Sinem Adar
@sinemadar.bsky.social
Head (CATS/SWPBerlin & CATS Network), Co-Head of the Autocratisation Thematic Group @SWP. Views personal. Writes in EN/TR
Reposted by Sinem Adar
The series of events surrounding the rapprochement (and alignment) between Ankara&Ocalan (since October 2024) stands at the intersection of the future of political systems in TR&SYR. In Turkey, it is about regime survival&stabilization. In Syria, it concerns state formation under Shara's leadership.
Redesigning the DEM Party has been, since from the beginning, one of the aims of Ankara's rapprochement efforts with Abdullah Ocalan. Expect more pressure on the party in the coming weeks and months.
January 15, 2026 at 7:29 AM
The series of events surrounding the rapprochement (and alignment) between Ankara&Ocalan (since October 2024) stands at the intersection of the future of political systems in TR&SYR. In Turkey, it is about regime survival&stabilization. In Syria, it concerns state formation under Shara's leadership.
Reposted by Sinem Adar
As violent clashes between the STG and the SDF continue, pressure on the DEM Party within Turkey mounts. Over the last couple of days, pro-government journalists (and others) have called on the party to completely align itself with Abdullah Ocalan.
January 15, 2026 at 7:13 AM
As violent clashes between the STG and the SDF continue, pressure on the DEM Party within Turkey mounts. Over the last couple of days, pro-government journalists (and others) have called on the party to completely align itself with Abdullah Ocalan.
The series of events surrounding the rapprochement (and alignment) between Ankara&Ocalan (since October 2024) stands at the intersection of the future of political systems in TR&SYR. In Turkey, it is about regime survival&stabilization. In Syria, it concerns state formation under Shara's leadership.
Redesigning the DEM Party has been, since from the beginning, one of the aims of Ankara's rapprochement efforts with Abdullah Ocalan. Expect more pressure on the party in the coming weeks and months.
January 15, 2026 at 7:29 AM
The series of events surrounding the rapprochement (and alignment) between Ankara&Ocalan (since October 2024) stands at the intersection of the future of political systems in TR&SYR. In Turkey, it is about regime survival&stabilization. In Syria, it concerns state formation under Shara's leadership.
As violent clashes between the STG and the SDF continue, pressure on the DEM Party within Turkey mounts. Over the last couple of days, pro-government journalists (and others) have called on the party to completely align itself with Abdullah Ocalan.
January 15, 2026 at 7:13 AM
As violent clashes between the STG and the SDF continue, pressure on the DEM Party within Turkey mounts. Over the last couple of days, pro-government journalists (and others) have called on the party to completely align itself with Abdullah Ocalan.
Reposted by Sinem Adar
"That silence also appears to reflect the discipline’s ingrained worldview, in which mass atrocities are committed by bad people in faraway places—not by, and with the full support of, liberal democracies."
dissentmagazine.org/article/the-...
dissentmagazine.org/article/the-...
The Demise of Conflict Studies - Dissent Magazine
An entire industry specializing in mediation, peacekeeping, disarmament, and transitional justice has become largely obsolete.
dissentmagazine.org
January 13, 2026 at 7:51 PM
"That silence also appears to reflect the discipline’s ingrained worldview, in which mass atrocities are committed by bad people in faraway places—not by, and with the full support of, liberal democracies."
dissentmagazine.org/article/the-...
dissentmagazine.org/article/the-...
"That silence also appears to reflect the discipline’s ingrained worldview, in which mass atrocities are committed by bad people in faraway places—not by, and with the full support of, liberal democracies."
dissentmagazine.org/article/the-...
dissentmagazine.org/article/the-...
The Demise of Conflict Studies - Dissent Magazine
An entire industry specializing in mediation, peacekeeping, disarmament, and transitional justice has become largely obsolete.
dissentmagazine.org
January 13, 2026 at 7:51 PM
"That silence also appears to reflect the discipline’s ingrained worldview, in which mass atrocities are committed by bad people in faraway places—not by, and with the full support of, liberal democracies."
dissentmagazine.org/article/the-...
dissentmagazine.org/article/the-...
