Tag Archives: Turkish foreign policy

On Turkey and the Middle East

Posted on June 24, 2017 by Ali Tuygan

June 24, 2017 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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Middle East of Inconsistencies

Posted on June 19, 2017 by Ali Tuygan

June 19, 2017 “Pact of the League of Arab States” defines the purpose of the League as achieving close collaboration between Member States to safeguard their independence and sovereignty. Articles 5. and 6. of the Pact state the following:

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The Gulf Crisis and Turkey (2)

Posted on June 12, 2017 by Ali Tuygan

June 12, 2017 On June 9, 2017, in a statement on the Middle East, Secretary Tillerson said: “… As we combine efforts to defeat the military, financial, and ideological support of terrorists, we expect to see progress in the Arab … Continue reading →

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The Gulf Crisis and Turkey

Posted on June 7, 2017 by Ali Tuygan

June 7, 2017 On June 5, 2017 Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Yemen’s UN-backed government, the eastern government of divided Libya and the Maldives severed diplomatic relations with Qatar over allegations of support for terrorism. In addition, … Continue reading →

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Turkey Needs a Serious Foreign Policy Review

Posted on May 31, 2017 by Ali Tuygan

May 31, 2017 Turkey’s traditional foreign policy stood on pillars. Our relations with the United States and the European Union constituted the first two. A third one was our relations with our neighbors and the region. Prominently among those was … Continue reading →

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President Trump and Israeli-Palestinian Peace

Posted on May 24, 2017 by Ali Tuygan

May 24, 2017 President Trump has now completed the Middle East leg of his first trip abroad. Though not as important as what he discussed with leaders in Saudi Arabia and Israel, images from his visits were also interesting. For … Continue reading →

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Presidents Obama, Trump and the Middle East: Choice of Capitals, Messages and Audiences

Posted on May 22, 2017 by Ali Tuygan

May 22, 2017 President Obama arrived in Turkey in April 2009 after attending a G20 summit in London, a NATO summit in Strasbourg and an EU summit in Prague. This was his first overseas trip as President. The following paragraph … Continue reading →

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No Military Solution to Middle East’s Turmoil

Posted on April 25, 2017 by Ali Tuygan

April 25, 2017 On April 4, toxic substance spread after Syrian warplanes dropped bombs on the town of Khan Sheikhoun in the rebel-held Idlib province. Scores of people lost their lives. The West and Russia offered conflicting explanations for the … Continue reading →

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Turkey: A Nation Divided

Posted on April 17, 2017 by Ali Tuygan

April 17, 2017 Turkey’s experience with democracy has witnessed many ups and downs. Sometimes, it was democratically elected governments overstepping their powers, at other times it was the failure of politicians to find common ground leading to military coups or … Continue reading →

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Syrian Conflict: State of Tension and Confusion

Posted on April 13, 2017 by Ali Tuygan

April 13, 2017 According to the Trump administration, on April 4, toxic substance spread after Syrian warplanes dropped bombs on the town of Khan Sheikhoun in the rebel-held Idlib province. Scores of people lost their lives. Russia offered another explanation. … Continue reading →

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