Category Archives: Uncategorized

Ripple Effect of the Syrian Conflict

Posted on March 25, 2016 by Ali Tuygan

March 25, 2016 In early February scientists announced that they had finally detected gravitational waves, the ripples in the fabric of space and time that Einstein predicted a century ago. They are only to be congratulated. Their achievement must have … Continue reading →

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Turkey-EU Migrant/Refugee Deal

Posted on March 20, 2016 by Ali Tuygan

March 20, 2016 The EU-Turkey Statement of March 18,2016 starts with these two paragraphs (*): “Today the Members of the European Council met with their Turkish counterpart. This was the third meeting since November 2015 dedicated to deepening Turkey-EU relations … Continue reading →

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Turkey’s Descent

Posted on March 16, 2016 by Ali Tuygan

March 16, 2016 Terrorist attacks continue to claim rising numbers of innocent lives. The word “gridlock” can hardly describe the political atmosphere. The country is polarized like it has never been. Foreign and security policies are in shambles. Tourism, a … Continue reading →

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Turkey, European Union and the Refugees

Posted on March 8, 2016 by Ali Tuygan

March 8, 2016 The 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees defines the refugee as someone who is unable or unwilling to return to his/her country of origin owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of … Continue reading →

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Syria: “Cessation of Hostilities”

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Ali Tuygan

February 29, 2016 On February 22, the United States and the Russian Federation, Co-Chairs of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG), issued the “Joint Statement on Cessation of Hostilities in Syria”. As a first reaction, even the most optimistic observers … Continue reading →

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Turkey’s Relations with Russia

Posted on February 23, 2016 by Ali Tuygan

February 23, 2016 On November 24, 2015 Turkish fighter jets downed a Russian Su-24 warplane for having violated Turkish airspace and the incident has led to a major setback in bilateral relations as well as regional complications (*). This is … Continue reading →

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Middle East in the Grip of Polarization

Posted on February 18, 2016 by Ali Tuygan

February 18, 2016 The Middle East, in the grip of polarization, is going through a most violent period. Syria is being torn apart. Iraq is far from peace and stability. Egypt remains unsettled. Tunisia continues to face a multitude of … Continue reading →

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Synopsis: Turkey’s Foreign Relations

Posted on February 16, 2016 by Ali Tuygan

February 16, 2016 This is an attempt to describe, as briefly as possible, state of Turkey’s foreign relations. US-Turkey: Exasperation. Russia-Turkey: For the optimist the word of choice could be “tension”, for the pessimist “enmity”. China-Turkey: Apprehension. NATO-Turkey: Mistrust. EU-Turkey: … Continue reading →

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Combatting ISIL Remains a Formidable Task

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Ali Tuygan

Co-authored with Yusuf Buluc (*) February 10, 2016 On February 4, 2016 Brigadier General Ahmed Asseri, an adviser to the Saudi Defense Minister and also spokesman for the Saudi-led Arab coalition in Yemen reportedly stated, during an interview, that the … Continue reading →

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Geneva III: A Rocky Start

Posted on February 3, 2016 by Ali Tuygan

February 3, 2016 The road map for Syrian political transition which the UN Security Council (UNSC) approved through Resolution 2254 envisaged the Syrian government and the opposition engaging in formal negotiations in early January 2016. It also envisaged a nationwide … Continue reading →

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