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The Forming of Government in Bulgaria Will Enforce the Parties
Muzaffer Kutlay
Following the first unofficial results from the Sunday, May 12th parliamentary elections in Bulgaria, the four main parties exceeding the...
Learning a Lesson from What Happened on May Day
İhsan Bal
May Day 1977 has gone down in history as a day of tragedy, a day which is still with us. Each May Day in Istanbul’s Taksim Square, that previous anniversary is commemorated with clashes...
Neo-Nazi Trial on the German Agenda: Facts and Expectations
Fatma Yılmaz-Elmas
The trial of members of the neo-Nazi National Socialist Underground (NSU) began at Munich State High Court in Germany on May 6...
The Shadow of Radicalism in Central Asia
Gülay Mutlu
Extremist movements have been constantly subject to threat scenarios since 1990s. The roots of this situation often...
The Arab Movements: From the spring to polarisation
İhsan Bal
USAK (the International Strategic Research Foundation) and the leading American thinktank, the RAND Corporation, held a very important ...
From the American Dream to the American Nightmare
İhsan Bal
The United States of America possesses the world’s largest economy, its strongest army, its most advanced technology and sophisticated weaponry. It has the potential...
Cyprus Issue: Is A Solution Really Possible?
Selçuk Çolakoğlu
One of the primary issues of Turkish foreign policy has been Cyprus problem since the 1950s. The Turkish Council of International Relations (UİK) held "Fifth International Relations Studies and Education...
The Equation in Turkey-EU-USA Relations
Fatma Yılmaz-Elmas
Turkey-EU-USA relations are a part of an important equation, although being mostly overlooked. While Turkey fits well into...
The New Security Paradigm and A Proactive Foreign Policy
Fuat Keyman
Changes in its own region and across the world have made it necessary for Turkey to develop a new security paradigm. An important...
Turkey-Israel Relations: An Alternative View
O. Bahadır Dinçer
As balances shift throughout the Middle East, it is natural that Turkey is facing changes in its policy toward Israel. However, through...
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation: A Place Where Different Interests Intersect
M. Turgut Demirtepe
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation has the appearance of a ‘League of Authoritarian Gentlemen.” For it is an entity whose member states have...
Central Asia and China after NATO’s withdrawal from Afghanistan
Gülay Mutlu
Over the last decades, Central Asia has gradually become a significant geography for China. Recently, this region has also been more ...
The Search for a Strategic Vision in Turkish-Vietnamese Relations
Selçuk Çolakoğlu
Both Turkey and Vietnam have drawn attention to themselves with their economic development...
Elections in Bulgaria: Is Change Really Possible?
Muzaffer Kutlay
In the early February, thousands of Bulgarian people staged rallies across Bulgaria accusing electricity companies of corruption and...
A Reduplicated Experience of Immigration
Sema Karaca
The ongoing clashes in Syria affected nearly ten million people from March 2011 up until today. Approximately one million people have immigrated to Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Algeria. Over 7 million people have become internally displaced (IDP). The crisis is becoming increasingly calamitous as time ; and there is no hope or sign of a solution at least in the short and medium terms.
Cameron has Pledged an EU Referendum: Is It Unjust?
Fatma Yılmaz Elmas
When the crisis forces EU to unite, the referendum pledge of Cameron has been regarded as taking the easy way out. However, with this reaction, Cameron’s call for a reform has been oversimplified.
Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the West and Turkey
Emre Tunç Sakaoğlu
Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) stands against Western values and NATO by its nature. In contrast to its constructive and pro-stability policies of combating terrorism, religious extremism and separatism; the organization has developed an explicit stance against the spread of universal democratic values throughout its "domain”...
A Hard Question from David Cameron: "What Kind of a Europe?"
Prof. Dr. İhsan Bal
Europe is again in a crisis… The question of "whether Germany’s perspective or priorities underlined by the British should be taken as a guide in drafting a road map” is opened up for discussion...
Iran’s Policy Towards Syria: Security Implications of a "Failed State” Scenario
Ali Hussein Bakeer
Although turning Syria into a failed state will impose huge challenges on regional countries, it will nevertheless offer Iran many important opportunities on several fronts...
Negotiating with PKK: Lessons Learned?
Mehmet Yegin
Turkish government initiated a new round of negotiations with PKK terrorist organization through its leader Abdullah Ocalan in jail. This initiative raised hopes for peace after decades of long bloody attacks...
Front-runner Anastasiades in Greek Cyprus: Much room for a solution?
Fatma Yılmaz Elmas
Greek Cypriots voted on Sunday (Feb 17) to elect a new president. Having 11 parties in the race, runoff elections have resulted in no victory...
A Race to the Bottom: Turkey-EU Relations in 2012
Mustafa Kutlay
Last year the race to the bottom continued in Turkish-EU relations. While the EU grappled with the deepest crisis in its entire history, Turkey, as the country at the center of a ring of crises, was obliged to devote all its time to managing associated security risks, particularly those from the civil war in Syria...
Attack to the US Embassy in Ankara: DHKP-C (Terrorism) a National Threat or Not?
Hasan Selim Özertem
A suicide bomber, Ecevit Þanlı, blasted a bomb on February 1, 2013 at the US embassy in Ankara. Þanlı is a member of Marxist-Leninist terrorist organization that aims to set up a communist system by fighting imperialism and oligarchy...
Putin's visit: Why New Delhi Seeks Closer Ties with Moscow?
Adith Charlie
Vladimir Putin’s 24-hour dash to India last month was a subdued affair due to protests in New Delhi against the brutal gang rape of a paramedical student...
A Road Map for the New Peace Process
Prof. Dr. İhsan Bal
As the New Year began, we were presented with a scene that raised expectations in the struggle against terror...
Assassination Attempt to Ahmet Doğan: Real Attack, Fake Gun
Muzaffer Kutlay
Ahmet Doğan, founder and long standing leader of Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) party...
The Makings of an 'India Spring'
Adith Charlie
December 29, 2012 could go down as an historical day in the annals of Indian society...
Understanding Arab Perceptions of Turkey in 2012
Ali Hussein Bakeer
Generalizations that presume Arab world’s perception of Turkey will be positive in all condition...
The U.S. Strategy on China
Mehmet Yegin
Almost all sources are making statements on the US focus on Pacific region as foreign policy...
The Caucasus: A Region in the Shadow of the Tensions of the Middle East
Hasan Selim özertem
The countries of the Caucasus have been critically important in Turkish foreign policy since 1991...
Coup Tribunals at Silivri?
İhsan Bal
Ask why states exist and one of the first things to come up in reply will doubtlessly be ‘in order to have a system of justice that functions...
The Rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran in the Middle East
Eyüp Ersoy
While there are both material conditions and political causes of the rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran, there are also ideational conditions...
We Should Leave NATO Now!
İhsan Bal
NATO is an organization which was established in 1949 for the defense of the Western Bloc and cooperation within it in the aftermath of the Second World War...
Last But Not Least: Why Mass Killing?
Dilek Karal
Do you remember the movie Fisher King? It tells the story of two men’s tragically converging lives. An arrogant talk radio DJ, Jack’s insensitive...
"China in Transition”: An Opportunity or Obstacle for the Asia-Pacific Region
Güner Özkan
China has always been an important subject at countless meetings, forums and conferences being held...
The Fate of the Egyptian Revolution
İhsan Bal
The fire kindled in Tahrir Square two years ago created a general expectation that it would force the then masters of the regime out of...
The Power Geometry of the Middle East
E. Fuat Keyman
Israel’s attack on Gaza signals that power geometry are defining and giving shape to the Middle East as regards power and hegemony...
Assessing Turkish-Bulgarian Relations in the Wake of New Year
Muzaffer Kutlay
Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev has carried out some contacts in Ankara and Istanbul in the scope of the two days official visit to...
Confidence Building Era in Turkish-Russian Relations
Habibe Ozdal
Russian President Putin was in İstanbul on 3 December 2012 to take the chair together with Prime Minister Erdoğan for the third meeting...
The PKK's Alternative
İhsan Bal
Those people who would like to involve the PKK in some way in their calculations need to realise that with each passing day...
Turkey-South Korea Partnership Consolidating
Selcuk Colakoglu
It is apparent that Turkey-South Korea relations are deepening in 2000s. In spite of all statements of friendship in the past periods...
Turkish-Russian Relations: Pragmatism in the Air
Güner Özkan
Turkish-Russian relations have always followed a bumpy road, perhaps the exception being a brief period after World War I. For over 20 years, the intensity and direction...
Turkey's Transforming Counter-Terrorism Strategy
Hasan Selim Özertem
Two brigades from the Special Forces Command, known popularly as the "Maroon Berets” and composed of crack troops from the Turkish Armed Forces...
What Does the Continuation of the Current Situation Imply for Syria?
Ali Hussein Bakeer
The cost of the war will determine the future of Syria and the regime that will replace Assad will indisputably bear the brunt of these costs...
The Syrian Impasse
E. Fuat Keyman
The impasse in Turkish foreign policy over Syria threatens to turn into a crisis. The time is ripe to redesign Turkish foreign policy and set it on a multi-dimensional course...
Throwing the EU Progress Report into the Rubbish
Ozdem Sanberk
If we, as citizens of Turkey, share the common goal of putting human dignity first in our country, then we should not belittle the recent EU Progress Report on Turkey...
How Do Negotiations Fit into the Struggle against Terrorism?
İhsan Bal, USAK
Many people interpret the meetings BDP held with the President, Speaker of the Parliament and the ruling party as indicators or precursors of a new opening and reform process...
Economy and Energy Policies in Obama's New Term
Hasan Selim Özertem
Barack Obama has won a second four-year term as President of the United States. This victory will permit Obama to preside without any concern for re-election...
US Elections in the Eyes of Russia
Habibe Ozdal
Electoral campaigns in the U.S., which take nearly a year and therefore are observed for so long by international actors, were finalized with President Obama being reelected...
Stability of Afghanistan and Regional Cooperation
Selcuk Colakoglu, USAK
Afghanistan entered into a new process following NATO's military intervention carried against al-Qaeda and its host, the Taliban regime...
The US Presidential Candidates on Foreign Policy
Prof. Kamer Kasim
Foreign policy issues dominated the final TV debates in the U.S. Presidential candidates on the eve of the elections of 6 November...
Turkey at a Distance
Dilek Karal
Once I attended a design and creativity seminar given by a widely known manager. Mostly composed of university students, the audience directed to...
A Dramatic Change of Iran’s Image in the Arab World
Ali Hussein Bakeer
Last week, Umayya Center for Strategic Studies held a workshop in the Egyptian capital Cairo, entitled "the Iranian Agenda in the Arab World"...
Project Evaluation of a Power Plant Located at North-West Black Sea Coast of Turkey
Haluk Direskeneli
We recently evaluated a new investment opportunity in the northwest Black Sea coast of Turkey close to a small touristic fishermen's village...
Russia’s Human Rights Problem: North Caucasus
Guner Ozkan
Russia comes near the top of the list of the world’s countries as far as human rights violations are concerned...
Syria is a Test for Turkey's Determination, not Its Patience
Ihsan Bal
The large-scale damage caused when the mortar bombs fell on Akçakale drew everyone’s attention in Turkey to the crisis in Syria...
After All Syria Crisis is not a Crisis for Just Syrians
Suleyman Ozeren
Flammable as it gets day by day, the Syria crisis is being left to deaf ears by the international community...
Small Islets Causing Big Trouble between South Korea and Japan
Selcuk Colakoglu
In an era when forming a security alliance between Japan and South Korea against China is being discussed...
Turkey-Kazakhstan: Multi-dimensional Cooperation
Gülay Mutlu
Kazakhstan is the first Central Asian country which seized upon a well-tempered policy line regarding its relations with Russia, the United States and European countries after it gained independence...
The Bombs Falling on Turkey and International Law
İbrahim Kaya
According to the statement issued by the Turkish Prime Ministry, following the firing of a mortar bomb at Akçakale...
Georgian Democracy and Russia: Matter of Language
Guner Ozkan
Instruments of geopolitics are not just confined to the strength of armies, military alliances or economic presence. The existence by itself, whether or not established by others...
What is Making Public Prosecutors into Targets for Terrorism?
İhsan Bal
In recent weeks, a spate of increasingly violent terrorist attacks, having struck at soldiers, policemen, and civilians, has now started to directly target the law itself...
Toward an Alawite State in Syria?
Ali Hussein Bakeer
Increasingly, analyzers speculate that Assad may draw his forces back to the regions where the Alawite population is concentrated and where he intends to establish an Alawite state...
Chinese Perceptions of Turkey
Selcuk Colakoglu
Up to the present there has been predictable discussion of how China is perceived by Turkish public opinion.
Russian-American Relations during Obama’s Term: Cyclical Convergence
Habibe Ozdal
In the late years of George W. Bush’s second term, Russian-American relations hit a new low for the first time after 1980s...
Mortar Bombs from Syria and Turkish Self-Defence
İbrahim Kaya, USAK
A mortar bomb from Syria hit Akçakale on 3 October, taking the lives of at least five Turkish citizens and wounding many others. Akçakale lies on Turkey’s border with Syria and has long been the target...
The Movie "Innocence of Muslims" and the Limits of Freedom of Expression
Ozdem Sanberk
An anti-Islam movie produced by a Christian from Egypt caused intense reactions from Muslim communities of various geographies, leading to bloodshed...
The Syrian Opposition is Beyond Being a Merely Political Force
Ali Hussein Bakeer
The armed wing of the opposition is primarily made up of defectors from the Syrian Armed Forces (SAF), who have refused to fire at civilian protestors and rejected joining the operations the SAF organizes against civilians...
New Goals of CICA
Gülay Mutlu
Last Wednesday, on September 12, the Fourth CICA (Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia) Ministers of Foreign Affairs Meeting was held in Astana, a city having very close ties with Turkish history...
An Aspect that Gets Overlooked: The Turks of Syria and Turkey
O. Bahadir Dincer
We are currently in a period when scenarios for Syria after Assad are being intensively discussed. The regime is losing a little more blood each day. From the number of soldiers who are deserting from the army, it may be established that there is only a feeble system of government even in those areas of Syria...
What Determines the Foreign Policy of Singapore?
Selcuk Colakoglu
Singapore is one of the most central and salient countries in the world. With a population of nearly five millions, Singapore is not to be underestimated in terms of demographics. But the thing that makes Singapore special is its...
Turkey's Growth Performance: Making Stability Sustainable
Mustafa Kutlay
Turkey’s remarkable economic growth over the last decade has sparked new debates about the future of the country in the international political and economic system. From a comparative standpoint the most important issue is Turkey’s position relative to other countries and whether its present economic stability will be sustained or not...
Why Does the BDP Filibuster the Political Process?
İhsan Bal
A discrepancy between political parties’ actions and expressions is a common phenomenon in Turkish politics. More or less, political parties of every period have had instances in which they express views reluctantly, or as a mechanism to assuage public opinion they make pretend or dissimulate.
Turkey–Iran: From Constructive Competition to Spy Wars
İhsan Bal
Historical literature is rich with accounts of rivalry between Turkey and Iran. According to some specialist historians, this rivalry has seldom led to bloodstained battles; some even argue that there have been no battles at all between the two sides for the last four centuries...
Just What is the PKK Trying to Do?
Hasan Selim Özertem
During the last month the PKK has staged attacks that display every trick it knows and reveal the kind of terrorist organisation that it is. The organisation has engaged in every kind of operation it is capable of, ranging from raids on police stations to full-scale attacks by 500 people and from kidnappings to bombings...
PKK is Repeating Itself: Not a Part-Time Guerilla but a Full-Time Terrorist Organization
Suleyman Ozeren
The PKK terrorist organization has intensified its attacks in recent months. The organization has been benefiting from instability in the region emanating from the Syria crisis. In some parts of northern Syria, where the Kurdish population represents the majority, the PKK-affiliated PYD quickly organized itself...
Hard but Necessary: An Alliance between Hollande and Merkel
Fatma Yilmaz Elmas
After the downfall of the Merk-kozy alliance, Europe is now the scene of a competition between Hollande and Merkel. A combination of Spain, Italy, and France has halted the Sarkozy and Merkel pact which has led the way in Europe since the global crisis began and is working to isolate Germany. So we are now in a period in which Europe is no longer just being shaken economically by the Euro crisis but is also facing an upheaval in its political balances...
Afghanistan and Beyond through the Eyes of Moscow
Habibe Ozdal
Afghanistan bears importance for Russia; for the sake of relations with NATO and the US, and for the stability of Central Asia, which Russia considers as its natural zone of influence, as well. The war in Georgia; which was triggered by the West clearing the way of membership to NATO for Ukraine and Georgia...
The Kurds in Syria, the PKK and Turkey
O. Bahadir Dincer
The greater part of Syria’s population is made up of Arabs but it is generally claimed that Kurds are the largest minority (9%) in the country’s 22 million population, but it needs to be said that this figure is not definite. Some sources claim that 13 to 14% of the population of Syria is Kurdish. Other sources give different figures...
Turkey-India Relations in the Framework of Ankara’s New South Asian Strategy
Selcuk Colakoglu
Throughout the Cold War, Turkey’s relations with India were mostly governed within the framework of the preferences of Pakistan. As a gesture to Pakistan, which unconditionally supports Turkey in international matters especially in the Cyprus issue, Turkey has kept a respectable distance from India. Moreover, Ankara has encouraged Islamabad’s arguments regarding the Kashmir conflict. However, as the world's second-most populous country, India’s progress in gaining importance in the global economy and international politics since the 1990s has led to Turkey’s quest to develop a new strategy for South Asia.
Panic Attack-1 in the Turbulence over Syria
İhsan Bal
Where the crisis in Syria is concerned, we seem to be getting mixed up over everything and employing all sorts of facts which have no causal link with each other and so we are slipping into a kind of panic. The Syrian equation shows how wrong it can be to make a judgement when clinging to half-truths...
Erdogan’s Visit to Moscow: Syria on the Top of the Agenda
Hasan Selim Özertem
Since the uprisings of March 2011 in Syria, one and a half years have passed. A solution to the Syrian problem has not yet appeared on the horizon and it remains an important topic on the agenda of international politics as well as of Turkey. While the number of Syrian refugees crossing Turkish borders is increasing, the PKK used this same corridor to launch its attacks on police officers in Pinarbasi, Kayseri province...
Erdogan's Russia Visit and Its Significance
Habibe Özdal
Turkish-Russian relations have passed through vital thresholds since the beginning of 2000s. The two countries, which were remembered throughout history as two prominent rivals, have entered into a phase of redefining each other thanks to the initiatives of both governments which appeared as a result of the structural transformation within the international system...
Is an Asian Union Possible?
Selcuk Colakoglu
The global importance of the Asia Pacific region is steadily rising. During the last two decades the centre of the global economy has shifted from the Atlantic to the Pacific, in stimulating greater interest in developments in Asia. One of the topics there which arouses most interest is the various movements for regional integration. ASEAN [Association of South East Asian Nations] heads the field among them as the oldest and still the most influential exemplar.
Prosecutors with No Special Powers
İhsan Bal
Life in Turkey is full of extraordinary contradictions. On one hand, there are yells about what is going on and the need to find the murderers the moment a politician, soldier, police chief, trade unionist, or journalist is killed. But on the other, you have know-alls who tell you "You are getting above themselves, exceeding their powers, and how can you be investigating these matters?”
Greece’s Election: Balance of Imbalance
Mustafa Kutlay
Greece left behind a new threshold followed by the whole world with the elections held on June 17. The power game that has continued until today, alternating between the country's two main parties, the center- right New Democracy Party and the center-left PASOK, has given way to the multiparty system for the first time with the shocking effect of the economic crisis. Nearly 30 percent of votes of the New Democracy Party completing the elections in the first place, makes it possible the New Democracy – PASOK coalition...
Can the New-Style CHP Hold Out?
İhsan Bal
That the CHP (Republican People’s Party), Turkey’s main opposition party, takes its share of responsibility regarding the chronic problems of the country, which are of vital importance, and comes up with projects to deal with them is of serious significance in several ways. First and foremost in this regard is undoubtedly having an outlook which would solve the problems of the country, not with a tutelary approach but one in which politics are based on contact with the people.
Putin’s First ‘Asia Stop’ in His New Term: China
Habibe Özdal
Vladimir Putin, who took the chair of president for the third time in a row, made his first trip abroad in Asia to China. Putin also attended the Presidential Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) during the visit which took place between the 2nd and 7th of June. Both increasing the bilateral trade volume and energy deals, as well as the issues concerning Syria and Iran among the urgent matters of the international agenda, were included in the agenda of the meeting.
A Regional Power Shift: Syria and Turkey
E. Fuat Keyman
Turkish foreign policy has not been reconstructed in light of the global trends that govern world change. As such we do not know what capacity it has to shape and direct new developments. The foreign policy debate in Turkey is focused exclusively on Syrian and Iraq. This exclusive focus is becoming problematic, insofar as it results in the ignorance of the extremely important debates about global and regional trends.
Towards 'Multicultural' Racism
Dilek Karal
Last March, France was shaken by the news that a Frenchman, born to parents from Algeria, had killed seven people in armed attacks. By that date, several pieces of research were already supporting the impression that Islamophobia was generally on the increase across Europe. In France, it had pretty well turned into a full-scale battue. During the same month, anti-immigrant groups and racists held a joint meeting in Denmark, and proclaimed the message "Immigrants—or rather Muslims –out!”
Suicide Attack: No Surprise!
İhsan Bal
A chorus of voice is proclaiming that we are about to have a hot summer. From security analysts to terrorism experts, from intelligence operatives to politicians and newspaper columnists, almost everyone seems to be of the opinion that terrorist attacks are increasing. Finally the Minister of the Interior has mentioned the possibility that the attacks may increase. On Friday 25 May, the news bulletins reported that a suicide bomber had been caught in Istanbul...
The Migration Balance Sheet during the First Year of the Arab Spring
Fatma Yılmaz-Elmas
The data for 2011 suggests that during the year, more than 58,000 migrants reached Europe by sea. The same data also records that more than 1500 migrants perished in the waters of the Mediterranean while trying to reach the shores of Europe. Although 2011 has become known as the "mostly deadly” year for travelling between Africa and Europe, this was not on a scale which measures up to the expectations of the migrants, most of them from Tunisia and Egypt, nor to the fears of Europeans about the wave of immigration.
Interview with Dr. Guner Ozkan on Turkey’s Role in a New Middle East and Axis Shift in Turkish Foreign Policy
Valeriia Amitina
Q: Which motives do you see behind the initial Turkish opposition to a no-fly zone in Libya? A: First, there was one practical reason: Turkish citizens and investments in Libya. Second, it was because of the new understanding of foreign policy in Turkey under the AKP government. In the Libyan situation, nobody knew what was going to happen and who was going to win in the country. Under such circumstances, you cannot take a harsh step and stand up for people holding guns.
USAK Balkans Expert M. Kutlay, "Turkey Acted as an 'Informal Broker' to Attract Gulf Capital to Bulgaria"
Menekşe Tokyay
Bulgaria, Turkey and Qatar have agreed to start a joint four-year project to build a highway through Bulgaria, boosting Bulgaria's neglected road infrastructure while expanding Turkish and Qatari stakes in the EU's poorest country. Muzaffer Kutlay, a Balkan expert at the International Strategic Research Organisation, an Ankara-based think tank, underlined that the sovereign debt crisis in the eurozone which buys nearly 60% of Bulgarian exports has directly curbed economic growth in Bulgaria...
NATO’s Chicago Summit: From the Balance of Terror to Intelligent Defense
İhsan Bal
When the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was set up in 1949 as an expression of mutual understanding on defense between Europe and North. America in the wake of the enormous destruction of the Second World War, its aims were very different from those of today. It faced a communist Soviet Union and later the military Warsaw Pact which the USSR had founded. Its goals were obvious and it was clear who its enemy was...
Seminar on "Georgian Foreign Policy Visions and Georgian-Turkish Relations” Held at USAK Workshop Hall
Emre Tunç Sakaoğlu
International Strategic Research Organization (USAK) proudly announces that today, a seminar of two hours on Georgian foreign policy vision through a scope of its bilateral relations with Turkey was held with Prof. Dr. Kamer Kasim as the moderator, and His Excellency Nikoloz Vashakidze, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, as the speaker. Among the attendees were esteemed journalists from Turkish and international media as well as academicians of relevant studies...
This Disgrace Definitely Has To Be Stopped
İhsan Bal
We most recently encountered this revolting and heartless mischief-making in Didim, Aydin Province on May 5. I am referring to a mentality which can lead one to scrawl an "X” on the front door of a home to two Alevis, something which makes one think both of Nazi Germany and also of underworld gangs in this country settling scores in a murky haze. Whether you call it a provocation or the work of an idiot, layabout or someone who does not know that they are doing, the result demonstrates that there are certain people who are involved in an unpleasant and ugly plan for Turkey.
Merkel's Law
Magdalena Kirchner
After the recent peak of political crisis in Greece and the forced separation of Merkozy, Green Party leader Jürgen Trittin proclaimed "Merkel’s Law” in a parliamentary debate on May 10, implying that any association with the chancellor is highly likely to lead to electoral defeat. Only three days later, Merkel’s close aide and Minister of Environment Norbert Röttgen did not only fall prey to Trittin’s prediction...
Missile Defense Crisis Waits for Presidential Elections, not Chicago Summit
Habibe Özdal
The missile shield system, for which NATO is currently conducting preliminary preparations, raises tensions in Russia’s relations with the West. Since mid-2011, it has been expected that many problems pertaining to the actualization of the aforementioned system were to be answered in the Chicago Summit of NATO. But the "microphone incident” that occurred during the Nuclear Security Summit in March 2012 proved that the presidential elections that will take place in the U.S.
Turkey's New Middle Class
Dilek Karal
Although the 2012 Life Trends and Attitudes Research analyses by Ipsos KMG states the obvious case to some, these analyses contain important facts to identify characteristics of society and further the understanding of social tendencies in Turkey. The research emphasizes the presence of various social classes by assembling them into groups, from new conservatives to the poor. Furthermore, a prior aspect that appears in media from this research is "the changing character of the middle class” in Turkey...
Kyrgyzstan and Democracy: Outcomes of a Survey
Gülay Mutlu
Kyrgyzstan has experienced two riots in five years. The first one, called the "Tulip Revolution,” overthrew Kyrgyzstan’s first president Askar Akayev in 2005. The second took place in 2010 and led to the ousting of Bakiyev. The latter was harsher and more violent. However, Kyrgyzstan was taking a "real step” toward democracy in an environment of ethnic violence. The new interim government led by Roza Otunbayeva fulfilled its mission with the presidential elections in October 2011.
Let’s Not Be Taken in by the Bluster
Fuat Keyman
Turkey should not allow itself to be taken in. It should not be considering a military intervention in Syria, that is to say moving from soft power to the use of hard military power. The main areas of risk for Turkey in 2012 are Iraq and Syria in foreign policy and the Kurdish question in domestic politics. They are all difficult problems and 2012 will be a tough year for Turkey.
François Hollande and the Turks
Maxime Gauin
There is a historical trend in the main Socialist leaders of France alternating their attitudes vis-à-vis the Turks, especially if the Armenian question is involved. Jean Jaurès (1859-1914) diffused the Armenian nationalist propaganda in the 1890s, in ignorance, then met the Young Turks and became, until his death, their loyal friend. The first years of François Mitterrand’s presidency were marked by a serious crisis (1981-1984), but it was very quickly resolved and followed by years (1985-2000) of good relations.
Greek Elections on the Verge of Collapse
Muzaffer Kutlay
Greece has undergone a deep economic crisis since 2009. Bartering and the remigration from cities to rural begin to sweep. Unemployment rate has reached at 22 percent. One–third of the Greece’s population lives below poverty line. The EU and IMF mandated–bailouts out packages offered to Greece in return for austerity measures are having a serious impact on every segments of Greek society. Thus, by early elections Greek people gave a clear message to the traditional political parties...
How Strong is Turkey in the Middle East?
Özdem Sanberk
There has been a good deal of discussion recently about whether Turkey can be a source of inspiration for the Arab world. Ankara’s proactive strategy and desire to alter the balances within the region has naturally provoked serious discussion about the limits to Turkey’s strength. Some people think that Turkey is punching above its weight, others that it has become the central player...
Racism On the Rise in Europe
İhsan Bal
Not long, but fifteen years ago, Europe was showcased as the most important integration project in the world. From a single market to a common currency, from the free movement of people and capital to a common penal justice system, many supranational projects were actualized as success stories. All these steps were products of a notion by which multiculturalism is internalized, and humanity’s common values are centered at the heart of the political philosophy in force within Europe...
The Visit of the Sultan of Brunei to Turkey and Turkey’s ASEAN Policy
Selçuk Çolakoğlu
Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izaddien Waddaulah of Brunei paid a remarkable visit to Turkey between April 7 and 11, 2012. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah met with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was preparing for his own visit to China and on April 10 held a summit with President Abdullah Gül...
Is the New Putin Term ‘The Beginning of the End’?
Habibe Özdal
Putin, who in the March 4 elections was elected with the support of 64% of the electorate, is getting ready to establish himself in the post of president again. International actors are working on the road map of Putin’s Russia for the six years ahead of us. Because for many circles and in particular for Western countries, Russia’s domestic and foreign policy preferences constitute significance. Many books, reports and analyses were published anticipating the conditions Russia will be facing when 2020 arrives...
Why is Turkey in Afghanistan?
Kübra Türk
The death of twelve Turkish soldiers in a helicopter accident in Afghanistan in March provoked a fierce debate inside Turkey about the presence of Turkish forces in that country. There are those who say that Turkey should not be in Afghanistan at all; others claim that Turkey is just being dragged along in the wake of the U.S. and the Western world. Yet others try to list the grounds on why Turkish soldiers are there...
USAK Balkans Expert M. Kutlay Commented for SETimes, "Kosovo counting on strong support from Turkey"
Muhamet Brajshori, SETimes
Kosovo and Turkey have forged strong political and economic ties, bound by religious and cultural affinities developed over more than five centuries of Ottoman rule. When Kosovo declared its independence in February 2008, Turkey was among the first countries to recognise it. Moving quickly in the months that followed, Kosovo opened an embassy in Turkey by year's end. Bekim Sejdiu was appointed charge d'affaires to oversee its establishment, and was later named ambassador to Turkey...
The Russian Approach to the Syrian Crisis too Pragmatic?
Hasan Selim Özertem
After the Russian parliamentary and presidential elections in December 2011 and March 2012, the opposition’s protests in various parts of the country, mostly in Moscow, were temporarily sensationalized by some Western media outlets. But the state culture of the Russian political system was hardly challenged by these protests...
Croatian Ambassador to Turkey Mr. Drazen Hrastic: ‘Turkey is a Very Important Country With a Perspective of Playing an Even More Prominent Role’
Sena Hatip Dinçyürek
The fourth session of the USAK seminar series "The Balkans in the 21st Century and Diplomacy” was held today at the USAK Workshop Hall with the participation of H.E. Mr. Drazen Hrastic, Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to Turkey.The title of Mr. Hrastic’s speech was "Croatia’s Path to Euro-Atlantic Structures and the Regional Dimension of Croatia’s Foreign Policy.”
USAK Expert Muzaffer Kutlay, "Turkey, Bulgaria Work to Expand Economic Co-operation"
By Erisa Dautaj, SETimes
Turkey and Bulgaria, two neighbours with a historically troubled political relationship, are now looking to co-operate in commerce and trade, with the two governments discussing pipeline projects, new investments and future prospects. The numbers speak for themselves, as bilateral trade has been on the rise despite economic woes in the eurozone...
USAK Report, "Turkey Lacks Staff and Fund for Regional Role"
Sibel Utku Bila, Hürriyet Daily News
Turkey may have significantly boosted its profile in the Middle East over the past decade, but it still has a gap to close between its expectations and capabilities to become a ‘regional power,’ a recent study says. Over the past decade Turkey may have significantly boosted its profile in the Middle East, but it still has a large gap to close between its expectations and capabilities in order to become a true "regional power,” according to a study by the Ankara-based International Strategic Research Organization (USAK)...
USAK Expert Colakoglu: "High-level Contacts Between Turkey and China are Going Well"
Selçuk Çolakoğlu
The visit of Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan is very important in many aspects. This is another important step in the high-level visits between the two countries in recent years, starting with the visit of Turkish President Abdullah Gul in June 2009. Afterward, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited Turkey in Octoberr 2010; and, finally, last February 2012, Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping visited Turkey...
Treaties to No Avail: What’s ‘Wrong’ With Uzbekistan?
Emre Tunç Sakaoğlu
Islam Karimov’s regime in Uzbekistan has been recalled in the past decade for its ambivalent attitude toward international treaties and agreements by which it fails to cooperate with as expected, in accordance with its liabilities. According to the official policy guidelines of the regime, the Uzbek government wishes to signal its neutrality in the region to the international pubic, and seeks to achieve a balance...
What Did America Lose in Afghanistan?
Kübra Türk
Since the attacks of September 11, the main strategy of America was to prevent Afghanistan being reused as a safe haven for terrorists through the elimination of al-Qaeda. While America was sticking to such a basic strategy during the past eleven years, it altered its target many times by changing decisions in accordance with the changing conditions. These were briefly as overthrow of the Taliban, then the increased reconstruction process...
Bosnian Ambassador to Turkey Mr. Dragoljub LJEPOJA: "Our Main Strategic Aims Are Cooperation With the Neighboring Countries, Membership in the EU and NATO"
Sena Hatip Dinçyürek
The third session of the USAK seminar series "The Balkans in the 21st Century and Diplomacy” was held today at the USAK Workshop Hall with the participation of the Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to Turkey, Mr. Dragoljub Ljepoja, as the speaker. The title of Mr. Ljepoja’s speech was "Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Euro-Atlantic Process, Bilateral Relations With Neighboring and Balkan countries.” At the very beginning of his talk, Ambassador Ljepoja stated...
'Oil Is the New Greece': Unsteady Character of the Oil Markets and Fragilities
Hasan Selim Özertem
HSBC’s recent report compares the condition of the oil market with the economic situation in Greece. The report’s title is "Oil Is the New Greece.” One of the main reasons for this comparison is the ups and downs in the oil market. Recently oil prices have skyrocketed in the spot market and left the $125 limit behind in Brent oil. This upward direction also negatively affects the consumers in Turkey since the oil price is around $2.5 per liter.
Domestic Violence No Longer a Family Matter
Dilek Karal
Turkish society has long considered domestic violence to be a family matter. Female activists of the early 1980s were the first to call on authorities to make legal reforms to protect women. Using the motto "Private is political,” women's organizations shed light on the roots of domestic violence. For these activists, violence against women was not a phenomenon that resulted only from cultural backwardness or religious sentiments but has its very roots in social policies and the overall distribution of gender roles in society.
Mr. Ambassador Bekim Sejdiu: ‘Our Relations with Turkey are Excellent, Multidimensional and Dynamic’
Sena Hatip Dinçyürek
USAK has launched a new initiative named "The Balkans in the 21st Century and Diplomacy” within the context of a centenary memorial. The aim is to increase the dialogue between the Balkan states by providing the appropriate platforms to discuss international matters and to contribute to the consolidation of lasting peace in the region. The second round of the USAK seminar series on the Balkans was held today at the USAK Conference Hall with the participation of the Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to Turkey, Mr. Bekim SEJDIU, as the speaker...
Second Round of USAK Seminar Series on ‘The Balkans in the 21st Century and Diplomacy’ Held at USAK House
Emre Tunç Sakaoğlu
The second round of the USAK seminar series project, "The Balkans in the 21st Century and Diplomacy”, was held at the Conference Hall of USAK today. H.E. Mr. Bekim SEJDIU, the Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo in Turkey, participated in the conference as the guest speaker. Mr. Sejdiu began his speech with a brief introduction of the historical background leading to the creation of the Kosovar state...
