Tag Archives: Syrian conflict

Waiting for the Turkish Elections

Posted on January 23, 2023 by Ali Tuygan

January 23, 2023 Although not yet officially announced, it appears that Türkiye will hold presidential and parliamentary elections on May 14, 2023. President Erdoğan is running for a third term and the group of six opposition parties known as the … 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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2023 Gets Off to a Difficult Start

Posted on January 2, 2023 by Ali Tuygan

January 2, 2023 The year 2022 was “annus horribilis” for Europe and to a lesser degree for the world. And its final few weeks did not augur well for 2023. China witnessed an incredible upsurge in Covid infections overwhelming hospitals. … Continue reading →

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The West Needs to Write a Success Story

Posted on August 22, 2022 by Ali Tuygan

August 22, 2022 With the war in Ukraine, “the emerging world order” has become a current topic with conflicting opening gambits. The West argues for the rules-based international order, the body of rules, norms, and institutions that govern relations. Among … Continue reading →

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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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Tough Choices for Ankara

Posted on November 8, 2021 by Ali Tuygan

November 8, 2021 Another operation by the Turkish Armed Forces in Syria is looming. President Erdogan gave the signal last month. Military reinforcements were sent to the border. On October 26, the Turkish parliament approved a motion extending authorization to launch … Continue reading →

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Turkey Needs to Pivot to Diplomacy

Posted on June 22, 2020 by Ali Tuygan

June 22, 2020 Ataturk was the hero of our War of Independence, the founder of the Republic and Turkey’s greatest ever reformer. His motto was, “peace at home, peace in the world”. Suffice to say, we no longer have peace … Continue reading →

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The Syrian Quagmire

Posted on May 18, 2020 by Ali Tuygan

May 18, 2020 Syria’s relations with Moscow have traditionally been close and steady. Russia operated a military base in Tartus for more than four decades. In the mid-1990s, following the collapse of the Soviet Union, U.S. Secretary of State Warren … Continue reading →

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The Idlib Problem Still with Us

Posted on April 27, 2020 by Ali Tuygan

April 27, 2020 Coronavirus is seen as the greatest global challenge of modern times. Because, the death toll in some countries has reached tens of thousands. Just as important is the shock of unpreparedness, helplessness and vulnerability of a technologically … Continue reading →

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Sailing in Uncharted Waters

Posted on April 7, 2020 by Ali Tuygan

April 7, 2020 The Arab Spring threw the Middle East in chaos. Then came the Ukraine conflict and Russia’s annexation of Crimea. As the Syrian conflict moved up on the international agenda the former receded. Despite on and off official … Continue reading →

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