Reposted by Sinem Adar
Interesting: "President Masoud Barzani on Monday condemned acts of discrimination and harassment targeting Syrian Arabs in the Kurdistan Region, warning against collective blame following deadly violence in Aleppo’s Kurdish-majority neighborhoods."
It is also about intra-Kurdish dynamics. What I find noteworthy here is the call btw Shara's and Barzani during the clashes. Reportedly, Shara'a assured Barzani that the "Kurds are an indigenous and main component of Syria".
January 13, 2026 at 6:51 AM
Interesting: "President Masoud Barzani on Monday condemned acts of discrimination and harassment targeting Syrian Arabs in the Kurdistan Region, warning against collective blame following deadly violence in Aleppo’s Kurdish-majority neighborhoods."
Interesting: "President Masoud Barzani on Monday condemned acts of discrimination and harassment targeting Syrian Arabs in the Kurdistan Region, warning against collective blame following deadly violence in Aleppo’s Kurdish-majority neighborhoods."
It is also about intra-Kurdish dynamics. What I find noteworthy here is the call btw Shara's and Barzani during the clashes. Reportedly, Shara'a assured Barzani that the "Kurds are an indigenous and main component of Syria".
January 13, 2026 at 6:51 AM
Interesting: "President Masoud Barzani on Monday condemned acts of discrimination and harassment targeting Syrian Arabs in the Kurdistan Region, warning against collective blame following deadly violence in Aleppo’s Kurdish-majority neighborhoods."
Reposted by Sinem Adar
Great work, once again, by Hale Gönültaş on foreign Isis members in Turkey.
Three Isis members and their families granted Turkish citizenship, and 19 others various residence permits.
Turkey also has record of granting citizenship to Interpol-wanted drug dealers
kisadalga.net/haber/ozel-h...
Three Isis members and their families granted Turkish citizenship, and 19 others various residence permits.
Turkey also has record of granting citizenship to Interpol-wanted drug dealers
kisadalga.net/haber/ozel-h...
IŞİD’lilere vatandaşlık ve kimlik verilmiş: Savcılık belgeleri ile ortaya çıktı
Savcılık belgelerine göre, çatışma bölgelerinde aktif rol aldığı belirlenen üç IŞİD militanının aileleriyle birlikte Türkiye Cumhuriyeti vatandaşlığı aldığı, 19 örgüt mensubunun ise il göç idarelerind...
kisadalga.net
January 12, 2026 at 6:22 PM
Great work, once again, by Hale Gönültaş on foreign Isis members in Turkey.
Three Isis members and their families granted Turkish citizenship, and 19 others various residence permits.
Turkey also has record of granting citizenship to Interpol-wanted drug dealers
kisadalga.net/haber/ozel-h...
Three Isis members and their families granted Turkish citizenship, and 19 others various residence permits.
Turkey also has record of granting citizenship to Interpol-wanted drug dealers
kisadalga.net/haber/ozel-h...
Reposted by Sinem Adar
As an event, Aleppo has reshuffled the respective leverage of STG and the SDF ahead of the next round of negotiations. Yet it is not only about the power struggle between the two actors over the future of the Syrian state.
January 11, 2026 at 3:05 PM
As an event, Aleppo has reshuffled the respective leverage of STG and the SDF ahead of the next round of negotiations. Yet it is not only about the power struggle between the two actors over the future of the Syrian state.
As an event, Aleppo has reshuffled the respective leverage of STG and the SDF ahead of the next round of negotiations. Yet it is not only about the power struggle between the two actors over the future of the Syrian state.
January 11, 2026 at 3:05 PM
As an event, Aleppo has reshuffled the respective leverage of STG and the SDF ahead of the next round of negotiations. Yet it is not only about the power struggle between the two actors over the future of the Syrian state.
Reposted by Sinem Adar
There will be a lot of big stories in 2026 regarding US democracy, but the biggest IMO will be the effort to reshape the electoral system
More from the party of federalism: "the states are merely an agent for the federal government in counting and tabulating the votes. They must do what the federal government, as represented by the president of the United States, tells them, for the good of the country, to do."
