Tag Archives: Syria

Turkey’s Vicious Circle of Foreign Policy

Posted on October 5, 2021 by Ali Tuygan

October 5, 2021 In late September,  President Erdogan traveled to New York and addressed the UN General Assembly. He also hoped to have a face-to-face meeting with President Biden. When such a meeting failed to materialize, President Erdogan vented his … Continue reading →

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Global Leadership: The Moral Dimension

Posted on July 19, 2021 by Ali Tuygan

July 19, 2021 On February 19, President Biden addressed the global community for the first time. At the 2021 Virtual Munich Security Conference he defined the partnership between Europe and the US as the cornerstone of all that the West … Continue reading →

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An Ultimatum That Boomeranged

Posted on March 3, 2020 by Ali Tuygan

(Co-authored with Yusuf Buluç)[i] The people of Turkey held their breath on the eve of the deadline set in the ultimatum  President Erdoğan served on the Syrian regime promising severe military punishment if  its forces  were not to withdraw to … Continue reading →

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Turkey’s Narrowing Horizons

Posted on February 27, 2020 by Ali Tuygan

February 27, 2020 In the fall of 1966, I took a series of exams to join the Turkish Foreign Ministry. Among other things, we were asked to comment on a widely used metaphor, “Turkey is a bridge between East and … Continue reading →

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The Middle East: A Disheartening Beginning for the New Decade

Posted on January 5, 2020 by Ali Tuygan

January 5, 2020 The Iraq-Iran war started on September 22, 1980. It lasted eight years. In August 1991 Iraq invaded Kuwait. A massive US-led military campaign forced Iraq to withdraw in February 1991. It was followed by years of no-fly … Continue reading →

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2017: Another Year of Turmoil

Posted on December 20, 2017 by Ali Tuygan

  December 20, 2017 The following is from my summing-up of the year 2016 (*): “The Ukraine conflict has led many analysts to frequently mention President Putin’s unpredictable tactics and actions if not policies. With Mr. Trump in the White … Continue reading →

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Syria: “Cessation of Hostilities”

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Ali Tuygan

February 29, 2016 On February 22, the United States and the Russian Federation, Co-Chairs of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG), issued the “Joint Statement on Cessation of Hostilities in Syria”. As a first reaction, even the most optimistic observers … Continue reading →

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Middle East in the Grip of Polarization

Posted on February 18, 2016 by Ali Tuygan

February 18, 2016 The Middle East, in the grip of polarization, is going through a most violent period. Syria is being torn apart. Iraq is far from peace and stability. Egypt remains unsettled. Tunisia continues to face a multitude of … Continue reading →

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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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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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