January 26, 2026
The US-Israel-led Western project to remake the Middle East started with the invasion of Iraq and continued with the regime change project in Libya, followed by Syria. In December 2024, the HTS seized the capital Damascus unopposed after a lightning advance that sent President Assad to Russia after a 13-year civil war and six decades of family rule.
Continue readingJanuary 19, 2026
The anti-regime protests in Iran were the top development of global attention over the past weeks. In the background was the nature of the Iranian regime, its controversial and confrontational regional outreach, which, to a large extent, resulted from the US invasion of Iraq, the Syrian conflict, regional rivalries, and the failure of the Iran nuclear deal. The last one compelled me to look back at the past.
Continue readingJanuary 12, 2026
The abduction of President Maduro and his being brought, handcuffed, to New York shocked the world. Yet President Trump’s press conference about Operation Absolute Resolve, American military might, and plans for Venezuelan oil was an even greater shock. During the past week, the US President has continued to stun the world, particularly Washington’s NATO allies.
Continue readingJanuary 7, 2026
With the US attack on Venezuela, Gaza and Ukraine have moved down the global agenda. Previously, there was a seesaw relationship between the two. When violence or “peace efforts” in one attracted attention, the other faded into the background. During the past week, they were hardly mentioned. Yet they are still with us, and the world does not need new reminders.
Continue readingJanuary 5, 2026
Saturday’s attack on Venezuela, the abduction of President Maduro, and his being brought, handcuffed, to New York was a shock to the world. This was a brazen violation of international law. Moreover, President Trump’s press conference about Operation Absolute Resolve and the future must have been a second, and even a greater shock.
Continue readingDecember 22, 2025
Last Friday, European Union leaders, after having failed to reach a consensus on using frozen Russian assets, decided to provide Ukraine with a 90-billion-euro loan over the next two years.
“We committed, we delivered,” said European Council President António Costa. “At the same time, we gave a mandate to the Commission to continue working on the Reparation Loan based on Russian immobilized assets. On top of that, we have agreed to roll over our sanctions against Russia.”
Continue readingDecember 15, 2025
In two weeks, the year 2025 will be behind us. The end of a year is a moment of reflection on the achievements, disappointments, and failures of the past twelve months and whether different paths could have been taken. In international relations, those who choose between “new chapters” and “the same old story” are world leaders, primarily among them the leaders of major powers. And “new chapters” are not easy to start writing.
Continue readingDecember 8, 2025
In recent years, Türkiye’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has increasingly lauded the country’s Ottoman past while being more reserved about its Republican achievements. Yes, AKP leaders visit the Atatürk Mausoleum every year to pay their respects on the anniversary of his passing, but they rarely emphasize his accomplishments. However, a quick look at history reveals that it was Atatürk’s military, political, and reformist leadership that ensured Türkiye’s survival and placed the country on a progressive path.
Continue readingDecember 1, 2025
Once his 28-point peace plan became public knowledge, President Trump gave Ukraine less than a week to accept it. He also said that President Zelensky had little choice but to agree to the plan. “He’ll have to like it. And if he doesn’t like it then they should just keep fighting,” Mr. Trump told reporters. To Ukrainians, this sounded like an ultimatum, and there was a backlash in Europe.
Continue readingNovember 22, 2025
President Trump’s 28-point Ukraine-Russia peace plan is now public knowledge, making it clear that since the August 15, 2025, Alaska summit, Washington and Moscow have remained engaged in behind-closed-doors diplomatic talks, working on the details of a peace deal, the basic parameters of which were agreed upon during that meeting.[i]
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Diplomatic Opinion - Ali Tuygan 