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.

Syria: Scant Hope for a Breakthrough

September 26, 2016 On February 22, 2016, the US and the Russian Federation, Co-Chairs of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG), issued the “Joint Statement on Cessation of Hostilities in Syria”. Six months later, in the absence of any progress, … Continue reading →

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Turkey’s Syria Policy: A Course Correction?

September 15, 2016 Turkey’s foray into the Syrian conflict has been, beyond a shadow of a doubt, our worst foreign policy blunder since the founding of the Republic in 1923. The political, security, economic, and trade costs are too obvious, … Continue reading →

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Syria: Reviving the “Cessation”

September 12, 2016 Ever since the rise of ISIL and Syria’s proxy wars compelled Moscow and Washington to engage in greater cooperation they have had three hurdles to tackle: • Breaking the deadlock over Assad’s future. • Persuading the regional … Continue reading →

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“Model Partnership”

August 7, 2016 As between people, there are numerous ways to characterize relations between states: bitterness, dislike, resentment, friction, animosity, enmity, hostility, cordiality, good-neighborliness, friendship, association, alliance. It goes without saying that in today’s complicated world of diverse interests, global … Continue reading →

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Turkey-US: The Uneasy Alliance

August 29, 2016 In his address to the United Nations General Assembly on September 24, 2013 President Obama said: “… And our approach to Egypt reflects a larger point: The United States will at times work with governments that do … Continue reading →

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Turkey Needs to Launch a Syria Inquiry

August 25, 2016 Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus met a group of journalists, professors and think tank representatives on August 15, 2016. He reportedly said: “Many of the things Turkey is facing today is the result of our Syria policy. … Continue reading →

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Vice President Biden’s Upcoming Visit to Turkey

August 22, 2016 On April 6, 2009 President Obama addressed the Turkish Parliament (1). His remarks were full of praise for Turkey. He said:                                 … Continue reading →

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Turkey’s Troubled Relations with Europe

August 15, 2016 In retrospect, one of EU’s major foreign and security policy mistakes was the blunting of whatever momentum Turkey’s accession process had. It goes without saying that this was also Turkey’s failure. Had both sides acted with foresight, … Continue reading →

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All Turkey Needs is to Return to the Democratic Path

August 4, 2016 It was only a decade ago that, despite lingering doubts and internal controversy, the EU launched accession negotiations with Turkey. Peoples of the region were following the process with envy. It was less than a decade ago … Continue reading →

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President Obama and the Middle East (2)

August 1, 2016 On July 28, 2016, David Nakamura of the Washington Post reported that President Obama took the stage at the Democratic National Convention at a time when the nation is more starkly polarized than before. The words “starkly … Continue reading →

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