Syria: A Risky Bet for Obama
Mehmet Yegin
Syria was not an ally of the United States before the popular movements. The U.S. government has long been applying sanctions on Syria and its regime was on the shortlist of countries that should be toppled after Iraq’s. Barack Obama’s engagement policy brought reciprocal symbolic steps between Washington and Damascus. Nevertheless, this initiative was short-lived and Obama also employed sanctions on Syria.
EU's New Candidate: Serbia
Muzaffer Kutlay
Serbia has been granted EU candidacy status at the latest summit of EU leaders in Brussels (March 2, 2012). There is no doubt that the recent constructive foreign policy of Serbia has positively influenced the ultimate decision of the European leaders. Since the application for candidacy in 2009, Belgrade has carried out a series of reforms in line with the EU acquis, taken crucial steps in arresting war criminals and concluded an agreement regarding the representation of Kosovo at regional meetings.
The Genie is out of the Bottle: The Eurozone without Greece
Mustafa Kutlay
Speeches given by competent German authorities, particularly last week, have begun to provide revealing signs regarding the option of a "eurozone without Greece,” now on the agenda of the EU. For months, Greek public bonds have had "junk” status. In other words, they are "non-investment-grade.” This means none of the market actors want to lend to Athens. Greece, in order to convert its debts, was thereby in need of a second bailout package, amounting to 130 billion euros, which the EU recently approved.
New Putin Term and New Needs in Russia
Habibe Özdal
A scrutiny of votes is in progress after the presidential elections in Russia, which took place on March 4, 2012. According to the public announcement made by the Central Election Commission of Russia, throughout the elections wherein 45 million people voted, Vladimir Putin has gained 63.64% of the vote up to now. His closest rival, leader of the Communist Party Gennady Zyuganov, has gained 17.18%, while billionaire businessman Mikhail Prokhorov followed him with 7.94%.
A Battle for Democracy in Egypt
İhsan Bal
The people who fill Tahrir Square believe, as Robespierre put it, "that the time has not yet arrived when honest people can serve their country without being punished.” As covered in the first lessons for students of political science, democracy is a lengthy social process and comes from a flow of historical events full of maneuvers which may be annoying and sickening.
The Revenge of Law on Politics
Maxime Gauin
A few days after the decision of a federal U.S. appeals court to dismiss Armenian claims against German insurers, in the name of the U.S. Constitution, the French Constitutional Council censored the bill criminalizing "denial” of the unsubstantiated "Armenian genocide” claim. The Council argued that such a bill was against freedom of speech. It did not explicitly censor the "recognition” of the "genocide” allegation adopted in 2001, but some of its comments - regarding the field of law - show clearly that this text also is against constitutional principles.
Where Does Putin Stand on the Syrian Case?
Hasan Selim Özertem
The recent public demonstrations in Russia reminiscent of the Arab Spring are confusing international public opinion, Putin is still seen as the most powerful presidential candidate on the eve of the elections. As he blames the opposition groups for cooperating with the Western world, he successfully turns his public speeches into shows of force. In one public speech held on February 23 in Luzhniki stadium, he managed to stir up more than 130 thousand people like a rock star with a brief ten minute speech.
No Change in North Korea: The Communist Dynasty Goes on
Selçuk Çolakoğlu
The death of the North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il attracted world interest to this country which is reminiscent of a black box. The main topic of curiosity was whether or not the regime would collapse. In order to answer this question one has to examine the policies which North Korea developed in the early 1990s when the Soviet block was crumbling. Similar discussions were taking place then but unlike other communist countries North Korea was not deeply affected by the changes happening in the Soviet Union, Eastern Europe and the People’s Republic of China.
A Russian Plan for Iraq or the Same Old Story?
Habibe Özdal
Russia would like to return to the sort of relationship it had with Iraq in the period before the Gulf War and thus enjoy the benefits that formerly accrued to it. However, apart from having a stake in the energy sector in Iraq and in developing the arms trade, Russia has still not formulated a general strategy although the path it is following is a familiar one...
Deciphering the Meaning of Damascus for Moscow
Habibe Özdal
On Feb. 4, 2012, Russia vetoed the draft resolution that was presented to the UN Security Council regarding the condemnation of the violent acts in Syria. Even though, in accordance with Moscow’s demands, many amendments were made to the resolution, which was drafted by the Arab League and supported by the West, the resolution was vetoed by both Russia and China...
Republican Candidates Envision a Hawkish America
Mehmet Yegin
Presidential race in America is continuing at a great pace. By coming into prominence through their gaffes, republican candidates created sometimes worry sometimes puzzlement in world public opinion. However, a considerable part of the candidates making interesting expressions are no longer in the race. There are four Republican candidates left to compete with Obama: Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum and Ron Paul. Well, how do these candidates perceive the world?
Turkey and NATO: 60 Years On
Menekşe Tokyay
Since Turkey joined NATO on February 18th 1952, it has remained the lynchpin of its security policy, protecting the country from internal and external threats while constituting the cornerstone of Euro-Atlantic integration and co-operation. After contributing nearly 5,000 young men to UN operations during the Korean War suffering over 700 casualties and earning the trust and respect of allied armies Turkey joined NATO, setting off the modernisation of its military along Western lines...
Nicolas Sarkozy, Victim of Himself
Maxime Gauin
Mr. Sarkozy placed himself in an uneasy situation. As the head of the conservative list for the European elections in 1999, he had said nothing against the Turkish candidacy to the European Union. He did not participate in the first real controversy in France regarding this topic, at the end of 2002. Suddenly, in 2004, he turned into a staunch opponent of this candidacy. In 2007, during the presidential campaign, he promised to block all negotiations...
USAK Expert Bakeer: "Iran and Israel Benefited from Rhetorical Propaganda Strategy”
Ümmügülsüm Boz
USAK Journal of Turkish Weekly (JTW) conducted an exclusive interview with USAK Middle East expert Ali Hussein Bakeer on the current debate regarding the rising tension between Iran and Israel.
Interviewed by: Ümmügülsüm Boz
Journal of Turkish Weekly
Toward One-Candidate Elections in Yemen
Gamze Coşkun
A year has passed since the beginning of the unrest in Yemen, and the elections are set to be held Feb. 21. Up to now Yemen has gone through many hardships. On Nov. 23 President Ali Abdullah Saleh signed the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) deal to hand over power. However, he has not withdrawn from the political arena, despite having passed his responsibilities and duties to his Vice President Abd Rabbuh Mansour al-Hadi...
[USAK-JTW Interview] Prof. Guang: 'Embargo is not the Best Solution'
Serkan Berk Karadeniz
International Strategic Research Organisation (USAK) hosted the 'International Conference on China in the World Order and the Turkish-Chinese Relationship' on February 10th, 2012 and with the occasion of this conference Journal of Turkish Weekly conducted a mini interview with Professor Yang Guang, Director of Institute of West-Asian and African Studies, regarding the Chinese perspective on the oil sanctions against Iran.
Interviewed by: Serkan Berk Karadeniz
USAK Journal of Turkish Weekly
Escalation of Crisis in Iraq, What is Next?
Kenan Engin
Since the US-withdrawal from Iraq approximately 500 Iraqis have been killed across the country. This is the highest death and casualty toll in the past five years. The recent attacks have mostly occurred in Shiite neighborhoods and intensified a sectarian tension between Sunnis and Shiites. This tension flamed up with the recent conflict between Sunni Arab Vice President Al-Hashimi and Shiite PM Al-Maliki and has turned into a political crisis...
France-Turkey: The Night Will End
Maxime Gauin
The Armenian claims have been discussed in the French Parliament since 1975 (rejected in 1975, 1985, 1987 and 1996, adopted in 1998-2001), but clearly, the discussions and the vote never became so far. What has happened since December could appropriately be called a culmination of stupidity. One senator, Sophie Joissains (UMP), elected from Bouches-du-Rhône, the county with the most vituperative Armenian community of France, even regretted in her statement that the Treaty of Sèvres was never carried out...
The Significance of Taiwan's Presidential Elections
Selçuk Çolakoğlu
Taiwan, a state whose official name is the Republic of China and which is recognized only by 23 countries in the world, held its presidential elections on 14 January 2012. This election was an important turning point on the issue of whether Taiwan will carry on as an independent state or whether it will integrate with China along similar lines to Hong Kong. The candidate of the Kuomintang (the Nationalist Party), Ma Ying-jeou, re-elected for his second term with 51.6% of the votes...
Racist Motives behind French Armenian Bill: Is Erdogan Right?
Fatma Yılmaz-Elmas
Racism, in modern age, is no longer a phenomenon related to the concepts of ‘race’ and ‘race relations’ through which "the others” are on target as biologically inferior. Anyway, already in 1950s and 1960s, following a series of researches and sessions, UNESCO refuted the scientific basis of racism, namely biological racism, indicating that there is no such difference between human races. However, this fact does not, of course, mean that there is no racism and racist behaviors or feelings all over the world...
Being Part of the Middle East as History is Rewritten
O. Bahadır Dinçer
During the last years, there have been a great many developments in the Arab world which proved that the days of the existing authoritarian leaders were numbered. Definite proof that things were changing were provided by a series of events: the overthrow of Saddam Hussein in 2003; the elections in Iraq in 2005; demonstrations the same year against Syria in Lebanon; the unprecedented success of the Muslim Brotherhood in winning 88 parliamentary seats in Egypt...
Interpretation of the Developing Iranian Stance on Syria
Ali Hussein Bakeer
With the development of the Syrian crisis, there has recently been an increase in discussion about the Iranian regime and the shift in rhetoric towards Damascus by some of its members. This has been with respect to recognizing the existence of a real revolution, the urging of Assad to see the importance of understanding popular demands and the need to open a dialogue between the regime and the opposition. This is all evidence of the existence of a real shift in Iranian policy...
Snow White and the Other Monsters
Gözde Damla Çitler
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is a beloved and well-known fairy tale by the Grimm Brothers featuring a famous line: "Mirror, mirror on the wall.” This innocent fairy tale character, horribly and ironically, describes a fatal substance in the organized crime environment. It is the street name of cocaine which also turns the famous line above into a murder weapon: the mirror people use for cutting it on. This is how a fairy tale turns into a nightmare when narcotics appear as the antagonist...
Debating US’s Strategic Return to Asia: British and American Schools
Serafettin Yilmaz
The U.S. plans to pull its major combat forces out of the Middle East (troop withdrawal from Iraq already took place in December, 2011 and the U.S. government plans to withdraw active combat forces from Afghanistan by the end of 2014 even though conflicting signals are coming from the Pentagon) and initiate a strategic return to Asia...
Iran’s Dangerous Game in Iraq
Ali Hussein Bakeer
In his December speech welcoming the troops home from Iraq, US President Barack Obama said, "We are leaving behind a sovereign, stable and self-reliant Iraq, with a representative government that was elected by its people.” In reality, none of this is true on the ground. Iraq today is a very fragile country. Its sovereignty is questionable, it cannot depend on itself and, according to Iraq’s military Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Abu Bakr Zebari, it will not be able to protect its borders or airspace before 2020...
France-Turkey: What Went Wrong?
Maxime Gauin
The Orwellian bill punishing the "denial” of the unsubstantiated "Armenian genocide” claims will be discussed at the end of January in the French Senate. France is alone in such a case: The few other attempts, in Slovakia for example, failed and were not even discussed in the parliament. France has the longest tradition of alliance with Turkey. It was the first major power to understand what Armenian nationalism really is...
Historical Decision of the Bulgarian Parliament: Assimilation Process Condemned
Muzaffer Kutlay
The National Assembly of Bulgaria affixed to a historical decision in the first session of 2012. The National Assembly adopted a declaration that condemns the assimilation process that was applied as an official state policy towards the Bulgarian Turks by Todor Jivkov, the totalitarian leader of the Communist regime and the forced emigration of 1989. Consequently, for the first time, Bulgaria come up to Turkey’s agenda as a neighbour that is facing its past and acting with the virtue of apologizing instead of racist and nationalist scolds...
Transition to Multi-Party System in Kazakhstan?
Gülay Mutlu
Upon the termination of the Kazakh parliament by Nursultan Nazarbayev on November 16, 2011, elections have been decided to be held seven months earlier, on January 15, 2012. 98 seats of the 107-member parliament will be directly determined by the vote of the electorate. The remaining nine deputies will take their place in parliament after the submission of candidates determined by the People’s Assembly of Kazakhstan to the President on January 16...
Resisting Nicolas Sarkozy
Maxime Gauin
The government did not use the urgency procedure; but now, it is asking for the discussion of the Boyer bill at the end of January. Once again, this is an irrational position of an irrational president. Nobody should be surprised. At the end of 2011, Nicolas Sarkozy argued that from 2001 to 2011, despite the "recognition” of the "genocide” claims, Franco-Turkish trade increased 30%. Mr. Sarkozy seems unaware that at the same time, the Turkish gross domestic product doubled and its imports and exports multiplied by four...
From the Euro Crisis to Disputes on the Future of Europe
Fatma Yılmaz-ELmas
Europe,the etymology of which is based on Greek mythology (Europa), is producing disputes that could lead to Greece beinganathematized in the euro zone and accused of indolence. Greece,which currently invoiced €220 billion to theEuropean commonwealth as compensation for "its own mistakes,” is the cultural inheritor of ancient Greecebut seems to have lost its mystical tune for Europeans. However, the effects of the euro crisis arenot limited tothe decline of the European-"invented” Greek myth...
Did the Iraq War Take Place?
Dilek Karal
The last American combat troops withdraw from Iraq three weeks ago on December 17, 2011 after eight years of war. Even for the supporters of the war,the reasons as to why the U.S. went into Iraq became vague over the years. The long years of war with a missing victor reminds of Jean Baudrillard’s long debated article titled "The Gulf War Will Not Take Place” which was published just before the attack by American and British forces on Baghdad in the 1991 Gulf War...
One Year of Countries Toppling Their Leaders
Gamze Coşkun
Around this time last year, many Arab countries showed signs of a new wave of change in the region. The events which started in Tunisia spread their effect to many countries of the region such as Egypt, Yemen, Libya, Bahrain and Syria. In nearly one year, the countries which achieved their primary goal of toppling their leaders have been Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. For Yemen, on the other hand, it is not yet possible to say that Ali Abdullah Saleh has totally abdicated...
What Does the Uludere Incident Pledge for a Democratic Future?
Süleyman Özeren
On the Iraqi side of the Turkish-Iraqi border, 35 people were killed as a result of a military air strike which was thought to be targeting PKK terrorists. Those who were killed were not actually terrorists, but Kurdish people who were involving in smuggling along the Iraqi border. The incident caused deep sorrow in Turkey regardless of social, economic, political or cultural backgrounds. Politicians, community leaders and members of the mass media also expressed pain and sorrow...
ASALA's Day in the French National Assembly
Maxime Gauin
"Inquisitorial, liberticidal and obscurantist” said Josselin de Rohan, then Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the French Senate, on May 4, 2011. The first censorship bill regarding the Armenian issue was rejected by an overwhelming majority of senators. For purely electoral reasons, Nicolas Sarkozy oversaw the vote of a similar, new bill on December 22. The text was presented by Marseille’s Deputy Valérie Boyer...
A Time Collapse in the Kurdish Problem
İhsan Bal
Turkey today is living through almost the exact opposite of what it experienced in the 1990s, as the BDP, KCK and PKK behave as if nothing has been accomplished for the Kurds. This is inexplicable only if one sees them as being locked in the past. When we discuss the Kurdish problem in Turkey we find ourselves trapped in a vicious circle: We seem to believe that time has come to a stop and that we need to be acting accordingly...
The European Union, the Economic Crisis and Democracy
E. Fuat Keyman
A deep economic crisis is testing European integration. The measures taken against the crisis are causing the concept of democracy to be eclipsed. In the coming period this problem is going to take up more of our time. After Greece and Italy, now may be Spain. Elected heads of government have been resigning. In their place came the ‘technocratic prime ministers’ which we earlier witnessed in Turkey and Latin America. The elected government of Greece had declared that it would hold a referendum on whether or not the people would like to accept a necessary economic package of measures...
Fourth Wave Democratization: Democratization of Communist and Islamic Regimes
Ali Sarıhan
Samuel M. Huntington developed the concept of third wave democratization and he started the timeline of the wave with the end of the Portuguese dictatorship in 1974. According to Huntington (1991), third wave democratic transformations take place in five phases: "Emergence of reformers, acquiring power, the failure of liberalization, backward legitimacy, and co-opting opposition.”[1] Many states, such as Turkey, Greece, Indonesia, Nigeria and Spain, are analyzed as third wave democratized states...
An Alternative Diagnosis of the Palestinian Issue
O. Bahadır Dinçer
Recently, it seems that one of the vital issues of the Middle East, the Palestinian issue, has been taken to the forefront of the international arena. Right before the Middle East Quartet’s visit to the region, Israel approved the construction of forty housing units in the West Bank as well as called for closing the Al-Aqsa Mosque...
Energy Games in the East Mediterranean
Hasan Selim Özertem
Following the crisis of the Marmara flotilla plus political turmoil in Syria, the eastern Mediterranean has become one of the top issues in Turkish foreign policy. However, the tension has escalated with the Greek Cypriot declaration that they will start drilling activities in the Mediterranean Sea. This decision, in reality, paves the way for a possible change in the existing paradigm of the frozen Cyprus issue...
Is it All About Islamism vs. Secularism?
Gamze Coşkun
A small country in North Africa, Tunisia, has taken big steps for itself and for the region in a very short one-year period. It inflamed the wave of courageous protests among civilians against Middle Eastern nations’ outdated autocratic regimes. Setting aside the Egyptian constitutional referendum held in March, Tunisia has also become the first country in which the first free democratic elections were held...
Duma Elections: What They Mean for Putin
Habibe Özdal
Russians voted Sunday to elect the State Duma, the lower chamber of chamber of the bicameral legislature. The election was widely seen as a test for Putin’s presidential candidacy. The results of the Duma elections had many repercussions, but eventually nothing is surprising since the results are very much in line with the outcomes of the surveys that were conducted before the elections...
Germany Shocked by Extreme Right
Fatma Yılmaz-Elmas
Recent revelations about a terrorist organization known as the National Socialist Underground have come as a shock to Germany. The collapse of a neo-Nazi organization that between 2000 and 2006 killed nine foreign shopkeepers (one of them Turkish) and a German policeman, or the self-destruction of this organization though various incidents, suicides and confessions, have alarmed German public opinion and the world of politics...
Rethinking Turkish-EU Relations
E. Fuat Keyman
We should revive the discussion on Turkish relations with the EU. We need to introduce the concept of "flexible full membership” into the agenda for the discussion in a way that will take note of Turkey’s regional and global role and boost its economic dynamism, focusing on sustainable human development...
NATO on The 60th Anniversary of Turkish Membership
Selçuk Çolakoğlu
The Public Diplomacy Division of NATO held a consultative meeting for Turkish academics who were members of Turkish Council of International Relations on November 22nd, 2011 at the NATO Headquarters in Brussels. The meeting’s aim was partly to brief them on strategy for the Chicago Summit to be held in May 2012and partly to exchange ideas with them about NATO publicity activities, which will be held in Turkey next year to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Turkish membership...
The Global Crisis and an Unhinged World
Özdem Sanberk
Turkey has displayed remarkable sensitivity over Somalia. But if it fails to show the whole world the same sensitivity in the struggle against rapidly increasing global inequalities and poverty, we shall continue to face new Somalias. Heart-rending scenes of the humanitarian crisis which Somalia is undergoing have directed the attention of Turkey to the African continent...
Russian Warships' Cold Messages from Warm Waters
Habibe Özdal
Conflicts between the Assad regime and dissidents in Syria have continued. On the one hand, dark clouds have not seemed to dissipate in the short term; on the other hand, the methods of the Assad regime based on the use of force to suppress public revolts have been increasing the fragility of the regime. At this point, predictability in the context of the future of Damascus seems limited whereas other expectations seem to be possible...
Loya Jirga Says ‘Yes’ to the US Presence
Arzu Turgut
Under the extraordinary security measures, the grand assembly known as the Loya Jirga in Afghanistan gathered in the capital city, Kabul, between November 16 and 19, 2011. 2,000 Afghan elders, tribal leaders, and officials agreed on the proposed strategic partnership between Kabul and Washington. The decisions taken in this meeting mostly addressed Afghanistan’s relationship with the U.S...
Politically Motivated Misuse of History: An Analysis of Muriel Mirak-Weissbach’s "Reflections” on the Armenian Issue
Maxime Gauin
The German contribution to Turkish studies is considerable, but the contribution of some, let’s repeat, some Germans to the prejudices against the Turks is not less considerable.[1] In addition to the tradition of Protestant fundamentalist, which is vehemently anti-Muslim and even more, if possible, anti-Turkish, there is the temptation to share the horrible recollection of the Shoah with another people...
Dmitry Medvedev: Russia's Democratic Adventure?
Viktoriia Demydova
On September 24, during the party session of United Russia, Russian Prime-Minister Vladimir Putin was declared a candidate of the party for the upcoming 2012 election. We are witnessing the last months of Dmitry Medvedev’s presidency, who was promised the post of prime-minister, in the case of Putin’s victory...
Russian Warships' Cold Messages from Warm Waters
Habibe Özdal
Conflicts between the Assad regime and dissidents in Syria have continued. On the one hand, dark clouds have not seemed to dissipate in the short term; on the other hand, the methods of the Assad regime based on the use of force to suppress public revolts have been increasing the fragility of the regime. At this point, predictability in the context of the future of Damascus seems limited whereas other expectations seem to be possible...
Alain Juppé Showed the Right Way to Solve the Armenian Question
Maxime Gauin
The visit of French Minister of Interior Claude Guéant to Ankara was somewhat tainted by the inopportune statements of Nicolas Sarkozy in Yerevan. The visit of Minister of Foreign Affairs Alain Juppé in Ankara was a turnaround. Not surprisingly, Mr. Juppé reiterated the full solidarity of France against PKK terrorism (materialized by a bilateral agreement, signed by Mr. Guéant and his Turkish counterpart)...
Croatia Is in the Running for EU Membership, But Croatians?
Muzaffer Kutlay
The European Commission, in the document pertaining to the Enlargement Strategy announced on October 12, reported that Croatia is ready to participate in the EU composed of 27 countries. Croatia, which completed the accession negotiations in June 2011 by fulfilling all the topics, is expected to sign the accession treaty after the EU summit to be held in December...
Alarm Bells Ring for the Eurozone: The Crises in Greece and Italy
Mustafa Kutlay
Greece has slipped into political chaos after its prime minister, Mr. George Papandreou, initially decided to hold a referendum and then was forced to withdrawal following a fierce reaction led by Germany and France. Mr. Papandreou paid for his attempt to hold a referendum by losing office. During interparty talks held by the Greek president, New Democracy, the main opposition party, determined that fresh general elections should be held...
Testing Opinion in the Kurdish Street
İhsan Bal
The Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) has been unable to win the votes of even half of Turkish voters and so is destined to give way to new political actors in the period ahead. They will be braver and people who do not stuff their mouths with empty words. A vigorous debate is underway over who enjoys the right to speak in Kurdish politics and whom dialogue over the Kurdish problem should be addressed to...
Assad Regime Runs Out of Time
Gamze Coşkun
Every passing day, the Assad regime is coming closer to a dead end in Syria. The regime is hedged in with the increasing external pressure due to the recent events. Thus, Assad and the supporters of his regime look for the solution in increasing the violence as they feel trapped. However, it seems that Bashar Assad’s regime is running out of time no matter what...
Syria Needs to Change from Within
Osman Bahadır Dinçer
Syria is going through a tumultuous process. It seems like the Assad regime has been stuck in an ever-shrinking trap. The level of violence has increased with the statement of the Arab League giving Assad time until November 16. Assad’s attitude toward what has been happening is of great importance in shedding light upon the developments in the country...
Creating New Common Ground for Politics in Turkey
Özdem Sanberk
The southeastern regions of our country have lived amid violence for decades and are still reeling from the most recent terrorist attacks. Now, on top of all of this has come yet another bitter blow, the Van Erciş earthquake. The whole of Turkey, be it government, state, or ordinary people, joined in solidarity with the people of this region. All of us owe it to the Turkish and Kurdish people who live there to help ease their agony...
Background Information Is Essential to Put the News into Perspective
Tibor Hargitai
The Independent correspondent Patrick Cockburn wrote a remarkable article on November 5, 2011 about a young Libyan man who guided him through Tripoli and acted as his translator. He was killed October 9 as he had joined the rebel fighters days before that. Cockburn tells about Ahmed, who was a highly-educated young man who wanted to help the revolutionaries in their battle...
Democratic Army Versus Anti-Democratic Mass Mobilization
Ali Sarihan
Niccolo Machiavelli, Immanuel Kant, and Alexis de Tocqueville see the military as an important part of a state. While realist Machiavelli adhered to the idea of a strong army being a necessity for a strong state, idealism’s two important philosophers Kant and Tocqueville approach armies from a rather democratic perspective and they defend that an army is important but not a key factor for a democratic state...
US Congress for Black Ops Against Iran
Ismail Salami
The U.S. secret agenda for tightening its vice-like grip on the Islamic Republic of Iran has taken on an apparently new form after the alleged assassination plot against the Saudi ambassador to the United States, Adel al-Jubeir, raised many eyebrows among experts and analysts around the world. With a strong penchant for pushing for tougher action on Iran, the Obama administration has already imposed a series of sanctions against the Islamic Republic.
Civil Society Marginalized in Bosnia and Herzegovina: A Threat to Democracy
Bedrudin Brljavac
The political leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina have failed to form a government since the October elections in 2010, and the country is facing its worst political and social crisis since the end of the war in November 1995 after having signed the Dayton Peace Agreement. Furthermore, inflammatory nationalistic rhetoric has been dominating public discourse in the country almost throughout the entire post-Dayton era...
Ukraine’s Relations with the European Union and Russia – What to Choose?
Viktoriia Demydova
Post-Soviet Ukraine is now facing a difficult choice – where it should turn to. A long history of struggle and hesitation between East and West is a reality nowadays. Ukraine has few economic and political options to choose from. On the one hand, the Association and Free Trade Zone Agreement are important stages for the accession of the country to a united Europe. On the other hand, the Customs Union with Russia has advantages for Ukraine...
Iran Through Arab Eyes
Ali Hussein Bakeer
Iran is an issue which is intensively discussed in the Arab world mainly due to two major reasons related to the way Tehran introduces itself to the region and the way Arab perceives it. Specialists who follow Iranian affairs note that there is no single standard perception of Iran in the Arab world and that indeed perceptions vary from country to country and sometimes within one country...
The Changing of Leadership in Kyrgyzstan without a ‘Revolution’
Gülay Mutlu
Kyrgyzstan has witnessed significant developments in succession after the revolution experienced in 2010. After the chaotic environment experienced last year, the Office of the President, which was left in a democratic and legal way by Roza Otunbayeva, found its new owner who was elected as a temporary President of the Republic with the election that ended yesterday...
A ‘Lonely’ Democracy in Central Asia
Güner Özkan
Kyrgyzstan is situated in a neighborhood in which no other resembles it. Like it or not, and if not still showing a first class success, Kyrgyzstan has managed to build a kind of democracy that was working as seen few days ago. Kyrgyzstan conducted Presidential elections on 30 October that was free, transparent and democratic in Central Asian standards...
Time for Independence for Northern Cyprus
Selçuk Çolakoğlu
If the Taiwanese model does not produce any easing in the negotiating position of Southern Cyprus, the final option for Northern Cyprus would be to try and get the rest of the world to accept the independence that was proclaimed in 1983. Kosovo declared its independence in 2008, and since then it has been recognized by 83 countries...
Turkey and The Turkic Republics: Is There A New Vision?
Gülay Mutlu
At the beginning of this month, The Turkic Republics at the 20th Anniversary of Their Independence International Meeting was held at Rixos, and President of the Republic of Turkey Abdullah Gul and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu made the opening remarks which drew attention to the relationship between Turkey and the Turkic republics...
Graham Fuller: "Turkey is Well Positioned to Play an Important Role in This Era of Change"
Gözde Damla Çitler
Graham Fuller gave a seminar at USAK House on 28 September 2011. JTW conducted an exclusive interview with Mr. Fuller considering the recent events in the Middle East. You can find the full text of the interview below.
Interviewed by: Gözde Damla Çitler
Journal of Turkish Weekly
Eduard Soler at USAK House: "In Ten Years’ Time, the EU and Turkey will Have Much to Offer to Each Other"
Viktoriia Demydova
JTW conducted an exclusive interview with Eduard Soler i Lecha, a Research Fellow at CIDOB, concerning the recent events in the Middle East, and Turkey and EU's role during "Working Together for Democracy in the Arab World” conference at USAK House on 27 October 2011.. You can find the full text of the interview below.
Interviewed by: Viktoriia Demydova
Journal of Turkish Weekly
Prof. Sayyar Al-Jamil: "Iraq is very Important for Turkey for the Next Thirty Years"
Sinem Cengiz
JTW conducted an exclusive interview with Prof. Dr. Sayyar Al-Jamil, professor of Modern History and Contemporary Thought Senior-Advisor in Arab Centre for Research & Political Studies, considering the recent events in the Middle East during "Working Together for Democracy in the Arab World” conference at USAK House on 27 October 2011. You can find the full text of the interview below.
Interviewed by: Sinem Cengiz
Journal of Turkish Weekly
US-EU Relations: A Dim Future
Mehmet Yegin
There is no serious difference of opinion between both sides of the Atlantic about the expansion of NATO to Asia and its becoming a global actor. Yet Europe is not comfortable with the idea of using military force and the containment of China. When talking about U.S.-EU relations, the points that first come to mind are common values and political culture...
Cyprus: Towards a New Negotiation Process
Özdem Sanberk
A new phase is unfolding in the Cyprus dispute and Turkey-European Union (EU) relations. The change was triggered by the recent visit to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) by Turkey’s Prime Minister, Mr Recep Tayyip Erdogan. During his visit the prime minister proposed that the talks on the future of the island should be speeded up and that a referendum should be held early in 2012. If that did not happen then Turkey would not acknowledge the Greek Cypriots when Southern Cyprus took over the rotating presidency of the EU in July 2012 and would freeze its relations with the EU...
Tymoshenko’s Trial and Its Consequences for Ukraine
Viktoriia Demydova
On October 11, 2011, the Pechersk District Court of Kiev sentenced ex-prime minister Yuliya Tymoshenko to seven years in jail. The reason for this was the misuse of powers by the ex-prime minister during the completion of the gas agreement with Russia in 2009. The decision of the court was followed by the new trial initiated by the Security Service of Ukraine against Tymoshenko...
After the PKK Attacks, Are We Where Words Fail?
Hasan Selim Özertem
After mine attacks by the PKK in the Güroymak district of Bitlis on Tuesday, while we haven’t yet dressed the wounds, we heard another attack took place in the Çukurca and Yüksekova districts of Hakkari on Wednesday. According to the information provided by the Prime Minister, during simultaneous attacks on police and army units, 24 security officials were killed and 18 were injured...
Prof. Bal: "PKK’s Hakkari Attack should be Separated from the Kurdish Issue"
Gülay Kılıç
Prof. Dr. İhsan Bal, Head of the USAK Science Committee, evaluated the PKK attack which occurred yesterday. He stated that this case should be separated from the Kurdish issue and he focused on the security aspect of this attack. Prof. Dr. Bal emphasized that the PKK is a mechanism which is evolving and has a characteristic of self-reproducing. Prof. Dr. Ihsan Bal, also referred to necessary actions which are required to be taken for the future.
Interviewed by: Gülay Kılıç
USAK Stratejik Gündem
Iran Losing from the Arab Uprisings? Don’t Be so Sure
Ali Huseyin Bakir
Lately, many articles have confirmed Iran’s loss in the Arab revolution, although we still don’t know where exactly things are heading. We should not rush to judge because such an attitude will make us relaxed, drive us to draw wrong conclusions and lead us to lose in the end. Things can change fast and this is what seems to be happening right now...
Behind the Palmer Report
Özdem Sanberk
May 31st 2010 is a date which the Turkish public will surely find it very hard to forget. Nearly a year and a half on, we still feel in our hearts the pain we experienced on learning that Israel had attacked an international convoy carrying nothing except humanitarian items in its cargo and killed nine people on board. So I believe that it is worth briefly re-examining the events which followed the attack on the convoy...
Sarkozy in the Caucasus
Kamer Kasım
During his recent visit to Armenia, President Nicolas Sarkozy of France made statements which sparked reaction in both Turkey and Azerbaijan. This was not just because they reflected a general tendency by France to accept Armenians’ historical claims against Turkey but also because they contained messages regarding Turkey. It is well-known that the Armenian diaspora has an established place in the French political system...
Security Challenges in Central Asia and India's Role
Mohammad Samir Hussain
India’s interests and concerns in Central Asia are very well reflected in one of the Ministry of Defense reports that, "due to its strategic proximity to the Middle East and South Asia, Central Asia has emerged as a distinct geo-political entity stimulating global attention and interest. The region has vast untapped potential of oil and gas and other strategic minerals. Engagement of the CARs is thus an essential component of our security.”
The Plot to Kill the Saudi Ambassador to Washington: Who, Why, and Consequences
Masoud Kazemzadeh
The reported plot by certain "elements of the Iranian government” to kill Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the U.S. raises several crucial questions.[1] Did the alleged elements follow orders from the higher-ups or did they create the plot by themselves? What might be the motivations for the killing of the Saudi ambassador on American soil?
The PKK as the Problem of Kurds
İhsan Bal
With the increasing acts of the PKK, it seems like some intellectuals who have a habit of discussing the Kurdish problem with a mental conformity have started to recognize the new dimension the problem has evolved into. The number of people who analyze the PKK as a result of the Kurdish problem and experienced deprivations has started to diminish. It is because we are undergoing a phase in which the PKK itself has been transforming into a disease...
Energy Negotiations over Turkish-Russian Line
Hasan Selim Özertem
The first treaty regarding the natural gas trade between Turkey and the USSR was signed in 1984, proposing that Turkey would buy natural gas from the Soviet Union for a 25-year term from the beginning of 1987. In return, the USSR would buy cotton, meat, corn, and vegetable oil, as well as steel and non-steel products and industrial materials. According to this treaty, natural gas sales would start at a volume of 1.5 billion m3 in 1987 and rise up to 6 billion m3 per year from 1993 until 2011...
Moscow-Beijing Relations in Pendulum between Competitiveness and Partnership
Habibe Özdal
Vladimir Putin visits China on Tuesday in his first foreign trip since revealing plans to reclaim Russia's presidency, addressing a challenging relationship with a giant neighbor whose growth is both an opportunity and a potential threat for Moscow. Indeed the balances are changing in Chinese-Russian relations that were brought closer by the unilateral interventions of the U.S. in the international arena...
October 1921, 1968, 2011: The New Ankara Agreement and Its Context
Maxime Gauin
On October 20, 1921, France was the first major power to sign a peace treaty with the Kemalists recognizing Ankara’s government, after the first de facto recognition of May 1920. France even provided weapons and ammunition, which were used against the Greek invasion forces. Henry Franklin-Bouillon, a Centrist politician and chairman of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs Committee, was the French chief negotiator...
Pakistan is the Scapegoat of the U.S. in Afghanistan
Arzu Turgut
On October 6, 2011, American President Obama warned Pakistan that its ties with "unsavory characters” had jeopardized the relations between Washington and Islamabad. The U.S. has recently intensified the pressure put on Islamabad to cut links with militants who continuously organize attacks in Afghanistan...
Russia’s Anticipated Veto on Syria
Habibe Özdal
The draft resolution, which envisaged the enforcement of international sanctions against Syria in case of the Assad government’s insistence on using violence against protestors, has been rejected with the vetos of China and Russia. India, South Africa, Brazil, and Lebanon had abstained from voting. This anticipated veto by Russia can be defined as consistent in the context of Russian foreign policy.
Energy Security Calculations: Challenges and Options
Betül Buke Karaçin
Energy security considerations have been a prominent issue in world politics for years. The dramatic decision of Winston Churchill to convert the British Navy’s use of coal to oil led to a paradigm change in energy politics and paved ways for oil to become the vital engine of the economy in the following years. However, the significance of the issue was recognized in the wake of the 1973 oil crisis...
Confrontation in Cyprus
Kamer Kasım
Turkey should openly call for recognition of the KKTC and invest effort in securing it. Turkey’s international prestige has increased, and if it was to adopt such a policy, there will now be countries which would support Turkey. If a policy is thought to be right, then criticisms of it, even if they come from influential figures, should be no obstacle to adopting it. This is how things are in the Cyprus problem as well the Palestinian problem...
PKK - TAK: Blind Nihilist Terror
İhsan Bal
There is a close resemblance between nihilism, which argues that everything is devoid of meaning and value, and the terrorist entity whose chill breath we have been experiencing the last few years. In Marmaris, a bomb explodes just at a time when you are experiencing the sun, nature, and humanity all at peace with each other, and suddenly your life is turned upside down...
Ethnic Conflict Escalated on the Eve of Elections in Bulgaria
Muzaffer Kutlay
Last Friday (September, 23) in Katunica Village, in Plovdiv, the second largest city in Bulgaria, 19-year-old Angel Petrov was crushed by a Roma-driven minibus. The events which began after this incident spread throughout the country in a short time period and dragged Bulgaria into a serious crisis. When the minibus driver, who was claimed to be connected with mafia leader Kiril Rashkov, also known as "Tsar Kiro,” disappeared, the people of Katunica, with a population of around 2300, began mass protests...
From 2001 to 2011: 9/11 Terrorist Attacks and Afghanistan
Salih Dogan
Last March, from the 15th to 22nd, 2011, I was invited to speak at the seminars regarding Afghanistan organized by the European Network of NGOs in Afghanistan (ENNA) held in Brussels, The Hague, and Budapest. Referring to an American newspaper in my speech, I had said that 90% of Afghan people had no knowledge of the September 11 terrorist attacks and how they were related to Afghanistan at the time the United States and NATO troops began Operation Enduring Freedom...
Where to Live as Women?
Dilek Karal
Newsweek magazine’s latest issue covers the matter of women’s progress in an article titled "The 2011 Global Women’s Progress Report” (Newsweek, Sept. 26, 2011). The research data behind the report is combined from the indexes of 165 countries, looking at five areas that affect women’s lives: treatment under the law, workforce participation, political power, access to education, and health care...
Putin Takes His Deposit Back?
Habibe Özdal
The Russian head of state, Dmitri Medvedev, has announced at the United Russia Party Conference held on September 24 that he approves the nomination of Vladimir Putin for the March 2012 presidential elections. Putin, as a response in the statement he made, advised President Medvedev to become a candidate for the United Russia Party on December 4, 2011...
The Death of a Militant
İhsan Bal
Mustafa Maç lives in the village of Bağraç in Þanlıurfa Province. Two of his sons died in armed clashes in the mountains. On September 14, the story found its way into the newspapers about how he had declined a proposal from a group of people which included two Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) MPs to set up a condolences tent...
Transformation of Identity in Turkish Foreign Policy
O. Bahadır Dinçer & Dilek Karal
A transformation under way in Turkish foreign policy, one that is inextricably linked to the change in the country’s identity. The dynamics responsible for this change of identity have to be sought in the social, economic, and cultural transformation which Turkey is currently living through. For many years Turkey gave little attention to areas outside the Western world and in particular to the Arab world...
Canada Took the Wrong Side
Paul Heinbecker
'To see ourselves as others see us! It would from many a blunder free us," advice as sound and pertinent today as when first offered the world by Robbie Burns a couple of centuries ago. Our government's opposition to the Palestinians' application to join the UN may be such a blunder; it will in any case likely burden Canadian foreign policy for years to come...
Afghan Peace Leader Burhaniddin Rabbani Assassinated
Salih Doğan
Burhaniddin Rabbani, a former President of Afghanistan and the leader of Afghan High Peace Council (HPC), was killed in a suicide attack in the capital of Afghanistan, Kabul on September 20, 2011. The suicide attacker, with a bomb in his turban, thought to be "very trusted” and has visited Rabbani to negotiate on behalf of the Taliban by bringing "special messages,” a member of the High Peace Council said...
Political Piracy in Berlin
Cenk Alican
Politics in Berlin, Germany’s re-united capital and one of the country’s 16 states, has become scenery of a remarkable success story after Sunday’s local elections. In future open-source-inspired nerds will play a significant role in shaping the largest city-state’s politics: the Pirate Party, founded in 2006, snatched seats in the Berlin`s legislature and attracted 8.5 percent of the vote. Since 2004 Berlin has been creating jobs faster than the German average, leading the country in business start-ups. The city’s long-serving mayor Klaus Wowereit, he has been in office for ten years now, branded his hometown "poor but sexy”...
The End for Yemen: Tribal Rules and Economic Hardships
Nath Aldalala’a
Whereas the Arab Spring is seen as a new beginning for the people of the region, paradoxically it signals the end of a unified Yemen. Sitting at the edge of the Arabian Peninsula, it is the poorest and least developed country in the Arab world. Unemployment stands at over 40%, and the economy is heavily dependent on oil revenues, which are predicted to have been depleted by 2017. Yemen also is distinct in being heavily governed by a military mentality both at the level of the regime and of the people. The nature of its society is tribal with a history of shifting loyalties...
Offshore Deep Sea Oil Drilling in the Eastern Mediterranean
Haluk Direskeneli
Licensed by Greek Cyprus, Noble Energy (NYSE:NBL) of Houston, Texas began offshore oil exploration on September 19, 2011. It is for sure that Noble Energy will be at non-stop risk from nearby naval war exercises by the Turkish Navy all year long, due to the unfair share of natural resources between Greek and Northern Cyprus. Noble Energy and Greek Cyprus will constantly risk abuse and dogfights from the Turkish Navy and Air Force in the disputed waters. I believe the company is behaving too boldly, as the business environment cannot stand for that much sovereign risk...
Whither Turkish-Israeli Relations?
Mustafa Yetim
When the AKP came to power in 2002, the "litmus test” for the ruling party was how well it could keep Turkey’s economic, politic and military relations with Israel positive as in the past, since the AKP was considered to have Islamic roots. Some foreign and local politicians and commentatorsfurther claimed that the relations between Turkey and Israel would deteriorate in time in terms of economic, military, and political ties. These presumptions did not materialize; on the contrary, both countries improved their relations in many aspects, especially considering the military equipment transferred from Israel with the aim of fighting against PKK terrorism...
On the Horns of a Dilemma Between Risk and Opportunities: The Uzbek Policy Toward Afghanistan
Arzu Turgut
The withdrawal of 150,000 NATO soldiers from Afghanistan by the end of 2014 will likely precipitate a security vacuum in the region.In this process, the United States pursues a policy ofintegrating the groups within the Taliban which seem relatively moderate and allowingfor their reconciliation into the Afghan government. However, Uzbekistan, havingbeen threatened by the Taliban from 1997 to 2001, is very cautious of any attempts to involve them in political and governmental affairs. The Uzbek governmentwhich implements very repressive policies in political, economic, and social spheres within the country remains very vulnerable to the security problems emanating from Afghanistan...
The Arab Spring and the Waves of Democracy
Cevat Dargin
Kenan Engin (Hurriyet Daily News - August 19, 2011) recently suggested that the Arab Spring be called the "fifth wave of democracy.” This struck us as a potentially strong thesis - to link the uprisings in the Arab majority countries to the preceding democratic political transformations in Latin America and Eastern Europe. The countries involved in the proposed ‘fifth wave’ are all Arab-Islam majority countries. They are authoritarian. A sole, unelected leader, a hegemonic party, and a strong army generally constitute the pillars of the regime...
Hrant Dink’s "Heirs” Should Be More Coherent
Maxime Gauin
The "friends of Hrant Dink” sent a letter to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The text, as quoted in the Hürriyet Daily News on September 16, 2011, alleges: "Our search for justice has been left null and void as [our efforts] approach their fifth year. The state in its entirety that we have petitioned saw itself as being close to the murderer.” The fact that the assassin, Ogün Samast, was quickly arrested and sentenced to more than 20 years in jail seems irrelevant to the authors of this letter...
Germany's Berlin Election: A Short Analysis
Gulsum Orhan
The Berlin elections were the last of a series of elections in Germany this year. On Sunday, the September 18, the those living in the capital of the Federal Republic elected a new Berlin Parliament. It is difficult to say exactly who the winner was, but the fact is that the Socialist candidate Klaus Wowereit will continue to be mayor for the third time. Another fact is that the Liberals came out of the elections badly again. It is the fifth time in a row they lost seats in a State Parliament. Actually, they are represented in just eleven State Parliaments...
The International Court of Justice and the Gaza Blockade
Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Kaya
With the announcement of the Palmer report regarding the Mavi Marmara incident, a possible application to the International Court of Justice at The Hague was brought to the agenda. The United Nations Secretary General’s Panel of Inquiry named the Palmer Commission constituted of four members, two being impartial members. While the Turkish and Israeli members did not join the report, the report was compiled by the other two members and presented to the UN Secretary General...
After the London Riots: New Labels
Fatma Yılmaz Elmas
Ever since rioting broke out in London at the beginning of August, there have been all sorts of interpretations placed on these troubles both by officialdom and in the media. All sorts people have raised their voices in different quarters, ranging from those who reduce it all to gangsterism and looting to those who blame the contradictions between classes created by capitalism. The British Prime Minister, David Cameron, belittled the problem by announcing that he had begun a war against gangs, an attitude reminiscent of President Sarkozy in 2005 when he denounced protesters in France’s troubles then as filth which needed to be rooted out...
New Challenges for Kazakhtan’s OIC Chairmanship: Syria and Somalia
Hasan Selim Ozertem
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation was founded in 1969 following the sabotage of Al-Aqsa. With its 57 members, it is the second largest intergovernmental organization after the UN. During its 38th session on June 28, the new name Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) was finally accepted. At the same time, its rotating chairmanship was assumed by one of its newest members. Following the completion of its OSCE chairmanship, Kazakhstan is still pursuing its ambitions of being a pro-active actor in the international arena and will conduct its OIC chairmanship from 2011 to 2012...
Moscow Reshuffles Bets in Kyrgyzstan
Ryskeldi Satke
October 30, 2011 presidential elections in Kyrgyzstan have drawn over 80 candidates into much anticipated race that has been a subject of political debate in and around the country for quite some time in the republic. Aside from a several dozen of "wannabe" candidates only a few bare chances of getting through the process of a real deal campaigning nationwide. But regional experts and analysts including a number of domestic political figures say there is a likelihood of drastic change towards authoritarian model of the state rather than parliamentarian republic that came after coup in April 2010...
The Current Polarization in Egypt
Ali Huseyin Bakir
Egypt is witnessing an internal disturbance within the background of attempting to find the best road through which to build a democratic regime and develop a constitution for the country. The conflicting views and perspectives lead the various components of the Egyptian revolution to divide deeply, and we started to see skirmishes and polarization between them. Although the revolutionary forces belong to different trends, they showed a high degree of cohesion and tended to work together at first as they had one common goal—toppling the regime...
Role of Economic Interdependence in Turkish-Iranian Relations
Tibor Hargitai
Turkey’s current Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu developed an elaborate foreign policy framework through which he seeks to strengthen Turkey's soft power position in the international community in order to realize peace and stability throughout the world, but mostly in the Middle East. This framework first took the form of a book, "Stratejik Derinlik,” published in 2001, but he also elaborated his vision of Turkey's foreign policy in English in a May 2010 Foreign Policy magazine article entitled "Turkey’s Zero-Problem Foreign Policy.”...
Jihad after Bin Laden: A Response to Lawrence Wright
Nath Aldalala'a
On Spiegel Online dated 5 August 2011, Lawrence Wright predicted the diminishing of al-Qaeda. His reasons behind that claim were that the death of Bin Laden came during a period of peaceful uprisings across the Arab World. This in turn overshadowed the dramatic impact of his death and also downplayed the future role of al-Qaeda in any fundamental changes that will shape the Arab world. Wright's remarks that al-Qaeda has no role in the ongoing Arab Spring is valid and it is particularly significant that al-Qaeda has no role in that...
Pakistan and Osama Bin Laden: New Intelligence and Sources on Osama
Andrin Raj
New intelligence sources provided, gathers that Pakistan had thorough knowledge of Osama Bin Laden and his whereabouts in Pakistan in the last couple of years. However this information could have been kept secret within certain quarters of the administration. This relates to the ongoing doubts of the international community on how such a high profile Al Qaeda leader could be living in Abbotabad and not be known by the Pakistani authorities. The issue here now is: is the current administration aware of such groups within the government that could be manipulating the administration? Is there an agenda to topple the current political leadership by these perpetrators?...
Energy Policies of the EU: The Dilemma of Sovereignty and Unity
Hasan Selim Ozertem
The European Union, rooted in coal and steel which are the main raw materials of industry, was founded in the wake of the Second World War. During this process, the EU developed a common market and a complex structure within enlarged union borders, as well as made efforts to increase its competitive capacity. In this period, environmental problems, the development of common and competitive market dynamics, and the resolution of the supply problem were the central concerns in the Union’s policies. According to a report prepared by the Robert Schuman Center in 2010, these three main factors were described as the "three mantras” of Kyoto, Lisbon, and Moscow...
Eleven Lessons Learned After 9/11
Abukar Arman
The atrocity of 9/11 and the bloody fury that it subsequently unleashed have profoundly dominated the political, social, economic, and religious debates of the 21st Century. These catastrophic events have—directly or indirectly—touched and impacted almost every individual, family, community and nation on the face of the earth. And this author is no exception. A decade characterized by reckless rhetoric and brutal violence came to an end. In that period countless number of people have been killed, massive amount of properties have been destroyed, and enormous amount of resources have been wasted, yet the world remains more volatile, more divided, and more insecure than ever before...
The Palmer Report: What Israel Doesn't Want You to Know
Burc Kostem
There is a pressing need to conduct a legal analysis of the Palmer report and the Turkish narrative of how the events of the Mavi Marmara took place. At the outset the first thing to note is that as Mr Bahadir Dincer of USAK has previously mentioned[1], the main focus of the report is not the legal status of the Gaza blockade or Israel’s status as an occupying force in the Gaza Strip or the West Bank. The scope of the report, initiated subsequent to the Mavi Marmara attack ought to have not actively dealt with the wider legal status of the Israeli blockade but instead to have focused on the immediate events surrounding the Mavi Marmara incident...
Turkey-Tajikistan Relations: Limited to Bilateral Visits
Gulay Kilic
In its 20th year of independence, Tajikistan is now trying to put the spotlight on its relationship with Turkey through several channels. However, there are certain factors affecting the relationship between these two countries, which could not be carried on at a satisfactory level since the 1990s. The most important factor is the Tajik civil war which started in 1992 and continued until 1997; the second, Tajikistan having remained under Russian sovereignty for a period lasting more than 70 years; and the third, Turkey’s economic and political crises and certain difficulties with respect to its foreign policy in the 1990s...
Dangers of Letting Assad Stay in Power
Ali Huseyin Bakir
Since the beginning of the Syrian revolution, the argument was always about the "not ready" alternative for the Syrian regime. Most analysts were discussing the dangers of toppling Assad without preparing a transitional period lead by known and responsible trusted opposition figures, while exclusively looking to the Syrian case in comparison to the Iraqi situation, which is a totally different situation in every detail of the story.Unfortunately, this argument wasn't only used by the allies of the Syrian regime, but also by his supposed "enemies" and "friends" to give Assad more time, and as an excuse to justify their stance of not taking decisive actions against the regime since the beginning of the crisis.
Hampig Sassounian: An Archetypal Example of Contemporary Armenian Terrorism
Maxime Gauin
The congress of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation of 1972, organized in Vienna, Austria, decided the return to terrorist methods and the creation of a terrorist branch, the so-called "Justice Commandos Against Armenian Terrorism,” later renamed the "Armenian Revolutionary Army.” Among the main targets of the JCAG/ARA were Turkish diplomats, with a preference for ambassadors and consul generals. Initially, the assassinations were carried out with exceptional professionalism, as if the JCAG/ARA were actively assisted by a secret service of a state, for instance the Greek KYP [Minassian 2002, pp. 22-23, 28-29, 32-34 and 44-45]. After 1979, the terrorists were more frequently amateurs, and thus arrested in several cases.
Palestine: Arduous Odyssey of Statehood
Dr. Ismail Salami & Kourosh Ziabari
The plight of the Palestinian people is no closed book to anyone in the world; a subjugated nation which has been unjustifiably subjected to discrimination and violence for the past 6 decades. Even the close allies of Israel and those who support the continued occupation of Palestine admit in their privacy that the actions and policies of the Israeli regime are beyond the pale and run counter to the very principles of humanity and morality. Everyday, the mass media run reports of several Palestinians being killed or injured by the Israeli forces.
Bapu's India Wins a Battle
Nava Thakuria
As India is uprising against corruption, the Nobel laureate Burmese pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has extended her support to the movement. The largest democracy in the globe has witnessed a second Freedom Movement (against corruption in high places) under the leadership of Gandhian Anna Hazare. Hundred thousands citizens of the huge country have marched to the streets for a specific anti-corruption law by the government.
Fizuli, Jabrayil and Qubadli, the Unfortunate History of War
Yusif Babanly
"The water was extremely cold. It felt like being sliced alive with a butcher’s knife. Yet, in comparison to being sliced with a real knife, I preferred the freezing water.” These were the words of Gabil Mammadov, one of thousands of IDPs from Zangelan district who had eventually settled in Sumgayit and hundreds who had to escape from advancing Armenian troops by swimming across Araz in the fall of 1993. Zangelan, which was the last Azerbaijani district in Karabakh fell to the enemy in October 1993.
Turkish "Soap" Power...
Lenka Kantnerova
What about Slovaks' understanding of Turkey? Thanks to the increasing number of Slovak tourists to Turkey, it can be claimed that its image in Slovakia has improved, however a significant amount of people still believe in stereotypes and myths connected to the cruelness of the Ottoman Empire, terrorist attacks, human rights violations, non-integration of Turks in Germany, etc… Nowadays it can be said that the image of Turkey is slowly changing...
Tymoshenko’s Trial: Political or Economic Ploy?
Habibe Özdal
Yulia Tymoshenko, Ukraine’s top opposition leader and former prime minister, was arrested during her trial on Friday after the judge ruled she was guilty of systematically disrupting proceedings. From the first day, Tymoshenko refused to recognize the authority of the court. Tymoshenko called the trial a political witch hunt and regularly tweeted its twists and turns directly from the courtroom on her iPad...
Toward the Tunisian Elections: High Expectations vs. Low Participation
Gamze Coşkun
After long discussions on the date of the elections, October 23, 2011 has been decided as the final date. Although there are only two months to the elections, the skepticism of the people concerning the election and its results inevitably raised questions yet again as to whether Tunisia is ready for the elections. Discontent and distrust prevails in contrast to the expected happiness and excitement in the country, which will hold its first free elections since the day it was founded...
How Washington Perceives Turkey's Transformation?
Mehmet Yegin
Turkey and its foreign policy have changed a lot in the last decade. This transformation has different implications in Washington. Yet nearly all parties agree on at least one thing — Turkey’s economic progress. Along with economic success are three prominent themes that accompany the Turkish transformation as interpreted by Washington: democratization, nationalism, and Islamism. Each theme offers a different perspective about Turkey either in positive or negative way...
Turkish Democracy and the Kurdish Singer, Aynur
Amir Sharif
When I found out that the Kurdish singer, Ayur Dogan was to perform during the Istanbul’s 18th Jazz Festival on July 15, I was filled with joy. At last I thought or rather assumed that Kurdish language and culture was to find its rightful place alongside other musical traditions and tongues. I assumed the time had come if not long overdue for the recognition and celebration of Kurdish music in Turkey...
The Chinese Policy Toward Afghanistan: From Military Bases to Industrial Bases
Arzu Turgut
In his book, Rudyard Kipling points out the severity of the power struggle described as "the Great Game” of the 19th century between Russia and Great Britain in Central Asia, stating that "When everyone is dead the Great Game is finished. Not before.” It seems that the numbers of actors involved in the Great Game does not decrease. Thanks to its investments in Afghanistan and diplomatic talks with the Afghan government, China has recently been distinguished from the other actors such as the United States, Russia, India, Pakistan, and Iran which have diverse and conflicting interests in the region...
The Nabucco Pipeline: How Does It Serve Azerbaijan's Energy Interests?
Namiq Abbasov
Since one of the long-term aims of Azerbaijan is to consolidate its integration into Europe, the state is more interested in selling its natural gas resources to the European market, which has over 500 million consumers. As long as the requirements of Azerbaijan are met, Nabucco is considered one of the best options for Azerbaijan to deliver natural gas resources from the second stage of the Shah Deniz natural gas field, due to the fact that the project will allow Azerbaijan to be a transit country which is one of the aims of its energy strategy...
Reactions to Norwegian Massacre: A Double Standard?
Lenka Kantnerova
"If the person who killed 70+ people in Norway were Muslim, the press would have declared him a terrorist. For now though, he is just an 'assailant', 'attacker' (Reuters), or 'gunman' (international TV channels). Looks like 'terrorist' is a name reserved for Muslims. The US Department of State calls it an 'act of violence,' not an 'act of terrorism.'"
Discussing the Kurdish Issue Like Kemal Burkay
İhsan Bal
After the 30 years he had spent in Sweden, Kemal Burkay returned to Turkey. Burkay is not an ordinary person. In Kurdish political life, he has the most vivid and deep-rooted memories, being one of its most experienced intellectual actors. In his own words, he is not a man from within either the PKK or AKP. He is a unique man who has had an impact on Kurdish political life in a way where he could assert his own manifesto and has maintained his life with his own truths and mistakes...
Normative Power Europe (NPE) Still Matters: Adopting the Srebrenica Resolution
Bedrudin Brljavac
Despite the European Union member states having played very passive and almost invisible roles during the Yugoslavian wars, the EU's later interventions and strategic approach toward the western Balkan region proved the potential and importance of the European Union as a normative power. In fact, the EU has demonstrated that it can even play an equally important role through the promotion of democratic values and norms without significant conventional military power...
London's Payback to Its 'Bad Boys'
Dilek Karal
Scenes we have been watching on the news this week include burning shops, overturned cars and streets turned into battlefields. Those who have a chance to review these scenes can even see 12 or 13-year-old children in frustrated crowds running in front of the police, kicking shops and cars. Thought is hard to believe, the very stage of this raging play is England. The major perpetrators of the violence in England, which has been known for its multicultural structure for years, are its ‘bad boys,' who have long been perceived as vagabonds and left to the street gangs...
Somalia, Dark Clouds and Silver-lining
Abukar Arman
The painfully haunting pictures of severely malnourished children on the verge of death, transmitted through all forms of media tell a horrific tale of human misery. The scope and the level of urgency is abundantly clear to all those who have compassion and heart. However, with the darkest clouds hanging over Somalia there still shines through a silver-lining. Three seemingly unthinkable developments have already come to pass, with another is underway. Some of these, ironically, had direct roles in creating the current situation...
PKK: The Worst Enemy of Kurdish Interests
Maxime Gauin
The naïveté in the West about the so-called "Kurdistan Workers’ Party” (PKK) decreased gradually during the last decade, but did not disappear. The reluctance of news agencies to even directly label it a terrorist organization is a remarkable example of incomplete evolution. The PKK maintains strong propaganda, and even pretends to represent "the Kurdish people”...
Handcuffing Violence Against Women in Turkey
Dilek Karal
Family and Social Policies Minister Fatma Þahin recently announced that husbands who inflict violence upon their wives will be barred from their own homes and tracked by a monitoring system that will utilize electronic handcuffs. Moreover, Þahin also promised that the ministry would regulate standards for women’s shelters in Turkey to protect women from violence...
The Baath Regime Recognizes No Rules
O. Bahadır Dinçer
The explanation that the Baath regime is trying to placate a rebellion isn’t satisfactory. What is happening in Syria is a consciously planned massacre. It is no different than the Serbian treatment of Bosnians or the Israeli treatment of Palestinians. At times, even Israel has treated the Palestinians with more fairness and mercy than how the Baath regime is treating its own people. It is now obvious that the Baath regime had never identified itself with Syrians or valued the idea of any legitimacy being granted by its people...
Turkey’s Trial by Fire in the Middle East
Özdem Sanberk
Turkey has taken a position regarding the events underway in Syria that fits in with the existing general principles and practices of its foreign policy. The good relations with the Assad regime it promoted in years gone by do not entitle it to act contrary to the values underlying Turkish foreign policy in the process now under way...
Dubious Portrayal of Syrian Events...
O. Bahadır Dinçer
The biased media coverage of the events in Syria seems to intentionally downplay the real issues at stake by focusing on the claims of conflict between the Shiite and Sunni population. The military and regime are depicted as the saviors of the people. On the other hand, the Syrian people who have deployed peaceful means of protest with no reference to sectarian ideology are shown as armed gangs...
The Bell Tolls for the Horn of Africa
Gözde Çitler
It seems like the attention of the international community is going to remain focused on the Middle East this summer. It is understandable since a lot is going on in the region. With the events and escalating violence in Syria, the beginning of the trial of the deposed president Hosni Mubarak in Egypt, and the prevailing Israeli-Palestinian issue, it is apparent that the Middle East will stay in the limelight for a long time. However, this summer is also witnessing a very dreadful situation unfolding in Africa...
Syrian Baath Violence Extends Beyond Limits
İhsan Bal
News agencies are reporting that at least 150 civilians have been massacred in Syria. There, the "Arab Spring” has turned into a human tragedy. The Syrian regime isn’t only committing such murders before the world’s eyes, but also blaming the victims for the murders. Furthermore, it has blatantly included its neighbor Turkey amongst those responsible for these murders...
Slobodan Milosevic and Armenian Terrorism
Maxime Gauin
In July 2011, the commemoration of the genocidal massacre at Srebrenica, particularly in Istanbul, and the more recently the arrest of GoranHadzic, recalled the extensive practice of ethnic cleansing by Serbian forces during the Yugoslav Civil War. If no one belligerent side was innocent of war crimes, the fact remains only Serbian forces engaged in the massacre of thousands of unarmed civilians with the intent to commit genocide, in the precise case of Srebrenica...
Time for the Palestinian Moment?
Zeynep Kosereisoglu
What the Arab world has been experiencing in the last months has been a source of inspiration for the entire world. Seeing millions rise up against arbitrary and dictatorial government has, hopefully, given the rest of us the motivation to keep fighting for a democratic and dignified life. These uprisings have revolved around a very specific rhetoric which is closely connected to their demand for democracy; the call for a dignified life, the need to reinstate one’s pride, and the desire to be the actors rather than subjects of their own history...
The "Gas Love Story” of Azerbaijan and Europe
Inessa Baban
The competition among European political actors hunting for the natural gas of energy-rich Azerbaijan has become stronger than ever. Political and commercial actors, backing various gas pipeline projects for transporting Azerbaijani gas to Europe, know that the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) has to make the "final decision” by October 2011—and Azerbaijan keeps them guessing...
Infrastructure Investments in an Age of Austerity : The Pension and Sovereign Funds Perspective
M. Nicolas J. Firzli and Vincent Bazi
In many ways, the 2008-2009 financial crisis and the ensuing "debt crises” currently afflicting the US and most European economies mark the end of an era soft statism started with the New Deal in 1933 (National Industrial Recovery Act, Public Works Administration…) that saw a massive deployment of government resources and the advancement of state ownership across (formerly private) industries and infrastructures throughout the Western world ("Folkhemmet” in Scandinavia, "Welfare State” in the UK…)
Italian Version of a Sport Scandal: "Calciopoli"
Dario Cristiani
The decision by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) that Inter Milan will be allowed to keep the 2006 Serie A title, announced on the 18th of July 2011, have sparked new controversies concerning one of the greatest scandals in Italian football ever. Juventus and Fiorentina, two of the teams involved in 2006 scandal, released statements asking for clarity on the situation but it is likely that further controversies will be aroused in the coming months. The recent discussions on football scandal in Turkey recalls Italian Calciopoli which was another instance that the understanding of justice and peoples’ expectations on sports’ justice highly differ...
Terrorist or Crazy: Irresistible Denial of a Naked Truth
Süleyman Özeren
Terrorist attacks in Oslo, Norway once again showed the heinous face of terrorism. The attacks and the perpetrator or perpetrators of the attacks once again drew the line between those who have no respect whatsoever for human lives and those who have every right to believe in respect for human dignity. The attacks also once again showed that no belief system, religion, or value is immune from being exploited. Regardless of what the perpetrators claim, no religion is a source of justification for violence...
The Rise of the Dragon and Its Lessons for the Turks
İhsan Bal
Historically, China has always been an important country for Turkey. The problems of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region makes Turkish-Chinese relations very sensitive, but it is also necessary to state that Turkey’s intellectuals have very little knowledge of China. Therefore China for Turks is not so much an ‘interesting but distant’ country as a black box important to Turkey in several distinct ways, but about which we do not really possess deep knowledge...
Will the Rising Walls of Europe Collapse on the Immigrants?
Fatma Y. Elmas
The Immigration phenomenon, as with the emergence of every new crisis in Europe, is being taken out of the social field and imprisoned in security policies. Thus, the perception of "the others” that has been an inseparable part of contemporary European history gets more and more inveterate during times of crisis...
The Long March of the Dragon: The Story of China's Transformation
Selçuk Çolakoğlu
The contest between reformers and conservatives inside the Chinese Communist Party for the soul of China continues at full force. A new generation of Western-educated administrators who want to integrate China more fully into the world is locked in well-concealed but violent competition with a group of conservatives who want to continue in the steps of Mao Zedong...
Is Turkey Turning its Back on the EU? A Response to Mr. Andrew Duff
Mustafa Kutlay
A long period of silence has been broken in Turkish-European Union relations with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s official visit to northern Cyprus. Before leaving for Cyprus, in an unusually clear tone, Erdoğan declared that "during the Greek Cypriot presidency, relations with the EU will freeze.” The prime minister made an urgent call for the EU to clarify its position on the Cyprus question and Turkish-EU relations...
Time to Determine Priorities in Egypt
Gamze Coşkun
The arduous and complicated transition process in Egypt continues. Minds are filled with question marks and people are getting more and more impatient. There is a desire to make a fresh start with a brand new constitution as well as parliament by breaking with the past. Yet this desire for a new constitution and parliament begs the question of whether the constitutional amendments or parliamentarian elections should be prioritized at the top of Egypt’s political agenda.
Ankara-Sofia Ties: Looking Ahead by Drawing Lessons from the Past
Birgül Demirtaş Coşkun
As the President Abdullah Gül paid an official visit to Bulgaria between 10-12 July, it is timely to analyse the current state of relations between the two neighboring countries in order to explicate the opportunities, challenges and prospects facing the bilateral relations. From a historical perspective Turkish-Bulgarian relations witnessed many ups and downs throughout the years. The young Turkish Republic’s ties to Sofia were somewhat distanced because of the Bulgarian nationalist policies in the 1920’s and 1930’s...
No Country for Women
Dilek Karal
The Thomson Reuters Foundation published an expert poll by TrustLaw last month on the most dangerous countries for women. The TrustLaw poll asked 213 gender experts from five continents to rank countries by overall perceptions of danger as well as by six risks. The risks were health threats, sexual violence, non-sexual violence, cultural or religious factors, lack of access to resources and trafficking. While the report, which is widely open to criticism, basically focuses on the five countries labeled "most dangerous,” Afghanistan, Congo, Pakistan, India, and Somalia, the stated risks women encounter in these parts of the world are striking...
Head of USAK Center for Security Studies, Prof. Dr. BAL: "Active Defense is Active Terrorism"
Duygu Ayata
JTW made an exclusive interview with USAK Head of Security Studies Professor Dr. İhsan Bal on recent terror attacks in Diyarbakır.
Interviewed by: Duygu Ayata
USAK Journal of Turkish Weekly
Obama's Phony Withdrawal
Rizwan Asghar
On 22nd of June, President Barack Obama unveiled his plan to start pulling out US troops from Afghanistan. The withdrawal schedule calls for a token force of 10,000, roughly the equivalent of two Army brigades, to be pulled out by the end of 2011. Another 23,000 troops will be brought home by September 2012, leaving almost 100,000 foreign troops in the war-troubled country for much longer time...
The End of an Era in Kandahar!
Salih Doğan
50-year-old Ahmad Wali Karzai, the controversial half-brother of Afghan President Hamid Karzai, was assassinated in his own heavily guarded home in Kandahar last Tuesday by Sardar Muhammad, who served many years as his head bodyguard. Other guards killed the assassin Sardar Muhammad immediately after the armed attack...
Israel: The Unchanging State of the Changing Middle East
O. Bahadır Dinçer
To develop a solution for structural problems in the Turkish-Israeli relationship, Israel must take action toward a paradigm change by carefully reading the current progress in Turkey and the Arab world. The key point that must be taken into consideration while dealing with the Turkey-Israel issue is that the relationships can no longer be carried out on the customary parameters...
Why Become a Terrorist?
İhsan Bal
Everywhere in the world, actions which aim to kill police and gendarmerie who use legitimate force within the framework of the law of a country, to kill soldiers who perform their duty within the law, and to kill civilians and public officials are described as terrorism. People who try to commit such actions and propagandize over the dead are described as terrorists and the organizations that they are connected to are described as terrorist organizations...
Energy Security in Turkey in Light of Risks and Threats
Hasan Selim Özertem
From the second half of the 20th century onwards, Turkey has started to become an important energy crossroad in the region. While aiming to strengthen its position with new projects, Turkey also aims to be a more influential actor in the region. These projects, which are seen as technical engineering marvels, also become an effective tool of foreign policy and economics. Yet there has to be "permanent caution” in the context of threats and risks in order to ensure supply security and sustainable operation of the pipelines.
The New Period in Turkish-Arab Relations and the Role of Civil Society
Özdem Sanberk
We are going through a period of transformation in the Arab world. In order to be able to read the future of the region correctly at this point, creating an ‘intellectual synergy’ has become a strategic imperative like never before. The Turks and Arabs are both nations of people that have created great civilizations. They are ancient cultures which succeeded in being the ruling elements of this region for many centuries...
Israel's Challenge with Its Own: The Mavi Marmara
O. Bahadır Dinçer
For there to be a positive change in Turkish-Israeli relations, certain obstacles must be overcome amongst the opposing sides. In terms of their bilateral relationship, when "the analysis of the moment” is done, the Mavi Marmara incident emerges as the most important challenge. Turkey is not willing to step back with regard to the compensation and apology it demands from Israel for the victims of the Mavi Marmara. Vis-a-vis the consistent attitudes of Turkey...
Kazan Summit: Not a Failure, Just a Meeting
Habibe Özdal
The foreign ministers of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia met behind closed doors in Kazan, the capital of Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan on June 24. The talks, which were mediated by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, failed to produce an agreement on the basic principles for a Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement. On May 26, at the G8 Summit in Deauville, Medvedev, U.S. President Obama and French President Sarkozy issued a joint statement that urged Armenia and Azerbaijan to reach an agreement...
An Orange, a Rose and a Tulip: Lessons from the North
Ambika Vishwanath
On a recent visit to Ukraine, I landed in Kiev on the first day of the pre-trial hearing of a case against former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko; a woman who was one of the main leaders of the Orange Revolution of 2004. A member of the current opposition party, she was under investigation for abuse of power and corruption, though to many it seemed that the motivations of the trial were purely political...
Will Nazarbayev Deliver Democracy in Kazakhstan?
Güner Özkan
Nursultan Nazarbayev was once again elected as the President of Kazakhstan by garnering % 95.6 of the votes in the election that was held in the early April. There were three symbolic opponents in the race as they admitted that they have voted for Nazarbayev. So far so good it seems to be for Kazakhstan and whose long time leader, Nazarbayev. Though certainly no one would know, but Nazarbayev can rule Kazakhstan ten more years at best as he will be over 80 years old in next ten years time. That is why the next decade is a crucial period for Nazarbayev and Kazakhstan to elevate country’s level of democracy to a certain level that could provide a stable, predictable and strong political and economic system...
