Modern Middle East History

A memorandum was signed on Thursday by Russia, Iran, and Turkey to create four safe “de-escalation zones” in Syria. If the memorandum is successful, it would be one of most extensive steps in ending bloodshed in the war.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/04/world/middleeast/russia-iran-turkey-syria-de-escalation-zones.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fmiddleeast&action=click&contentCollection=middleeast&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront

Iraq has opened a front in Western Mosul in an attempt to combat ISIS. The ISIS forces have been fighting the counterterrorist group for seventeen months now, leaving hundreds of thousands of civilians on an “urban battlefield.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/04/world/middleeast/iraqi-forces-west-mosul-isis.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fworld&action=click&contentCollection=world&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=sectionfront&_r=0

Putin and Erdogan meet in Sochi and agree on boosting trade and on need for a political solution in Syria. The pair agreed on relations after Ankara shot down a Russian fighter jet near Syria in 2015. Still on opposing sides in the Syria conflict they discussed options and solutions.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/05/putin-russia-turkey-recovery-process-complete-170503132739657.html

President Trump spoke Wednesday with President Mahmoud Abbas of Palestine. The meeting which took place at the White House, was in hopes to work out a final peace agreement between Palestine and Israel. This issue is one that has been highly contested and fought over for many years. As Trump offers to be a mediator between the two countries, it still will take a great deal of deliberation and compromise if this peace agreement is to be finally accomplished.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/03/politics/abbas-trump-white-house-meeting/index.html

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-39723371

Turkey  suspended more than 9,000 officers over alleged links to the US-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen. They ruled it to be a matter of national security. The Turkish government believed that the police force had been infiltrated by secret Gulen networks, and it is spectated that more arrests are to come. Europe has called these mass detentions to be a cause for concern, and the event have stalled Turkey’s bid for a spot in the EU.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-39628860

Israel explains that it will not negotiate with over 1,000 Palestinian detainees who started a mass hunger strike against the conditions of Israeli jails. Marwan Barghouti who is a Palestinian leader jailed during the second Palestinian uprising led the strike. The Palestinian prisoners are seeking better conditions such as more contact with relatives as well as an end to Israel’s practice of detentions without trials.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/18/turkey-should-investigate-referendum-vote-irregularities-says-eu-commission

In the referendum on April 16, Turkey voted to become an executive presidency, placing more power in the executive branch.  However, due to the vast constitutional changes that the referendum approved and the close nature of the victory, the EU called for a recount, also due to some possible irregularities in the voting process.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/04/turkey-referendum-ak-party-claims-victory-170416162645193.html

Erdogan’s party, the Justice and Development party of AK party won Turkey’s referendum with 51% of the vote. This referendum changes the government from a Parliamentary system to Executive presidency, which the opposing party states gives too much power to the president. The changes will give the president the power to appoint members of higher level offices, dissolve parliament, and declare emergencies/decrees. The changes will start in 2019.

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/interactive/2017/03/turkey-change-votes-april-16-170329120509568.html

On April , Turkish citizens will vote in a referendum on whether the powers of the president are extended, abolishing the position of Prime Minister, which the current president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan argues will benefit the country.  The referendum will dissolve the position of Prime Minister and the presidency will absorb his duties, as well as introducing the position of Vice President.  This can be interpreted as an action to somewhat better handle crisis situations, streamlining and cutting the judiciary branch, and expanding the legislative branch.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-39406923

The Syrian Democratic Force, backed by the U.S., is battling Islamic State forces for control of the Taqba Dam on Lake Assad in Syria, a vital hydroelectric power station and water reservoir that supplies much of Syria.  Recently, the IS claimed that coalition airstrikes had damaged vital components of the dam, endangering all those living in the “wash zone” under the damn and for many miles.  Operations to secure this vital IS headquarters have halted in order for coalition forces to ensure the dam’s integrity.