Warnings About the October 7 Attack, The Other Dimension

Posted on October 5, 2026 by Ali Tuygan

October 5, 2026

Three years ago, Hamas carried out a large-scale surprise attack against Israel during which1,200 people, mostly Israelis, were killed and  253 Israeli and foreign citizens were taken hostage.  

Since then, Prime Minister Netanyahu has been criticized for failing to foresee the attack, for not heeding the warnings, and for not taking the necessary measures to prevent it. During the past few weeks, with reports of warnings by the UAE and Egypt about an imminent Hamas attack, this criticism has gained a further dimension, creating a problem for Netanyahu ahead of the October 27  legislative elections which will determine the governing coalition.

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The 81st UNGA

Posted on September 28, 2026 by Ali Tuygan

September 28, 2026

On the first day of the 81st UNGA’s general debate, Secretary-General António Guterres delivered a remarkable speech underscoring today’s global and regional challenges. He started by pointing to the widening fault lines of the world. He mentioned that in the last decade, wars erupted with devastating consequences and dragged on with despicable cruelty.

He said that the global community’s path to a multipolar world is irreversible. He stressed his preference for a world built on interdependence – and sustained by a dense web of economic, political, social and technological connections; a world in which multiple centers of influence coexist within a common framework of international law and shared rules.

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Yemen’s Continuing Ordeal

Posted on September 22, 2026 by Ali Tuygan

The following is a post I had written eleven years ago. A decade later, the Middle East is again in turmoil. The OIC is nonexistent. Ankara must be a partner in peace, not in conflict.

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A Narrowing Window of Opportunity

Posted on September 21, 2026 by Ali Tuygan

September 21, 2026

In recent weeks, the Houthis, in a lightning offensive, have captured two key islands near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, giving them greater leverage over the critical maritime route. With two major maritime arteries nearly blocked, oil prices have skyrocketed, triggering worldwide anger. Moreover, a key Saudi Arabian pipeline to the Red Sea was shut down after being hit by drones launched from Iraq, creating further risks of disruption. Riyadh airport has been the target of a Houthi missile attack, and the US is unwilling to intervene. In brief, the Iran war is expanding into a broad regional conflict and the cost is rising.

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Towards Chaos

Posted on September 14, 2026 by Ali Tuygan

September 14, 2026

The war in Ukraine—Europe’s longest and deadliest conflict since World War II—continues to escalate. Many observers agree that this will be a tough winter for Ukrainians.

Earlier this year, the EU finalized a $100 billion loan for Ukraine. However, in late August, President Zelensky told European allies that Ukraine now faces an unexpectedly large defense budget shortfall and needs an additional $27 billion to get through the year. Zelensky’s request for additional funds is the latest signal that the war’s cost to Europe will continue to rise.

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Gazans to “Voluntarily Emigrate”

Posted on September 7, 2026 by Ali Tuygan

September 7, 2026

This is how I had concluded a post more than a year ago:

“Against the latest flurry of diplomacy, Mr. Netanyahu’s right-wing government remains determined that all Palestinians be expelled from Gaza, a project endorsed by President Trump. Both know that after 661 days of bloodshed, the war in Gaza has swept away any hope whatsoever of peaceful co-existence between the two peoples. The only question is “where would they go?” Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Trump must have some ideas. After all, in today’s world, there is little that money can’t buy. However, that would not be all.

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Europe’s Long War

Posted on August 31, 2026 by Ali Tuygan

August 31, 2026

On August 24, Ukraine celebrated the 35th anniversary of its independence.

The leaders of the Coalition of the Willing convened in Kyiv and via video conference to commemorate the occasion. In a co-chair’s statement, they noted that they were united in their continued support of Ukraine’s fight to defend its sovereignty, freedom, and territorial integrity.[i]

Marking the occasion, the European Commission also issued a statement of solidarity with Ukraine, which rightly underlined the bravery, resistance, and resilience of the Ukrainian people in the face of Russia’s war of aggression. It said that Ukraine belongs in the European family and the European Union and reaffirmed the unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.[ii]

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Russia-Türkiye Relations

Posted on August 24, 2026 by Ali Tuygan

August 24, 2026

On August 15, 2026, Russia’s Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova was asked about plans by the US and Türkiye to supply arms to Kyiv.

Referring to a “quite a considerable arsenal”, she said, “… these are countries which have been aspiring to play a special role in settling the Ukraine crisis and which have been saying that finding a political and diplomatic solution was their priority…” She also said that such a supply of arms would deal a severe blow to Russia’s bilateral relations with Washington and Ankara, adding that Moscow has asked both capitals for information on the matter.[i]

So far, neither capital has given a public response.

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Learning Again to Live With Wars

Posted on August 17, 2026 by Ali Tuygan

August 17, 2026

Since the collapse of the Ottoman Empire at the end of World War I, the Middle East has been traumatized by Western interventions, wars, power competition, and peace treaties among regional adversaries that have failed to embrace the broader region. In brief, its past century has been one of conflict.

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Türkiye at an Inflection Point

Posted on August 8, 2026 by Ali Tuygan

August 8, 2026

The victors of the First World War were determined to partition the Ottoman Empire and confine it to central Anatolia. On August 10, 1920, the “Sultan” signed the Treaty of Sèvres, the death sentence of the “Sick Man of Europe.”

When he landed in the Black Sea city of Samsun on May 19, 1919, to launch Türkiye’s War of Independence, Atatürk committed to fighting not only external powers but also internal adversaries who opposed change. Nonetheless, against a multitude of incredible difficulties, the commander who had led Turkish troops to victory in Gallipoli also led the War of Independence to a successful conclusion. With the Treaty of Lausanne signed on July 24, 1923, the Treaty of Sèvres was thrown into the dustbin of history. On October 29, 1923, the Turkish Republic was declared.

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