Tag Archives: invasion of Iraq

Thirteenth Anniversary of the Syrian Uprising

Posted on March 18, 2024 by Ali Tuygan

March 18, 2024 On March 15, the Governments of France, Germany, the UK, and the US issued a statement on the occasion of the 13th anniversary of the Syrian uprising.[i] They said that on this day 13 years ago, “the … Continue reading →

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The Middle East, World’s Region of Conflict

Posted on February 12, 2024 by Ali Tuygan

February 12, 2024 US State Department’s Office of the Historian says that  Secretary of State Warren Christopher “eschewed confrontation in favor of negotiation with friend and foe alike”. Indeed, during his tenure as Secretary of State, from January 1993 to January … Continue reading →

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Iraq and Syria Refuse Being Made Punching Bags

Posted on February 5, 2024 by Ali Tuygan

February 5, 2024 On January 3, twin blasts near the burial site of Qasem Soleimani, the former head of Iran’s elite Quds Force, killed a hundred people and injured scores in the southern Iranian city of Kerman adding to concerns … Continue reading →

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Ankara’s Troubled Relations with Washington

Posted on January 29, 2024 by Ali Tuygan

January 29, 2024 Türkiye’s governing Justice and Development Party (AKP) came to power following the general election on November 2, 2002. This marked the end of the coalition government led by Prime Minister Ecevit, the prominent leader of Türkiye’s democratic … Continue reading →

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The Invasion of Iraq in Retrospect

Posted on March 20, 2023 by Ali Tuygan

March 20, 2023 Yesterday was the 20th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq.  Six weeks into the invasion, on May 1, President Bush declared “mission accomplished”. Two decades later few would agree with him. The following is a key paragraph … 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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Iraq, Afghanistan, Terrorism and a Word on Turkey

Posted on July 18, 2016 by Ali Tuygan

July 18, 2016 On July 6, 2016, Mr. Tony Blair responded to the Report of the Iraq Inquiry during a two-hour-long press conference. Answering a question, he said that there was a decision and it was a controversial decision – … Continue reading →

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The Iraq Inquiry

Posted on July 11, 2016 by Ali Tuygan

July 11, 2016 On July 6, 2016, Sir John Chilcot, made a statement on the “Report of the Iraq Inquiry”. In less than twenty-nine minutes, he summarized the conclusions of the 2.6 million-word report with clarity, precision and eloquence. He … Continue reading →

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“Dissent Channel Memo” on Syria

Posted on June 22, 2016 by Ali Tuygan

June 22, 2016 Fifty-one State Department officials have signed a “dissent channel memo” calling for a “more militarily assertive U.S. role in Syria”. The availability of a “dissent channel” constitutes solid proof of respect for different opinions and their free … 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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