January 9, 2026 at 4:56 PM
There will be a lot of big stories in 2026 regarding US democracy, but the biggest IMO will be the effort to reshape the electoral system
A vital member of Turkey's ruling alliance and the leading actor of Turkish nationalism, the Nationalist Action Party (MHP) calls for nuclear armament: "Given that a large-scale war is a threat closer than ever before, it is imperative that TR acquire nuclear weapons."
t24.com.tr/haber/trump-...
t24.com.tr/haber/trump-...
"Trump ABD'si korsan bir devlettir" diyen MHP'den dikkat çeken talep: NATO çöktü, Türkiye'nin nükleer silah üretmesi elzem!
"Trump ABD'si korsan bir devlettir" diyen MHP'den dikkat çeken talep: NATO çöktü, Türkiye'nin nükleer silah üretmesi elzem!
t24.com.tr
January 9, 2026 at 2:07 PM
A vital member of Turkey's ruling alliance and the leading actor of Turkish nationalism, the Nationalist Action Party (MHP) calls for nuclear armament: "Given that a large-scale war is a threat closer than ever before, it is imperative that TR acquire nuclear weapons."
t24.com.tr/haber/trump-...
t24.com.tr/haber/trump-...
Reposted by Sinem Adar
At first glance, there is not much new in Hakan Fidan's remarks yesterday about the SDF efforts to build a "parallel state" in coordination with Israel. Still, the part on the SDF's refusal to take a step back despite Ocalan's letters to this direction is noteworthy for reflection.
January 9, 2026 at 8:13 AM
At first glance, there is not much new in Hakan Fidan's remarks yesterday about the SDF efforts to build a "parallel state" in coordination with Israel. Still, the part on the SDF's refusal to take a step back despite Ocalan's letters to this direction is noteworthy for reflection.
At first glance, there is not much new in Hakan Fidan's remarks yesterday about the SDF efforts to build a "parallel state" in coordination with Israel. Still, the part on the SDF's refusal to take a step back despite Ocalan's letters to this direction is noteworthy for reflection.
January 9, 2026 at 8:13 AM
At first glance, there is not much new in Hakan Fidan's remarks yesterday about the SDF efforts to build a "parallel state" in coordination with Israel. Still, the part on the SDF's refusal to take a step back despite Ocalan's letters to this direction is noteworthy for reflection.
Reposted by Sinem Adar
“Syria needs an economic reconstruction program. Desperately. Yet nearly a year after the fall of dictator Bashar al-Assad, there is still no talk of putting together a comprehensive economic reconstruction plan.” Smart talk by Yezid Sayigh on his new blog
sayighyezid.substack.com/p/syria-need...
sayighyezid.substack.com/p/syria-need...
Syria Needs a Reconstruction Plan
Without clarity on the country’s economic framework, Assad-era cronyism may reappear.
sayighyezid.substack.com
January 8, 2026 at 2:29 PM
“Syria needs an economic reconstruction program. Desperately. Yet nearly a year after the fall of dictator Bashar al-Assad, there is still no talk of putting together a comprehensive economic reconstruction plan.” Smart talk by Yezid Sayigh on his new blog
sayighyezid.substack.com/p/syria-need...
sayighyezid.substack.com/p/syria-need...
"Syria will remain Turkey’s most urgent and strategically consequential foreign policy dossier. Ankara prioritizes state building under Sharaa, whom it views as a favorable partner.+
January 8, 2026 at 2:22 PM
"Syria will remain Turkey’s most urgent and strategically consequential foreign policy dossier. Ankara prioritizes state building under Sharaa, whom it views as a favorable partner.+
Reposted by Sinem Adar
And here is the link to Kalin's piece published by the Anadolu agency (in Turkish): www.aa.com.tr/tr/gundem/mi...
