Steven A. Cook

Steven A. Cook is a columnist at Foreign Policy and the Eni Enrico Mattei senior fellow for Middle East and Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. His latest book is The End of Ambition: America’s Past, Present, and Future in the Middle East.

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Articles by Steven A. Cook
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan holds a joint press conference with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas after their meeting at the presidential complex in Ankara, Turkey.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan holds a joint press conference with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas after their meeting at the presidential complex in Ankara, Turkey.

What Does Turkey Actually Want?

Analysis
Steven A. Cook
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi embrace during a ceremonial reception at the presidential palace in New Delhi.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi embrace during a ceremonial reception at the presidential palace in New Delhi.

India Has Become a Middle Eastern Power

Argument
Steven A. Cook
Alireza Bigdeli, Ali Al-Yousef, and others cut a red ribbon outside of the Iranian Embassy building.
Alireza Bigdeli, Ali Al-Yousef, and others cut a red ribbon outside of the Iranian Embassy building.

Saudi-Iranian Rapprochement Has Failed to Bring De-escalation

Analysis
Steven A. Cook
Election officials prepare ballot papers for counting after the voting process on May 14, 2023 in Istanbul Turkey.
Election officials prepare ballot papers for counting after the voting process on May 14, 2023 in Istanbul Turkey.

Why Turkey Experts Got the Election All Wrong

Argument
Sinan Ciddi, Steven A. Cook
An image depicting former Saudi King Abdulaziz bin Saud (left), King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is seen on a building in Riyadh on April 16.
An image depicting former Saudi King Abdulaziz bin Saud (left), King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is seen on a building in Riyadh on April 16.

Saudi Arabia Is Extremely Popular in the Middle East

Analysis
Steven A. Cook
A large crowd waves Turkish flags in front of a billboard for Kemal Kilicdaroglu on the side of an apartment building.
A large crowd waves Turkish flags in front of a billboard for Kemal Kilicdaroglu on the side of an apartment building.

What if Kemal Kilicdaroglu Wins Turkey’s Election?

Analysis
Steven A. Cook
Austin and Gallant stand at podiums side by side next to each others' national flags.
Austin and Gallant stand at podiums side by side next to each others' national flags.

The U.S.-Israel Relationship No Longer Makes Sense

Argument
Steven A. Cook
A close-up photo of Netanyahu and Putin standing face to face and smiling at each other.
A close-up photo of Netanyahu and Putin standing face to face and smiling at each other.

The Deeper Reason Netanyahu Won’t Arm Ukraine Against Russia

Analysis
Steven A. Cook
Cavusoglu gestures with his hand while speaking. A Turkish flag can be seen behind him.
Cavusoglu gestures with his hand while speaking. A Turkish flag can be seen behind him.

What Everyone Gets Wrong About Turkey

Argument
Steven A. Cook
Fans hold a large banner featuring a Palestinian flag and the slogan "Free Palestine" in the stands.
Fans hold a large banner featuring a Palestinian flag and the slogan "Free Palestine" in the stands.

The Tragedy of Pro-Palestinian Activism at the World Cup

Argument
Steven A. Cook
Erdogan and Biden both smile while shaking hands. Biden appears to be laughing.
Erdogan and Biden both smile while shaking hands. Biden appears to be laughing.

How U.S. Support for Syrian Kurds Actually Benefits Erdogan

Argument
Steven A. Cook
Jared Kushner
Jared Kushner

Breaking History for No Good Reason

Review
Steven A. Cook
Construction works in hard hats and high-visibility vests stand around on a construction site with tall buildings in the background.
Construction works in hard hats and high-visibility vests stand around on a construction site with tall buildings in the background.

Stop Funding Sisi’s House of Cards

Argument
Steven A. Cook
Putin, Raisi, and Erdogan clasp each others' hands in a line facing toward the camera.
Putin, Raisi, and Erdogan clasp each others' hands in a line facing toward the camera.

Russia Still Has Willing Partners in the Middle East

Argument
Steven A. Cook, Beth Sanner
A close up of Erdogan's face is shown with the NATO logo behind it.
A close up of Erdogan's face is shown with the NATO logo behind it.

What Erdogan Gets by Being a Spoiler in NATO

Analysis
Steven A. Cook
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