Salih Spoke at Last...
Gamze Coşkun
Recently, Yemen has been going through hard days. Every passing day the people’s unrest, having continued for months, is deteriorating the situation in the country. Although Salih was severely injured as a result of an attack to his palace and went to Saudi Arabia for treatment, he still persists in clinging to power which makes everything more complicated. Following his going to Saudi Arabia, many claimed that Salih would not be able to keep his power anymore and it was thought that this was an implicit escape from the country...
"Kyrgyz” Project Remains Task Priority in Moscow
Ryskeldi Satke
With chances of renewed political instability in the Kyrgyz Republic highly possible, the Central Asian nation seems to have not yet gotten over the April 2010 coup d'etat, which was followed by months of violent turbulence in the country. Tragedies involving deadly Kyrgyz and Uzbek ethnic conflicts in the south in June 2010 has left extremely deep scars on the nation, the aftermath of which it is still struggling to overcome. he result of political change in Bishkek did, however, produce more evidence of Russia's aggressive meddling in the Kyrgyz political process...
Balkanization and Subjugation of Somalia
Abukar Arman
Since its independence 51 years ago, Somalia has been a pawn in a geopolitical chess game and a gambit in the global war on terrorism. In that half a century, Somalia has never been entirely independent of foreign influences and exploitations. Still, it was never pushed down to a level similar to the current one where its nationhood, history, and indeed future aspirations are at a great risk...
A Dangerous Precedent on US Policy
Rizwan Asghar
The War Powers Act of 1973, passed in the aftermath of the Vietnam War, restricts the powers of US President to send American troops into combat areas. It requires a halt in the military action after 60 days if Congress fails to approve of the operation. The President can extend the time the troops are in the combat area for only 30 extra days. But Section 1541(c) of the War Powers Resolution explicitly states that these war-making rights conferred by the statute apply only to "a national emergency created by attack upon the United States, its territories or possessions, or its armed forces."
Finally Assad Talked...
O. Bahadır Dinçer
The speech which had been expected for weeks was finally made. Actually the speech not hinting at any radical change has no value in it. So the speech made on 20th June does not make any sense for the people, either. Because any kind of acceptable concrete reform promise was not mentioned. Eventually we can say that there is not any single categorical difference among this one and the preceding speeches. Assad evaluated the incidents from his point of view...
After all, Who Remembers the Armenian Victims of the Armenian Terrorism?
Maxime Gauin
One of the most clear evidence that the Armenian nationalist parties have no right to present themselves as promoting human right is the practice of terrorism by Armenians against other Armenians. However, this is not the most studied and the best known aspect of the Armenian issue. The inter-Armenian terror appeared in 1878, with the creation, in the city of Van (eastern Anatolia) of the Black Cross Society. The group had chosen this name because one punishment was reserved to the "traitors”: death; and in this case, the future victims had their names inscribed on a black cross...
A New Beginning for Croatia in the EU?
Elma Jelovac
Croatia became independent on 25 June 1991, yet it remained out of the European Union (EU) for the decade after gaining independence. This was the result of Franjo Tudjman’s nationalist policies and ideology which ruled Croatia within that period of time. Following Tudjman’s death in 1999, Croatia changed its ideological and political approach towards EU. Twenty years after gaining independence, Croatia is going to become 28th EU member. Does this necessarily mean that it will become more prosperous?
Non-Muslims in the Late Ottoman Empire and the Kemalist Republic: Some Remarks
Maxime Gauin
The election of a Syriac deputy, Erol Dora, in the Turkish National Assembly (TBMM), attired the attention far beyond the boundaries of Turkey. Mr. Dora is the first person of this religion to become a Turkish parliamentarian, but by no means the first non-Muslim. One more time, some comments in the Western medias were, at best, approximate. A glance at the situation of non-Muslims in the three most targeted regimes of Turkish contemporary history — namely Abdülhamid II, the Young Turks and the Kemalist years — would permit to understand better the current situation...
Resetting Turkish-EU Relations after Elections would be a Good Idea
Mustafa Kutlay
After a landslide election victory Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan appeared on the balcony of Justice and Development Party (AK Party) headquarters on the evening of June 12 and declared the start of a new era in Turkish politics. Naturally proud of himself, as a political leader who has managed to gain the support of half the nation, Erdoğan argued that he was the winner of the elections not only in Turkey but in Europe as well. The pundits immediately juxtaposed these statements with the prime minister’s decision to establish a new ministry responsible for EU affairs, and they got excited about a possible revival in Turkish-EU relations. Many commentators in the Western media and Turkish press put forward fresh ideas to "reset Turkish-EU relations.”
Decoding Turkey's 2011 Elections
Hasan Selim Ozertem & Mehmet Yegin
The 2011 election campaigns in Turkey were held in a climate of bitter partisanship. The sex tape scandals and Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) violence attempted to influence the process of elections. Yet, other than rare attempts of cheating by pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) supporters, no provocative attacks at polling centers or other obstructions took place during the elections. The results of the elections were promising in terms of creating a more consolidated political culture...
Revealing the Political Mood in Macedonia: Before and After the Elections
Muzaffer Vatansever
On 5th of June, early parliamentary elections were held in Macedonia. According to the official results, conservative party of Macedonia, VMRO-DPMNE, which went to poll as the main partner of the countrywide right wing coalition, ended up in victory by pulling 39% of the votes; however the party lost its previous term parliamentary majority. On the other side, the left wing coalition under the leadership of Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM) kept the opposition position; by increasing its number of seats in the parliament from 18 to 42...
The Extend and the Limits of Xenophobia in France
Maxime Gauin
The contemporary xenophobia in France started with the racist wave of 1973 in Marseille, and expanded on a national level at the end of 1970’s and afterwards during 1980’s, because of the propaganda of the National Front (FN) and also of a part of classical right. The wave of 1973 was provoked chiefly by Gabriel Domenech (1920-1990), actually a prominent Marseille’s journalist, former MP (1958-1962) and former support of "French Algeria”, who had evolved gradually from the center-right to the far right in the 1960’s, by bitterness against the Algerians. Domenech joined eventually the FN in 1985...
The Real Task is to Slay Bin Ladin's Way of Thinking
Prof. İhsan Bal
The killing of Osama Bin Laden by the American Security Forces in Pakistan has sparked several different debates. Reaction has been manifested in varying forms ranging from excitement, emotional reactions and bias. Obviously Americans were delighted with the streets of Washington and Ground Zero in New York, where the 9/11 attack took place, being the main centres of celebrations.
Scholarly Ethic vs. Politicized History
Maxime Gauin, JTW
One of the favorite slogans of "Armenian genocide” claimants is that the "recognition” is an issue of "human rights”. It is a mistake to separate the bloody terrorism of ASALA and JCAG/ARA to the mainstream of the "Armenian genocide” allegations. Indeed, the JCAG/ARA were nothing but the terrorist branch of Armenian Revolutionary Federation, Armenian Diaspora’s main and most effective political party...
Schengen Debate: A Spill-back in EU Integration?
Fatma Yılmaz Elmas, USAK
Europe has recently engaged in a debate over the Schengen system triggered by a Franco-Italian proposal. French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi asked the European Commission to make changes on Schengen rules in favor of member states. The proposal came to the agenda following the Tunisian migrant crisis, which strained relations between France and Italy. On April 26, the two leaders signed a letter proposing the introduction of border checks at the internal frontiers in case of a serious threat to public order, i.e. exceptional circumstances...
Azerbaijan-Iran Relations: ‘One Nation Two States’ or ‘Enemy Brothers’
Güner Özkan
Azerbaijani and Iranian leaders often utter the motto of ‘one nation two states’ like those Turkish and Azerbaijani prime ministers and presidents to refer how strong and natural the good realtionships between their respective governments and nations. The motto between Baku and Tehran takes its root from the fact that independent Azerbaijan was once part of Iranian state before Russian invation in early 19th century and the presence of an estimated over 20 million Azerbaijani Turks living in Iran today...
Critical Infrastructure Security and Energy Policies
Hasan Selim Özertem
%35 of oil, %75 of natural gas is transmitted by pipelines in the world.[1] In the worldwide total length of oil pipelines is 313.670 km; this number is 1.226.258 km in natural gas pipelines.[2] In other words, transportation, storage, refinery and distribution of energy resources require a complex infrastructure chain. In energy sector, regular and sustainable operation of energy systems requires not only the supply security, but also the protection of pipelines, electricity and nuclear power plants as well as refinery and distribution systems against the possible risks and threats...
Obama Can Do It
Süleyman Özeren
After the death of Osama bin Laden will the world be more secure? Or will the war on global terrorism end? What impact will his death have on the issue of Middle East? Will there be a new attack against the West by the Al Qaeda? These questions and many more others have been asked by many experts in the world since Osama bin laden has been killed in Pakistan. The incident has raised these fair questions. What the death of Osama bin Laden will bring about to the United States and its allies is still a dilemma...
Election-Maturation Dilemma of Tunis
Gamze Coşkun
Tunisia is the country which started the so-called Arab Spring by abolishing the barrier of fear. Nowadays it is wondered whether this country which laid the basis for a systemic transformation would be able to establish its own future on democratic basis as well. Yet there is a well-known reality that a long distance is waiting to be covered both by the Tunisian people and the administrators...
Wanted in The Hague: Goran Hadzic
Elma Jelovac
Serbia has made a significant progress in their struggle to get candidate status to the European Union (EU). One of the biggest obstacles on its road to the EU was removed on 26 May 2011, when the most wanted war criminal in Europe Ratko Mladic was arrested. Although one step closer to the EU, Serbia has to extradite the last of 161 war criminals indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), to completely overcome this obstacle...
NATO in Libya: Just Like Kosovo?
Francesco F. Milan
Since the United States launched operation ‘Odyssey Dawn’ in mid-March, the military confrontation against Libya’s leader Muammar Gaddafi has been under assessment: analysts have been trying to come up with a clear identification of its underlying objectives, limits and scope, beyond what is written on official statements. Especially since NATO was put in command, references to its 1999 operation against Yugoslav armed forces led by Slobodan Milosevic have abounded. However, despite the obvious analogy brought by the ‘air campaign’ element, the two operations have a few fundamental differences, which make any superficial comparison potentially misleading...
Serbian Road to the EU Face Long-Standing Barriers
Elma Jelovac
Despite the economic crisis that has engulfed the European Union (EU) invoking various other problems, Western Balkan countries still see membership in the Union as the best solution for their future. Serbia is one of them. Yet, before achieving this goal, Serbia must put forth great effort to solve problems standing on its way. In general, the first short-term obstacle is about the technical process...
Why Does Syria Matter for Russia?
Habibe Özdal
Winds of change continue in the Middle East. Now Syria is in the spotlight. Since there is a consensus on the idea that recent developments in Syria may cause different consequences from other regional countries, international actors are more precautionary. The ‘cautious’ stance of Moscow regarding international intervention to Libya replaced to a more distinctive one in the case of Syria. Apparently, for Russia cost of possible regime change in Syria will be more than cancellation of the arms trade agreements...
To be "Developed,” or "Least Developed”: That is the Question!
Dilek Aydemir
The 4th UN Conference on Least Developed Countries (LDCs) started in Istanbul on May 9. The representatives of 47 international organizations and 197 countries are going to be hosted in Istanbul for this extensive organization which is held once in ten years. This year, Turkey holds this significant conference. The main themes around which the discussions are going to be held during five days conference are ranged from fostering a people-centered policy framework, good governance at national and international levels, building human and institutional capacities...
Turkish-Greek Relations: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
Muzaffer Vatansever
Over the last decade, Turkish-Greek relations has transformed dramatically. The relations that were traditionally characterized by mutual hostility and reconciliation adopted a ‘softer’ language of cooperation and dialogue. There are still many conflict areas between two states ranging from sovereignty rights in the Aegean Sea to Cyprus issue. However, in the recent period, the relations have considerably improved...
Israel’s ‘Palestinian Peace’ Syndrome
İhsan Bal
Looked at from one angle, Israel is a country of considerable importance because of its experience as a democratic country in the Middle East. From another it is a state with strong credentials in the international system, indeed it even counts as one of the countries which established the modern international order. It is a country possessing advanced technology, a powerful intelligence service and has the highest military technology capacity of any country in its region...
Beyond bin Laden’s Death: A Strategic Opportunity for U.S. Intelligence?
Francesco F. Milan
For U.S. intelligence, surely the operation that led to bin Laden’s killing was an absolute success, as the CIA managed to obtain information about his close entourage and to keep his compound under surveillance since mid-2010, after having hunted him since 9/11. It also represents a success for President Obama, even if it is clear that he capitalized on an effort started long before his election in 2008. However, so far the politico-strategic asset brought by the killing does not go beyond a praise for the excellent job done by CIA and Obama...
Destiny of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Twenty Years Later in Karadjordjevo
Elma Jelovac
Turkey’s active foreign policy and significant initiatives in the Balkans became visible once more 26 April 2011 when Presidents of the Republic of Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and Serbia met in Karadjordjevo. This was the first time after war in BiH that all three members of the BiH Presidency and President of Serbia met. Although this meeting demonstrated the willingness of all involved parties, no concrete results were achieved...
Osama Bin Laden: Pakistan’s Established Policy Parameters on Counter Terrorism
Andrin Raj
The Pakistani Government regards the capture and death of Osama Bin Laden an important milestone in the war against terrorism. The Pakistani Government, its security and state institutions have long been serious on efforts to bring Osama Bin Laden to justice. The Pakistanis have been engaged in counter terrorism efforts since 911 and have worked closely with US and its allies in the war on terror...
April 24, May 4 : The New Step of Decline for the Transnational Armenian Activism
Maxime Gauin
The decline of the actions carried out by the Armenian nationalist organizations, noticeable since some years, was confirmed during the Spring 2011 especially in the United States. In Washington, the annual demonstration in front of the Turkish embassy was challenged by a Turkish counter-demonstration, which received the — needed — protection of the police. In Los Angeles, the traditional fortress of the Diasporic Armenian nationalism since decades...
Success of the CIA led Operation in the Killing of Osama Bin Laden
Andrin Raj
The killing of Osama Bin Laden last week was executed by an elite US Special Forces team led by the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operating in Pakistan. The Pakistani Intelligence, or more commonly known as the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), played a vital role in the operation. The CIA together with the Pakistani ISI had prior information on the safe haven where Osama Bin Laden had been living and operating...
Rising Tension in the Caucasus and the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict
Hasan Selim Özertem
2010 was marked as the year of increasing tension in the Caucasus. Increase in bombing activities in Dagestan, Chechnya and Ingushetia, adding armed conflicts in the Nagorno-Karabakh brought the questions of stability in near southeast of Turkey. It is clear that the region has significant importance for Turkey regarding to be the main exit gate to Russia and Caspian Basin as well as a transit route of energy resources...
Two Ways for BDP: Normalization or Marginalization
Süleyman Özeren
Democracy is a regime of opportunities, or it provides the fundamental opportunities for human beings to express themselves. Moreover, democracy is a regime of plurality not majority. Democracy and terrorism are two concepts, which constantly deny each other and conflict with each other. In other words, democracy conflicts with terrorism vice versa. Therefore real democracy is an antidote of terrorism...
Impressions on President Gül’s Visit to Indonesia
Selçuk Çolakoğlu
President Abdullah Gül paid an official visit to Indonesia at the presidential level at April 3-6, 2011, after 16 years. Before that, President Süleyman Demirel had visited Indonesia in 1995. On the other hand, this visit has importance in terms of bilateral relations because of its timing: it took place within one year that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono first visited Turkey after 25 years. In fact, during various meetings in Jakarta...
Kazakh Presidential Elections and Democracy Prospect (I)
Güner Özkan
Kazakhstan held presidential elections on the 3rd April that it did not produce anything different from those of the previous results since independence. Yet, it was an important election because long-time leader of the country, Nursultan Nazarbayev, has entered into his last decade of rule, if not final presidential term of office for another 5 years. He has been at the helm of the government since late Soviet period to this day and even if most do not wish, nature will take its course as the time goes by as...
Sarkozy Crashes the ‘Berlin Wall’: Whither the EU?
Muzaffer Vatansever
On 19 March 2011, an air operation started against Libya by the international military coalition under the leadership of USA, France and England based on the decision of the UN Security Council (1973). The intervention created fault lines among world countries, especially in the EU. While some parties supported new sanctions against Libya and indicated that they are ready to provide humanitarian aid, others supported military operation...
The Misuse of "Memoirs of Count Bernstorff” in Armenian Nationalist Publications
Maxime Gauin
To maintain the use of more than dubious sources (the "Andonian documents” and Ambassador Morgenthau’s Story), the Memoirs of Count Bernstorff, or more exactly three short quotations, were used by a part of the Armenian side as a corroborative proof. However, two of the three quotations from these Memoirs are tendentiously extracted of their context, and the third is just an unreliable opinion.
KEYWORDS
Andonian, Dadrian, Bersntorff, genocide, Morgenthau, Ternon, Dadrian
An Insider Perspective to Middle East: Any Ways For Democracy from Mosque?
Prof. Ihsan Bal
How the social uprising demanding democracy in the Middle East would evolve, has became a significant subject in ongoing debates. People who are not accustomed to such a situation in Arabic world, explicitly and implicitly raise those questions: Can the uprising of Muslim people bring a real understanding of democracy to the region and also, is Islam really compatible with democracy?
Israel and Turkey: Time to Reconcile
Alon Ben Meir
It is time for Erdogan to reassess Turkey's position and for Netanyahu to act on his own advice. Privately and quietly, in discussions among officials and analysts in both Israel and Turkey, recognition of the need to resume a positive working relationship is emerging. As the governments in Jerusalem and Ankara independently evaluate the turmoil that has engulfed the Middle East, they are finding only two countries that have a combination...
"No Women No Cry” for Turkish Politics
Dilek Aydemir
With the forthcoming elections of June 2011, the issue of "equal representation of women” in the parliament is back on the agenda. While many women are being candidates for the elections, they also expect the politicians to nominate them to the positions that they might be elected in the lists. Many women question the reasons behind their underrepresentation in the government, despite the fact that they take active role in youth and women branches of politics and face the public directly...
Cautious Moscow and Beyond
Habibe Özdal
Middle East has been one of the geographies having an important place in foreign policies of both USSR and Russia. Despite this historical background, the fact that Russia remained unreactive to the civil rebellions starting one month ago in Egypt, Tunisia and spreading to Bahrain, Iran, Syria and Libya attracted attention. However, this attitude did not last long. As soon as the international intervention in Libya was discussed, Moscow...
Looking from Taiwan
Selçuk Çolakoğlu
One of the most difficult states to understand from outside is Taiwan. Taiwan (Republic of China) is recognized as an independent state by around twenty small countries. However, many of the world’s leading countries treat Taiwan as de facto independent state. Therefore, both in terms of international relations and international law, Taiwan is an exceptional case to be examined...
US on Libya: Active but Appearing Low-profile
Mehmet Yegin
Col. Moammar Gadhafi seemed to reverse the momentum against him and corner the protesters in Benghazi, appearing ready to end the opposition movement in a brutal way. However, the adoption of U.N. Resolution 1973 changed the track of the story. Now the international community is talking about how and with which weapons the coalition forces hit the Gadhafi forces. The operation will of course change the balance in Libya; yet, expecting an easy path to reach peace in a short time is not realistic.
The Collapsing Ivory Towers of the Middle East
Gamze Coşkun
In political literature, the term "ivory tower” is used to describe being far from social realities as well as the disconnection between governor and governed. In this respect, it would not be inappropriate to depict most of the Middle Eastern leaders as people living in their ivory towers, unaware of or disregarding social realities. People stuck between ill-structured economies (rentier capitalism) and very limited freedom of expression...
Bragging and Intriguing: The Last Attempt of Armenian Nationalists in France
Maxime Gauin
One more time, Armenian nationalists are attempting to obtain the discussion and the majority vote, by the Senate, of the bill which would criminalize the challenge and "denial” of "Armenian genocide” claims. The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF-Dashnak) claimed even, in a communiqué, that the bill will be discussed on May 4. As expected, several Turkish media reacted to the announcement. The ARF communiqué, however, reveals both exaggerations and indicates an underground, unfair tactic...
Europe, It is Time!
Ambika Vishwanath
The Barcelona Process of 1995 was one of the first in extensively detailing ‘democracy’ as a foreign policy initiative for the European Union with respect to the Middle East. Components of democracy promotion were restricted to a few countries, namely the big three – Britain, Germany and France; had an emphasis on soft security issues and socioeconomic development; and adopted a bilateral approach towards each country as opposed to the region as a whole...
Time to Trade "International Community” for Bilateral Relations
Abukar Arman
It goes without saying that the Somali political problem can only be solved if and when all those actors who are in contention are willing to engage in serious peace negotiation and reconciliation. And, as in all wars and protracted conflicts, there are those elements that perpetuate status quo for their own interests. These elements have both domestic and foreign components. Sometimes they work in a concerted effort, other sometimes they undermine each other...
Local Elections and National Issues in France
Maxime Gauin
The recent local elections in France, despite a high abstention, had direct and non negligible consequences on national policy. The cantonal elections happens generally every three years; the half of the conseillers généraux (counties’ counselors) are elected, in two rounds, majoritarian. The départements (counties) assume chiefly educational and social functions, plus some infrastructures (roads). For instance, the annual budget of the Seine-Maritime (Rouen’s county) is 1,7 milliards of Euros.
Libya: A New Turkish-Italian Cooperation in the International Field?
Antonio Cocco
Italy and Turkey have compatible characteristics in economy, geopolitics and foreign policy. Both of them are peninsulas in the Mediterranean Sea, they have important reciprocal economic relations and they have similar foreign policies based on soft power. The efforts of both countries to find a solution of Libyan civil war could be a very interesting chance to improve Italian-Turkish partnership and to achieve important goals together in the future...
Azerbaijan 2011: Real Vision for a Pragmatic Policy
Elnur ASLANOV
Foreign policy is a strategic resource serving to develop the most fertile international environment for a country’s development. In general, when this resource is not being used to that end, the use of national resources may be dictated from abroad, at the behest of various other interests, with undesirable results. There is international recognition of the success of Azerbaijan’s policy in achieving positive development. As we look today at the newly-developed characteristics of our foreign policy...
Fukushima: A New Chernobyl?
Betül Buket Karaçin
Japan was hit 8.9 magnitude earthquake last week. History of Japan filled several earthquakes such as Great Kanto in 1923 caused 140 thousand deaths and 7.2 magnitudes Kobe earthquake in 1995 had also considerable damages to Japan. However, latest earthquake was triggered with tsunami and its consequences have already become serious. Japan officials reported that more than 6000 people died and 10 thousand have been missing until now...
Bosnia and Herzegovina: ''Things Will Get Better in Time''!
Elma Jelovac
Lack of a clear government structure in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) after the October election results is a major political concern for many in the region and in the world. Five months after the elections, the only formed institution was Presidency. However, formation of the House of Representatives of Parliament on 9 March 2011 shed some light of hope on the overall political deadlock. Regardless of this, the root of the problem lies in the complex constitutional structure that has too many levels of authority making domestic politicians even more inefficient...
Domino Effect against Whom?
Süleyman Özeren
Recently, the public in Turkey has witness rather unusual developments. Several respected intellectuals, including Orhan Miroğlu, Muhsin Kızılkaya, Þivan Perver and Mehmet Metiner have been threatened by the Kurdish Communities Union (KCK) and Kurdistan Freedom Falcons (TAK) a front organization of the PKK. These respected individuals have been threatened to be killed by these notorious groups on the basis of being traitors. The prominent characteristics of these Kurdish intellectuals are that they are against any kind of violence and illegitimate action by any party against Kurdish people. Secondly, from time to time these individuals are criticizing the actions of the PKK as well as the narratives of the BDP (Peace and Democracy Party)...
Turkish Stance: Foreign Military Intervention in Libya is Unacceptable
Prof. Tayyar Arı
It is certain that ongoing developments in Muslim, and specifically Arab, countries undermine the existing systems that have regimes which are alienated from the people they govern. We all know that the current political picture in those countries is unacceptable and can no longer be sustained. In Tunisia and Egypt, rulers were more or less ousted through peaceful means, without foreign intervention or UN involvement, though certain countries have frozen the assets of the toppled leaders.
A "Different" Regime in Eastern Europe
Gülay Kılıç
The life seems to return to normal again in Belarus after the presidential elections which were held on December 19, 2010. During the election period, Lukashenka, who had agreed to accept a limited number of foreign journalists and press members in Belarus conditionally, hosted tens of foreign observers coming from all parts of the world in the country. However, the results announced by OSCE with respect to the elections and the critics of the West regarding this matter clearly revealed that Belarus had been unsuccessful. How was the real situation in the country?
Turkish Nationalism and Perception of Civilization
Prof. Sedat Laçiner
Turks spread out from the Central Asia to the whole world. They were nomadic. Being nomads, besides its many disadvantages, let the Turks be open to other lands and cultures. Turks, whose discontentment of their lands could be understood from the many military expeditions they held to many countries, continued to their contacts, which started with China, with north, Persia and Mediterranean coasts. Where they reached, they fought yet they contributed with their culture to where they went and added to their culture the culture of the invaded lands...
Role of the U.S. in the Middle East
O. Bahadır Dinçer
Having lived under an authoritarian regime for years, Egyptian people has accomplished mean job by breaking their chains. Mubarak was forced to leave the office after eighteen-days long turbulent public protests and we can say to Egyptians no more than "Mubarak olsun”. This uprising ended up with Mubarak’s resignation is undoubtedly a popular movement. Internal social and economic dynamics have played vital role in the mobilization of Egyptian people. Instead of pointing out the United States behind the incidents with statements regardless of the region’s facts, the great effort made by Egyptians should be appreciated as it deserves to be...
Forecasting the Future: The BRICs and the China Model
M. Nicolas J. Firzli
Back in 2001, Jim O'Neill, a senior economist working for the London office of Goldman Sachs coined the term BRIC to designate a group of large developing economies- Brazil, Russia, India and China- that he believed could have a combined GDP as big as the G7 by the year 2041- later revised to 2039, then 2032 (1). To make that prediction, Mr. O'Neill used econometric forecasting methods (in essence compounding expected GDP growth rates) similar to those used by US futurologists Herman Kahn and Anthony J. Wiener in their seminal 1967 article...
The Paradox of Globalization: Chinese "Martenitsa" in Bulgaria
Muzaffer Vatansever
Честита Баба Марта!
People all over the world welcome spring with joy and fests; yet in Bulgaria, it is saved as an ancient tradition. Eagerly followed on March 1 every year, Bulgarian people celebrate a centuries-old ritual, Baba Marta (which means Grandma March), by giving each other a small piece of adornment which is called Martenitsa. It is made of white and red yarn and worn from March 1 until around the end of March. This custom is essentially symbol of upcoming spring and wish of great health, good luck, and happiness. A legend tells...
UN Resolution on Libya: Is It a New Beginning?
Prof. Tayyar Arı
The events occurred in Libya, necessitate for the whole of the international community in a common responsibility to act together without the dramatic developments. Indeed, it is obvious that we are witnessing an important process of adoption that the peoples of the Middle East deserved freedom and justice. To date, since authoritarian regimes in the region have been supported for a number of economic and security concerns, progress for freedom, justice and human rights has been avoided...
The Difference of Turkey
Sedat Laçiner
Turkey, a country which has been criticized for an ‘axis shift’ until as recent as a couple of months, is now almost worshipped as a model country. It is presented as if it was the natural and should-be- model for the Middle East. The same critics can now point at Turkey as a good example. Should or can Turkey be a model for the Middle East? What is its difference and what can be its contribution to the region?
Turkey as a 'Companion' not a 'Model' to the Middle East
Mehmet Yegin
The situation in the Middle East is getting complicated with the spread of the societal movements to Yemen, Bahrain and Libya. It became more difficult to follow the developments in all these states. Yet, the attention shift to the uneasy countries should not cause losing the track of successful movements to overthrow the symbol names. The central concern is not the change of the names but the change of whole system...
Too Early to Talk about a Middle Eastern Revolution?
Gamze Coşkun
With the New Year, the Middle Eastern societies appealed the attention of the world public opinion with their actions which might change the fate of the whole region. The social uprisings started from Tunisia and spread over many countries of the region such as Egypt, Bahrain, Yemen and Libya. The authoritarian leaders, the dictators, who were not even imagined to be collapsed with the help of public pressure have started to stand down and renounce their positions...
Hizb ut-Tahrir in Central Asia: Some Outstanding Aspects
Arzu Turgut
Having its own historical and socio-cultural peculiarities inherited from its Soviet past, Central Asia has become an important region in terms of rising Islamist organizations in recent years. Hizb ut-Tahrir (HT) as a transnational organization has become of these organizations much known particularly in Central Asia. However, since there are not so many things revealed about HT due to its cell structure, as in most of the radical and fundamental organizations, it seems difficult to estimate both its extent and influence in the region today...
The Uncertain Future of the European Defense
Giulia Torresin
NATO 2020: Assured Security; Dynamic Engagement is the name of the report which a group of experts chaired by former American Secretary of State Madeleine Albright submitted to Mr. Rasmussen, NATO secretary general, before the Lisbon Summit took place in November 2010. It clearly underlined that NATOs New Strategic Concept should focus more on Europe and Russia. Indeed cooperation with Europe has a central place, although calling on a stronger cooperation with the EU...
The Lack of Policy Entrepreneurship in Turkey-EU Relations
Mustafa Kutlay
After experiencing a ‘golden age’ between 1999 and 2005, Turkey-EU relations plunged into deadlock in the post-2005 period. Many domestic and international factors contributed to the worsening of bilateral relations. On the European side, the failure of Constitutional reform, the problems emerged from the 2004 enlargement and the global financial crisis’ impact on Eurozone occupied the central agenda. On the Turkish side, the political turmoil in the pre and post 2007 general elections...
AGRI: Can it be an Alternative Route?
Dr. Rovshan Ibrahimov
New initiative started in Baku on September 4, 2010 during the meeting between the presidents of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Romania and with the presence of the Prime Minister of Hungary. The leaders signed a memorandum with the aim of creating a joint company to determine the possibility of exporting natural gas from Azerbaijan and Georgia via the Black Sea up to the Romanian port...
P 5+1 and Iran in Vicious Circle of Negotiations
Arzu Celalifer Ekinci
Another round of inconclusive negotiations between Iran and P 5+1 (the UN Security Council’s 5 permanent members and Germany) was held in Istanbul last week. While the expectation about the result of Istanbul talks was not so high, this meaningless vicious circle of negotiations is overwhelming. Needless to say that the Iranian nuclear crisis is the best example of how such a technique issue could turn out to be a long lasting thorny political case.
Recent Terrorist Attack in Moscow: An Old Problem
Habibe Özdal
Russia has witnessed terrifying terrorist attack in the capital on January 24, 2011. The attack, has not been claimed by any group yet. It took place in the arrivals hall of Domodedovo airport -a space that, like in American airports, is open to the public and not subject to security screening. Inevitably, groups linked to the militant insurgency in the North Caucasus blamed for suicide attack directed against a soft target. Indeed the style of the suicide bombing is in line with the previous attacks linked to the militant groups...
A Historical Perspective for Obama's Re-election
Mehmet Yegin
The United States is still struggling with the economic recession. The Bush administration wrecked the economy which played quite an important role in the election of a Democrat president. Nevertheless, the U.S. could not leave the crisis behind with its new administration. Actually, the numbers are slightly better but the recovery is taking place at a slow pace. The voters underlined its inadequacy in the midterm elections by giving control of the House to the Republican Party. They may do the same for the Oval Office in 2012 as well...
We Will Not Go Down, For the Gaza Tonight
Kourosh Ziabari
On the eve of New Gregorian Year, the international community commemorates the second anniversary of Israel's deadly offensive in the Gaza Strip in the wake of the continuous blockade of the coastal sliver which has paralyzed the lives of more than 1.5 million impoverished Palestinians living there...
The Prosper Future of Middle East Obliges a Radical Shift in Countering Terrorism
Süleyman Özeren
From a different perspective, terrorism is an unusual issue, which can exploit anything, including countering strategies which are intended to wipe out terrorism in the first place. Some of the counterterrorism strategies intentionally or not can provide new breeding grounds for terrorism. That is why as much as developing effective strategies; implementation stage of these strategies also requires the concerned parties to vehemently pursue methods and course of actions to avoid creating new breeding grounds for terrorism...
Ethnic Violence Raising Alarms in Russia
Habibe Özdal
Russia has recently experienced multidimensional ethnic violence in the capital. The turmoil began in southern Moscow on Dec. 6 with the death of Yegor Sviridov, a 28-year-old fan of Spartak Moscows football club who was killed in a brawl with migrants from Russia's North Caucasus region, according to authorities. Five days later, about 5,000 nationalists and football hooligans clashed with Moscow police. The confrontation took place in Manezh Square, outside the Kremlin, and led to the arrests of 65 Spartak fans and more than 1,000 people, including members of both groups...
Tunisia: Spark of Civil War or Urge for Change?
Gamze Coskun
Tunisia, considered a police state in which rallies and riots normally do not take place, has been struggling with public unrest for more than a week. The protests started in Sidi Bouzid and directed attention to economic but in particular unemployment problems plaguing Tunisia. That the state has neglected its citizens’ social and economic needs became more apparent with the recent developments...
Loss of Social Memory and its Effects on Foreign Policy
Havva Kök
It is a common psychological self-defense mechanism to forget, deny or repress a negative experience such as a rape or form of sexual harassment that happened in a younger period of our life, or the sudden and unexpected death of a loved one. When a person cannot cope with traumatic pain he or she will deny or repress it. However, the memories we alienate from our consciousness disturb us and play out in various forms of behavioral disorders in daily life. The pain in the subconscious stays with us in our dreams and in our daily lives in the form of behavioral disorders.
The Case of Bashkortostan: Impacts of Moscows Centralization Efforts
Gülay Kılıç
This year in last July, the President was replaced in the Republic of Bashkortostan. The replacement was realized silently, yet it is not in total concord with democracy because, Rustem Khamitov has been appointed as the president in replacement for his predecessor Murtaza Rakhimov by Russia. The replacement has been realized as follows: first, following the negotiations in the parliament, the list of the candidates determined by the ruling party of Bashkortostan was sent to Russia. Then, Moscow notified the most appropriate candidate to Bashkortostan to be approved in the parliament...
Turkey's Nuclear Ambition in the New Era
Hasan Selim Özertem
Throughout the previous decade, one of the main rhetorics in Turkish diplomacy was to become the fourth energy artery for Europe. Parallel to this motto, Turkey pursued a pro-active policy in the Middle East and Caspian Basin. However, it had to face political constraints in Iran and Iraq, whereas in the Caspian Basin could only succeed in finishing several projects in its own modest way. Even though Turkey is yet to succeed in becoming an energy hub, it is an important country for energy potential and existing policies. However, again mega projects like Nabucco, South Stream, Samsun Ceyhan and the Trans-Caspian Pipeline cannot be imagined without Turkey...
Turkish Guest Workers of Germany: The Changing Facts
Muzaffer Vatansever
At the end of World War II, Germany was in a great mess. Fire bombs and air raids had almost completely destroyed the country. The population of Cologne, Germanys fourth largest city was reduced from 768,000 to less than 250,000. The same happened in many other German cities in the last two years of the war. Germanys postcard castles and great cathedrals turned into ruins, while thousands of Germans were displaced. Industrial output was at a standstill, and German currency was practically worthless. There was a little hope for improvement. However...
Latest European Council and Future of Turkey-EU Relations
Lisa Schaefer
On December 16 and 17, 2010, the heads of state and government of the 27 EU countries met at the European Council in Brussels. The summit focused especially on a common European economic policy and, to a lesser extent, on relations with the EU's strategic partners. One of the meeting's most important results is the establishment of a permanent stability mechanism for the euro area, as requested by European leaders during the former Council in October. After the first day of the counseling sessions three important results could be achieved: the decision on a limited Treaty amendment in order to establish a permanent mechanism for safeguarding the financial stability of the eurozone...
