Category Archives: Uncategorized

2013 German Federal Election – 2015 Turkish Parliamentary Election

Posted on August 12, 2015 by Ali Tuygan

12 August 2015 The last German federal election was held on Sunday, September 22, 2013. The Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) led by Chancellor Merkel won nearly 42% of the vote and nearly 50% of the seats in the … Continue reading →

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The Middle East: More Confusing Than Ever…

Posted on August 10, 2015 by Ali Tuygan

10 August 2015 Contrary to initial expectations the Arab Spring brought further chaos to a region already troubled by unresolved conflicts; beset by internal political, economic and social problems. But widening sectarian clashes and the emergence of ISIL have added … Continue reading →

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Turkey’s Syria Conundrum

Posted on August 3, 2015 by Ali Tuygan

3 August 2015 A country’s foreign policy is shaped by its identity, sense of belonging, world outlook and geographic location. This last one is a constant; others are subject to evolution, change and definition/redefinition within the limits of reason. The … Continue reading →

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Turkey’s Metamorphosis

Posted on July 28, 2015 by Ali Tuygan

28 July 2015 The EU summit held in Brussels on December 17, 2004 decided that accession negotiations with Turkey would start on October 3, 2005. The process was accordingly launched at the Luxembourg Intergovernmental Conference. This was two years after … Continue reading →

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US-Russia Relations: Compartmentalization of Issues

Posted on July 23, 2015 by Ali Tuygan

23 July 2015 I have tried for long to underline the need for US-Russia cooperation in finding peaceful solutions to problems which top the international agenda, in particular in the Middle East. Ever since the Ukraine conflict became a major … Continue reading →

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Coming Events Cast Their Shadows Before

Posted on July 22, 2015 by Ali Tuygan

22 July 2015 A suicide bombing killed 32 people and wounded more than a 100 in the town of Suruç on Turkey’s border with Syria. Am I grieved? Of course I am. Am I disturbed? Of course I am. Am … Continue reading →

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Iran Nuclear Deal Is a Win for All

Posted on July 18, 2015 by Ali Tuygan

July 18, 2015 Co-authored with Yusuf Buluc (*) July 14 will no longer be remembered only as the French National Day commemorating the storming of the Bastille. It will also be remembered as the day of the nuclear deal with … Continue reading →

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Combating ISIL

Posted on July 9, 2015 by Ali Tuygan

9 July 2015 On July 6, 2015 President Obama delivered remarks after meeting with military leaders at the Pentagon to discuss US strategy to degrade and defeat the Islamic State (ISIL). Here are key quotes from his remarks and a … Continue reading →

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Signs of Stress in the Anti-Assad Coalition

Posted on July 3, 2015 by Ali Tuygan

3 July 2015 US Defense Secretary Ash Carter and General Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff recently told the House Armed Services Committee that: • Assad appears to be weakening and on the defensive, • There are … Continue reading →

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Dealing with Middle East Violence

Posted on June 29, 2015 by Ali Tuygan

29 June 2015 Four years after the killing of Usame bin Laden, Al Qaida, far from being eradicated, has new footholds in the Middle East. Its offshoot IS now controls swaths of territory in Iraq and Syria, extending its reach … Continue reading →

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