Milli İstihbarat Teşkilatı 99 yaşında
MİT Başkanı Kalın, "Teşkilatımız; 2025 yılında da vatandaşlarımızın maddi ve manevi değerlerini korumak için geniş bir coğrafi vizyonla çok sayıda başarılı operasyona imza atarak tehditleri gerçekleşmeden bertaraf etmiştir." ifadelerini kullandı. - Anadolu Ajansı
www.aa.com.tr
January 8, 2026 at 9:49 AM
And here is the link to Kalin's piece published by the Anadolu agency (in Turkish): www.aa.com.tr/tr/gundem/mi...
Reposted by Sinem Adar
This transformation is a component of the security apparatus' broader reconfiguration. @nebahattanriverdi.bsky.social and I tried to draw attention to this in the following piece 👇
www.swp-berlin.org/publikation/...
www.swp-berlin.org/publikation/...
Rethinking Civil-Military Relations in Turkey
How Has the Security Landscape Changed under AKP Rule?
www.swp-berlin.org
January 8, 2026 at 9:49 AM
This transformation is a component of the security apparatus' broader reconfiguration. @nebahattanriverdi.bsky.social and I tried to draw attention to this in the following piece 👇
www.swp-berlin.org/publikation/...
www.swp-berlin.org/publikation/...
Reposted by Sinem Adar
Ibrahim Kalin's article for the 99th anniversary of Turkey's National Intelligence Org. (MIT) underlines the central role that the institution plays in conducting foreign-policy. As such, it manifests the transformation of MIT in the last decade or so under the leadership of Hakan Fidan.
January 8, 2026 at 9:49 AM
Ibrahim Kalin's article for the 99th anniversary of Turkey's National Intelligence Org. (MIT) underlines the central role that the institution plays in conducting foreign-policy. As such, it manifests the transformation of MIT in the last decade or so under the leadership of Hakan Fidan.
Ibrahim Kalin's article for the 99th anniversary of Turkey's National Intelligence Org. (MIT) underlines the central role that the institution plays in conducting foreign-policy. As such, it manifests the transformation of MIT in the last decade or so under the leadership of Hakan Fidan.
January 8, 2026 at 9:49 AM
Ibrahim Kalin's article for the 99th anniversary of Turkey's National Intelligence Org. (MIT) underlines the central role that the institution plays in conducting foreign-policy. As such, it manifests the transformation of MIT in the last decade or so under the leadership of Hakan Fidan.
"The United States will remain the most economically and militarily powerful country in the world for several more years. But it will be absent from, if not actively hostile toward, the existing international order. This unique configuration is not multipolarity but rather the world minus one."
January 5, 2026 at 2:37 PM
"The United States will remain the most economically and militarily powerful country in the world for several more years. But it will be absent from, if not actively hostile toward, the existing international order. This unique configuration is not multipolarity but rather the world minus one."
"“The idea that because drugs are coming from a country justifies an invasion and a change of administration in that country gets rid of any kind of limits on the use of force,” she [Oona Hathaway] said. The US action was a breach of international law unlike any before, she said."
January 5, 2026 at 9:18 AM
"“The idea that because drugs are coming from a country justifies an invasion and a change of administration in that country gets rid of any kind of limits on the use of force,” she [Oona Hathaway] said. The US action was a breach of international law unlike any before, she said."
Clearly, the US could not have offered Maduro the opportunity to leave the country for Turkey without Ankara's knowledge. This is not surprising as aligning with the Trump administration is a priority (arguably also a necessity) for Erdogan, despite contrary voices within the regime.
January 4, 2026 at 1:26 PM
Clearly, the US could not have offered Maduro the opportunity to leave the country for Turkey without Ankara's knowledge. This is not surprising as aligning with the Trump administration is a priority (arguably also a necessity) for Erdogan, despite contrary voices within the regime.
Reposted by Sinem Adar
For me, the document is an official acknowledgement of the Trump administration's revolutionary mindset to remake the international system so that the US maintains its superiority.
December 5, 2025 at 3:59 PM
For me, the document is an official acknowledgement of the Trump administration's revolutionary mindset to remake the international system so that the US maintains its superiority.