Two Firsts for Kyrgyzstan: Powerful Prime Minister and Coalition Government
Dr. Sureyya Yigit
Sixty-seven days after parliamentary elections were held in Kyrgyzstan, the Jogorku Kenesh met on Friday 17 December to finally deliberate over the new coalition that has been put together. It has taken an extraordinary amount of time and the coalition is not what most political observers (including yours truly) predicted...
Energy and Infrastructure Forecast for Turkey in 2011
Haluk Direskeneli
In this op-ed, I aim to make forecast in our local energy markets in the New Year 2011. As you know, economy and business are governed by expectations. Market expectations are important in the economic forecasts as well as investments. At this time, there are many economic forecasts made by the newspaper columnists however as we all see there are almost none in energy markets. So within my capacity, I tried to outline a draft forecast albeit maybe somewhat irrational/ unfair for the New Year. Here are my predictions and expectations for the New Year 2011...
Turkey's Struggle against Ethnic Terrorism-I: From PKK to KCK
Süleyman Özeren
The purpose of this article is to examine the current situation of the PKK in terms of its organizational and ideological perspectives. These series will try to summarize the historical background, structural changes within the organization as well as the current situation of the PKK. Basically it will be an overview of the PKKs cyclical tendencies, especially, from 1999 to 2010. This time period is very critical in understanding the PKKs current situation. The author is aware of the fact that taking such a time frame might be problematic, so the next piece will be a summary of the PKKs modus operandi between 1978 and 1999. The issue of the KCK will be one of the main topics we will discuss later on, and debates about the DTK, KCK, and BDP will also be examined...
Student Protests and Reactions: Shall We Talk for a Minute?
Dilek Aydemir
Turkey has been the scene of student protests in the tail of 2010 such like Europe. Protests which were sparkled with the Turkish prime ministers Dolmabahe meeting with university rectors went on for weeks and turned into egg throwing acts toward a number of politicians, businesspeople, writers and civil society representatives. The protests have been characterized in our minds with tough police response, aggressive fights between police and protestors along with flying eggs in the background...
Why is the Chatham House Prize in Ankara?
Prof. İhsan Bal
Turkish President Abdullah Gul was awarded by the leading think tank of United Kingdom, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House. The Chatham House Prize is an annual award presented to the statesperson who made the most significant contribution to the advancement of international relations in the previous year and was deemed worthy by members of the institute due to his/her achievements in foreign affairs...
Return of the Native
Kasım İleri
Whenever I try to analyze the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in order to infer the possible consequences of the respective conflict a new holocaust crosses my mind together with a novel by Thomas Hardy: Return of the Native written in the mid nineteenth century. The novel depicts a man in a village of England who is prosperous and has a good reputation because he is working in Paris...
Future Prospects of BiH in the 15th Anniversary of Dayton
Elma Jelovac
Fifteen years on from the Dayton Agreement, more or less, everything is said about it. However, the most popular discussion regarding the Agreement is probably the burden of its institutional structures that Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) needs to deal with. One of its main points is territorial division into the Muslim-Croat Federation and Republika Srpska. The Brcko district de jure does not belong to either entity. The decentralized structure of BiH is best seen through its thirteen Constitutions...
USAK Interview: Turkey-Greece Relations: "At the Prime of Good Faith"
Muzaffer Vatansever
The relations between Turkey and Greece have improved over the last decade, but there are still points of dispute, such as the status of minorities, Cyprus issue and the sovereignty of the Aegean Sea. Journal of Turkish Weekly conducted an interview with Muzaffer Vatansever, Balkan Expert of USAK Center for EU Studies, to get more details about the ongoing negotiations between the two countries.
Interviewed by: Elma Jelovac
USAK-JTW
Why not Turkey to Take Action in Yemen?
Gamze Coskun
In one-year period, Yemen has become one of the significant issues of the world politics agenda even though its place on the map was not known well. Yemen is struggling with many issues including rebellions, secessionist movements, and Al-Qaeda terror. The country suffers from weak governance which makes these rebellions, secessionists and terrorist actions to be mobilized much easier...
The Ubiquitous Crisis of the EU: Lack of Visionary Leadership
Mustafa Kutlay
Does history make great men or do great men make history? This is one of chicken and egg questions in social sciences. A probable answer, following the agent-structure approaches, will be both of them make each other. Its at least the case if one studies the history of European integration. The European Economic Community was established in a very special episode of modern history. The war-torn countries of continental Europe exhausted to kill each other and they had consumed all of the means to further harm each other...
Migration and Multiculturalism: How to Find a Convincing Answer?
Cenk Alican
I have been working as a policy adviser to Isabell Zacharias, member of the Bavarian State Parliament, for almost two years now. Since Mrs. Zacharias, a local senior of the Social Democrats from the capital constituency of Munich-Schwabing, is her parliamentary groups spokeswoman for immigration and higher education affairs, our city and parliament offices receive plenty of e-mails and letters from irritated, help-seeking and in less of the cases contended citizens every day. Some contain praise, some harsh bashing of her political decisions business as usual for every top-ranking and little politician.
What Does NATO Try to Accomplish in the post-Cold War Era?
Hasan Selim Özertem
NATO will forge its new strategic concept for the upcoming era after a decade-long period. Looking at the new concept one can easily grasp the desire of becoming a balancing power on a global scale. However, there is a tradeoff then for the new era: What will happen to the United Nations and to the role of the Security Council?
NATO's Missile System and Russia
Habibe Özdal
As eagerly anticipated, NATO is expected to make two important decisions at the Lisbon summit. The first one is about building its own missile defense system in Europe. Secondly, the alliance will decide on making the missile defense shield to be the alliance's core mission. The system, which dates back to the Ronald Reagan era with its well-known name Star Wars, has caused hot debates each time it was brought onto the agenda even though it was never implemented.
Why Do We Still Discuss the Headscarf Issue?
Dilek Aydemir
Most have already fed up, but some still carry hopes of solving the dispute. Whether we call it a debate, a dispute or – as some like to call it – a "war,” the headscarf is a modern phenomenon that seems to occupy the agenda until the parties of the dispute agree at least on certain terms. What is obvious is that although the issue has been discussed at diverse levels, multiple aspects of the dispute originated by specific historical and socio cultural dynamics of Turkey have mostly undermined in the current discussions.
NATO Summit and Discussions about Security
Prof. Kamer Kasım
This week NATO Summit will be held and the new strategic concept will be declared. During the process security discussions intensified in many platforms. The discussions have particularly been focused on missile defense system. We have witnessed very profound changes in terms of the world security structure since the end of the Cold War. As a result of the collapsed of the Soviet Union and the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact the new international system has been emerged...
Children of Terror: The Case of the PKK
Sedat Laçiner
The number of children killed by PKK terrorist organization deliberately is more than 300 since 1984. Actually, we may add ‘stone or molotov cocktail-throwing children’ to the number of victims. The Turkish government has been making efforts to protect the terror victim children via the bills whereas the PKK do not abstain to push them in front of the police with stones and bombs. In recent days a bomb aiming the police exploded in the hands of a kid, who was encouraged for terror attack by the PKK, and he was seriously injured...
Some are trying to Create Misperceptions about Turkey!
Suleyman Ozeren
For the last couple of weeks, Turkey has been under the spot for variety of reasons. Two conflicting points are the focus of this article. These points, in other words, edges are contradictory with each other. Moreover, they are representing totally different views about Turkey. More importantly, while the first group of news has been falsified or considered as fabrication, they are potentially dangerous in creating misperception about Turkey in the world.
USAK Interview: Turkey's Role in the Balkans: Opportunities and Constraints
Interview by Emrah Usta
JTW - USAK
Journal of Turkish Weekly conducted an exclusive interview with Erdoan Shipoli who is a teaching assistant at Fatih University, in Istanbul and a senior researcher at "Praxis" think-tank in Kosovo. His research interests are the Balkans, Kosovo, security issues, negotiations, inter-ethnic dialogue, diplomacy, and international relations.
The Diversity of Discourse: Israeli Settlements
By Billy Geibel (USAK-JTW)
It is no secret, and in fact it has been well documented that a major hindrance to the realization of peace within the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is the issue of settlement construction within occupied territories of Palestine.
Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, has stated many times that settlements are the "biggest obstacle that the peace process faces”, and he has backed up these words with his current actions, in which he has refused to resume peace talks until Israel puts another freeze on further construction. Former British Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, articulated the beliefs of the British Government when he announced that, "Settlements are illegal in our view and an obstacle (to peace).”
USAK Interview with Udi Dekel: "Turkey can be the Facilitator to Manage Some Problems”
Interviewed by Agshin Umudov
Journal of Turkish Weekly conducted an exclusive interview with Brigadier General Udi Dekel, Former Head of the Strategic Division of IDF and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's Head of Negotiations Unit with the Palestinians. Here is the full-text of interview.
Britains Great War on Turkey: An Irish Perspective
Dr. Pat Walsh
This is the full-text of Dr. Pat Walsh delivered at International Strategic Research Organization (USAK) House on October 26, 2010.
USAK Interview: "GERB of Bulgaria Fulfilled the Commitments of Being Government”
Selime Hasan Rida
Interviewed by Selime Hasan Rida, JTW
Long-lasting discussions in the Bulgarian Parliament concerning the question of whether "Turkish EU membership should be voted in a referendum” ended yesterday (20th of September, 2010) after the voting in the parliament. With support of the current ruling party, GERB and ethnic-Turkish party, Movement of Rights and Freedoms, the Parliament decided not to vote to determine the date of the referendum.
In order to get a comprehensive evaluation of the latest developments in Bulgaria, we discussed with Muzaffer Vatansever, an Expert on Balkans at USAK.
Analysis: Why Does Georgia's Visa-free Regime in the North Caucasus Concern Russia?
Agshin Umudov
After the 2008 Russian-Georgian war, relations still remain strained between the two countries. The tensed relations might worsen further by the recent decree, signed by Georgian President Saakashvili, to introduce visa-free regimes for Russian citizens residing in seven North Caucasus republics of Russian Federation; Chechnya, Ingushetia, North Ossetia, Dagestan, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachay-Cherkessia and Republic of Adygea. The decree that was issued on October 11, 2010 and went into effect on October 13, 2010, allows residents of North Caucasus to enter into Georgia and stay there without a visa for 90 days...
Analysis: The Effects of the Mid-Term Elections on the Middle East
Billy Geibel
As the United States Mid-Term Elections approach, like always, there is a noticeable stagnation of foreign policy implementation taking place within the White House. Facing a potential catastrophe in the upcoming elections, with Republicans sanguine about the possibility of taking over the House Majority, President Obama is understandably preoccupied by seemingly more poignant issues to deal with at home. However, while there are undoubtedly domestic issues that deserve President Obama’s full attention, the economy being the most obvious, he should not allow these issues to in effect destroy his Foreign Policy agenda.
Interview with Sedat Laçiner: "Both Israel and Turkey Need Each Other”
Sedat Laçiner
...Turkey has always given great importance to its relations with Israel and being the first Muslim country to recognize Israel is one of the biggest indicators of this. Although there have been ups and downs in the relations from time to time, it is not something specific to the relations between Turkey and Israel. Israel is a tough country to establish good relations with and it is also located in a problematic geographical area...
Putting the CSTO to the Test in Kyrgyzstan
Habibe Ozdal
The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) was established in 2002 on the basis of the Collective Security Treaty signed in 1992 in order to preserve member states’ territorial integrity and strengthen cooperation with other multilateral institutions such as the United Nations and NATO. Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan are members of the CSTO; Uzbekistan took steps to rejoin the organization in 2006.
A Solution to the Palestinian Refugees Issue
Alon Ben Meir
Of all the conflicting issues Israelis and Palestinians must resolve in the negotiations - including territorial claims, secure borders and the future of East Jerusalem - the Palestinian refugee problem in particular has the potential to stymie any pragmatic solution to the conflict. As Israelis and Palestinians renew direct talks, the European Union can and must begin to play a key role in helping the parties resolve this difficult and thorny issue.
The Cost of Telling the Truth in the United States
Kourosh Ziabari
Rick Sanchez is no longer with the company. We thank Rick for his years of service and we wish him well. This frosty statement was the conclusion of Rick Sanchezs 6-year-long career with the United States' cable news network, CNN.
Obama/Donilon: Staring Down the Generals
Eric Walberg
In the past 10 days, 150 NATO-bound oil tankers were torched in Pakistan, mostly by Taliban but some apparently by their own drivers, who siphoned and sold the fuel and then destroyed the evidence of their theft. Win-win for locals, none of whom are naive enough to believe killing more of their brothers is a good idea. 500 oil tankers and containers that left Port Qasim in Karachi for Kandahar did not even reach the AfPak border. This, while the key Khyber Pass was closed, holding up thousands of supply trucks that did make it intact, after Pakistan shut the border in protest against the almost daily, illegal and unsanctioned US air strikes that have killed 1800 Pakistani civilians.
Expansion of SOCAR to the Black Sea Market
Agshin Umudov
State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) is one of the largest state run oil companies in the world. SOCAR had carried the following names during the Soviet Union: Azerneft, "Azerneftkombinat” and ''Azernaftchikarma''.[i] The main responsibility of SOCAR is to improve the management of Azerbaijan’s oil industry and develop an efficient petroleum energy complex. Additionally, SOCAR is responsible to meet Azerbaijan’s domestic demand for oil and oil products, and to increase the energy export capacity as much as possible. After signing many promising Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs) with Trans-national Oil Companies (TNOCs), SOCAR has received large amounts of capital, which has made it able to expand its investments beyond the domestic market.
Israel in America: Obama's Dance of Death
Eric Walberg
Obama has just lost his close friend and chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, who is making the unusual transition from national to municipal politics. He is also losing his closest adviser David Axelrod (pragmatist Emanuel described their difference as prose versus poetry) and his mentor and director of the National Economic Council Larry Summers.
Thorny Path of the Railroads
Reshad Karimov
Sometime dreams can become a reality, sometimes in ones lifetime. One of my friends dream was to travel to Europe, but not just any travel he always wanted to travel to Disneyland with his kids on a train. Just to go, buy a ticket and board in Baku, travel for a week through many countries and, finally, reach that destination. Unfortunately, thanks to less than friendly political winds from the West (yes, usage of that clich phrase is absolutely appropriate here) such railroad with the possibility of as a new a major bridge between Europe and Asia through Caucasus almost failed to exist.
Life Begins at 40: Ed Miliband (IV)
Dr.Süreyya Yigit
The Labour Party has the chance to disturb the cosy Con-Dem Coalition and offer a viable alternative government. That can only become possible with changes in policy and a different approach to politics.
Life Begins at 40: Ed Miliband (III)
Dr. Sureyya Yigit
The Labour Party has its youngest ever leader. It needs to dust itself off as soon as it can as there is a possibility that a new general election may be called in a year’s time. The Coalition has penciled in a referendum on electoral reform for May 2011 and the Liberal Democrats may well reconsider remaining in government. Most believe that the chances of that happening are not high at the moment, thinking if a week is a long time in politics for Harold Wilson, then surely a year in politics must be an eternity. Nevertheless, political parties need to have election contingency plans. Ed Miliband, whilst concerning himself about a snap election needs to think of other issues as well.
Life Begins at 40: Ed Miliband (II)
Dr. Sureyya Yigit
Becoming the leader of the Labour Party is a poisoned chalice, similar to what Macbeth reminds himself in Act I Scene VII.
Life Begins at 40: Ed Miliband (I)
Dr. Sureyya Yigit
Young men with little experience do not become leaders of the Labour Party. Or did not. The new leader of the Labour Party is young and without much House of Commons experience. Compared to his predecessors he is a newcomer. For example, Gordon Brown had been an MP for 24 years before becoming leader. Tony Blair had been an MP for 11 years, John Smith for 22 years, Neil Kinnock for 13 years, Michael Foot for 35 years, James Callaghan for 31 years, Harold Wilson for 18 years, Hugh Gaitskell for 10 years and Clement Attlee had been a member of the House of Commons for 13 years before becoming leader.
President Ahmadinejad's New York Meeting with U.S. Activists
Phil Wilayto
The opening week of the United Nations' 65th session was a busy one for Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. In addition to giving his annual address before the U.N. General Assembly and granting interviews with everyone from ABC's Charlie Rose to Fox News' Eric Shaw, he also found time to meet with groups of Iranian-Americans, Muslim leaders, academics and members of think tanks.
Not David vs. Goliath but David vs. Ed
Dr. Sureyya Yigit
The British political landscape has undergone an important change. It may even be asserted that it is a revolutionary change. The Labour Party has elected its youngest leader in history. The three major political parties in Britain are all led by men in their forties. That is also a historical first.
A Defense Which Deserves Being Called "Holy"
Kourosh Ziabari
Almost 20 years have passed since the conclusion of 20th century's longest, most erosive war which was brutally imposed on the defenseless people of Iran by a belligerent and aggressive dictator who was finally pushed to death by the same people who had once persuaded, funded, aided and supported him in attacking and invading the new-born Iran of post-revolution days.
Future Prime Minister: Son of Ralph?
Dr. Sureyya Yigit
Tomorrow in Manchester, Britain will have elected a new Leader of the Opposition; a potential Prime Minister. The Labour Party having lost the general election in May has been debating and voting for who they want to lead them into the next election. They are desperate to find the right person who will return them to government. The loss of the elixir of power especially after more than a decade in continuous governance has been particularly difficult to come to grips and digest, which has transformed this summer into a political heatwave.
BDS: Boycotting Apartheid
Eric Walberg
The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign moves ahead in Washington, California, British Columbia, Harvard and Brown Universities, and the Netherlands, notes Eric Walberg.
Our Time is Now
Ambika Vishwanath
In the following article Ambika discusses the growing importance of youth movements in different domains across the world, and why it is necessary to invest in the young men and women of today.
The German-Russian Memorandum on Security An Example of the German-Russian Axis
Richard Rousseau
On 5 June, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and German Chancellor Angela Merkel held a meeting at the beautiful Meseberg Castle, 40 km north of Berlin, to discuss bilateral and international issues, including the Iranian nuclear program and Euro-Russian relations, with a special attention to the issues of the abolition of visas and the security of the European continent.
U.S. Endgame in Afghanistan: The Evil of Three Lessers
Eric Walberg
In his school-boyish Oval Office Mission accomplished! speech 31 August, United States President Barack Obama heaped faint praise on Bush's invasion of Iraq, averring that no one could doubt Bush's support for the troops, love of his country and commitment to its security when he wrote this most "remarkable chapter in the history of the United States and Iraq". True, it was written at a "huge price" to the US (apparently it was provided free of charge for the fortunate Iraqis).
What’s the Word on the Streets of Kabul?
Matiullah (Yama) Noori
It always fascinates me to hear a very ordinary person talking about the political atmosphere in Kabul or in all over Afghanistan. Indeed, I prefer listening to such people speaking fearlessly and sincerely about the lack of a socio-political and economic serenity in the country. These ordinary people always construct an actual image of the situation than media do, for they do not associate themselves with any party or faction.
La Malfa: "The Main Actor in Iranian Issue is not NATO"
USAK - JTW
Journal of Turkish Weekly, online newspaper of USAK, conducted and interview with MP Giorgio La Malfa, Former Minister of European Affairs of Italy, on NATO's Strategic Concept and relations with Iran and Russia...
Rising Tension in the Caucasus
Guner Ozkan
Tension has always been high in the Caucasus. Especially, with the problems over separatist regimes, one of the most important is over the Nagorno-Karabakh region between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which goes back to late 1980s; and of course other ones being South Ossetia and Abkhazia. And Russia went for a brief war with Georgia over South Ossetia early August 2008. I can depict the reasons of recent rise of tension from several points. One of them is the general picture of the region that is re-shaped after the Russian-Georgian war. Russia has repositioned itself in its "near abroad". After the August war by defeating Georgia, Russia got a solid settling in South Ossetia and Abkhazia in terms of building up military bases there, and refusing all the claims and questions that Abkhazia and South Ossetia are part of Georgia.
Prof. Ihsan Bal on PKK Terror and Role of Diplomacy
Prof. Ihsan Bal
Considering the latest developments on Kurdish issue and PKK terrorism, the director of USAK Center for Security Studies, Prof. Dr. İhsan Bal underlined the necessity of a multidimensional approach to the struggle with terrorism. Prof. Bal said that the most effective way to destroy terrorist organizations has been to use "diplomacy, politics, intelligence and security” channels all together. He said, "The struggle with terrorism in Turkey shifted from a mainly militaristic character to a diplomatic and political one.” However, he added, "Diplomatic, political and military efforts to deal with the PKK problem should not be seen interchangeable rather complementary in this process...
USAK Analysis: Evaluation of the Referendum
By Gamze Coskun, USAK Researcher
On September 12 morning Turkey woke up to a sweet rush of referendum. With the participation of 77% of the Turkish voters, transition to a new constitution was voted by choosing one of the two answers: "EVET (YES)” or "HAYIR (NO)”. These two simple words were imprinted to all Turkish people’s brains throughout the whole referendum campaigns of each parties, all billboards were covered with "yes” or "no” words with huge font sizes. Whole news stories were based on referendum debates; all the people were talking about their choices and trying to convince each other in all public places starting from 4-5 months before the constitutional referendum.
Turkey’s Balkan Policy Needs New Impetus to Gain Int’l Support
Emine KART, Today's Zaman
Why it is that Turkey’s constructive moves in the Balkans receive less coverage than its other foreign policy moves, indeed often go unnoticed? Maybe it’s because tension with Israel or the controversial relationship with Iran offer sexier headlines. Perhaps it’s a reflection of the international community’s tendency towards considerable indifference when it comes to the Balkans. A high-level visit paid by Turkey’s President Abdullah Gül to Bosnia and Herzegovina -- which came after a four-year hiatus and took place only weeks before the important Oct. 3 elections in Bosnia -- was the most recent indication of Turkey’s commitment to maintaining stability in the volatile western Balkans.
The Impasse in Turkish - Armenian Relations
Hasan Selim Özertem
Turkish foreign policy has been undergoing a process of transformation since the end of the Cold War. However, each transformation period comes with new crises and advantages that should be assessed carefully. Turkey has been trying tackle these challenges by pursuing a proactive foreign policy since the end of 1990s. In this respect, the zero-problem concept, introduced to Turkish foreign policy by Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, has been effective in overcoming certain chronic problems with its neighbors and creating a better environment to stimulate regional partnerships. In the Caucasus, particularly good relations with Azerbaijan beginning in the 1990s have turned into a regional integration process, with Georgias enthusiastic participation in the 2000s...
Energy Leaks on Nuclear Power Plant in Sinop (Turkey) by Koreans
Haluk Direskeneli
It is quite difficult to get correct information on energy issues here in our country. Private companies do not wish to release negative information obviously. They wish to advise that they are profitable for their shareholders, environmentally friendly for the general public, prudent in spending, smart in their investment decisions. On the other hand, public enterprises/ public institutions/ the ministry would like to picture the best available environment, tough in regulations, business friendly for the investors...
What Happens to "Old Europe's" Germany
Cenk Alican
In early-August the Federal Government under the leadership of Angela Merkel and its junior partner, the business-friendly Free Democratic Party, released a statement that praised the chancellor`s clever crisis management, citing Fred Irwin, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Germany. The remarkable progress of German economy in the immediate aftermath of the global downturn the impacts of the economic shrinking have not come to an end yet will blow a promising wind over labor markets and create new jobs. 86 percent of middle-size enterprises are eager to employ more people in the second half of this year...
Photograph of a Nineteen Year Old
Dr. Sureyya Yiğit
Today, throughout the Central Asian country of Kyrgyzstan celebrations took place noting the fact that the state obtained its independence from the Soviet Union on this very day in 1991. Under a hot Bishkek sun thousands watched President Otunbaeva lay a wreath under the stone statue commemorating those who died in the April demonstrations that forced then President Bakiev to flee. She then proceeded no more than thirty steps to her right where on the gates of the "White House” she unveiled a plaque revealing the names of those that had been murdered in April. Elsewhere in Osh, Jalalabad and other cities, public gatherings celebrated Independence Day with speeches and colourful dances accompanied by joyful music under a blistering sun...
What is the True Purpose of the CSTO Led by Russia?
Bakyt Beshimov
In early August of 2010, CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organisation) held another summit in Armenia. Russia continues to increase tension guided by its questionable policies in the "zone of privileged interests " or another words, in the former post Soviet block with bright examples in Central Asia and Caucasus. Without a clearly defined interests and constructive regional strategy, Russia has returned to Central Asia with ideas of a military bases and hydropower projects sliding relations between Central Asian states downward...
The South Caucasus on the Russian "Chess Board”
Zaur Shiriyev
The problems of security in the South Caucasus and especially in the zone of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict are entering new, most pressing and dynamically debate stage later of the Turkish President Gul’s Baku and Russian President Medvedyev’s Yerevan visits. Turkey and Azerbaijan signed a Strategic Partnership and Mutual Assistance deal during President Abdullah Gül's visit to Azerbaijan, on 17 August. This came just days before, agreement on extending Moscow’s lease on 102nd Gyumri military base’s rights by 34 years, during Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's visit to Armenia. The agreement is a Russian memorandum to the West that it will not move back from its policy to toughen its position in the South Caucasus for long time...
Turkey's Presence and Importance in Afghanistan
Salih Dogan
Turkey and Afghanistan have always enjoyed warm relations due to their strong cultural and historical connections. For instance, immediately after Afghanistan gained its independence on 19 August 1919 under the leadership of Amanullah Khan, it established diplomatic contacts with Turkey -- while Turkeys own Independence War was still ongoing. Afghanistan became the second state after the Soviet Union to recognize the Turkish Republic. As a result, the two countries signed the Turkey-Afghanistan Alliance Agreement on 1 March 1921 in Moscow, the first official agreement between the two states. After seven years, in May 1928, Amanullah Khan visited Turkey on the invitation of Mustafa Kemal Atatrk and at that time a Treaty of Eternal Friendship was signed between Turkey and Afghanistan. Finally, Afghanistan was one of the parties to Saadabad (Nonaggression) Pact that was signed on 8 July 1937. The close relations that both countries created at the time of their establishment have preserved their strength...
Will Clusters Replace Countries?
Sundeep Waslekar
At the end of the first decade of the 21st century we define many facets of our life with reference to a concept called country. We measure income, savings rate, investments, lifespan, and mortality rate with regards to the country in which we live. We accumulate arms, wage wars, and negotiate peace between countries. We cheer for our country's team, however bad or good it might be, if it is playing. We may cheer the best team when our own countrys team is out in a football or cricket tournament provided the best team is not from an enemy country.
Russia, Afghanistan and Starwars: Westward Hu
Eric Walberg
Russia's accommodation of the US and NATO continues apace, with new support of the Afghan war and even missile defence, notes Eric Walberg. The Atlantists are on the ascendant these days in Moscow. Russian President Dmitri Medvedev's hamburger lunch with United States President Barack Obama during his visit to Silicon Valley last month apparently left a pleasant taste in his mouth. Now relations with NATO are on the mend, as Russia plans to send 27 Mi-17 helicopters to Afghanistan, NATO Military Committee Chairman Giampaolo di Paola said after a meeting with Chief of Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Nikolai Makarov last Friday. Rosoboronexport has even offered to throw in the first three helicopters for free...
Iran's Nuclear Standoff: Who is The Loser?
Kourosh Ziabari
It's more than 8 years that the world's newspapers are filled with miscellaneous news, reports and commentaries concerning Iran's nuclear program. Controversy over Iran's nuclear program has spanned through two administrations in Iran: ex-President Mohammad Khatami's government and the incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's administration. The term "Iran nuclear program" returns more than 6 million results in Google web search. Thousands of scholars, journalists, politicians and political pundits have made their own statement regarding this debatable subject.
The Axis Discussion in Turkish Foreign Policy
Prof. Dr. Kamer Kasım
The recent events have increased the discussions, whether Turkey has changed its axis in foreign policy. The change is indispensable in foreign policy as well as in all fields. However, the question subjected to the discussion is whether there is a change of axis. This kind of radical change in foreign policy is both too difficult and very exceptional. The radical changes within a country and/or international system usually lead to the change of axis...
An Intelligence Coup or an Intelligence Failure?
Arzu Celalifer Ekinci
Nowadays we have a pretty much complicated story in the middle of the US-Iran psychological propaganda war. On one hand we have Iranian government who claims that the Iranian nuclear scientist Shahram Amiri was abducted by the Saudi agents and CIA last year in Saudi Arabia during pilgrimage. On the other hand we have the U.S. intelligence and U.S. authorities who say that Amiri defected with a free will and provided important intelligence about Iranian nuclear program...
Israel Needs a Palestinian State
Alon Ben Meir
Israel's national security and self-preservation as a democracy, if not its very existence, depend on its ability and willingness to come to terms with the reality of coexistence with the Palestinians on the basis of a two-state solution. Unfortunately, instead of seeking to promote the creation of a Palestinian state, the current Israeli government has sought to impede it. Although Prime Minister Netanyahu's endorsement of the two-state solution at Bar Ilan University last summer offered a good start, it fell far short of the kind of vision needed to achieve a sustainable, lasting agreement. What he and his government have proposed amounts to an autonomous Palestinian entity, lacking territorial contiguity, with ultimate security responsibility remaining in Israel's hands...
Whither EU-US Relations?
By Mustafa Kutlay and Lukas Linsi
The election of Barack Obama as President of the United States in November 2008 was accompanied by popular enthusiasm in Europe. During his election campaign he had been given a rapturous reception in Berlin where over 100,000 spectators gathered when he spoke at the Victory Column in Berlin. But the support for Obama in Europe was not confined to a popular movement; also the European political elites pinned their hopes on Obama to improve trans-Atlantic ties after the divisions that marked the era of George W. Bush. After all, Obama was a declared multilateralist in international politics and he seemed ideologically close to the traditions of European social democracies on priority issues on the policy agenda, such as health care reform, climate change and tax reform...
No Help from Washington
Nicola Nasser
Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) officials in the government of Mohamed Abbas often complain they spend more time negotiating with American rather than Israeli governments. This has been particularly true of late. Since Israel's all-out assault on Gaza nearly a year and half ago, Palestinian officials have discontinued all direct talks with the Israelis and have been talking to the Americans. US presidential envoy George Mitchell has been closely engaged in the region since May 2010, but his efforts have not proved fruitful...
UK Courting Turkey to Bring Success to New Foreign Policy
Mahir Zeynalov
As the British coalition government wrestles with the conundrum of a tax and axe policy to contain a possible impending financial recession, a renewed British foreign policy envisages more engagement with its forgotten allies and partners. Many claimed during the election campaign that Tories will look inward and ignore the UKs foreign policy priorities, but it seems the British Foreign Office has not swept this issue under the rug. A massive ideological infusion into a new vision in foreign policy that was voiced by Foreign Secretary William Hague on July 1 is also bound to impact the UKs relations with the EU and one of its greatest challenges, Turkey.
Disappointment in two of the first "trio" of Lisbon: Presidencies of Spain and Belgium
Fatma Yılmaz Elmas
The Term Presidency of the EU changed hands between Spain and Belgium on 1st of July. Spain caused disappointment because she could not accomplish the objectives that Spain asserted such as struggle with economic crisis and negotiations between the EU and Turkey during her presidency. Belgium, which went to early elections, made a doubtful start with regard to the effective management of the term presidency due to the uncertainty on political stability. Hungary, third partner of the rotating presidency brought by the Lisbon Treaty, will have the first experience of the term presidency in a period when the EU will struggle to be a "union" This will hold expectations at low level for the first half of 2011 as well.
Srebrenica: Tragedy that the Time Cannot Hail
Muzaffer Vatansever
Srebrenica, which was located on the eastern part of Bosnia-Herzegovina according to borders drawn by Dayton Peace Accord, witnessed the most dramatic tragedy of the recent history. In the last days of the Bosnian War, Srebrenica, where eight thousand people were massacred, went down in the history as the biggest mass destruction after the World War II. International society, which had been relatively hesitant since the beginning of the war, cannot force the war criminals to pay the bill of the Srebrenica genocide as they could not prevent. On 26th of 2007, International Court of Justice accepted Srebrenica massacres as genocide. However the Court decided that Serbia cannot be blamed for responsibility...
Turkey-EU Relations and the 13th Chapter: The Symbol of…what?
Arianna Catalano
According to Miguel Ángel Moratinos, Spanish Foreign Minister, the opening of the chapter on "Food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary” shows that Turkey’s EU accession process is "vivo y prograsando” (nb: alive and going on). Favourable opinions also came from the EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Stephan Füle, who stressed how important this chapter was in the whole negotiation framework, and Turkish Agriculture Minister Mehdi Eker, pointing out that the opening of a new chapter certainly mirrors Turkey’s will to join the EU...
Petraeus Unleashes the Airstrike Halt
Yama Noori
When Gen. McChrystal, the architect of the current counterinsurgency doctrine in Afghanistan restricted heavy reliance on impromptu airstrikes, there was an ethical reason behind it. McChrystal had accurately calculated the devastating outcomes of launching airstrikes in places where insurgents have completely mingled with the local population. The conventional school of revolutionary warfare dictates that insurgents use the local population as a shield to protect themselves from attacks by the state...
Africa under the Dilemma of Priorities and Opportunities
Prof. Kamer Kasım
As the changes in International System impacted the states’ foreign policy, the restrictions of Cold War have been transcended and the geographies which had not been reached before have become available. At that point, Caucasus and Central Asia were regarded as geographies replete with occasions in terms of Turkish foreign policy. Independence of Turkic Republics and Caspian energy resources destined Turkey to pursue pro-active foreign policy toward the region. Turkey sought to play a role in bringing these energy resources to international markets and immediately found itself in competition in the energy sector...
Axis Shift or Boom of Self Confidence?
Prof. İhsan Bal
Recently there is the question that we frequently see in columns and headlines of the Western media: Has Turkey shifted towards the East from the West? Has the axis of Turkish Foreign Policy really shifted?Report of TESEV (The Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation) on Turkey’s perception in the Middle East, underscored that Turkey, with its democracy and freedom, is admired and modeled by the Arab countries. Turkey’s shift to the Middle East, which seems a popular belief recently in both national and international media, is not as prominent as the Turkification of Arabs.
Spy Scandal and The Recent U.S.-Russian Relations
Habibe Özdal
Just a week ago, analysts were mainly arguing the level of U.S.-Russian relations, which grew up until now within an 18 months period. Indeed, the decision of ‘resetting’ relations with Russia had a great impact considering, which Obama inherited from Bush administration. As a reminder, U.S.-Russian relations were almost in the lowest level after the Georgian War in 2008...
Russia and Poppy Cultivation in Afghanistan
Hasan Selim Özertem
Russia is located in a large landmass that lies in a territory covering eleven time zones. Even though it is an advantage in terms of power concerns, it is a problem in terms of border security and makes the country vulnerable to illegal trafficking. Even though Central Asia represents a buffer zone for Russian vulnerability to drug trafficking as being a transit route to Europe and last stop in some cases Russia suffers the opium issue seriously. In G20 summit, it was also high in Medvedevs agenda and while summarizing the topics discussed in KremlinRussia, the Twitter account of the Russian President, among other topics drug trafficking as the first issue emphasized by the President. In fact, it seems at least in rhetoric, G20 member states agreed to jointly fight drug trafficking in global terms...
Should Turkey Declare War on Iraq?
Doç. Dr. Sedat Laçiner
The United States invaded Afghanistan, as it kept a group of terrorists. After refusal of the Taliban with regard to the extradition of Osama Bin Laden, the U.S. decided to invade Afghanistan. According to Americans, Afghanistan was now a source of terrorism and terrorist attacks like 9/11 were carried out by those who came based in Afghanistan. As a consequence of preemptive approach, the U.S. intervened to Afghanistan and pushed other allies to come to the country behind herself...
How The Bulgarian State Perceives Turkish Minority?
