analysis
Heading To Glasgow With A Weak Hand, Turkey Must Set More Ambitious Climate Goals
As climate change intensifies, the Mediterranean region is emerging as a climate hotspot. Turkey must seize the opportunity at the COP 26 Conference in Glasgow and pledge to rapid decarbonization by accelerating the deployment of solar and wind power, and by decommissioning its coal plants by 2030.
Ankara Will Still Need To Wait For A Breakthrough In Bilateral Relations With Berlin
The Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) is the big winner of the country’s 2021 federal elections. Many in Turkey and in Germany’s Turkish diaspora are pinning their hopes on Olaf Scholz, the SPD’s candidate for chancellor.
Iran’s Strategy in Afghanistan: Pragmatic Engagement with the Taliban
Throughout the U.S. war in Afghanistan, Iran has maintained extensive influence in its eastern neighbor. It played both sides of the conflict, supporting the now-deposed government in Kabul while also developing ties with the Taliban. With the Taliban’s takeover of the country in the wake of the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces, Tehran will engage pragmatically with the militant group to safeguard and further its national security strategy.
Facing Unprecedented Drought and Forest Fires, Turkey Must Act on Climate Change
Currently, an unprecedented drought in Turkey poses risks to cities, agricultural activities, and energy security, and aggravates forest fires. The government must implement a climate change-centered drought strategy in coordination with all water actors, both domestic and international.
What Could Turkey Gain From A New Nuclear Deal With Iran?
It is still uncertain whether the US and Iran can succeed in reaching a new nuclear deal; still, Turkey could benefit either way so long as it takes the rights steps in coordination with the US.
Uncertainty Looms In Post-American Middle East
Geopolitical, ideological, and socio-economic quandaries will continue to haunt processes of normalization in the Middle East subsequent to the US’s gradual withdrawal from the region. Underlying issues remain unresolved despite diplomatic relaxation, and the power vacuum left behind by the US has the potential to rekindle regional rivalries and trigger proxy wars worse than those seen under the Obama and Trump administrations.
Erdogan, Savior Of Europe… Yet Again
Erdogan posits that only by admitting Turkey can the EU save itself from uncertainty. But by focusing only on what power the EU might gain by doing so, he fails to recognize the multidimensional nature of the EU’s ontological identity and Turkey’s own shortcomings.
Attempts to Close Turkey’s Pro-Kurdish Party Gain Pace
Just a few days after the deadly attack on offices of Turkey’s pro-Kurdish party, the Constitutional Court accepted an indictment seeking the closure of the party. But what would a closure mean for the role of Kurdish politics in Turkey’s future?
Biden and Erdogan’s Strategies For Their First Encounter
Despite his announcements to the contrary, Erdogan knows perfectly well that US-Turkey relations cannot be started anew during his tenure. Therefore, the Turkish president’s goal for this meeting will be to push the breaks on the US’s torment of Ankara.
“We can!”: The Rise Of Croatia’s Green-Left Gives Europe Hope
Croatia’s Mozemo!, “We can!”, movement has won local elections in the capital of Zagreb after their surprising success in general elections last year, going to show that a new generation of leftist politicians may be the greatest hope for overthrowing Europe’s populist strongmen.
Erdogan’s Kanal Istanbul Complicates Security Dynamics and International Law
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan seems set on his highly controversial ambitions to break ground on the Kanal Istanbul project, which would see the development of an artificial waterway running parallel to the strategically located Bosphorus Strait. But what does international maritime law say on the topic?
Resistance at Bogazici University Instils Hope for the Future
Students, academics, and communities’ resistance to the political appointment of an incapable rector at Turkey’s prestigious Bogazici University shows that there is still hope for Turkish academia, and the country at large, despite persistent government oppression.
Erdogan’s Turkey Alienates Itself from Moldova’s Turkic Minority
Even though Turkey eyes greater influence over its Turkic kin in Moldova, the Gagauz favor Russia and Turkey’s current foreign policy trajectory leaves it little room to gain leverage.
Untold Legal Principles Favouring Turkey in Aegean Maritime Disputes
Turkish-Greek maritime disputes in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean Seas have a long and complex historical and legal background, yet contrary to common understanding, certain less-known international legal principles favour Turkey
New President, Old Problem: The Israeli-Palestinian Question Under Biden
While significant efforts to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict aren’t expected over the next four years, stabilization could become the focus
Great Expectations and Even Greater Challenges await Biden on the World Stage
With Joe Biden’s election victory, many countries expect the US to once again play a more assertive and constructive role in international and regional affairs. Nonetheless, the Biden administration’s attempts to reengage will undoubtedly be met with significant challenges from Asia, the Middle East, and even Europe.
Erdogan’s Gifts To Balkan Leaders Aren’t Paying Off When It Comes To Foreign Policy
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been giving expensive gifts to Balkan leaders only to see them betray him when it comes to issues of great significance for Turkish foreign policy
An Election with Surprises: Inadequate Polls and Arizona’s Flip
The race between former Vice President Joe Biden and incumbent President Donald Trump was tighter than expected as voters turned out in record-shattering numbers.
Should Britain Play a Role in the East Mediterranean Crisis Before It’s Too Late?
The United Kingdom is unable to adequately respond to many problems, it has a historical responsibility to address around the world as it flounders in the endless Brexit issue and, like the rest of the world, battles with COVID19.
Turkey Isn’t Wrong In the Eastern Mediterranean, Just Alone
Today, Ankara is largely seen as an aggressor in Eastern Mediterranean territorial disputes; however, its claims do have merit like Greek ones, even if its cries fall upon deaf ears after years of President Erdogan’s foreign policy blunders