Levent Kemal
@leventkemal.bsky.social
Journalist - Analyst Conflict zones, terrorism, and security
Bylines at @MiddleEastEye @AJStudies @ActaFabulae
Circassian
Bylines at @MiddleEastEye @AJStudies @ActaFabulae
Circassian
My latest:
Turkey eyes second-hand Eurofighter jets from Qatar
• Sources say Ankara close to securing a deal as Turkey’s defence minister visits Doha
With Ragıp Soylu
t.co/eSRe59QEC5
Turkey eyes second-hand Eurofighter jets from Qatar
• Sources say Ankara close to securing a deal as Turkey’s defence minister visits Doha
With Ragıp Soylu
t.co/eSRe59QEC5
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-eyes-second-hand-eurofighter-jets-qatar
t.co
October 7, 2025 at 5:09 PM
My latest:
Turkey eyes second-hand Eurofighter jets from Qatar
• Sources say Ankara close to securing a deal as Turkey’s defence minister visits Doha
With Ragıp Soylu
t.co/eSRe59QEC5
Turkey eyes second-hand Eurofighter jets from Qatar
• Sources say Ankara close to securing a deal as Turkey’s defence minister visits Doha
With Ragıp Soylu
t.co/eSRe59QEC5
Rabbi Henry Hamra has become a parliamentary candidate in Syria. He will be standing in tomorrow's elections. If Henry Hamra is elected as a member of parliament, he will be the first Jewish member of parliament elected since 1940.
October 4, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Rabbi Henry Hamra has become a parliamentary candidate in Syria. He will be standing in tomorrow's elections. If Henry Hamra is elected as a member of parliament, he will be the first Jewish member of parliament elected since 1940.
My column:
Trump and Blair’s proposed transitional rule for Gaza risks repeating Iraq’s mistakes: dismantling local structures, deepening anger, radicalization and fueling future conflict. www.turkiyetoday.com/opinion/trum...
Trump and Blair’s proposed transitional rule for Gaza risks repeating Iraq’s mistakes: dismantling local structures, deepening anger, radicalization and fueling future conflict. www.turkiyetoday.com/opinion/trum...
Trump’s Gaza plan may lead to new wave of radicalization like Bremer’s CPA - Türkiye Today
Trump's fragile Gaza ceasefire plan may lead to a new wave of radicalization in Palestine, argues Türkiye Today contributor Levent Kemal
www.turkiyetoday.com
October 1, 2025 at 9:38 AM
My column:
Trump and Blair’s proposed transitional rule for Gaza risks repeating Iraq’s mistakes: dismantling local structures, deepening anger, radicalization and fueling future conflict. www.turkiyetoday.com/opinion/trum...
Trump and Blair’s proposed transitional rule for Gaza risks repeating Iraq’s mistakes: dismantling local structures, deepening anger, radicalization and fueling future conflict. www.turkiyetoday.com/opinion/trum...
Our article with Ömer Özkızılcık for Atlantic Council about economic engagement between Syria & Turkey.
Turkey–Syria trade hits $2B in 2025, with $14B pledged for reconstruction and new pipelines powering ties. www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menaso...
Turkey–Syria trade hits $2B in 2025, with $14B pledged for reconstruction and new pipelines powering ties. www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menaso...
Is a new era of Turkey-Syria economic engagement on the horizon?
The convergence of Turkey's and the Gulf's economic strategies in Syria presents an opportunity for Washington.
www.atlanticcouncil.org
September 25, 2025 at 5:39 AM
Our article with Ömer Özkızılcık for Atlantic Council about economic engagement between Syria & Turkey.
Turkey–Syria trade hits $2B in 2025, with $14B pledged for reconstruction and new pipelines powering ties. www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menaso...
Turkey–Syria trade hits $2B in 2025, with $14B pledged for reconstruction and new pipelines powering ties. www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menaso...
Gazans have been fighting, dying, displacing and starved, and for two years the world has done nothing but talk.
September 23, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Gazans have been fighting, dying, displacing and starved, and for two years the world has done nothing but talk.
Our exclusive report with
@ragipsoylu.bsky.social:
Turkey to train Niger army in fight against militant groups.
- Ankara plans to send battle-hardened military advisers to Niamey as Turkish government crafts a Sahel strategy to deepen relations
www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-...
@ragipsoylu.bsky.social:
Turkey to train Niger army in fight against militant groups.