Muzaffer Vatansever
Interviews are the primary sources to understand the perspectives of people. Especially in politics, you can have the chance to directly learn the ideas of people without any intermediary and/or interpreter. If the person that you interviewed is sincere, the interview becomes much more valuable. In the recent days, I had the privilege to conduct such a kind of interview with Bulgarian Minister of Interior, Mr. Tsvetan Tsevetanov. In order to understand the motives of the current political developments in Bulgaria especially in the case of Turkish minority -and the MRF in particular- which is largely discussed and labelled as whether there is an anti-Turk tendency in Bulgaria or not, this interview provides some direct answers.
How Will Turkey’s New Position Affect Its Relations with the US, Syria and Israel?
Serpil Açıkalın
After the increased tensions and many problems we have had with Israel following the 2009 Gaza attacks, we find ourselves today at the nadir of the relationship between Israel and Turkey. Although Turkey has criticized Israel’s regional policies from time to time since the mid-1960s, it has never been this strong rhetorically. This was also the first time that Turks were killed by the Israelis. In fact, the last Marmara flotilla event also presented an opportunity for Turkey to test her ability to persuade the international community. Yet...
Kyrgyz Neighbours: Crocodile Tears
Dr. Süreyya Yigit
The referendum result as well as the terrible loss of life in the south of Kyrgyzstan has focused attention onto the Kyrgyz state and its immediate environment. The bordering states have had varying ethnic, trading, security and political interests. Their reactions can be partly explained by bearing these themes in mind. In the initial stages of the conflict when official news agencies were declaring every few hours very slight increases in casualties, the leader of the interim government Roza Otunbayeva called for external intervention: by the Russian Federation...
Iceland and Serbia on the Way of the EU, But Turkey?
Fatma Yılmaz Elmas
The European Union has recently engaged with an economic crisis on the one hand and political elections in member states - the results of which indicate a far-right trend mostly due to the economic crisis - on the other hand. However, it seems that the EU also has a different issue on its agenda. Whereas the implementation of the recently passed Lisbon Treaty has not shown its "innovative face" yet, the EU is in taking steps to a new enlargement. As part of this, the EU has decided firstly to remove the barriers to Serbian candidacy status and secondly to start membership negotiations with Iceland...
Israel And Turkey: What Went Wrong?
Alon Ben Meir
The now infamous Flotilla incident which resulted in the death of nine Turks has sparked a whirlwind of accusations and provocations between Israel and Turkey that has put the relationship at an all time low. The timing could not have been worse, as Israel and Turkey have struggled to find common ground in their strained relations since the wake of the Gaza war. Yet the political ramifications between both allies are much deeper than the problem of Israel's blockade or Turkey's attempts to break it...
What Is Happening Between Israel and Turkey?
Prof. Dr. İhsan Bal
Israeli defense forces (IDF) stormed the gaza aid flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza as part of the campaign: "Our Route is Palestine, Our Load is Humanitarian Aid.” By publishing the images, the media portrayed Israel’s illegal act and showed how it broke the international rules of law as well as the violence that Israel used against the civilians. People around the world reacted to this disproportionate retaliation on the high seas that was carried out on a ship which was attempting to deliver humanitarian aid.
Axis And Turkey: What Should Change?
Süleyman Özeren
Due to recent incidents and developments; nowadays, the question, whether Turkey has changed its axis, has been brought to public agenda more than ever. If we are to refresh our minds whether what led some part of the local and international intellectuals to discuss this matter; several items can be listed, however, a few prominent issues should be enough to grasp the picture...
Afghanistan: Funding Both Sides
Eric Walberg
War junkies popped their champagne corks on 7 June to celebrate the 104th month of US military engagement in Afghanistan, Americas longest war in history (Vietnam lasted 103 months). Presumably they toasted the five NATO soldiers killed on 6 June. Troop deaths have skyrocketed this year and NATO forces are continuing to mow the grass, killing dozens of Taliban every day, and lots of civilians, though no one seems to know just how many of each or how to tell the difference. In any case, whats the point of questioning numbers provided by those doing the killing?
Barzani in Ankara: Normalization of Relations, Distancing from PKK
Mehmet Yegin
KDP leader and now the President of the KRG, Massoud Barzani did not visit Turkey for six years. The six years since this visit include the peak of the tension with inciting statements of not giving even a Kurdish cat about returning the PKK militants to Turkey. Yet, this period also includes a positive turn in relations. This new track in relations was the natural outcome of strengthening economic ties and the lack of a rooted hostility or rivalry among the parties...
Is There a Chance for Liberal Left in Turkey?
Prof. Dr. İhsan Bal
The recent outbreak of a videotape scandal, which significantly deteriorated the public image of the former CHP leader Deniz Baykal, could be seen as a great opportunity to create a real social democratic party that Turkey urgently needs at the moment. However, following the videotape scandal, the quest for change within the CHP has raised many questions including some controversies...
"Rogue State"
Doç. Dr. Sedat Laçiner
'Rogue state' is a term, used mostly by the United States,for states that are threatening international peace, acting in an unexpected way, or supporting terrorism by using politics as a tool.States like Libya, Syria, Iran and Iraq have frequently been given as examples of rogue states. The U.S.has tried to legalize its policies against these countries through this concept. However, the U.S.has never defined Israel as a rogue state. As a matter of fact, Israel has probably acted like one of the countries that fall under this description.
New Risk Assessment on Iskenderun Bay
Haluk Direskeneli
We are facing the most unpleasant military offensive in the history of our Republic. All our basic defense assumptions, all our alliances, partnerships, all our defense strategies have completely changed. In our geography, as was always acknowledged in the past, we have to survive by depending on our own strength. There is no alliance, no partnership, and the bare reality is that we are all alone...
In the Post Natural Evolution World
Sundeep Waslekar
These quotes are used as watermarks in the first synthetic cell developed by the J Craig Venter Institute and announced on May 20, 2010. "To Live, To Err, To Fall, To Triumph, To Recreate Life Out Of Life." - James Joyce; "See Things Not As They Are, But As They Might Be.â€- American Prometheus; "What I Cannot Build, I Cannot Understand." - Richard Feynman. Craig Venter has been a living embodiment of the spirit articulated in these quotes. He mapped the human genome code in February 2001, three years ahead of a public project...
State Piracy and Saving 'Private' Israel's Image
Dr. Guner Ozkan
Israel's raid on the unarmed civilian aid flotilla on their way to Gaza, as many described around the world, is not indeed different from an act of state piracy or state terrorism. Israeli soldiers raided the humanitarian relief flotilla made up of the volunteers from 32 countries around the world including Israel killed 9 and held the rest briefly for trial before the Israeli courts. Turkish pressure and international condemnation forced the Israeli government to step back and release all the detained...
The Israeli Attack on Humanitarian Aid Ships: An EU Perspective
Mustafa Kutlay
It is reported this morning that the Israeli forces stormed one of the six ships carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. Accordingly, death toll rises to more than 10 people in addition to the many people wounded. Since the Israeli officials work hard to avoid any news release, the exact figures are not known by the world media.
What Does Israel's Attack on Aid Ships Mean?
Dr. Guner Ozkan
This morning Israeli military forces attacked the aid ships carrying relief materials to Gaza that led to the killing of up to 18 civilians. The use of military force in such a brutal way is not just stopping the ships to reach Gaza that has been under siege for years and endured 1500 death and thousands more wounded in the last war.
The Distance Between Ankara and Moscow Is Disappearing
Prof. Dr. İhsan Bal
Turkey's multilateral foreign policy and its relations with Russia have deepened thanks to the negotiations that began on May 11 between Presidents Medvedev and Gul. Trade volume has reached approximately 40 million dollars between these countries as they have gradually developed their economic relations.
Turkey Continues to Surprise
Doç.Dr. Sedat Laçiner
PARIS- I have been in the capital of France, Paris, for the last four days. We have not come here for a touristy trip. Prof. Dr. Cagri Erhan and I are here together as invitees of the French State for the ‘Leaders Program’.
Making Deals instead of Wars: New Turkey's Approach for Greece in the Doldrums
Mustafa Kutlay and Arianna Catalano
Turkish-Greek relations have always been one of the most difficult and sensitive issues for the ruling elite on both sides of the Aegean Sea. The Greek invasion of present-day Turkish territories and the defeat of the Greek army by Turkish forces in the 1920-1923 War of Independence added structural 'conflicts' into the heavy baggage of two nations' history.
Common Strategic Interests: Balancing Support for Israel Against Other American Interests
Alon Ben Meir
As the Obama administration is reviewing how to restart the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations and the depth of its involvement, the parties on all sides of the conflict are looking to see the real nature of the US-Israeli relationship, and whether the current tensions run deeper than what may appear.
Is PKK Turkey's Hamas?
Prof. Dr. İhsan Bal
After Mr. Tayyip Erdogan's walk-out incident in Davos, one of the most common statements made is that Israel and Turkey have been fighting terrorism; thus, they have to be on the same side.
Presidential Elections in Northern Cyprus: Democracy is Something Good
Prof. Dr. İhsan Bal
Dervis Eroglu, a nationalist candidate, won the presidential elections in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on April, 18. Eroglu received slightly over 50% of the votes, giving him an outright victory over his major rival Mehmet Ali Talat.
De-conceptualization or De-islamization of Terrorism Literature
Suleyman Ozeren
The concept of terrorism has been defined in many ways, but there are commonalities in those definitions. In general terrorism can be defined as politically motivated use of violence by an organized group.
Was Obama Really Unsuccessful at the Nuke Summit?
Mehmet Yegin
After the Nuclear Security Summit some analysts claimed failure of the Obama administration relying on the reservations of the countries such as Turkey, Brasil and of course China about the sanctions on Iran. Nevertheless, this issue needs a long term commitment and the impatience to gain results indicates the insincerity of to act for the collective good.
Honour Media vs. Drama Media
By Cenk Alican
I am a passionate reader and subscriber of two German dailies: Welt Kompakt and Suddeutsche Zeitung. Especially the first one gives me a quick overview over the up-to-date events on national and international arena during my 25-minute metro ride to my office every morning. What caught my eyes very recently were two articles in the same issue about likewise incidents.
Erdogan’s France Visit
by Mehmet Özcan
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan went for a short trip to France on April 6-7. Even though the apparent reason for this visit was to attend the closing ceremony of "Turkish Season in France” proceeding for 9 months in France, Prime Minister has performed important negotiations.
Terror Turns Back to Moscow
Habibe Özdal
Two terrorist bombers on the Moscow metro killed 39 people on Monday, March 29th. The first explosion which killed 22 people struck just before 8 a.m. at the Lubyanka metro station, a few hundred feet from the Kremlin and next to the headquarters of the Federal Security Services (FSB).
Balyoz Operation-III: Suggestions for the Turkish Armed Forces
İhsan Bal
In our third and the last column related to the Balyoz Operation Plan, which was allegedly prepared by the First Army Command in 2003, it would be useful to point out the strategy the Turkish Armed Forces has to develop in response to the public discourse. The Balyoz Plan, which has been harshly discussed in the media since it was made public, was accepted by Cetin Dogan, except for some additions. The General Staff made an indirect explanation that did not satisfy public opinion instead of strongly denying the claims.
The Dilemma of Russia and NATO: To Destroy or Not Destroy the Poppy Fields in Afghanistan
Hasan Selim Özertem
Last week, one of the main debates in the Russia NATO Council was the poppy issue in Afghanistan. The core of the debate was the difference between the Russian and NATO approaches to tackling the poppy cultivation in the country. The Russians proposed destroying poppy fields and solving the problem by using hard measures that would definitely hamper the poppy production in 2010. Moreover, the Afghan authorities also demand a similar policy be implemented to weaken the economic instruments of the Taliban.
Sarkozy's National Identity Debate Has Backfired
Fatma Yılmaz- Elmas
The Socialist-led opposition has marked the second and final round of the French regional elections on March 21, while President Nicolas Sarkozy's centre right UMP has suffered a heavy defeat. The 'left-wing alliance'�took 54% of the vote and became the winner among right, left, greens and far-right parties competing for the 26 regions including French overseasterritoriesin the elections,which has been a kind of referendum for Sarkozy in France before the presidential election in 2012.
Are Sanctions the Best Solution to Tackle the Iranian Issue?
Dr. Arzu Celalifer Ekinci
The Iranian nuclear crisis is still on the agenda and again we find ourselves in a position in which the Western bloc is seeking to apply another round of sanctions in order to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Following that aim, in February of this year U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates traveled to the Persian Gulf region for persuasion tours.
Time to Change the Status Quo
Alon Ben Meir
The last few weeks have looked like a crash course in Middle East diplomacy, replete with the grandeur of talks and lofty speechmaking, and the lows that shamed even those most committed to the peace process. As the media frenzy played out, the public watched as Israel and its closest ally celebrated proximity talks, clashed over the untimely announcement of new construction in Jerusalem, and worked through their differences during the AIPAC conference in Washington and Prime Minister Netanyahu's subsequent meeting with President
Obama.
Readmission Agreement: In Exchange for What?
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Ozcan
The new Czech Commissioner responsible for the EU Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy, Stefan Fule, told reporters that they will continue to stand by Turkey unless a compromise cannot be reached during the reform process, in a press meeting made together with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. It was understood that the most important thing for the Czech Commissioner about the reform process was the constitutional reform in Turkey.
Turkish Military Operations in Afghanistan: A Continuation of Peace by Other Means
Barin Kayaoğlu
Letters from the Hindu Kush – Part I.For over two weeks, I have been in Afghanistan to personally observe international security and development efforts. I will publish several essays on those subjects in the days ahead.
*While other international forces continue to hunt down the insurgents in Afghanistan, some ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) forces play a different role and put a positive face on the foreign military presence vis-à-vis the Afghan people.
"Genocide" Resolution: Is It Worth Undoing the Recovery Attempts?
Mehmet Yegin
The Armenian Diaspora in the US persists in its attempts to kill the protocols. Again they are pushing for another "genocide" resolution. Of course they do not want to loose the chance of having the support of nearly all the crucial leaders of the Democratic Party. The midterm elections and the hard position of the party also seem to create an appropriate climate. The previous attempts were blocked by the interventions of the previous presidents, whereas now there is not an apparent attempt of Obama administration on the bill.
Reassessing the Genocide Resolution
Alon Ben Meir
Once again, as has happened every spring for years running, the debate over whether the ethnic clashes against the Armenians in the break up of the Ottoman Empire amounted to genocide has made it into the US political arena for Congress to weigh in. The recent resolution adopted by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs-to officially recognize actions against the Armenians in 1915 as genocide committed by the Ottoman Turks-has less to do with the US government's pursuit of historical accuracy, than political theater that has come at a strikingly inopportune time.
A Mutually Irresolvable Trust problem
Dr. Arzu Celalifer Ekinci
Nowadays almost the same titles are taking place in world news headlines: "IAEA report reflects concerns about military aspect of Iran's nuclear program", "United States works on crippling sanctions toward Iran", "Iran rejected western backed IAEA plan", "Tehran's offer is not acceptable" and the list goes on
The New U.S. Ambassador to Syria: Can the Israeli-Syrian Talks Be Resumed?
Kaitlin MacKenzie
When I wrote about progress in American-Syrian relations months ago[1], the US president had just decided to send an ambassador to Syria after a 4-year absence but had yet to select someone for the position. At the time, any sort of comprehensive peace in the Middle East had seemed to be as distant as ever, not only because of the recent Israeli war on Gaza and its lingering repercussions in the international arena, but also because of the acute crisis in Turkish-Israeli relations.
The US Does Not Act Rationally in the Caucasus
Doç. Dr. Sedat Laçiner
When you look at the Caucasus it can be easily understood that Armenia is the ally of Russia, and Azerbaijan and Georgia are the allies of the West. In this framework, Russia acts as rationally as possible: It tries to defend its ally (Armenia), and it carries its small allies (Abkhazia and Ossetia) to state status. Russia has almost increased the number of ally countries to three. Now the rest of Georgia and Azerbaijan is on the line.
Recent Operations Against the PKK in Belgium
Doç. Dr. Mehmet Özcan
In Europe, operations are made against terrorist organizations consecutively. The latest actions that were taken against the PKK and its different variations in Belgium, following operations in Italy, Germany and France, bear traces of serious transformation. The maneuver carried out on March 4 resulted in 22 people being taken into custody, including Remzi Kartal, who is responsible for the PKK in Europe, and his assistant Zubeyir Aydar, and later on 8 of them were arrested.
Armenian Blackmail
Sedat Laçiner
The Diaspora, and also of course Armenia, uses blackmail as a means to fight against Turkey and the Turks. There are many historical examples of it coming from the 19th century. However, blackmail politics has recently come to the forefront more. We saw the most obvious example of blackmail-approach during the 2004 and 2005 European Union negotiations. Yerevan was almost competing with the Greek Cypriots in opposition against Turkey's EU bid. And this competition still continues.
‘Duel on Guarantorship’ in Cyprus
Fatma Yilmaz-Elmas
The President of the Turkish Republic of Cyprus, Mehmet Ali Talat, and leader of the Greek Cypriot Administration, Dimitris Christofias, came together once again on February 24 and restarted direct talks, aimed at finding a comprehensive settlement to the division of the island after a 23-day interval. The leaders dealt with the economy during the talks and representatives and technical delegations will keep discussing the economy in the following days. The next meeting will also be held on March 4.
Is a Genuine Rapprochement between Turkey and Armenia Possible?
Arzu Turgut
The international community welcomed the statement declared by Armenia and Turkey on the normalization of bilateral relations. In 2008, the visit of Turkish President Abdullah Gul to Armenia to watch an international football match between these two countries was a breakthrough and it concluded with the protocols as a historical turning point in October 2009. In the international arena, this positive attitude led to an expectation of compromise on disputed issues between these countries...
The Making of Afghanistan: Karzai’s Second Presidential Term and Obama’s New Afghanistan Strategy
Salih Dogan
Afghanistan held a presidential election on August 20th. This was the second "democratic election” for the Afghani people to elect their president since 2001. It was up to the Afghani people whether to elect current President Hamid Karzai for a second term or to make a new beginning with a new president. It was crucially important for Afghanistan to have a free and fair election, which was hoped to lead to stability and security in Afghanistan, and even in Central Asia and the entire region. However, it could not be achieved.
Yes to Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia, but What About Turkey?
Prof. Dr. Ercument Tezcan
The European Union lifted the visa requirements for Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia on December 19, 2009. At this point, it would be appropriate to first take into consideration how the visa requirements for these countries began, and then the process of lifting the requirements should be discussed.
Turkey & Russia: Old Rivals, Strategic Partners
Habibe Özdal
Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan concluded two days visit to Moscow. Prime Minister met with his Russian counterpart Putin and also with President Medvedev. It can be said that meetings were dominated by energy issues however many other issues from economic relations to canceling visas have been negotiated. Turkey-Russia relations that improved significantly during last several years, continues to accelerate...
Does Azerbaijan Turn Its Face Towards the East?
Arzu Turgut
Contrary to expectations, Azerbaijan and Turkey have failed to sign a protocol in order to cancel the visa regime. According to a few sources, this agreement was not signed due to some technical reasons, incomplete procedural issues and bureaucratic problems. However, beyond this unexpected result, the issue is not only about abolishing the visa regime between these countries which have strong cultural, historical and linguistic bonds.
Israel in a Vortex of Anger
Prof. Dr. Ihsan Bal
It can be said that Israel is experiencing its most difficult days since its establishment in 1948. The shame created in the West by Jews, who were subjected to the Nazi Holocaust during the Second World War, constituted a great credit in the establishment and support of the state of Israel. Certainly, in the formation of this credit, the worldwide Jewish intellectuals that established the state of Israel, scientists and artists had also important contributions...
Turkey's Reaction to the Western Approach on the Iranian Nuclear Crisis
Arzu Celalifer Ekinci
For more than six years the United States and western allies have been pressing Iran to halt its nuclear enrichment program, which Tehran insists is for civilian purposes. Despite the emergence of hope for a solution to this crisis by the October 1st Meeting in Geneva, an escalation has been witnessed, specifically in the recent weeks. Both Iran and western countries have determined deadlines and an aggressive approach has been adopted on both sides...
9/11: Repercussions and Realignment, Part 4
Alon Ben Meir
Recently I was asked by some colleagues at the International Strategic Research Organization in Ankara, Turkey to write a chapter of book they are publishing on the "Middle East after 9/11."* As many of you know, I am very supportive of Turkey's increasing involvement in the development of the Middle East, and I agreed to give my perspective on the seismic shift and its many repercussions that the events of September 11th had on the greater Middle East...
A New Approach to the Global Terrorism Threat in 2010
Suleyman Ozeren
2009 was the year when the economic crisis was the most publicized issue in terms of global problems. The deaths and violent incidents in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan have become ordinary issues. An analysis of 2009 in terms of terrorism and global security is important to create a projection for 2010...
Did Obama Succeed in Winning the Hearts of the Turkish People?
Mehmet Yegin
The public influence on foreign policy began to increase after Turgut Ozal’s term and accelerated with the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government in Turkey. Nowadays Turkish people are more interested in foreign policy. The increase in the number of newspaper pages and the minutes in newscasts allocated to foreign policy is the manifest evident of such interest. Thus, Turkish people are quite different from the Americans about their perceived importance level of foreign policy...
The French National Identity Debate: Whither Europe?
Doç. Dr. Mehmet Özcan
Nowadays, debate over its immigrant population rages in France- primarily the Muslims- which can be regarded as an expression of the growing fear in French society. The Sarkozy government initiated the quarrel over the national identity last month, which was further enflamed by an article published in Le Monde written by Sarkozy himself related to the referendum held in Switzerland about the minaret ban...
Europe's Dilemma: Security for Individuals Despite Individuals
Fatme Y. Elmas
New events addressing security weakness has brought up a recurrent fact that creates important ground for refreshing discussions about tightened security measures in Europe. Efforts on harmonization of legislation among EU members in terms of the struggle against terrorism, close cooperation via tightened measures on border security and airport transfer right after 9/11 and the Madrid-London bombings are striking examples of the aforementioned situation...
The New Israel Lobby: A Shifting Balance in Turkey-Israel-US Relations?
Kaitlin MacKenzie
Over the past year, we have witnessed a series of events, from Erdogan’s notorious outburst at Davos to Turkey’s disinvitation of Israel from a NATO air exercise, that have led to claims that Turkish-Israeli relations are declining. Often, this assertion is made in tandem with charges that Turkey is turning its face to the East, away from the West. But, when one considers the state of Turkish-Israeli relations, one undoubtedly will encounter the US, as it considers both countries to be important allies and is home to a large Jewish Diaspora...
Clash of Religions
Gamze Coskun
In any era, human history has always witnessed series of attacks, killings and intolerance between people all over the world because of their differences. Religion is one of the most common reasons why people attacked and continue to attack each other. In recent days, whenever one reads or watches the news, it is not surprising that he will meet some piece of news showing the intolerant environment between people belonging to different religions...
Indonesia Oil & Gas as Stalls in 2010
Terry Lacey
Indonesian oil and gas development is stalling in 2010 with state revenue from the sector falling US$6.36 billion, down 25 percent on 2009, and direct investment falling to $12.18 billion from $13.77 targeted, down from $13.52 billion in 2008. Waryono Karno, secretary-general at the Indonesian Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry confirmed the failure to find new investors for most of the 40 oil and gas blocks offered government in 2008 was the major factor. (The Jakarta Post 04.01.2010)...
Is Germany Testing Turkey's Patience on EU Membership Process
Marcus Schadlich
The German Christian Social Union (CSU) declined in plain words the EU accession of Turkey this week, and reinforced its long-standing attitude against the Turkish-EU-negotiations. But the Bavarian party has taken a new course about the accession process in their retreat. According to an internal strategy paper, the negotiations should be immediately stopped. Turkey should be offered a privileged partnership instead of a full membership perspective...
The Oil Factor in Afghanistan
Richard Rousseau
The existence of a "Great Game” around the strategic oil and natural gas resources of the former Soviet republics of Central Asia and the South Caucasus is a geopolitical reality beyond dispute. This veiled conflict, initially confined to Russia and the United States, has been expanded with the entering of the European Union (EU) and China into the "game” in the mid 2000s.
The Message of Democracy Is Loud And Clear
Qudrat Ullah
These days a unique operation is being carried out by the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) in the provincial metropolis. It is launched against the most powerful of the society- the high-rise builders who built multi-storey plazas in different commercial areas of the city and then sold them out to the unaware buyers without fulfilling even building byelaws’ requirements or caring for the structural fine-tuning, by greasing the palms of the corrupt elements in the LDA...
The OSCE Should Take More Initiatives in Central Asia
Gulay Kilic
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the security landscape has changed dramatically and many conflicts have appeared with elements such as regional, linguistic, ethnic, or religious affiliation. The climate of increased ethnic tensions affected not only the Central Asian countries but also other Soviet successor states in the early 1990s. For example, the Tajik and Georgian Civil Wars reflected conflicts that were combinations of ethnic, political and religious factors...
The Ladies of Straw Mountain (Samandag)
Haluk Direskeneli
On 5 December 2009, I participated in an Energy Forum in Hatay province, which had been organised by the Chamber of Turkish Electrical engineers and was held at the Iskenderun Town Municipality hall. The small town council meeting hall was shaped like an amphitheatre. The energy forum was open to all interested parties.
2009 Recap: What Happened in the World?
Prof. Çağrı Erhan
The most important issue of 2009, was indeed, the global economic crisis that began in the fall of 2008. The conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as the tragedy in Gaza, all of which were inherited from 2008, continued as they were...
The Kurdish Issue: Today and Its Future
Prof. İhsan Bal
There are big differences between the 1990s and today. First of all, there was not something called the democratic initiative in the 1990s, and the amnesty issue was not something more than a bargaining. Second, it was a state-manufactured project being implemented from the top down. But when we look at today’s situation, it is totally different: it comes from the public, from the bottom up. Third, Turkey is more confident and more aware about what to do now.
Turkish President Abdullah Gul's Lecture on 'Turkish Foreign Policy in the New Era' at USAK House
Turkish President Abdullah Gul delivered a speech on "Turkish Foreign Policy in the New Era" at International Strategic Research Organization (USAK House). The full-text of the speech is available.
KEYWORDS
Abdullah Gül, turkish foreign policy in the New Era, USAK
Dr. Jorgen Johansen, Conference Speech on Conflicts and Dilemmas When New States are Born
Dr. Jorgen Johansen
Thank you and I am very happy to be invited here to this wonderful building and fascinating centre. I have some ideas to discuss with you on conflict. My research of the last 25 years has being focusing on some specific areas, like Chechnya, Palestine, parts of India and so on, but the majority of my research is on the overview – not specific conflicts but conflict chains, what is going on in the world as a whole? If you have questions please feel free to ask them while I am talking, just interrupt me, raise your hand or if you disagree with me...
Spain is to Take Over the EU Helm: What Does it Mean for Turkey?
Ceren Mutuş
On 1 January 2010, Spain is going to take over the rotating six-month EU presidency from Sweden, whose term has been marked by the continuous efforts to preserve the delicate balances among various interests at the EU level. In this sense, the victory of the "Yes" vote in the Irish referendum, the elimination of the Czech resistance before the final ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, the elections of the EU's first-ever permanent posts -The President of the European Council and High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy- could be given as prominent outcomes of this sense of mutual understanding and empathy.
A New Paradigm for Engaging Somalia
Abukar Arman
The stakes are much higher than ever before. And, despite the negative reports that dominate the news and thus perpetuate the sense of hopelessness, voices of reason are becoming more audible against the current senseless violence, chaos and extremism. More and more Somalis are coming to realize that the path ahead leads nowhere except the assured suicide of a nation.
9/11: Repercussions and Realignment, Part 3
Prof. Alon Ben Meir
Recently I was asked by some colleagues at the International Strategic Research Organization in Ankara, Turkey to write a chapter of book they are publishing on the "Middle East after 9/11."* As many of you know, I am very supportive of Turkey's increasing involvement in the development of the Middle East, and I agreed to give my perspective on the seismic shift and its many repercussions that the events of September 11th had on the greater Middle East.
Turks in Germany: Integration and Exclusion
İrem Güney
If anyone happens to come to Berlin, he or she should visit the German Historical Museum. Its current exhibition demonstrates how two major European countries developed their image of "the other” in order to defend and define themselves over time. A major section is dedicated to immigrant workers and their place in German and French society.
New Thermal Power Plant Investment in Amasra County of BARTIN Province
Haluk Direskeneli
I am pleased to learn the announcement of a new thermal power plant investment in Amasra County of Bartin Province, which will utilize a nearby relatively high LHV local bituminous mine. We understand that a local engineering company has already prepared the environmental impact assessment (EIA) study for the new investment project; it was recently released on the internet page of Bartin province for public information and awareness.
The Democratic Initiative Knocked Over the KCK
Prof. Dr. Ihsan Bal
More than 30 people, some of them mayors, have been arrested as a result of simultaneous operations in 11 provinces of Turkey carried out against the KCK (Kurdish Democratic Confederation / Turkey Council), an organization that reportedly runs as the city arm of the PKK terrorist organization. Some comments going around argue that these operations (the last operation was the fourth one against the KCK), undermine the Democratic Initiative process. However...
Who Will Provide Security in Europe?
Prof. Çağrı Erhan
Today, 21 of the 28 members of NATO are also members of the EU. Yet, it remains a dream that the EU can plan and make a military operation from ‘A’ to ‘Z’ in any part of the world without using the infrastructure, facilities, capabilities, and capacity of the strategic transportation of NATO. With the elimination of problems considering the Lisbon Treaty coming into force, the EU is being more active in security and defense issues compared to the past agenda it would undertake and they are discussed more and more.
Turkish-Armenian Rapprochement and Disagreements with Azerbaijan: A View from Baku
Rovshan Ibrahimov
The year 2009 will be remembered as a year of disagreements and misunderstandings on a number of issues between Azerbaijan and Turkey. It is a very significant event; a few years ago nobody could imagine that between these two countries there could be differences on any issue.
Germany's New Economic Reality: The Social Immigrant
Cenk Alican
Letters from Germany
According to the recently-released figures of the national German Labour Agency (Arbeitsagentur), the budget gap for welfare expenses will increase to 18 billion Euros in 2010, and another 11 billion in 2011. Frank Jurgen Weise, chief bureaucrat of the Nurnberg-based state institution, called on the government to raise the contribution rate to the unemployment insurance from 2.8 percent to 4 percent.
Turkey Should Play Further Role in Afghanistan
Doç. Dr. Sedat Laçiner
The United States and European countries have many soldiers in Afghanistan. Turkey had around 700 soldiers and it has increased this number to around 1750. However, it is not possible to estimate the role of Turkey in Afghanistan by merely focusing on the number of soldiers, because Turkey is different from other NATO countries. First, it is a Muslim country and the single Muslim country amongst the significant countries that have soldiers there...
Shalit, Shalom and a Shimmer of Light
Terry Lacey
The impending conclusion of a deal between Israel and Hamas to release the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in exchange for up to 1,000 Palestinian prisoners could mark a fresh start in the Middle East.
Sometimes the light shimmers in the Jordan Valley, as you see the waves of hot air bouncing off the rocks and sand, with visual distortions like crooked mirrors, or sudden strange visions, even of trees or water. Are these miracles of refraction or mirages, or is an oasis of peace and prosperity a possible reality?
Will Turkey's Efforts with Iran Pay Off or Be Blown Off?
Stacy Maruskin
The meeting between Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. President Barack Obama seemed rather fleeting; it came and went without any exceptional developments or stern warnings. There were journalists in Turkey complaining that nothing eventful came to fruition; the scolding and caution they believed Erdogan would receive for his behavior, and Turkey’s "pulling away” from the West, was instead replaced with praise and re-affirmation that America wants Turkey as a friend and ally in the region. In fact, the U.S...
Visa Free Europe and Re-admission Trap
Doç. Dr. Mehmet Ozcan
Elimination of geographical derogations is a necessary matter to consider for international humanitarian law. But these re-admission agreements are, indeed, not related to the protection of fundamental freedoms and rights as well as international humanitarian law. It would not be a strategically correct step to share this burden with the EU just to get access to a visa-free Europe. I hope Turkey will not act impatient about this matter...
Big Questions of Our Time: Continuity with Change
Sundeep Waslekar
In a visit to Europe last fall, I purchased small gift items from a paper shop called Fabriano. It was established in Italy in 1264. It has been run by the same family for 750 years. Michelangelo purchased paper from it for his paintings. Today Euro notes are printed on Fabriano paper. The shop is extremely modern in its style and taste. It has been changing with times but it has not given up its original business...
What happened in Istanbul is a Conspiracy, or a Reality?
Prof. Dr. Ihsan Bal
We live in a time where people give more importance to conspiracy theories that only confuse their minds with the process of the democratic initiative. Turkey is not unfamiliar with conspiracy theories. However, if we think that everything is a conspiracy, it may be a handicap in our navigation to the facts. Moreover, if we say that there are no conspiracies, and then we cannot see the traps set for our country. From this perspective, how can we explain to the public about the people who broke the store glasses and pointed their fingers to demonstrators in Dolapdere, a suburb province of Istanbul?
Turkey's EU Membership: EU's Identity Crisis
Doç. Dr. Sedat Laçiner
It is possible to disagree with a person because of his political or economic views or even because of any personal reasons. Yet, if you counter someone, a group or a country just because of his/her/their colour, or gender or religion, then it is called discrimination, it is called racism, it is called religious extremism. All these are banned in any fair state since it is illegal...
Being 'European Muslim' or 'Muslim in Europe'
Fatma Yilmaz-Elmas
Does being exposed to a labeling like ‘Muslim in Europe’ obstruct being a ‘European Muslim’? If a sense of being marginalized is caused by the exclusion results in abstraction from society, together with being marginalized one way or another like a vicious circle, the answer is "yes”. It would be helpful to look over the key findings in a report titled "Muslims in Europe – A Report on 11 EU Cities” published by Open Society Institute, to follow up on the aforementioned answer, i.e. ‘yes’...
Model Partnership Needs to Be Specified
Prof. Dr. Çağrı Erhan
One of the most important headlines of the Erdogan-Obama meeting in White House was, without a doubt, collective fight against terrorism. High level formal visits have always been crucial in Turkish-American relations. Similar to US President Obama’s visit to Turkey in April as his first foreign visit, Prime Minister Erdogan’s visit to US raised great expectations. It is clear that incidents such as PKK’s killing of our seven soldiers, withdrawal of Turkish Ambassador in Washington Nabi Sensoy back to Turkey, the mining accident took place in Bursa, closure of DTP by the Constitutional Court, have prevented Erdogan’s visit to come forward in the Turkish domestic agenda as expected...
Germany Needs to Abandon the Wait and See Attitude with Turkey
Marcus Schadlich
"Germany has a special interest in deepening its relations with Turkey and linking the country to the European Union. The EU membership talks that began in 2005 are an open-ended process that is not based on automatism and has no guaranteed end-result. If the EU is not in a position to take on new members or Turkey cannot fully meet all the criteria necessary for membership, Turkey must be bound closely to European structures in a way that allows its privileged relationship with the EU to develop further."
An Indigenous Change in The Offing in Pakistan
Gul Jammas Hussain
Pakistan’s Supreme Court began hearing petitions Monday in a case against President Asif Ali Zardari and key allies, including Interior Minister Rehman Malik and Defense Minister Ahmed Mukhtar. After expiration of the amnesty protecting him, the unpopular leader may face corruption charges that could force him to surrender key presidential powers or even to step down...
What Has Obama Accomplished?
Nancy Morgan
Making the rounds of conservative talk shows lately is the question, "What has Obama accomplished so far?" The question is asked of of Obama supporters and the answers range from 'abolishing lobbyists' to 'securing world peace' to 'lowering taxes.'
The Struggle of Yemen and Its Implications
Serpil Açıkalın
Together with its typical stone houses, intense unemployment, high birth rates, arduous climate conditions and low literacy rates, Yemen, which links the Red sea to the Indian Ocean, has come to the world agenda due to its domestic conflicts in recent last years...
