Author Archives: Ali Tuygan

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About Ali Tuygan

Ali Tuygan is a graduate of the Faculty of Political Sciences of Ankara University. He joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in January 1967. Between various positions in Ankara, he served at the Turkish Embassy in Brussels, NATO International Staff, Turkish Embassies in Washington and Baghdad, and the Turkish Delegation to NATO. From 1986 to 1989 he was the Principal Private Secretary to the President of the Republic. He then served as ambassador to Ottawa, Riyadh, and Athens. In 1997 he was honored with a decoration by the Italian President. Between these assignments abroad he served twice as Deputy Undersecretary for Political Affairs. In 2004 he was appointed Undersecretary where he remained until the end of 2006 before going to his last foreign assignment as Ambassador to UNESCO. He retired in 2009. In April 2013 he published a book entitled “Gönüllü Diplomat, Dışişlerinde Kırk Yıl” (“Diplomat by Choice, Forty Years in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs”) in which he elaborated on the diplomatic profession and the main issues on the global agenda. He has published articles in Turkish periodicals and newspapers.

Turkey’s Syria Policy Coming Full Circle

October 10, 2017 The Syrian conflict is in its seventh year and much has changed after the Russian intervention. Gone are the days of the Friends of Syria Group meetings and international coalitions targeting regime change. This Group was formed … Continue reading

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The Uncertain Future of the Iran Nuclear Deal

October 6, 2017 On September 19, President Trump addressed the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly. He called the Iran nuclear deal an embarrassment to the US and said, “I don’t think you’ve heard the last of it … Continue reading

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Kurdistan Regional Government’s Referendum

September 26, 2017 During his meeting with President Erdogan on the margins of the UN General Assembly, President Trump heaped words of praise on his guest. “He’s running a very difficult part of the world,” Trump said. “He’s involved very, … Continue reading

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President Trump’s “Philosophical” UNGA Speech

September 20, 2017 On Tuesday, President Trump addressed the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for the first time (*). According to media reports based on White House and administration sources, this was going to be a “philosophical” speech. Yet, when … Continue reading

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UN’s Test with the Rohingya

September 15, 2017 On December 15, 2016, respected think-tank International Crisis Group published a report titled, “Myanmar: A New Muslim Insurgency in Rakhine State” (*). This was following the attacks on Border Guard Police (BGP) bases in Myanmar’s northern Rakhine … Continue reading

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A World in Conflict and Turkey

September 11, 2017 Asked in a Guardian interview whether he had known a more dangerous time in his 30-year career, NATO’s Secretary General Stoltenberg said: “It is more unpredictable, and it’s more difficult because we have so many challenges at … Continue reading

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From “Redlines” to “All Options on the Table”

September 4, 2017 In a world of transformation, diplomatic jargon is also undergoing change. Some key expressions no longer carry the weight they once did. 9:11 Terrorist attacks led to worldwide support for the US. The North Atlantic Council invoked … Continue reading

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Afghanistan: More of the Same

August 25, 2017 President Trump’s remarks on the strategy in Afghanistan and South Asia did not break new ground. The principal challenge, as before, remains Afghan leaders forging a united front not only to fight the Taliban, al-Qaeda, tribalism, warlordism … Continue reading

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German-Turkish Relations: The Downturn Continues

August 21, 2017 According to a recent Pew Research Center survey titled, “Publics Worldwide Unfavorable Toward Putin, Russia”, in few countries surveyed did people exhibit confidence in Putin to do the right thing regarding world affairs (1). Globally, a median … Continue reading

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World’s North Korea Conundrum

  August 13, 2017 Following his first meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at Mar-a-Lago on April 7, President Trump said, “… the relationship developed by President Xi and myself I think is outstanding…”  On July 30, a disappointed President … Continue reading

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