- Ankara plans to send battle-hardened military advisers to Niamey as Turkish government crafts a Sahel strategy to deepen relations
www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-...
Exclusive: Turkey to train Niger army in fight against militant groups
Ankara plans to send battle-hardened military advisers to Niamey as Turkish government crafts a Sahel strategy to deepen relations
www.middleeasteye.net
September 22, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Our exclusive report with
@ragipsoylu.bsky.social:
Turkey to train Niger army in fight against militant groups.
- Ankara plans to send battle-hardened military advisers to Niamey as Turkish government crafts a Sahel strategy to deepen relations
www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-...
@ragipsoylu.bsky.social:
Turkey to train Niger army in fight against militant groups.
- Ankara plans to send battle-hardened military advisers to Niamey as Turkish government crafts a Sahel strategy to deepen relations
www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-...
My latest: Israel admits it has no precise intel on Hamas or hostages in Gaza City.
Yet it’s using robots, tanks & paratroopers to crush the city — treating every civilian as Hamas.
This is collective punishment, not counterterrorism.
www.middleeasteye.net/news/how-isr...
Yet it’s using robots, tanks & paratroopers to crush the city — treating every civilian as Hamas.
This is collective punishment, not counterterrorism.
www.middleeasteye.net/news/how-isr...
How Israel is using robots, exploding vehicles and paratroopers to erase Gaza City
Israeli officers say the army doesn’t have precise intel on Hamas or captives, but driving the Palestinians to the south is a clear objective
www.middleeasteye.net
September 19, 2025 at 5:54 PM
My latest: Israel admits it has no precise intel on Hamas or hostages in Gaza City.
Yet it’s using robots, tanks & paratroopers to crush the city — treating every civilian as Hamas.
This is collective punishment, not counterterrorism.
www.middleeasteye.net/news/how-isr...
Yet it’s using robots, tanks & paratroopers to crush the city — treating every civilian as Hamas.
This is collective punishment, not counterterrorism.
www.middleeasteye.net/news/how-isr...
Russia’s drone strikes in Poland show Cold War deterrence is broken. NATO shoots them down at huge cost, while Moscow bets the West has “a sharp sword but a shaky hand.”
Deterrence now needs not just weapons but political courage and cheaper defences. www.economist.com/internationa...
Deterrence now needs not just weapons but political courage and cheaper defences. www.economist.com/internationa...
Cold war deterrence doesn’t work any more
Why the West is finding it so hard to deter China and Russia
www.economist.com
September 17, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Russia’s drone strikes in Poland show Cold War deterrence is broken. NATO shoots them down at huge cost, while Moscow bets the West has “a sharp sword but a shaky hand.”
Deterrence now needs not just weapons but political courage and cheaper defences. www.economist.com/internationa...
Deterrence now needs not just weapons but political courage and cheaper defences. www.economist.com/internationa...
Israel Is Orchestrating an Economic Collapse in the West Bank
· Israel revoked 115,000 Palestinian work permits
· Unemployment >30% (was 12.9%)
· Israel withheld nearly $2.3B in Palestinian tax revenues
· PA debt soared to $13B (130% of GDP)
foreignpolicy.com/2025/09/17/i...
· Israel revoked 115,000 Palestinian work permits
· Unemployment >30% (was 12.9%)
· Israel withheld nearly $2.3B in Palestinian tax revenues
· PA debt soared to $13B (130% of GDP)
foreignpolicy.com/2025/09/17/i...
Israel Is Orchestrating an Economic Collapse in the West Bank
Job losses are only one factor in the equation driving its financial decline.
foreignpolicy.com
September 17, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Israel Is Orchestrating an Economic Collapse in the West Bank
· Israel revoked 115,000 Palestinian work permits
· Unemployment >30% (was 12.9%)
· Israel withheld nearly $2.3B in Palestinian tax revenues
· PA debt soared to $13B (130% of GDP)
foreignpolicy.com/2025/09/17/i...
· Israel revoked 115,000 Palestinian work permits
· Unemployment >30% (was 12.9%)
· Israel withheld nearly $2.3B in Palestinian tax revenues
· PA debt soared to $13B (130% of GDP)
foreignpolicy.com/2025/09/17/i...
In summer, Steve Witkoff met UAE royal Sheikh Tahnoon, who controls $1.5T in wealth. Soon after, Tahnoon’s firm invested $2B in a Trump-linked crypto startup, and the White House approved Emirati access to vast numbers of advanced AI chips. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/15/u...
