Category Archives: Uncategorized

A Call for Peace in Syria

Posted on February 7, 2023 by Ali Tuygan

January 7, 2023 In 2009, the communique issued at the end of the Damascus meeting of the “Turkish-Syrian High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council” referred to a “strategic partnership”, at the time a fashionable label for Türkiye’s external relationships. It mentioned common … Continue reading →

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The Middle East Sending Reminders

Posted on February 6, 2023 by Ali Tuygan

February 6, 2023 At the end of January Secretary of State Blinken visited Egypt where he met with Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and President El-Sisi. His remarks there were full of praise for Egypt and the strategic partnership between the … Continue reading →

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The Urgency of Avoiding Escalation in Ukraine

Posted on January 31, 2023 by Ali Tuygan

January 31, 2023 On January 25, Chancellor Scholz told the Bundestag that Germany will send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. For some, the German government was bowing to growing “international pressure”. For Mr. Scholz and others, the German government was … Continue reading →

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Western Disarray Over Leopard 2 Tanks Behind for Now

Posted on January 25, 2023 by Ali Tuygan

January 25, 2023 On January 20, the US-led Ukraine Defense Contact Group met at Ramstein Air Base in Germany under the chairmanship of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. The meeting, attended by more than fifty nations and NATO’s Secretary General … Continue reading →

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Waiting for the Turkish Elections

Posted on January 23, 2023 by Ali Tuygan

January 23, 2023 Although not yet officially announced, it appears that Türkiye will hold presidential and parliamentary elections on May 14, 2023. President Erdoğan is running for a third term and the group of six opposition parties known as the … Continue reading →

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Time to Energize Diplomacy

Posted on January 16, 2023 by Ali Tuygan

January 16, 2023 Last week, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited France, Italy, Britain, Canada, and the US. In the background was the war in Ukraine, China’s growing military might, North Korea’s becoming a de facto nuclear power, and Japan’s … Continue reading →

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The US and Peace in the Middle East

Posted on January 9, 2023 by Ali Tuygan

January 9, 2023 On January 3, 2023, US State Department Spokesman Ned Price, in response to a question regarding “the rapprochement between Turkey and the Syrian regime” said: “Well, as I understand it, this was a trilateral engagement involving Syria, … Continue reading →

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2023 Gets Off to a Difficult Start

Posted on January 2, 2023 by Ali Tuygan

January 2, 2023 The year 2022 was “annus horribilis” for Europe and to a lesser degree for the world. And its final few weeks did not augur well for 2023. China witnessed an incredible upsurge in Covid infections overwhelming hospitals. … Continue reading →

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2022: Year in Review

Posted on December 12, 2022 by Ali Tuygan

December 12, 2022 “Annus horribilis” is a phrase made famous by Queen Elizabeth II in a speech delivered near the end of 1992. At the time she was referring to the difficulties in the British royal family. The queen’s remarks … Continue reading →

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Putting France-US Relations Back on Track

Posted on December 5, 2022 by Ali Tuygan

December 5, 2022 Last week President Macron paid a state visit to Washington, the first of the Biden administration. In widely reported remarks, “France has jumped to the head of the queue,” said Professor Charles Kupchan, who was a senior … Continue reading →

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