Tag Archives: Arab Spring

Turkey’s Middle East Policy Coming Full Circle

Posted on December 6, 2021 by Ali Tuygan

December 6, 2021 The so-called “Friends of Syria Group”, now history, held its first meeting in Tunis on February 24, 2012.  On April 1, 2012, it met for the second time in Istanbul. Later that month in 2012, Turkey’s Foreign … Continue reading →

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The Arab Spring Nine Years On

Posted on December 2, 2019 by Ali Tuygan

  December 2, 2019 The Arab Spring began on December 17, 2010 in Tunisia as street vendor Mohammed Bouazizi set himself on fire to protest the arbitrary seizing of his vegetable stand by police. Mass protests forced President Zine El … Continue reading →

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“Putting Arab Soldiers on the Ground”

Posted on May 7, 2018 by Ali Tuygan

Co-authored with Yusuf Buluç (*) May 7, 2018 At his joint press conference with his French counterpart President Trump said: “And if I might add, the states and, as I alluded to — and countries that are in the area, … Continue reading →

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Orlando: A Collage of Views on the Background

Posted on June 20, 2016 by Ali Tuygan

June 20, 2016 Phrases like “radical Islam”, “jihadist terror”, “Islamic extremism” and “Islamophobia” have been with us for quite some time. The Orlando massacre must have galvanized the behind closed doors debate on them. And, while some use them openly … Continue reading →

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The Obama Legacy: A View from the Middle East

Posted on May 2, 2016 by Ali Tuygan

May 2, 2016 It was a few months before the 2008 US Presidential election. I was talking to my American colleague at UNESCO. I said to her that since American presidents’ decisions have global implications, democratic countries should also have … Continue reading →

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From Arab Spring to Europe’s Autumn of Refugees

Posted on September 3, 2015 by Ali Tuygan

September 3, 2015 The West has misread and mismanaged the Arab Spring. The first glaring mistake was the Sarkozy-led Libya intervention (*). PM Cameron readily became his partner and President Obama felt that he had to join in. In introducing … Continue reading →

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Middle East’s Vicious Circle

Posted on June 19, 2015 by Ali Tuygan

19 June 2015 The following is a key paragraph from “The Modern History of Iraq” by Phebe Marr: “Without substantial international support and lacking in understanding of Iraq or clear planning for Iraq’s future, the decision by the United States … Continue reading →

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