Tag Archives: Iran

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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The Iranian Spring

Posted on February 1, 2016 by Ali Tuygan

February 1, 2016 It may not be about freedom of expression, respect for human rights or political reform but this still is an Iranian spring; more than anything else a diplomatic one, in the middle of a harsh regional winter. … Continue reading →

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Washington’s Troubled Relations with Its Middle East Partners

Posted on January 25, 2016 by Ali Tuygan

January 25, 2016 On January 22, 2016 Secretary Kerry addressed the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. This is how he started off his remarks on the Iran nuclear deal: “… It wasn’t so long ago that … Iran was … Continue reading →

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Iran Nuclear Deal: Implementation Day

Posted on January 19, 2016 by Ali Tuygan

January 19, 2016 During the weeks preceding “implementation day” for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), world’s attention focused once again on the Iran nuclear deal. Different aspects of the agreement negotiated between Iran and the “P5+1” or “the … Continue reading →

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The Riyadh-Tehran Rupture

Posted on January 5, 2016 by Ali Tuygan

January 5, 2016 A year ago, some Middle East analysts referred to Saudi Arabia’s new leadership as a cadre of youthful, dynamic royals and technocrats. They said that Saudi Arabia is uniquely positioned to rise above the fray of the … 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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Time to Put Arab Boots on the Ground

Posted on June 7, 2015 by Ali Tuygan

7 June 2015 On 17 December 2010 a Tunisian, Mohammed Bouazizi, set himself on fire in an act of protest. This was followed in many Arab countries by widespread demonstrations calling for democracy, respect for human rights, a better life … Continue reading →

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Yemen’s Sectarian Divide

Posted on May 27, 2015 by Ali Tuygan

27 May 2015 Saudi-led airstrikes against Yemen’s Houthis started on 26 March. On 14 April the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2216 giving Saudi Arabia what may be called a diplomatic victory. The Resolution urged all Yemeni parties to respond … Continue reading →

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US-GCC Camp David Summit: An Overview

Posted on May 18, 2015 by Ali Tuygan

18 May 2015 US-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit meeting at Camp David ended with a Joint Statement and an Annex which contains additional detail on future avenues of cooperation. The Gulf States had four major expectations from the summit: • … Continue reading →

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Confusion over the Camp David Summit

Posted on May 13, 2015 by Ali Tuygan

13 May 2015 Following his visit to Riyadh, Secretary Kerry met with his Gulf counterparts in Paris on Friday, May 8th in preparation of this week’s summit at Camp David. After the meeting, Kerry and Saudi Foreign Minister al-Jubair held … Continue reading →

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