9/11: Repercussions and Realignment, Part 1
Alon Ben Meir
Recently I was asked by some colleagues at the International Strategic Research Organization in Ankara, Turkey to write a chapter of book they are publishing on the "Middle East after 9/11."* As many of you know, I am very supportive of Turkey's increasing involvement in the development of the Middle East, and I agreed to give my perspective on the seismic shift and its many repercussions that the events of September 11th had on the greater Middle East...
The Party That Closed Itself Down
Prof. Dr. İhsan Bal
The Democratic Society Party (Turkish: Demokratik Toplum Partisi, DTP) was founded in 2005. In the 2007 elections, the DTP received around one-fourth of the Kurdish people’s votes in Turkey and formed a party group in the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) with 21 parliamentarians...
The Ermenek Dam and Hydroelectric Power Plant
Haluk Direskeneli
On Saturday, 12 December 2009, we had the opportunity to participate in the Panel on "Ermenek Dam and Hydroelectric Power Plant" at the Middle East Technical University Alumni Association in Visnelik Premises in Ankara, Turkey. The 309 megawatt Ermenek hydropower project is currently under construction, and located on the Ermenek River, a tributary of the Göksu River in the province of Karaman. The Göksu River is one of the last free-flowing rivers in Turkey...
Obama Gave the Signal of Retreat to Afghanistan
Prof. Dr. Çağrı Erhan
The Taliban and al Qaeda would not exist today if 10% of the U.S. expenditure in the Afghanistan war was instead spent on the people of Afghanistan. But obviously, war equipment had to be used in order to keep their producers afloat...
The New Middle East
Doç. Dr. Sedat Laçiner
A period ends in the Middle East, and with Turkey, a new term starts in the region. It is unknown how aware Turkey is of this but the Turks destroyed the old order in the Middle East, or rather disorder, established after the World War I, and a new period based on communication, more interrelation, and cooperation emerged in its place. When the distrust in the region towards Turkey is eliminated the improved relations with Turkey also contribute to the elimination of distrust between the other countries in the region...
Erdogan’s Meeting with Obama: What Should We Expect?
Kaitlin MacKenzie
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to visit the White House today, December 7, to meet with US President Barack Obama. This meeting comes at a key time for both countries: Washington is seeking to continue its "strategic partnership” with Ankara and Turkey has recently faced a barrage of accusations that it is turning away from the West. As such, a face-to-face meeting between the countries’ leaders raises questions as to what items will be on the agenda and what, if any, progress will be made...
Swiss Harmony under the Shadow of the Minaret
Doç. Dr. Mehmet Özcan
The results of the referendum regarding the ban of the construction of new minarets in Switzerland have been announced. Approximately 60% of the population voted in favor of the ban, though the country has only three small minarets in total. One important point to underline is that the ban does not include the construction of new places of worship for Muslim society, but the construction of new minarets...
Exorcising the Ghost of Xunzi
Sundeep Waslekar
On the surface, the world is facing triple crises – financial meltdown, environmental degradation and climate change, and the spread of terror and weapons of mass destruction. However, if we scratch beneath the surface, we will find that these crises are mere symptoms of a deeper malaise. The world we live in is divided between 3.3 billion inhabitants in the market and 3.3 billion people living in the periphery. By 2030...
A New EU in the Making: Reflections from Turkey
Mustafa Kutlay
After a long period of speculations and intergovernmental tug-of-wars, the EU finally elected its new president and foreign policy chief. Taking the profiles of the recently elected politicians into consideration, it can be confidently said that the EU disappointed may people who believe in an ‘ever closer Union’ and a more ‘proactive Europe’ at the international fora. The new President, the Belgium Prime Minister Herman Von Rompuy, and the new foreign policy chief from the intergovernmentalist Britain, namely Catherine Aston, aroused question marks in the minds of observers...
Possible Implications of the EU Presidency Elections on Turkey-EU Relations
Doç. Dr. Mehmet Özcan
Following long-standing debates and previsions, the EU leaders elected the first President of the European Council. Known as a low-profile politician on the international political arena and an unknown personality except by those from his own country, Belgium Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy was elected for the position of European Council Presidency. In addition, British center-leftist politician, who is also the commissioner responsible for external trade, Catherine Ashton was elected...
A Strategic Alliance Central to Regional Stability
Alon Ben Meir
When Turkey barred Israel from a joint military exercise earlier this October, there was a great deal of speculation about the seriousness of a rift between the two allies. Although the strategic relations between the two regional superpowers is critical to both nations it also transcends the bilateral benefits that Turkey and Israel individually derive from it, as their alliance is fundamental to the region's balance of power and political stability...
Why and How Did the U.S. Torture?
Prof. Dr. İhsan Bal
The September 11 attacks have been considered a cornerstone in the history of terrorism in terms of the fact that it exhibited how merciless, indiscriminate and frightening terrorism can be. The impact of the attacks on the American society, which can well be called ‘the September 11 paranoia’, has undoubtedly been deeper. And the responsibility that trauma has put on the American Congress, courts, government and media has also been shaped under the shadow of that particular fear...
The State of Democracy and Local Administrations in Southeastern Turkey
Doç. Dr. Sedat Laçiner
Although it was the remnant of a multinational, multi-religious and multi-sectarian empire, the Turkish Republic had inherent biases against local administrations and minorities. Since the Ottoman Empire had disintegrated mainly due to the local uprisings and the local minorities the new state developed intense biases accordingly. Differences of any kind, ethnic, religious and political, were perceived as potential motives for separation and thus, the young Turkish state was built upon a centrist understanding...
Is Russia's Iran Policy Changing?
Habibe Özdal
We are witnessing a very active period in terms of international politics. Especially with Obama’s attitude on foreign policy, which tends more to solve international problems via cooperation with other actors in international relations, foreign policy issues have been brought to the top of the agenda. It is also claimed that Clinton is leaving behind doctrines and labels. Clinton’s new thinking includes "partnership, engagement and common interests”.
"Good Cop, Bad Cop" Strategy?: Clinton Appoints Former Embassy Hostage as Point Person on Iran
Phil Wilayto
When the Iranian Revolution exploded on the world scene three decades ago, John Limbert was a greenhorn diplomat assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Tehran. After that station was taken over by revolutionary students, he spent 14 months as a political hostage in the building that came to be known as the "Nest of Spies.”
U.S. Increasing Attention to Asia
Nehginpao Kipgen
In today’s international politics, no region of the world is too far to reach out to. Whether it is for good or bad, what happens in one part of the world could have its global impacts. This emerging trend brings the East and the West closer. For example, the fifty years of conflicts in the military-ruled Burma and insurgency problems in Afghanistan have its ramifications across the globe...
The EU's Position on the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict: Still "Foreign Policy Without Tears" and Divided?
Ömer Aslan
The Palestinian-Israeli conflict continues to be one of the issues that the EU can neither act independently on nor demonstrate a common stance towards. It also manifests the extent to which the CFSP (Common Foreign and Security Policy) of the EU is ineffective on certain issues, among which the policy to be followed towards Russia also stands out. The EU’s effect on the trajectory of that conflict also continues to be minimal as it has hitherto been...
President Gul Gives the First Turkish Foreign Policy Lecture at USAK House
USAK
The President of the Turkish Republic, Abdullah Gul, joined the staff members of USAK today to celebrate the grand opening of our new building; the first structure specifically built for a think tank in Turkey. After taking a brief tour of the new establishment, President Gul gave a lecture on Turkish foreign policy...
Laçiner: Turkish Foreign Policy in the New Era
Doç. Dr. Sedat Laçiner
There are some that accuse Turkey of deviating from its Western foreign policy to that of the East. First of all, as President Abdullah Gul said in his speech at International Strategic Research Organization (USAK) this week, we should not look at Turkey’s current trade relations or official visits to understand Turkey’s direction. We have to look at the values of Turkey to assess whether there has been a change in the direction...
Western Turkey in the East: New Turkish Foreign Policy
Doç. Dr. Sedat Laçiner
Turkey’s location impacts too much its foreign policy for the ages. First of all, Anatolia is a special place between the continents of Asia, Europe, and Africa. It was always an important place for the Romans, for the Greeks, Arabs, Iranians, and Russians. It has always been between important sea ways and trade routes. Anatolia is a passage between different cultures and religions. If a country is located in such a special place, it needs a special foreign policy to protect its interests and to maintain its relations with the neighboring regions...
The Afghan War: Why Escalation Is Not the Solution
Kaitlin MacKenzie
Throughout his presidential campaign and in the months since he took office, President Obama has reiterated his view of Afghanistan as "the good war” that required the U.S.’ attention and support. Contrasting this situation with "the bad war” in Iraq, Obama has sought to scale up U.S. and international involvement, arguing that the war in Afghanistan is necessary. Yet, with so much at stake, there has been little explanation of exactly why and how this is necessary; Afghanistan’s importance is simply assumed...
Two Cemeteries in Washington and Tehran
Barin Kayaoğlu
As you read these lines, you will probably hear the latest on the Iranian nuclear negotiations. Tehran’s response to the latest Western offer – to further develop Iran’s low-enriched uranium in France and Russia and return it to Iran – is likely to be negative. Iranian officials will let the world know – once again – that nuclear energy is their "inalienable right,” that the proud Iranian nation will not bow to bullying, and, at any rate, they are not seeking nuclear weapons...
ISKEN Sugozu 1320 Megawatt Thermal Power Plant
Haluk Direskeneli
On 7th November 2009 Saturday morning, your writer was in Adana Sugözü ISKEN Thermal power plant premises in Energy Group members of Chamber of Turkish Mechanical Engineers. We had the opportunity to listen/ learn/ visualize important technical and commercial presentations of the host company...
Another Act of Balance for Merkel
Cenk Alican
The European Union (EU) has lifted sanctions imposed on the Uzbek government in late 2005. European diplomats and senior EU officials pointed at the ineffectiveness of the trade-blocking measures and decided to end the arms embargo last week after the release of key political prisoners and the abolition of the death penalty...
France: New Active Player in Eurasian Energy Game
Rovshan Ibrahimov
French President Sarkozy’s official visit to Kazakhstan in early October 2009 proved to be very interesting and promising. The two countries have signed contracts totaling more than $6 billion. In particular, both countries plan to cooperate in the field of atomic energy: France will help Kazakhstan produce fuel assemblies for nuclear reactors and to increase the production of uranium...
Is Turkey Drifting Away from the West? An Economic Interpretation (1/2)
Mustafa Kutlay
Turkey’s relations with its neighbours started to improve considerably. In line with the new foreign policy paradigm, the ‘zero problem policy’ with neighbours, Turkey devoted most of its energy to mediating the peace process between Syria and Iraq; Israel and Palestine; and to facilitating the talks between Iran and the Western world. More recently, Turkey remarkably fixed its bilateral problems with Syria, Iraq and Iran...
Intense Provocation 'Downtown' Amidst 'Returning Home'
Prof. Dr. İhsan Bal
The 34-person group’s ‘returning home’ turned into a political show in the hands of the PKK and the Democratic Society Party. The images in the Turkish media have released the impression of victory won by the PKK, which might lead many people who do not know how terrorist organizations operate to actually believe that...
Some Thoughts on Adana Tufanbeyli Thermal Power Plant
Haluk Direskeneli
The new 450 MWe coal fired thermal power plant investment in Adana Tufanbeyli is delayed for 3 years due to prevailing economic crisis. The project will be started in the second half of 2010 which was planned in year 2007 earlier. The field related hydro geological studies were continuing in the field at Tufanbeyli. Plant is expected to consume 7.2 million tons of nearby local lignite per year, and will generate 3 billion kilowatt / hour of electric energy...
Turkish-Israeli Relations: Mending a Strained Alliance
Alon Ben Meir
Earlier this month, what should have been a multinational exhibit of military cooperation between the Turkish Air Force and its counterparts in the US, Italy, and Israel, has become yet another political snub in the growing public rift between Turkey and Israel. The joint exercise, which takes place every few years, was canceled indefinitely after Turkey withdrew Israel's participation, causing the US and Italy to forgo the exercise in response...
Two Parallel Processes in the Caucasus: The Turkish-Armenian Rapprochement and The Nagorno-Karabakh Issue
Hasan Selim Özertem
Recently the Turkish government has started to pursue a pro-active policy on delicate issues both in the domestic and foreign policy spheres, and this political choice has the potential of having serious repercussions for the leading party’s political power on the public level. Political will put forward in terms of solving the Kurdish issue and normalizing Turkish-Armenian relations are two issues among those being criticized by opposition parties in the country...
Prospect for Turkish-Armenian Rapprochement: A New Beginning or a Dead End? (2/2)
Dr. Güner Özkan
The current state of her borders and one party rule in Azerbaijan was set by a delicate balance pursued by Haidar Aliyev, and later his son, Ilham Aliyev, in their relationship with their near and far abroad. Thus, any damage or change in this balance reflects directly in the territorial and political stability/instability for Azerbaijan...
Turkish-Iraqi Relations and the Water Dispute
Serpil Açıkalın
Regarding Turkish-Iraqi relations, the Turkish perspective has focused on the territorial integrity of Iraq after the US occupation. For years many terrorist attacks against Turkish territories occurred near the border between Iraq and Turkey and terror and security issues have been the primary agenda for Turkish officials. Following the October 2007 Daglica attacks on a Turkish patrol in northern Iraq, the general opinion was that Iraqi-Turkish relations would plummet...
Election Scenarios in Afghanistan: Will There Be A Real Winner?
Salih Dogan
Afghanistan held a presidential election on August 20th. This was the second election for the Afghani people to elect their president since 2001. It was up to the Afghani people whether to elect current President Hamid Karzai for the second term or to make a new beginning with a new president. It was crucially important for Afghanistan to have a free and fair election, which was hoped to lead to stability and security in Afghanistan...
Lisbon-scepticism is not Euro-scepticism
Marta Jazowska
The long-awaited changes to the European Union (EU) are now under the umbrella of the Lisbon treaty. Whether and when the treaty will come into force remains uncertain. Following an overwhelming "yes” to the second referendum held in Ireland on the 3rd of October 2009, the Polish President signed the Lisbon document. Poland and the Czech Republic had been the last members of the European Union to not have ratified the treaty...
The PASOK Period in Greece: What Does It Mean for Turkey?
Muzaffer Vatansever
Although PASOK secured the required seats in order to form a one-party government, it is not enough to stabilize the country. In addition to turbulent times in the political circles, Greece has been the scene of ups and downs for different issues ranging from the economic crisis to the Cyprus question. Accordingly, the foreign policy of Greece is also on the edge of the fizzling days...
Turkish-Iraqi Relations and the Water Dispute
Serpil Açıkalın
Regarding Turkish-Iraqi relations, the Turkish perspective has focused on the territorial integrity of Iraq after the US occupation. For years many terrorist attacks against Turkish territories occurred near the border between Iraq and Turkey and terror and security issues have been the primary agenda for Turkish officials. Following the October 2007 Daglica attacks on a Turkish patrol in northern Iraq, the general opinion was that Iraqi-Turkish relations would plummet...
Security, Reconciliation in Iraq Are Irreconcilable
Nicola Nasser
Insecurity in Iraq is in – built in the U.S. – conceived sectarian and "federal” constitution drafted after the U.S. – led invasion in 2003, in the political process engineered by the U.S. occupying power on sectarian and federal "constitutional” basis to create a secure pro – U.S. post – Saddam regime as well as in the sectarian polity born therefrom -- or more to the point brought in by the invading army -- and is still, seven years on, struggling to survive a possible U.S. military...
Kangal Thermal Power Plant Rehabilitation
Haluk Direskeneli
This coal mine, which produces the coal requirements of the Kangal Thermal Power Plant (457 MWe) is located 30 km south of Kangal (Sivas) city center. Coal mine site is licensed to Public Electric Generation Company, and it has been operated by a local private contracting company since 1989 under a 20-year long term agreement...
The Lives of Two Nobel Laureates
Nehginpao Kipgen
As the season of the world’s prestigious prize announcements are underway, the circumstances of two renowned Nobel Peace Prize recipients are riveting: the stories of Barack Obama of the United States of America and Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma...
Shariah in Lawless Somalia
Abukar Arman
Nowhere in the world is Shariah more contested ( yet seldom debated) than in war-weary Somalia where each of the entities competing for power claims to have embraced it while condemning its detractor, or rather, its enemy, as a dangerous imposter.
Interview with Head of USAK, Dr. Sedat Laciner on the Armenian-Turkish Protocol
Doç. Dr. Sedat Laçiner
During the week, there had been speculation that Armenia felt it was too early to sign the documents, they were having hesitations. They could have been stalling because of the immense pressure they were dealing with from the Armenian Diaspora as well as the opposition they face. Sarkisian just returned from an unsuccessful attempt at convincing the Diaspora to support the protocols...
Interview with Ihsan Bal, Head of USAK's Center for Security Studies, on the Kurdish Initiative
Prof. Dr. İhsan Bal
"... this process should be referred to as the Democratization Initiative, not the Kurdish Initiative. The government and the parties believe that the term "Kurdish Initiative" narrows the scope of what can be accomplished in Turkey. Naming it a Democratization Initiative gives the parties and government an upper hand and allows them to perform in a larger arena..."
French views on Burqa and Bonds
Cenk Alican
The journey starts in Frankfurt, one of Europe’s most attractive financial centres and home to the European Central Bank (ECG) and to BaFin, Germany`s financial supervisory authority which approved a license application of Istanbul-based Kuveyt Turk, a leading participation bank established in 1989, early this month...
Exporting gas to Europe: What does Turkmenistan want?
Rovshan Ibrahimov
On July 13, 2008 an agreement was signed in Ankara between the parties of the consortium for the Nabucco pipeline on the intention of building this pipeline. It is worth noting that the Nabucco pipeline was originally intended to transport natural gas from Central Asian states such as Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. However, on the eve of the signing of the contract for the construction of Nabucco, the gas supply agreements from these countries had not been concluded...
Protocols In Zurich, The Armenian Diaspora In a Fury
Prof. Dr. İhsan Bal
The Armenian Diaspora seems to have been the most furious over the protocols signed between Turkey and Armenia in Zurich, Switzerland on October 10, 2009. But why does an agreement whereby two nations try to normalize their relations bring about that much fury?
Armenian Diaspora is Egoist
Doç. Dr. Sedat Laçiner
Armenian people is one of the ancient tribes. They created a great civilization and contributed to the humanity and other civilizations a lot. They established kingdoms and states as well. However as they settled mainly on the crossroads of the civilizations, religions, sects, races and great kingdoms, they could not maintain their independence. As a result they have generally lived under the other nations’ sovereignty...
Fighting a War by Objective
Alon Ben Meir
The ongoing deliberations among President Obama's national security team and congressional leaders are necessary to determine the best possible means of successfully conducting the war in Afghanistan. But what must guide these discussions and take precedent for all parties involved is a thorough understanding of the objective and a clearly outlined mission...
U.S. ‘Personality Assassination’ of a Palestinian Ally
Nicola Nasser
The report of the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict, which the head of the mission, Judge Richard Goldstone, presented to the Human Rights Council (HRC) on September 29, prematurely plunged the Palestinian Authority (PA) in a short –lived euphoria over what it first envisaged as a political prize that...
Uncertainty at its Finest: The Armenian-Turkish Protocol
Stacy Maruskin
For those of us living in Turkey, it is an unquestionable fact that the Armenian-Turkish Protocol is a pressing topic on many people’s minds. For weeks, both the academic community and citizens of both countries have been waiting patiently for October 10th, the possible day of reckoning between the Turkish and Armenian communities...
The Irish Referendum and the Future of the EU: Is it far too late to turn back?
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Özcan
The Treaty of Lisbon has become an increasingly striking issue in the discussions since Ireland voted against the treaty last year in a referendum. It was the second time around for the question on Friday (October 2nd), when Ireland held a new referendum to which the Irish people said "yes” with a high percentage of the vote (67%)...
What is a Culture of Peace?
Dr. Havva KÖK
If the world order is to move away from its present chaotic and violent condition, building cultures of peace is the remedy. The creative management of differences is at the core of peace culture. But what is culture of peace?
Reading the German Election Process with Different Parameters
Fatma Yılmaz Elmas
Germany’s new elections were on September 27, with the victory going to Chancellor Merkel’s conservative Christian Democrats. Getting the majority of votes (33.8%) in the Bundestag elections and increasing their seats to 239, the Christian Democrats are now on their way to forming a new center-right government...
Strategic Step of US and its Effects on Relations with Russia
Habibe Özdal
US-Russia relations are once again on the agenda after the Obama’s decision to re-shape the Bush administration’s plan to deploy a missile defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic. After Obama came to power, the constructive atmosphere gave an opportunity for a ‘fresh start’. This was followed by steps from both Medvedev and Obama to enrich US-Russia relations...
After Abbas-Netanyahu Handshake: The Prospects for Palestinian-Israeli Peace
Ömer Aslan
After futile efforts under former American president George W. Bush to revive Middle Eastern peace process based on the roadmap failed at Annapolis in 2007, the United States under Obama administration is trying to rekindle the process once more, hopefully once for all. If the last handshake between Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli PM Binyamin Netanyahu in New York at the UN summit is the first step in that regard or not is debatable but no doubt that it has elicited different reactions.
The American Approach to the Turkish-Armenian Rapprochement
Kaitlin MacKenzie
Over the past century, Turkey and Armenia’s antagonistic relationship has been well known. Embroiled in a bitter conflict over their territorial rights and, of course, the events of 1915 and claims of "genocide”, the two countries have struggled to establish some sort of diplomatic relationship. This endeavor has begun to bear fruit, with recent Swiss-mediated talks in Geneva having resulted in an agreement to establish diplomatic ties that will be signed October 10 in Zurich...
EU, Turkey and the World in 2030
Sundeep Waslekar
It would be extremely short-sighted to view the question of the Turkish membership of the European Union in the framework of a balance sheet for the two parties. It’s well known that the Turkish membership of the EU will benefit both sides by resolving some of their internal problems...
The Possible Impacts of the Greek Elections on Turkey
Muzaffer Vatansever
Greece is in the final days before parliamentary election in Sunday. On October 4th, Greek citizens will choose their new term prime minister to manage the country through the great economic challenges of the time and make crucial decisions for the country's future course.
The Prospect for a Breakthrough
Alon Ben Meir
Although the Obama administration's efforts to resume the Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations have not, as yet, produced tangible results, the prospect for a breakthrough in negotiations may be closer today than it has been in many years. Notwithstanding the inherent skepticism about the prospect of real progress, the conversion of certain regional and international developments have altered the political dynamic and created a new set of opportunities for a negotiated settlement...
A Bright Sunday for Germany?
İrem Güney
After the European Parliament elections, I was very reluctant - even allergic - to write anything on Turkey's bid for EU membership, since I was not excepting any change at all. Now, there is another important election waiting to be guessed, or let’s put it differently, to be "analyzed”: Germany is going to the polls on Sunday!
U.S. Engagement Must Understand Burma's Diversity
Nehginpao Kipgen
Developments are indicating that the Obama administration is starting to ease tension with the Burmese military junta. At the U.N. headquarters in New York on September 23, Hillary Clinton said the U.S. will be "moving in a direction of both engagement and continued sanctions.” Clinton is reiterating the comment she made earlier this year during her maiden visit to Asia as Secretary of State...
Harmony in the Middle Kingdom
Sahiba Trivedi
Chinese President Hu Jintao has promised the people of China a politically and socially stable society. The government is working towards its goal of ‘hexie shehui’ meaning "a harmonious society” through sustainable development and people’s welfare programs. These days China is witnessing an unprecedented number of public protests, demonstrations and violence...
The Concept of Security and Nature in Ataxia
M. Salih Elmas
Last week, les Istanbulais lived through terrible times when an unforeseen calamity blew through the European side of the city. Meteorologists had forecasted the weather and predicted a probable disaster in particular locations before the city flooded; however, they didn’t anticipate such a catastrophe, with more than thirty people dead, hundreds of houses, workplaces and factories submerged and billions of dollars in material damages...
Turkey's Role as a Mediator or Facilitator
Arzu Celalifer Ekinci
Eventually a new page is about to be turned to the ongoing Iranian nuclear crisis process. Despite Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei’s declaration that Iran will not halt its nuclear activities, a few days ago world powers agreed to initiate the talks with Iran on October 1st. Although some Iranian officials have said that the nuclear issue will not be included...
The Cyprus Question and the Future of Turkey-EU Relations
Mustafa Kutlay
After the ‘golden years’ between 1999 and 2005, Turkey-EU relations plunged into a stalemate in the post-2005 period. The profound reforms that were implemented by the Turkish government to converge with the EU acquis communitaire almost came to a halt, and the EU diluted its promises after Turkey became a "negotiating candidate country.” The virtuous cycle and the constructive atmosphere, in other words, evaporated in relatively a short period of time starting from early 2006.
Afghanistan Presidential Elections: Pessimism vs. Optimism in the Process of Democratization
Cuneyt Gurer
Procedural definition of democracy requires free, fair and regular elections in order to choose leaders by the people they govern. This minimal definition and prerequisite for well-functioning democratic system often times confused with democracy itself. Therefore in countries transiting to democracy, such as Afghanistan, elections create optimism that can easily turn out to disappointments and losing confidence of the system because of the lack of democratic institutions in the country. Elections are for people to choose their leaders in a competitive environment so that the majority could rule. However, among others, democratic institutions, economic development, civic culture, protection of individual rights are some of the crucial elements to stabilize democracy in one country. Without having those stability factors elections could provide limited support to the process of democratization in transiting countries.
The best 10 Thermal Power Plants in Turkey as of September 2009
Haluk Direskeneli
In Energy Commission of Chamber of Mechanical engineers in Ankara Turkey, we meet periodically in our Ankara office in order to review current energy issues, and try to make appropriate programs/ panels/ conferences/ seminars/ technical excursions.
Turkey and Russia’s Agreement: Different Intentions – Who is the Winner?
Rovshan Ibrahimov
The summer of 2009 witnessed a notable increase in Turkey’s activity in the energy field. On July 13 an agreement on the construction of the Nabucco gas pipeline was signed in Ankara. Then, on August 6, during Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s visit to Ankara, an agreement to build a second Blue Stream pipeline between the two countries was signed, which will also be built under the Black Sea.
Putin's Visit to Ankara and Nuclear Plant Tender
Haluk Direskeneli
Your writer had sincere feeling that Turkey was about to place the Nuclear Power Plant order to Russian group, because Russian prime Minister Vladimir Putin was coming to Turkey on 6th August 2009.
Without a guaranteed order, he would never come to Turkey. Prior to that meeting there was high expectation that Turkish and Russian sides will sign the NPP contract.
How Arab Sheikhs Shake German Hands
Cenk Alican
It must have been a sunshine moment for Hans Michel Piech and Wolfgang Porsche, both members of the supervisory board of the recently created joint Volkswagen-Porsche company, when Qatari prime minister SheikhHamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, just having landed in Stuttgart, made long-awaited decisions.
Turkish-Iraqi Relations in Light of Davutoglu’s Visit To Iraq
Serpil Açıkalın
In the post-2003 period, Iraq has been the most substantial issue in Turkish foreign affairs, due to the intense domestic conflict and political instability in Iraq. For Turkey, the unity of Iraqi territory and the security of the region have been a top priority since the US occupation of Iraq.
The Last Tango in Bishkek
M. Turgut Demirtepe
Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev has recently made a "U-turn” regarding the closure of the Manas military base and come to the table with the United States. The Kyrgyz government had previously ended the United States’ use of the Manas base, which is of vital importance for the U.S. to support coalition military operations in Afghanistan.
Turkish-U.S. Relations Show New Growth
Stacy Maruskin
It has been four months since President Obama stood at the podium in the Grand National Assembly and addressed the Turkish Deputies. His speech was inspirational and offered hope for a new era of stronger relations between the two countries. A wide range of important matters were addressed, from energy and the European Union (EU) to Afghanistan and PKK, a terrorist organization which has caused much devastation in Turkey.
Nature: The Final Frontier of Politics
Sundeep Waslekar
Robert Frenay’s Pulse is a comprehensive, extremely well researched reportage spanning the whole world on how new technologies and systems are more and more being inspired by nature.
Putin's Visit to Ankara and Nuclear Plant Tender
Haluk Direskeneli
Your writer had sincere feeling that Turkey was about to place the Nuclear Power Plant order to Russian group, because Russian prime Minister Vladimir Putin was coming to Turkey on 6th August 2009.
A Strategic Necessity
Alon Ben Meir
The Obama administration's push for a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace may have a much stronger likelihood of succeeding this time around because of the prevailing political and security dynamics. For an agreement to occur however, Israel must concede the inevitable by relinquishing territories captured in the 1967 war, and the United States must provide a new security umbrella to its regional allies.
Nabucco: The ‘Project of the Century’ and Its Value (II)
Güner Özkan
Azerbaijan has reiterated a number of times that it is ready to supply gas to Nabucco. Its recent gas export deal with Russia only includes a small amount of yield, 500 million cubic metres annually.
Germany’s Visa "Exemption” Application: A Test of the EU’s Sincerity
Ceren Mutuş
On the 5th of June 2009 the German Embassy in Ankara released a press statement announcing that it had undertaken an administrative change that would ease the visa procedure applied to Turkish nationals and widen the scope of Turkish nationals who would be able to enter Germany by "simply” providing a visa exemption document.
The Global Financial Crisis and the European Union
Ercüment Tezcan
The global financial crisis began in the summer of 2007 and had affected the whole world by September of 2008. Many governments needed to receive different types and amounts of economic support to avoid serious damage. With this crisis, the question of how the member states of the European Union can take measures independently is brought to the agenda, as their economies have been connected to each other for fifty years with the attempt to integrate.
Iran’s Disputed Elections and the Aftermath
Arzu Celalifer Ekinci
Shortly after the announcement of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s victory with 62 percent of the total votes, opposition candidates refused to accept the results they claimed were rigged and demanded an annulment of the election. Immediately after, a huge crowd of people participated in mass demonstrations to protest the results of elections claimed to be fraudulent.
Pierre Lellouche: "Turkey’s Lawyer” or "Sarkozy’s Trojan Horse”?
Mehmet Özcan
After the European Parliament’s elections in July 2009, many questions about the future of the European Union and Turkey’s membership perspective remained unanswered. Last week an important development occurred in France, where the antagonism of Turkey had been used politically during the election campaigns before.
Measuring Obama’s Moscow visit: A Breakthrough or Business As Usual?
Güner Özkan
Similar to how and what he said during his visits to Turkey in April and Egypt in June, US President Barack Obama once again made one of his elegant and well-crafted speeches in Moscow last week in which he urged for help creating an international system based on more cooperation, dialogue, understanding, multilateralism and interdependence.
Turkey’s Pipeline Politics
Sedat Laçiner
Whether Turkey has become an energy hub is a subject of continuous debate, even though the pipelines passing through or reaching Turkey indicate it has already become a regional center for energy transportation: Currently, there are two main naturalgas pipelines between Russia and Turkey.
Obama Speaks to the Muslim World from Cairo
Kaitlin MacKenzie
Barack Obama’s highly anticipated speech in Cairo drew the attention of millions around the world, and though, as he stated himself, "change cannot happen overnight…no single speech can eradicate years of mistrust,” events since then lead one to ponder how much Obama can really do to bring about change.
The Palestinians at a Pivotal Crossroads
Alon Ben-Meir
President Obama's push for a solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict has given the Palestinians an historic opportunity to end their disastrous state of affairs. Although many parties involved in the conflict-especially the Arab states and Israel-have contributed directly or indirectly to Palestinian suffering, the Palestinians have undoubtedly inflicted the greatest injury upon themselves by forgoing numerous opportunities to make peace with dignity.
Possible Outcomes of Iranian Presidential Elections
Arzu Celalifer Ekinci
As elections come closer a highly contentious atmosphere can be felt both in the political arena and the streets, since there was a serious rivalry among candidates through TV debate programs, electoral meetings and campaigns.
European Parliament Elections and the "Race to the Bottom” in Turkey Opposition
Mehmet Özcan
The 2009 European Parliament Elections, the biggest trans-national elections in EU history, were held on 4-7 June, 2009. According to the provisional results released by the European Parliament last night, EPP-ED, the center-right political group is estimated to have won 267 seats, while on the other hand, PES, the center-left political group seems to turn out the biggest loser of the elections with 159 seats, compared to 217 seats in the 2004 elections
Project Evaluation in Repowering (May 2009)
Haluk Direskeneli
Your writer had great joy when he learnt that a Turkish engineering contractor group had received the turnkey contract for repowering an old thermal power plant in Istanbul. As of the end of 2008, the contract was announced to be 388 million Euros, and the down payment was released.
European Parliament Elections and Turkey: No Hope for Change
İrem Güney
Next week, we will know the results of the European Parliament elections and will probably have read many articles on the expected effects. This year has been a critical year for the whole world, including Europe, which is deeply affected by the global financial crisis.
'Wake Up, Israel'
Alon Ben-Meir
I am departing from my usual analysis of the Arab-Israeli conflict as I profoundly feel that these are neither ordinary times, nor ordinary circumstances. The challenges and opportunities that Israel faces today will undoubtedly lay the ground for its future coexistence both in the Middle East and as an ally to the West.
Turkey-Azerbaijan-Armenia Triangle
Kamer Kasým
Continuing negotiations in order to normalize relations between Turkey and Armenia produced a “Road Map”, which created discussions also about Turkey-Azerbaijan relations and future of the politics of the Caucasus, particularly, security and energy dimension of it.
Sarkozy and Merkel on Turkey’s Membership Bid: One Europe or Many?
Mustafa Kutlay
Turkey, after a long struggle, finally started membership talks with the European Union in October 2005. When the negotiations started, the level of optimism among the Turkish public was quite high. Even, the decision was welcomed as the “realization of a dream” by some pundits.
Elections in Europe, Sarkozy-Merkel and Turkey: From a Different Perspective
Fatma Yilmaz Elmas
France and Germany, the engines of European integration, have reiterated their opposition to Turkey’s EU membership. French President Nicolas Sarkozy said, in an interview with Germany's Bild am Sonntag newspaper, “the EU must stop making vain promises to Turkey and study with it the creation of a big common economic and human space”.
European Parliament Elections and the Rising Turkey Opposition in Europe
Mehmet Ozcan
In recent days, some EU leaders have begun to use Turkey’s membership as a political weapon in their European Parliament election campaigns. However, taking into consideration the current state of Turkey-EU relations, maybe this is the worst move to confine relations to short-sighted policies based on temporary political gains.
Obama's Two-State Challenge
Alon Ben Meir
President Obama's March 18th meeting with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will introduce a new dimension to the long standing American-Israeli alliance. The changing circumstances in the Middle East and the potentially diverging views each leader holds in connection with the Arab-Israeli conflict could make finding common ground more challenging than in the past.
Chariots of Revolution "Devrim ARABALARI"
Haluk Direskeneli
"Chariots of Revolution" is the name of a recent movie, which depicts the sad story of first attempt to manufacture the first Turkish automobile. These were 4- each passenger cars which were manufactured by 23 Turkish engineers within 130 calendar days in year 1961.
How the Left Stepped Left
Cenk Alican
Germany’s opposition Left Party (Die Linke/ Linkspartei) has introduced its agenda for the forthcoming European and national elections to party fellows and media this week. The election program is marked by the party’s left-wing force and the theatrical sunshine unity of its leaders.
Afghanistan – Pakistan Turmoil: The US Misconception of the Region?
Süleyman Özeren
Afghanistan has been a land of destruction and suffering for years, and a similar situation will last years to come. There have been several devastations which have played a role in the suffering of the people in Afghanistan.
The Greatness of Nations
Sundeep Waslekar
In a recent visit to Istanbul, I stayed at Ciragan Palace, once the abode of the Ottoman emperors. It is on the Bosporus with one of the most panoramic scenes in the world. At this spot, you see Asia and Europe, modern and ancient, nature and technology.
Elections in Europe, Sarkozy-Merkel and Turkey: From a Different Perspective
Fatma Yilmaz Elmas
fyelmas@usak.org.tr
France and Germany, the engines of European integration, have reiterated their opposition to Turkey’s EU membership. French President Nicolas Sarkozy said, in an interview with Germany's Bild am Sonntag newspaper, “the EU must stop making vain promises to Turkey and study with it the creation of a big common economic and human space”. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has voiced “privileged partnership, but no full membership” for Turkey as their common position, once again.
