Tag Archives: Saudi Arabia

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 →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Syria’s Unsustainable Conflict

Posted on August 31, 2015 by Ali Tuygan

31 August 2015 Efforts to find a political solution to the Syrian conflict appear to be gaining momentum. Whatever the outcome, recent diplomatic flurry can be attributed to the following: • The completion of the Iran nuclear deal, • ISIL’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Termination of the Mistral Contract

Posted on August 17, 2015 by Ali Tuygan

17 August 2015 The French-Russian deal for the sale of two Mistral class amphibious assault ships was announced by President Sarkozy on December 24, 2010 and signed in his presence by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin and French Defense … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Iran Deal Is 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 →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Syria: Only More Trouble Ahead

Posted on May 25, 2015 by Ali Tuygan

25 May 2015 With Daesh controlling half of Syrian territory and the “Army of Conquest” consolidating its gains in the Idlib province and getting closer to regime’s bastion of Latakia, the Assad regime appears to be on the retreat. While … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment