Category Archives: Uncategorized

Idlib Ceasefire: Only a Respite

Posted on March 8, 2020 by Ali Tuygan

March 8, 2020 On March 6, Presidents of Russia and Turkey met in Moscow. In remarks to the press before their meeting, President Putin said the situation in Idlib has deteriorated so much that the two leaders needed to have … Continue reading →

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An Ultimatum That Boomeranged

Posted on March 3, 2020 by Ali Tuygan

(Co-authored with Yusuf Buluç)[i] The people of Turkey held their breath on the eve of the deadline set in the ultimatum  President Erdoğan served on the Syrian regime promising severe military punishment if  its forces  were not to withdraw to … Continue reading →

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Turkey’s Narrowing Horizons

Posted on February 27, 2020 by Ali Tuygan

February 27, 2020 In the fall of 1966, I took a series of exams to join the Turkish Foreign Ministry. Among other things, we were asked to comment on a widely used metaphor, “Turkey is a bridge between East and … Continue reading →

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Idlib: Raising the Stakes to What End?

Posted on February 20, 2020 by Ali Tuygan

(Co-authored with Yusuf Buluç)[i] February 20, 2020 Ten days ago, President Putin had a telephone conversation with President Erdogan at Turkish side’s initiative. A statement by the Kremlin said that the two leaders noted the importance of the full implementation … Continue reading →

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Idlib Problem Reaching Boiling Point

Posted on February 6, 2020 by Ali Tuygan

February 6, 2020 The agreement reached in May 2017 by Russia, Iran and Turkey in Astana called for the cessation of hostilities between rebel groups and regime forces in four “de-escalation” zones in the mainly opposition-held areas of Syria with … Continue reading →

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“Deal of the Century”

Posted on February 2, 2020 by Ali Tuygan

February 2, 2020 Last week, I watched President Trump’s and Prime Minister Netanyahu’s White House remarks on television. I also read the transcript[i]. President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke for 47 minutes. During those 47 minutes there were 71 … Continue reading →

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The Montreux Convention: Russia’s Perspective

Posted on January 28, 2020 by Ali Tuygan

January 28, 2020 “Canal İstanbul”, first introduced to the public as a “crazy project” by Turkey’s Justice and Development Party (JDP) Government, has become the subject of an increasingly heated discussion. Among the various aspects of the project currently debated … Continue reading →

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Another Chapter in the Libya Lesson

Posted on January 20, 2020 by Ali Tuygan

January 20, 2020 The motto for Arab spring strife has always been “there is no military solution to the conflict”. Yet, the pattern of behavior has always been the opposite and this started with Libya. Measures taken by governments to … Continue reading →

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Iran-US Confrontation with Iraq in the Middle

Posted on January 8, 2020 by Ali Tuygan

January 8, 2020 President Obama made his intention to engage Iran public in his landmark Cairo speech on June 4, 2009, well before the election of Hassan Rouhani. He said:  “…For many years, Iran has defined itself in part by … Continue reading →

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The Middle East: A Disheartening Beginning for the New Decade

Posted on January 5, 2020 by Ali Tuygan

January 5, 2020 The Iraq-Iran war started on September 22, 1980. It lasted eight years. In August 1991 Iraq invaded Kuwait. A massive US-led military campaign forced Iraq to withdraw in February 1991. It was followed by years of no-fly … Continue reading →

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