The Intraparty Clash of Pro-Kurdish DTP
Ýhsan Bal
On the morning of April 14th, Turkish Police Forces conducted operations in different cities. The first news reports stated that these operations were held against a shadow group, behind the DTP, which has ties to the PKK. Operations were first begun in 12 cities and were then extended to include more than 20.
Soma Thermal Power Plant for Sale
Haluk Direskeneli
Our new job is to figure out its proper procedures and the face value of the plant, plus terms and conditions of the scheme. That is the question to estimate how much to pay in order to buy Soma Thermal Power Plant in Privatization.
Russia Dupes Azerbaijan?
Sedat Laçiner
It was obvious that nothing would be the same in the Caucasus, after the war in the region between Russia and Georgia in August of last year. During the war, the Georgian leader acted frantically with the backing of the US. Without asking anyone, including its neighbor Turkey, Georgia threw itself into Russia’s line of fire.
Evet, Yapabiliriz! (*) – Obama’s Turkish Test, Turkey’s Obama Opportunity
Barin Kayaoðlu
President Barack Obama’s visit to Turkey last week, his first to a Muslim nation since becoming Chief Executive on January 20, was a significant success. During his two-day visit to Ankara and Istanbul, Obama did and said all the right things. His most crucial statement came in response to the question of whether he was sending a message to the world by concluding his European trip in Turkey.
Nabucco as a Chess Game: Azerbaijan’s Next Move
Rovshan Ibrahimov
On March 27, 2009, a memorandum was signed between the Azerbaijani oil company SOCAR and Russia's Gazprom. This memorandum includes a statement of deliveries, beginning in January 2010, of Azerbaijani natural gas to Russia on the boundary conditions, DAF Azerbaijan / Russia.
Turkey, EU, and U.S. Relations within the Context of the Security-Freedom Pendulum
Mehmet Özcan
The US-Turkey alliance, which has been built on “if”s since the end of the Cold War, has been well-conducted due to the active foreign policy adopted during Ozal’s Presidency. The separatist terrorist movement which began in the 1980s accelerated its violence during the 1990s. As is known, a security concern came to the forefront in this period, and relations between Turkey and its Western alliances were strained as a result of their support to the organization.
Why U.S. President Obama must be a ‘Cautious Realist’
Güner Özkan
Obama was met like a pop star anywhere he went in Europe and Turkey in last several days. There are many credible reasons for this: young, dynamic, kind, black, inspirational, non-unilateralist, and so on. These credentials and characteristics he has and displays are very different from those of his predecessor, G.W. Bush.
Financial Crisis, G20 and Beyond: Balancing the Global Imbalances
Mustafa Kutlay
The G20 Summit is finally left behind. The leaders of the most developed 19 countries and representatives of the European Commission and the European Central Bank met at the ‘minimum common denominator’ and arguably went beyond the expectations.
Netanyahu's Second Chance
Alon Ben Meir
The new Israeli government led by Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu has raised many conflicting feelings among those concerned about the fate of the Arab-Israeli peace process. Will Netanyahu scuttle the little progress that was made under his predecessor Olmert, or will he engage the Palestinians anew?
Turkish Opposition to Rasmussen as the Head of NATO
Nermin Aydemir
NATO now appears to feel at ease after the thorny discussions at the NATO Summit on 3-4 April 2009, which was marked with the Turkish opposition against Rasmussen as the chief of the Alliance. The Turkish resistance seriously complicated the appointment of Rasmussen. Yet, the former Danish PM succeed to become the General Secretary thanks to do strong support from the heavyweights such as US, UK, Germany, France and Italy.
Obama's Critical Visit to Turkey
Ýhsan BAL
U.S. President Barack Obama's visit to Turkey has significant meanings beyond the face value during his presidency, he made his first transoceanic visit to London for the G-20 summit. He then attended the NATO summit on the France-Germany border.
NATO Summit: Is It The Way Forward for Rasmussen?
Süleyman Özeren
The NATO summit in France and Germany for many reasons has been a fruitful meeting. The newcomers to the Organization, Albania and Croatia, the return of France to NATO military command, and the pledges of the member states to the Afghanistan mission could be the most important aspects of the summit.
Liquidation of PKK from Iraq, the US and Talabani
Sedat Laçiner
Iraq’s Kurdish President Jalal Talabani says “I did not call on the PKK to lay down its arms”. He also argues that he did not call the PKK to leave Iraq. “I just delivered Turkey’s demands, those ideas were not mine” he adds.
So to speak…
Lisbon’s Ways Through Karlsruhe
Cenk Alican
Never before in the history of European integration – not even when the French and Dutch rejected the European Constitution in referendums in 2005 – has the idea of a common legal framework for the Union’s people driven on such a bumpy road as it is these days.
Visa-Vis – Why Visa-Free Travel is Just the Beginning for Turkey’s Road to the EU
Ýrem Güney
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that Turkish citizens who wish to enter the EU countries with the aim of providing services should not be required to obtain visa. [1]. This decision has fueled an ongoing debate in European Union countries on the visa-free travel of some Turkish citizens.
‘Terrorism Supporter’ to be the Secretary General of NATO
Sedat Laçiner
NATO has started to take on new roles, especially after the Cold War period, among which combating international terrorism is its first priority. The expansion of NATO’s operation area from the former Yugoslavia to Afghanistan is also a new development NATO is operating among religiously and ethnically diverse populations from numerous regions.
Coal-Fired Thermal Power Plant in Soma
Haluk Direskeneli
We are very pleased to learn the recent Announcement made by Chamber of Mining Engineers of Turkey (www.maden.org.tr) that they will be organizing a Workshop/ Seminar on “Soma Basin Coal Reserves in Energy Generation” on 16-17-18 April 2009 at Soma Thermal Power Plant and Soma Basin Coal Mines premises with cooperation and contributions of Chambers of Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical Engineers of Turkey.
The Soysal Decision: A “Standstill” Lesson from the ECJ to EU Countries
Ercüment Tezcan
In my comment dated 2 September 2007 about the European Court of Justice’s (ECJ) decision regarding Veli Tum and Mehmet Dari, I drew attention to the “standstill” principle and expressed that if this rule could be efficiently applied, many unlawful acts would be prevented.
‘New Diplomacy’ in International Political Economy and Turkey-EU Relations
Mustafa Kutlay
International Political Economy (IPE), from the very beginning of its emergence as an academic field in the 1970s, have constantly tried to close the gap between economics and other social disciplines in general, and between economics and politics in particular.
Anti-Americanism: What Causes It, How Can It Be Stopped?
Barin Kayaoglu
In 1985, the political scientists Alvin Z. Rubinstein and Donald E. Smith edited a book that discussed anti-Americanism in the Third World. As they set up the conceptual framework of the book, Rubinstein and Smith declared that even though anti-Americanism was easy to identify, it was difficult to define.
Moscow’s Recent Confrontation with the US in Central Asia
Turgut Demirtepe
Two recent developments in Moscow within the past month have the potential to severely influence the balance of power in Central Asia. First, President Kurmanbek Bakiyev of Kyrgyzstan announced the decision to close the US air base near Bishkek during his official visit to Moscow.
Treading an Ominous Path
Alon Ben Meir
The collapse of the coalition negotiations between Likud Leader Benjamin Netanyahu and Kadima's Tzipi Livni over Netanyahu's refusal to commit to the two-state solution may force him to form a narrow-based right-of-centre government. Such a government is likely to impede any progress or end up disintegrating under domestic and American pressure to make important concessions for the peace process.
Strengthening Strategic Partnership: Obama’s Visit to Turkey
Süleyman Özeren
The United States’ foreign policy has started to show signs of change. Yes, the U.S. has declared it will support any government in Israel no matter what, but the big difference is that it is also considering, directly or indirectly, engaging countries which it has considered a threat to world peace.
Can We Challenge Our Ideas?
Sundeep Waslekar
Ideas predate civilization. They even predate humanity. The ideas of fire, weapons and symbols were probably thought of by Homo erectus before the birth of Homo sapiens. However, lately some of us tend to believe that we don’t need to evolve our ideas.
Turkey’s Relations with Armenia and the Impact of the Armenian Diaspora
Kamer Kasým
Turkey’s relations with Armenia started in the unstable atmosphere of the Caucasus. As a landlocked country, Armenia needed to establish good relations with its neighbors, particularly with its western neighbor Turkey. However, developments in Turkish-Armenian relations have stalled over the years.
Identity Politics: A Litmus Test for Turkey's DTP
Ýhsan Bal
Towards the March 29 local elections, one of the top questions on the agenda is who will win Diyarbakir and who will receive the votes of the citizens of Kurdish origin. In this process, the DTP’s propaganda, which aims to get the votes of Kurdish people and practices politics through the lens of ethnic identity, is built upon polarization. As the election date comes closer, this polarization and blocking strategy seems to be continued with a higher tone by the DTP politicians.
The EU’s Challenge with the Financial Crisis and the Future of the “Single Market”
Mehmet Özcan
As the financial crisis deepens and its destructive effects are experienced throughout the world, the EU begins to deal with the most arduous challenges in its history. Undoubtedly, it is very probable to encounter several crisis and conflicts within the process of European integration.
The Nabucco Pipeline: Increased Actuality, but Inertia in Realization (II)
Rovshan Ibrahimov
Turkey is a key player in the Nabucco project, which plans to build a pipeline through Turkish territory. It should be noted that the Nabucco gas pipeline is considered to be a continuation of the existing international Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline and other internal gas pipelines in Turkey.
Gerhard Schroder’s visit to Iran – German Foreign Policy at the Crossroads
Cenk Alican
It was a vivid verbal tug-of-war on Germany’s political stage when former Federal Chancellor Gerhard Schroder of the Social Democrat Party (SPD) decided to visit the Islamic Republic of Iran last week. Federal MPs of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Green Party (Grüne) criticized Schroder’s travel plans and tried to urge him to cancel his meeting with the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinedjad.
Can Armenian Diaspora Persuade Turkey to Recognise Armenian Allegations?
Sedat Laçiner
Armenian Diaspora has been carrying ‘genocide’ campaigns against Turkey for decades. They argue that these campaigns’ main aim is to persuade Turkey to recognise the Armenian allegations. As a matter of fact that the Armenian Diaspora by following such a way is trying to take revenge from Turkey more than imposing anything on it.
Does the Soysal Decision Solely Concern Visas?
Mehmet OZCAN
Turkish citizens Mehmet Soysal and Ibrahim Savatli, who worked as lorry drivers for a Turkish company, filed a case in the Berlin Administrative Court after they had been required to provide visas for entry to Germany....
Obama’s Challenges: Extraordinary Rendition and the State Secrets Privilege
Kaitlin MacKenzie
The honeymoon is over. The Obama administration, which had promised an end to Bush-era constitutional abuses, has done an about-face, reversing its opinion on the executive “state secrets” privilege that it denounced during the campaign.
Obama’s Foreign Policy Approach and Turkey
Süleyman Özeren
Since becoming the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama has followed a different path in several policy issues, including foreign relations. One of the most prominent aspects of Obama’s foreign policy is that he and his State Department team are open to dialogue and they approach the issues with an understanding of the positions of the concerned parties.
Turkey's New Middle Eastern Approach
Sedat Laçiner
Ottomans governed the region for 400 years and before the Ottomans there were other Turkish origin groups, such as the Mamluk Dynasty, Aq (Ak) Qoyunlu, Qara (Kara) Qoyunlu Turcoman. Apart from them, many Turks occupied important positions in the Abbasid Dynasty's military and governed Iran, one of the most important countries in the Middle East, for hundreds of years. For example, the spoken language in the Shah Ismail's palace was Turkish, and many of the Iranian shahs were of Turkish origin.
Nabucco Pipeline: Increased Actuality, but Inertia in Realization (I)
Rovshan Ibrahimov
The aftermath of the January energy crisis between Russia and Ukraine, which resulted in the interruption of the natural gas supply to some European countries, has once again made relevant the establishment of alternative energy routes from Russia to supply natural gas to Europe.
Israel: Coalition of the Unwilling
Alon Ben Meir
The result of the Israeli elections on February 10th expressed clear sentiments of the public's weariness of the political process and deep cynicism about the campaigning leaders. The question that faces the two leading contenders for prime minister, Kadima's Tzipi Livni and Benjamin Netanyahu of Likud is twofold: Will they rise to the occasion, join forces and put the country on a path of recovery; or will they go their own separate ways to try to form a narrow coalition government and set the country on a course for political turmoil.
Aftermath of the Energy Crisis – Russia Still Dominant in the Market!
Hasan Selim Özertem
Every year starts with new hopes, great expectations, and efforts to forget bad memories of the past. While nobly intended, I feel that we only change the calendar and begin, once again, counting down each day until the New Year.
Energy Policy of the European Union: Problems and Probable Solutions
Ercüment Tezcan
Natural gas, and in a wider context the energy issue, comes to the scene ironically in the coldest days of winter, and seems to occupy the EU agenda lately. Actually, this is not the first energy crisis that Europe has dealt with. The process began with Russia’s closure of the valves, which it has done several times.
Is PKK Turkey’s Hamas?
Ýhsan Bal
After Mr. Tayyip Erdogan’s walk-out incident in Davos, one of the most common statements made is that Israel and Turkey have been fighting terrorism; thus, they have to be on the same side. Part of this statement implies that PKK and Hamas are similar organizations and Kurds share the same fate as Palestinians do.
European Values and Turks in Germany
Ýrem Güney
The Partnership Agreement with the European Economic Community (EEC) has not resulted in the free movement of Turkish people in Europe. The visa application procedure is one of the most important and controversial issues today and the legal decisions have not changed much.
Subsidizing Gas Price in Household Consumption - Not a Smart Solution!
Haluk Direskeneli
Mr. Murat Karayalçýn, CHP candidate for Great Ankara Municipality Mayor said that "Natural gas, which is distributed to 1,100,000 units for household consumption in Ankara, is to be subsidized, in order to stop coal pollution". (METU Alumni Association, on 7 January 2009).
How Can Provincial Elections Contribute Security in Iraq?
Guner OZKAN
Iraq descended into a civil war further after the first election in January 2005 causing thousands of dead. On the 31st of January, Iraqi people once again went to the polling stations to elect 440 representatives for the provincial councils from over 14, 000 candidates.
Turkish-American Relations under the Threat of the Armenian Lobby
Kamer Kasým
With the election of Obama as US President, a new era has begun in Turkish-American relations, bringing with it new expectations. Turkey and the US might continue and develop their cooperation in the geographical area from Afghanistan to the Balkans. The two countries have expectations from each other.
The Violence and Settlements Anathema (Part 1)
Alon Ben Meir
From his first Middle East tour as President Obama's special envoy, George Mitchell must have found that not much has changed since his 2001 report. During his previous mission on the origins of the Second Intifada, Mitchell concluded that ending the Israeli settlement activity and violence are intertwined and remain the core impediment to meaningful negotiations.
Ergenekon Case and Indecent Proposals
Ýhsan Bal
Turkey surely is in an important situation with the Ergenekon Case. This case, regarded as the most important in the history of the Turkish Republic, has long captivated the public attention with buried guns and grenades, links with the previous staggering assassinations, and plans for further assassinations. This is common for terrorist organizations.
The CD and DVD Weapons of Ergenekon
Ýhsan Bal
Turkey surely is in an important situation with the Ergenekon Case. This case, regarded as the most important in the history of the Turkish Republic, has long captivated the public attention with buried guns and grenades, links with the previous staggering assassinations, and plans for further assassinations.
Turkey-EU Relations in 2009: What is on the Agenda?
Mehmet Ozcan
The direction of Turkey-EU relations in the incoming year constitutes one of the controversial issues debated by many EU specialists, politicians, and media. A general perception of the issue is that the relations will continue on the same path as the previous year.
How Mitchell Should Deal with Hamas?
Alon Ben Meir
The recent appointment of George Mitchell as special envoy to the Middle East is no doubt a positive sign of President Obama's commitment to the region, signaling that there will be immediate and direct American involvement in the Arab-Israeli peace negotiations.
Use of War Terminology in Combating Terrorism
Sedat Laciner
Using the language of war in combating terrorism has been dramatically increased in the recent period. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks in particular, the Bush administration identified combating terrorism as a war, even a “global war.” Not only in the US, but also in other countries, the term “war on terrorism” had often been used instead of “combating terrorism,” to gain the public support so as to employ security forces and to mobilize people and other sources more effectively.
The Somalian Straits and Maritime PT Syndrome Linked to Terrorist Organization and the Use of Private Military Companies
Andrin Raj
The threat of piracy in the Somalian waters of the Gulf of Aden has been recently an ongoing struggle for ships and vessels enroute these waters. The instability of Somalia however goes back as far as the beginning of the Somalian civil war that dates back to the early 1990s and the collapse of the state.
Small Fish with Shark Teeth
Cenk Alican
Ten years ago the Liberal Voters Alliance (LVA, Freie Wähler) was a side issue on Germany’s political stage. But now, having gained 19 percent of votes in Bavarian local elections in March 2008 and more than 10 percent in elections to Bavarian Parliament in September 2008, the little party has become the key for Federal President Horst Köhler (Bundespräsident) to be re-elected by the Federal Convention (Bundesversammlung) on May 23rd.
After Gaza Attacks: Does Arab Initiative Possible for the Middle East?
Serpil Açýkalýn
After the cease fire on 18 January, three weeks after Israeli assaults, we have enough data for an evaluation of the events. In 2006 (Israel's War on Hezbollah in Lebanon), we saw that Hezbollah was more successful than today’s Hamas –if we measure the success with the number of dead people-.
Touching "the Untouchables" in Turkey
Ýhsan Bal
The legitimacy of a state disappears if it fails to punish people who keep guns, bombs, blackmailing tapes, or action plots in an attempt to create chaos in the country. Therefore Turkey has to pursue the Ergenekon case (the Untouchables case) until the end for its own sake.
Mission: Impossible? Ending the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, In a Nutshell
Barin kayaoglu
The question of Palestine remains the biggest chasm between Israel, the Arabs, and non-Arab Muslims. Since the first war between Arab states and Israel in 1948-49, there has been no end in sight to the conflict. For sure, Israel managed to sign peace treaties with, and gain recognition from, two of its neighbors (Egypt and Jordan). But because Israel does not take the bold steps necessary to create the Palestinian state, most Arab and Muslim countries refuse to recognize it.
Israel – Hamas Conflict and Iran’s Stance
Arzu Celalifer Ekinci
Recent Israeli attacks on Gaza caused more than a thousand civilian casualties. At least 1,100 Palestinians have been killed and 5000 injured since the beginning of the attacks. Israel’s disproportionate use of force and its attacks on civilians had been condemned and led to many protests all around the world.
Israel Shakes the Very Bases of Its Security Permanently
Dilek Aydemir
Since the beginning of the Israeli assault against Hamas, Israeli officials have stated that Israel invaded Gaza to retaliate against Hamas' unending rocket attacks which targets its security. Moreover, supporters of Israel's offensive further asserted that Israel did not intend to kill civilians.
The Arab World, Israel and Hamas
Osman Bahadýr Dinçer
23 day war in Gaza seems to have ended with more than 1300 dead and thousands of wounded Palestinians. It is really difficult to predict what is going to happen in upcoming days. Yet, it is not impossible to say that the forthcoming elections in Israel will occupy much of the time and the agenda of the Israeli politicians.
Obama and Change - But How?
Mehmet Yegin
Barack Obama is officially the President of the United States. For nearly, two months not only the US, but also the world discussed his election, his team, and the change he would bring to the White House. After eight years of Republican control, the West Wing passed to the hands of Democrats again.
US Medal of ‘Dishonour’ and War on Gaza
Güner Özkan
On the 13th of January, the US's highest civil award, the Congressional Gold Medal of Honour was given to three ‘outstanding’ politicians by the outgoing President Bush. They are former British and Australian Prime ministers of Blair and Howard and President Uribe of Colombia.
Turkey: Sacrificing 44 Sheep for Obama!
Ýhsan Bal
One may easily see the breeze of happiness blowing in a global sense from Latin America to the Middle East after the presidential elections in the US. Turkey is not an exception. People of Gurtepe village, in Van, sacrificed 44 sheep for the appraisal of Obama’s lection as the 44th president of the US[1] This is just one of the examples that people showing their hopes and expectations from the new term in the US foreign policy.
'A War Against Hamas—Not the Palestinian People'
Alon Ben Meir
Now that Israel has unilaterally declared an end to the hostilities it appears that Hamas, which has been badly crippled, will eventually sign on to the ceasefire. Having achieved its war objectives, Israel must demonstrate that the war was waged against Hamas and not the Palestinian people. The tragic losses of many innocent civilians and the destruction resulting from war must be a catalyst for an irreversible movement toward peace.
Ýrem Güney
Today is not the first time that the European Union faces stark criticism for its foreign policy. In fact, many political scientists argue that the EU does not and will not for the foreseeable future possess a true common foreign policy due to its intergovernmental character and the resulting conflicts of interest among member states.
2009: Russian Gas Policy - First Step Taken
Rovshan Ibrahimov
For the past few years, the New Year has begun with a tradition: confrontation between Russia and Ukraine. The two countries celebrated this New Year with differences in their views of Ukraine’s natural gas price and a transportation fee for Russian gas to pass through Ukraine territory to European countries
Energy Overview of Ankara, 2009
Haluk Direskeneli
Turkish Chamber of Mechanical Engineers is participating to 2nd Urban Symposium in Ankara on 17th January 2009 Saturday afternoon. As an active member of Energy Commission in The Chamber of Mechanical Engineers since graduation year of 1973, your writer is to deliver a speech on "Energy Overview in City of Ankara" in Ankara 2nd Urban Symposium in IMO Conference Hall.
Ukraine and Russia Signed Gas Deal: So Back to Geopolitics!
Güner Özkan
The row over the delivery of Russian gas to Europe between Ukraine and Russia seems to be resolved after its start at the beginning of this month. Russian and Ukrainian prime ministers’ meeting in Moscow on the 17th and 18th of January produced finally an agreement that appears to have just now relieved all involved. But, how can all these be read? Is it just a deal to warm the people in cold or go back to the energy geopolitics of Ukraine?
Remarks on the Israeli Assault
Nermin Aydemir
The death toll in Gaza nears 750 and thousands of others are wounded. Almost all the victims are civilians, including hundreds of children. Medical care options are highly limited since the Israeli Defense Force neither hesitates to bomb hospitals, nor keeps ambulances out of the bomb shower.
The Israeli Factor in the Rise of Hamas
Osman Bahadýr Dinçer
The recent events in the Middle East have been watched by sensitive people around the world approximately for two weeks. Yet, the decision makers, who could not understand it is impossible to reach a solution by only condemning, are only watching the ‘state terrorism’.
Gaza Attacks: The US, its Arab Allies and Turkey
Serpil Açýkalýn
Israel has been continuing its offensives in Gaza since December 27. The death toll reached 770 at the end of thirteenth day and a quarter of the deaths are civilians. Although many Arab columnists had interpreted the election of Obama as a new era for the future of the region -because there were many expectations from him- the last events caused pessimism, particularly on the basis of his long silence.
A Welcome Party from Israel for Obama
Sedat LACINER
It seems like the headlines will be occupied with Israel and its actions during Obama’s presidency as it was during George Bush’s. Obama, who already gave too many promises on Jerusalem, will have a hard time dealing with Israel’s further demands and actions.
An Overall Assessment of the French EU Presidency
Ceren MUTUS
By the first day of the New Year, a new leaf was turned over for the European Union. The Czech Republic which assumed the EU’s six-month Presidency from France on January 1 will be presiding over the meetings of the EU-27 between January and June 2009.
2009 Prospects for the Horn of Africa as the Power Vacuum Furthers in Somalia
Huseyin AKTURK
The headline-grabbing raids by the Somalian pirates as well as the gains of the radical Islamist groups in the southern region of Somalia marked the failure of the international community, specifically the United Nations, despite the thousands of Ethiopian soldiers backed by the United States occupying the Somali lands.
The Gaza tragedy: Is the Human Rights an 'Export Material' for the EU?
Mehmet OZCAN
The human rights policies of the EU have always been criticized severely. Many scholars blame the EU for using human rights concept as an ‘export material’, and for developing contradicting attitudes at different places as well as at different times.
Israel's Land Operation
Sedat LACINER
Israel, on the 8th day of its air and sea strikes, launched a land operation in the Gaza Strip. Actually, it was an expected step. All Israelite high officials involving Minister of Defence and Foreign Minister were stating that the operations were still at the preliminary stage. Avital Leibovich, the spokesman of the Israel Ministry of Defence, made a declaration that “we just started the secondary stage” when the Israeli forces impinged the land borders.
Israel's Method in Combating Terrorism
Ihsan BAL
The international community is aware of different Israeli ways of combat with terrorism. The news agencies broadcast live news world widely about the ways with which Israel eliminates the menace of “terror” targeted its territory and its citizens.
Changing the Reality in Gaza
Alon Ben-Meir
Israel's ongoing and decisive military response to Hamas' continuing rocket attacks should have been anticipated by the organization's leadership. Yet it seems they have badly miscalculated the Israelis' sentiment and resolve.
Gaza: Legitimacy Requires Responsibility, Consistency, and Commitment
Süleyman Özeren
If legitimacy involves acceptance or approval of the appropriateness or coherence of any implementation or policy decision of a government, then it requires responsibility and commitment.
An Overall Assessment of the French EU Presidency
Ceren Mutuþ
By the first day of the New Year, a new leaf was turned over for the European Union. The Czech Republic which assumed the EU’s six-month Presidency from France on January 1 will be presiding over the meetings of the EU-27 between January and June 2009.
Euro@10: A Question of 'Single Representation'
Mustafa Kutlay
Amid the global financial turmoil and recession in the Euro Area, the member countries prepare to celebrate the tenth year of the adoption of euro. When it was first introduced in 1999, the EU, albeit not with all members, realized one of the biggest dreams of the European integration process.
No Illusions around the Horn of Africa
Cenk Alican
In December the EU`s Marine Mission “Eunafor Atalanta” started operating around the Horn of Africa. It is for the first time in this framework that Germany receives a robust international mandate to combat pirate activities off the Somali coast.
Deniable Plausibility or a Different Course of Action!
Suleyman Ozeren
Israel has carried out attacks on Hamas targets on last Saturday, and Sunday. More than 300 people have been killed and hundreds have also been wounded in the attacks. Since, many of the casualties were civilians; a huge reaction occurred at international community, moreover, numerous Muslims held protests against the attacks all over the world.
Why Azerbaijan Has No Full Diplomatic Relations With Israel
Shamkhal Abilov
Azerbaijan and Israel has a developed relationship on the economical and political spheres and Israel consider Azerbaijan as its important strategic partner in the region. But despite of the developed relationship between these states Azerbaijan has no full diplomatic relation with Israel.
Thermal Power Plants Overview as of End 2008
Haluk Direskeneli
Here at this end of the globe, your humble writer sincerely advocates ratification of Kyoto protocol, more utilization of local coal/ wind/ hydro sources, more thermal power plants with clean coal technologies i.e. Circulating Fluid Bed (CFB), Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC), firing local low quality lignite, more emphasis on national energy supply security, more professional education and creation of engineering backbone in nuclear technology, more green employment in green technology.
Negotiating an Israeli-Palestinian Breakthrough
Alon Ben Meir
The difficulty in concluding an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement lies in the internal and psychological struggle resulting from decades of debilitating conflict that has left both sides weary about future co-existence.
Terrorist Attacks in Mumbai: An Analysis
Ihsan Bal
It is hard to determine the terrorist group’s roots according to the limited information. The group may be members of a local terrorist organization, or an international terrorist organization that calls themselves the “Deccan Mujahedeen”. The attackers may not belong to any organization but a group solely formed for this specific terrorist activity.
Turkey and Agreement with IMF: Neither Compulsory, Nor Adequate
Mustafa Kutlay
Since the financial crisis deepens, governments all around the world have started to search for alternative measures to mitigate its effects. As can be remembered, the first comprehensive recovery plan (amounted at 700 billion dollars) came from the United States in October.
Advancement within the Immigrant Society: Not an Easy Task to Achieve
Nermin Aydemir
Concerns over unemployment spreads out all around the world as the impacts of the global economic crisis are felt more deeply every passing day. Things are not easy neither for the companies nor for the governments or for the people.
The Audacity of Hope
Sundeep Waslekar
The election of Barack Obama is a victory for the underdog. It is a victory for democracy. It is a victory for the United States of America. It is a victory for the world. But, most important, it is a victory for the concept of hope.
US Presidential Elections and the Moscow-Washington Line
Habibe KADER ÖZDAL
After the victory of Obama in US presidential elections, the attention turned on the up-coming US policies over the world issues. While all the newspapers were predominantly emphasizing Obama’s victory that was liken a revolution, Moscow had witnessed a very consequential speech of Medvedev. During his first nation-address since he took over the presidency form Putin, Medvedev pointed out very important issues on both domestic issues and foreign affairs.
Yes, we Cem! Congrats Mr. Ozdemir!
Cenk Alican
Germany`s Obama, Turkey`s Pioneer, Europe´s Elvis! Commentators and columnist of daily papers used endless synonyms to describe an event that has set benchmarks in Germany`s political and party landscape this weekend: 43-year-old Cem Ozdemir, member of the European Parliament since 2004, was elected co-chairman of the Greens at the party`s ordinary congress in Erfurt, receiving 79.2% of the delegates` votes.
Turk-Ita Forum: European Public Concerns under Examination
Fatma Yilmaz
The Turkish-Italian Forum has recently been convened, having two parts first one is in Rome, second in Ýstanbul. With the aim of providing an opportunity for dialogue between Turkey and Italy in terms of Turkey’s accession process to the EU, the Forum, the fifth one, brought political leaders, businessmen, scholars and media representatives together. In contrast to the past four forums....
The Playboy King of Swaziland Challenged by Pro-Democracy Movements
Huseyin Akturk
Every year, people in Turkey as well as all others in the world, get introduced to the tiny kingdom of Swaziland with the annual traditional ceremony called the “Reed Dance” (the Umhlanga in Siswati) where twenty to thirty thousand half naked, virgin women in the country get together to pay their tribute to the Queen Mother.
Obama's Daunting Middle East Challenge
Alon Ben-Meir
After eight years of misguided policy by the Bush administration in the Middle East, the time is overdue for an enlightened strategy to tackle the region's woes. This must include an approach that will bring hope to a region shattered by violence, consumed by conflict and division and filled with disdain toward the United States.
Some Socio-Economic Variables among Migrants in the Netherlands
Nermin Aydemir
Immigrant groups in the Netherlands are increasingly integrating to the education system and labor market, according to the latest integration report of the Central Bureau for statistics. Although differences between the native and the migrants remain to some extent, the second and third generations perform much better than their (grand) parents.
Civil Society in “European Commission 2008 Progress Report on Turkey”
Dilek Aydemir
Especially in the last two decades, civil society has gained a role as an important actor in giving voice to people’s demands and strengthening the social bases of politics at societal level in Turkey. Moreover, intentions to create a civil society which can make positive contributions to political pluralism were considerable.
The New U.S. President and Iran
Arzu Celalifer Ekinci
Finally we left this famous U.S. presidential elections behind and Barack Obama as the first ever black president of the U.S. won the historic victory. But this was just the first step for president-elect Obama. Everybody knows that as soon as he takes office in January 2009 he will find a series of problematic and major ongoing issues on his desk.
Second Obamania in Berlin – Herzlich Willkommen Mr. President?
Cenk Alican
Barack Obama`s sweeping election victory has caused optimistic reactions in the German political and business landscape. The expectations of lawmakers and economic actors are high, but once the euphoria starts fading, Berlin will feel the new president’s hard shell. Conflicts among old friends may occur.
Humanitarian Intervention in Darfur: A Viable Option?
Huseyin Akturk
Darfur is considered as one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. From 2003 to 2008, it is estimated that about 300,000 people, mostly civilians died due to violence, disease, and starvation and more than 2 million civilians became internally displaced persons.
New Thermal Power Plant Investment in Bandirma
Haluk Direskeneli
Your writer has received press releases from various resources for a new thermal power plant in Bandirma, Turkey. It is advised that Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI), has received order for M701F gas turbines for natural gas-fired power generation plants in Turkey. The 920 MW (megawatt) gas turbine combined-cycle (GTCC) power plant for a Turkish electricity provider for the domestic market, is slated to go on-stream in August 2010.
Turkish Economy amid Global Financial Turmoil
Mustafa Kutlay
Finally, it has happened. The reluctant comparisons and bashful voices at the very beginning of the crisis have turned out to be screams and outcries. Almost every newspaper lists the similarities between current global crisis and the Great Depression in 1929. Almost every single news starts with the phrase of “the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression” in order to show us how terrible the situation is.
Gas OPEC: New Instrument of International Policy
Rovshan Ibrahimov
On 21 October in Tehran Russia, Qatar and Iran have agreed on the establishment of a "gas troika", which will cooperate in the gas sector, in particular external export contracts for natural gas. It is expected that this troika will create an organization similar to oil OPEC. All formalities in the formation of a new organization will be dealt in18 November in Moscow, where the gas-exporter countries forum will be held.
US' Military Operation in Syria and International Law
Sedat LAÇÝNER and Ceren MUTUÞ
US air forces launched a military assault on Syrian territory that killed eight people on October 26. According to the statements of Syrian officials and witnesses, four US helicopters penetrated eights kilometers into the Syrian territory and targeted a building in the village of al-Sukkariya in the Albu Kamal area near the border with Iraq.
Will PKK Survive?
Ýhsan BAL
The recently rising terrorist attacks of PKK have reached their peak with martyr of the 17 soldiers in Aktütün on 3 October 2008 and 6 security personnel in Diyarbakýr on 8 October 2008. After these two attacks, Turkey has locked its agenda to terrorism while focusing on the questions of what the PKK terrorism is aiming to do, what are the reasons lying beneath the attacks and how to conduct an effective struggle against the terrorist organization.
The US, Economic Crisis and Politics
Hasan Selim Özertem
It has been more than a month that the conflict in Georgia broke out and since then the diplomacy has gained impetus in the region. Even though different reactions have been shown against Russia it has become clear that there is a dispersion of hegemonic power of the US in the world politics.
"Why did you open the door in the first place?"
Ýrem GÜNEY
Recently, Turkish Prime Minister Erdoðan accused the EU of prolonging the accession talks on purpose, by opening two chapters during each term presidency[1]. The same idea was also expressed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Babacan. I cannot think of a better summary of recent EU-Turkey relations than Erdoðan’s words.
Drug Smuggling As Main Source of PKK Terrorism
Sedat LACINER, PhD
slaciner@gmail.com
Some claim that Turkey is one of the transit countries of the drug trafficking, not a consumer; so the fight against narcotic should not be involved with in the priority struggels of Turkey. Even, within some conversations, it is
The Changing Nature of Turkey’s Trade Structure: An Overview
By Mustafa KUTLAY
mustafakutlay@gmail.com
At the end of last month, Turkey’s 2007 trade statistics have been published. According to the statistics, Turkey has achieved significant success and increased its trade
Where to Go with the Lisbon Treaty?
Mehmet OZCAN, PhD
mozcan@usak.org.tr
European Union Leaders signed a new treaty on the 13th of December in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. This Reform Treaty, or known as Lisbon Treaty, forms the last circle of EU's periodic revision policy. With this treaty, EU Constitution, signed in Rome in 2004, mostly
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When Is It Time to Get Serious About Syria? |
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Süleyman Özeren, 16.05.2013 10:39:30 |
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This is well beyond a fair question, considering the situation in Syria. The enduring conflict and devastation in Syria exceeds many limits; it's a situation which can only be summed up with the term witnessed genocide. This is not the first time when human beings have been butchered before the eyes of the world, yet it should elicit our collective reflection and anguish nonetheless... |
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