Even as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Damascus last Sunday to show support for the Syrian regime, Moscow urged Tehran to engage with Ankara to de-escalate the situation. This followed a phone call...