Anatomy of Two Giant Deals: The U.A.E. Got Chips. The Trump Team Got Crypto Riches.
www.nytimes.com
September 17, 2025 at 10:53 AM
In summer, Steve Witkoff met UAE royal Sheikh Tahnoon, who controls $1.5T in wealth. Soon after, Tahnoon’s firm invested $2B in a Trump-linked crypto startup, and the White House approved Emirati access to vast numbers of advanced AI chips. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/15/u...
The Lies America Tells Itself About the Middle East t.co/V0fJuxZl7j
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/lies-america-tells-itself-about-middle-east-gaza
t.co
September 17, 2025 at 10:52 AM
The Lies America Tells Itself About the Middle East t.co/V0fJuxZl7j
NEW: Kurdish refugee camp to be evacuated under Turkey, Iraq deal
• Makhmour Camp, seen by Ankara as a PKK stronghold, will be emptied by September under a Turkey-Iraq-KRG agreement, sources say www.middleeasteye.net/news/kurdish...
• Makhmour Camp, seen by Ankara as a PKK stronghold, will be emptied by September under a Turkey-Iraq-KRG agreement, sources say www.middleeasteye.net/news/kurdish...
Kurdish refugee camp to be evacuated under Turkey, Iraq deal
Makhmour Camp, seen by Ankara as a PKK stronghold, will be emptied by September under a Turkey-Iraq-KRG agreement, sources say
www.middleeasteye.net
August 11, 2025 at 4:05 PM
NEW: Kurdish refugee camp to be evacuated under Turkey, Iraq deal
• Makhmour Camp, seen by Ankara as a PKK stronghold, will be emptied by September under a Turkey-Iraq-KRG agreement, sources say www.middleeasteye.net/news/kurdish...
• Makhmour Camp, seen by Ankara as a PKK stronghold, will be emptied by September under a Turkey-Iraq-KRG agreement, sources say www.middleeasteye.net/news/kurdish...
The UK is still flying surveillance missions over Gaza to help Israel - despite mass civilian deaths and starvation.
RAF Shadow R1s flew from Cyprus, gathering intel, as the MoD stays silent on current aircraft.
www.thetimes.com/uk/defence/a...
RAF Shadow R1s flew from Cyprus, gathering intel, as the MoD stays silent on current aircraft.
www.thetimes.com/uk/defence/a...
RAF still carrying out surveillance flights over Gaza for Israel
The UK is handing over intelligence from British spy planes to ‘help find the remaining hostages’ in the Palestinian territory, government sources confirm
www.thetimes.com
August 6, 2025 at 2:46 PM
The UK is still flying surveillance missions over Gaza to help Israel - despite mass civilian deaths and starvation.
RAF Shadow R1s flew from Cyprus, gathering intel, as the MoD stays silent on current aircraft.
www.thetimes.com/uk/defence/a...
RAF Shadow R1s flew from Cyprus, gathering intel, as the MoD stays silent on current aircraft.
www.thetimes.com/uk/defence/a...
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Levent Kemal
I try to work as an independent journalist and have published numerous high-profile reports and reports on conflict zones and security issues. Journalism is a passion for me. If I can get sponsorship,
buymeacoffee.com
August 6, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Support journalism.
Those who want to help me to continue my journalism activities can support me by clicking on the link.
>> buymeacoffee.com/tklvnttkb
Those who want to help me to continue my journalism activities can support me by clicking on the link.
>> buymeacoffee.com/tklvnttkb
Before Afrin operation, Turkish officials told YPG leaders “When states reach an agreement, it's only a matter of time before organizations like you cease to exist.”
But YPG, confident in continued Russian support, refused to withdraw from Afrin.
It's a similar situation now.
But YPG, confident in continued Russian support, refused to withdraw from Afrin.
It's a similar situation now.
July 31, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Before Afrin operation, Turkish officials told YPG leaders “When states reach an agreement, it's only a matter of time before organizations like you cease to exist.”
But YPG, confident in continued Russian support, refused to withdraw from Afrin.
It's a similar situation now.
But YPG, confident in continued Russian support, refused to withdraw from Afrin.
It's a similar situation now.
I’ve never been one of those who study radicalism without ever speaking to a single radical, or who claim expertise on conflict zones they’ve never visited or visit only once a year. Nor do I produce so-called exclusive stories based solely on open sources. I make a point of avoiding that approach.
