Is Turkey’s recent spelling change about being more authentically Turkish? Or is there more to the story? In June 2022, the United Nations agreed to change the spelling of the country known in the English-speaking world as Turkey to Türkiye, heeding a request by the government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In January 2023, the U.S. State Department also …
Read More »Low Expectations: A Year of Renewal for the EU-Turkey Relationship
Grand bargains are tough to achieve but, eventually, Turkey and the EU will have to strike up a working partnership whereby they cooperate on some issues and compete on others.
Read More »Qatar Hugs and Makes Up with its Warring Neighbors – But Will it Last?
With so few issues apparently actually resolved, it’s little wonder that it took just days for new signs of tension to reappear after the agreement.
Read More »In Focus: Military’s ‘Influence in Politics’ in Turkey and Pakistan
Why the coups have always been bloodless in Pakistan? Because the people knew the leaders were corrupt to the core and had made their lives miserable. In Turkey, the "leader was not corrupt" and that's why the 2016 coup was defeated.
Read More »What Drives Turkey’s Growing Influence in Africa?
Turkey has managed to avoid becoming embroiled in many of Africa’s local political quagmires. Instead, it came with a strong commitment that focused on direct aid, infrastructure and transportation projects, as well as mutually beneficial economic partnerships.
Read More »Hopes for the Future Dashed: Balkans Security After the French Veto
The European Council’s failure to open accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania could mark a turning point for peace in the Western Balkans.
Read More »India’s Hypocritical ‘Exceptionalism’, and Geopolitics
Indian government’s anxiety is understandable due to its failed and failing policies both at home and in the region, from a floundering economy to a serious mistake in Kashmir to a completely sidelined position in the context of Afghan issues. However, what India fails to understand that no matter whatever its size or its economy’s sliding international appeal, it has to live in a region, with neighbors.
Read More »Erdoğan’s Control Over Turkey is Ending – What Comes Next?
The aura of Erdoğan’s invincibility seems to be dissipating and Turkey appears to be nearing the day that the transfer of power is viewed as a normal and nonexceptional part of political life.
Read More »How Turkey and Saudi Arabia Became Frenemies
The disappearance and alleged murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi is worsening relations between US allies Turkey and Saudi Arabia. An expert on the region believes there may be a way out.
Read More »The Refugee Crisis in Greece
For thousands of refugees, the Mediterranean Sea is the last obstacle. On distant shores lies Greece, a center for displaced persons. In 2016 alone, over 50,000 refugees applied for asylum in Greece. Thousands more are to join their ranks since then. Hundreds drown in capsized vessels and makeshift rafts every year — a grim testament to the hardships many refugees are willing to endure for the chance at a better life.
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