Author Archives: Sinan Ciddi

Sinan Ciddi is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, where he contributes to its Turkey Program  and Center on Economic and Financial Power. You can follow Sinan on X @sinanciddi.
Venezuela Turkey flags

Turkey’s extensive ties with Venezuela bolstered Maduro’s regime despite sanctions and criminal activity

| January 5, 2026

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan long served as a key external backer of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, providing diplomatic protection, economic engagement, and sanctions-evasion pathways that helped sustain Maduro’s regime amid international isolation. Following Maduro’s capture by US forces on January 3, Turkey’s past role as a potential haven and logistical lifeline may come under sharper scrutiny, though Erdogan has notably avoided public criticism of Washington.

IDF reveals Hamas financial network operating in Turkey

| December 8, 2025

The Israeli military and Shin Bet reported on a Hamas financial network operating in Turkey under direct Iranian supervision and moving hundreds of millions of dollars through Turkish-based money changers to fund terrorism. Three key operatives based in Turkey were identified as managing large-scale financial activity for Hamas. Israeli officials warned that any entity linked to this network will face consequences and criticized the concept of a NATO member enabling Iran-backed terror financing.

Israel port

Turkey implements barriers to prevent shipping to and from Israel

| August 25, 2025

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 President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described as “a new sanction” over the Gaza war. The measures follow earlier trade suspensions worth $7 billion and restrictions on exports after Israel rejected Ankara’s request to deliver aid by air. The policy has already blocked Israeli-owned vessels and, according to Israeli officials, breaches existing trade agreements, though Israel has yet to issue a formal response.

Turkey’s new precision weapons stoke regional tensions

| August 7, 2025

Turkey’s unveiling of the Tayfun Block-4 missile and Gazap and Hayalet bunker-buster bombs at IDEF 2025 marks a major leap in its offensive capabilities, alarming Israel, Greece, and Cyprus, all within range of these systems. While Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan frames the advances as a march toward defense self-reliance, regional rivals view them as tools for expanding Ankara’s geopolitical reach in the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East.

Analysis: The PKK abandons armed struggle

| May 17, 2025

The PKK, the Kurdish separatist group that has waged a decades-long secessionist movement inside Turkey, recently announced its decision to lay down its weapons and likely abandon its cause. However, the conditions of the compromise the opposing sides have reached are shrouded in secrecy, and many wonder if lasting peace will be achieved. Peace between the PKK and Turkey will have regional implications spanning the stability of Syria, Iraq, and Iran.

Abdi and Sharaa

Analysis: Why did Syria’s Kurds sign a deal with the new regime?

| March 11, 2025

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) signed an agreement with Syria’s interim government, integrating the SDF’s 100,000-strong, mostly Kurdish force into the new Syrian military. The deal likely represents a calculated risk by the SDF to curtail Turkish aggression, especially if the US withdraws from the country.