July 4, 2025 at 7:37 AM
I’ve never been one of those who study radicalism without ever speaking to a single radical, or who claim expertise on conflict zones they’ve never visited or visit only once a year. Nor do I produce so-called exclusive stories based solely on open sources. I make a point of avoiding that approach.
Reposted by Levent Kemal
Forces from Zawiya have entered the capital and are attacking pro-Dabeiba forces in western Tripoli.
Haftar is sending forces westward, stoking concerns he may try to exploit the conflict to return to western Libya.
In short, the Dabeiba camp's attempt to consolidate power is backfiring big time.
Haftar is sending forces westward, stoking concerns he may try to exploit the conflict to return to western Libya.
In short, the Dabeiba camp's attempt to consolidate power is backfiring big time.
May 14, 2025 at 4:42 AM
Forces from Zawiya have entered the capital and are attacking pro-Dabeiba forces in western Tripoli.
Haftar is sending forces westward, stoking concerns he may try to exploit the conflict to return to western Libya.
In short, the Dabeiba camp's attempt to consolidate power is backfiring big time.
Haftar is sending forces westward, stoking concerns he may try to exploit the conflict to return to western Libya.
In short, the Dabeiba camp's attempt to consolidate power is backfiring big time.
The world is really changing. The former al-Qaeda leader is in Riyadh to meet the US president.
Ahmed al-Sharaa has arrived in Saudi capital Riyadh. bsky.app/profile/leve...
Ahmed al-Sharaa has arrived in Saudi capital Riyadh. bsky.app/profile/leve...
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is expected to visit Saudi Arabia tomorrow and meet with US President Trump.
May 13, 2025 at 8:21 PM
The world is really changing. The former al-Qaeda leader is in Riyadh to meet the US president.
Ahmed al-Sharaa has arrived in Saudi capital Riyadh. bsky.app/profile/leve...
Ahmed al-Sharaa has arrived in Saudi capital Riyadh. bsky.app/profile/leve...
Secretary Rubio will meet with Syria's Foreign Minister in Turkey - at NATO IFMM meeting in Antalya.
May 13, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Secretary Rubio will meet with Syria's Foreign Minister in Turkey - at NATO IFMM meeting in Antalya.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is expected to visit Saudi Arabia tomorrow and meet with US President Trump.
May 13, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is expected to visit Saudi Arabia tomorrow and meet with US President Trump.
Boko Haram launched an attack on a Nigerian army 153rd Special Forces Battalion base in the Marte area in Borno State, northeastern Nigeria, killing several soldiers and leaving others missing.
May 13, 2025 at 6:29 AM
Boko Haram launched an attack on a Nigerian army 153rd Special Forces Battalion base in the Marte area in Borno State, northeastern Nigeria, killing several soldiers and leaving others missing.
JNIM captured armorued vehicle from Burkinabe army. The JNIM is carrying out intensive attacks challenging the Burkinabe army.
April 25, 2025 at 5:12 PM
JNIM captured armorued vehicle from Burkinabe army. The JNIM is carrying out intensive attacks challenging the Burkinabe army.
As climate change opens up the Arctic and geopolitical interest grows, Turkey has joined the Svalbard agreement with strategic intent.
The US, China and now Turkey are expanding their footprint in the Arctic.
t.co/vmR3wZ9BLT
The US, China and now Turkey are expanding their footprint in the Arctic.
t.co/vmR3wZ9BLT
April 20, 2025 at 3:03 PM
As climate change opens up the Arctic and geopolitical interest grows, Turkey has joined the Svalbard agreement with strategic intent.
The US, China and now Turkey are expanding their footprint in the Arctic.
t.co/vmR3wZ9BLT
The US, China and now Turkey are expanding their footprint in the Arctic.
t.co/vmR3wZ9BLT
595 Palestinian children have been killed in Gaza since the collapse of the ceasefire on March 18.
April 20, 2025 at 8:54 AM
595 Palestinian children have been killed in Gaza since the collapse of the ceasefire on March 18.
The U.S. withdrawal is already underway, and Israeli attempts to halt it appear ineffective. Since early April, trucks have been seen entering American bases empty and leaving fully loaded, then crossing into Iraq—clear signs of a drawdown in progress. bsky.app/profile/leve...
April 16, 2025 at 2:43 PM
The U.S. withdrawal is already underway, and Israeli attempts to halt it appear ineffective. Since early April, trucks have been seen entering American bases empty and leaving fully loaded, then crossing into Iraq—clear signs of a drawdown in progress. bsky.app/profile/leve...