|
See All Tags
|
Tags
Most popular
All items tagged Turkey
Open Think Tank Articles
Memo 21: Amid growing fears of Turkey moving away from the West, atlantic-community.org presents the findings from its special analysis week on Turkey. Members agree that Turkey’s foreign policy should not be misinterpreted as a shift East and call upon the US and the EU to start embracing Turkey’s growing influence.
... More
Deniz Sonalp: The Cyprus conflict has been waiting to be resolved since the island was partitioned in 1963. It is not only a problem between the two communities on the island; it is also an international matter which has important effects on the political positions of many states.
... More
Brian Katulis: Turkey and the US need to coordinate their efforts in South Asia, Iraq, Iran and the Arab-Israeli conflict, towards common goals. In order to make progress on his ambitious policy agenda for the Middle East, Obama needs Turkey. To this end, improving US- Turkish bilateral ties is a first crucial step.
... More
Sonja Davidovic: Turkey can play a key role in overcoming existing hurdles to the realization of the Nabucco pipeline project, which will augment Europe’s energy security. In return the EU should assist Turkey on its path to EU membership.
... More
Ghassan Dahhan: Europe should be alerted by Turkey’s foreign policy shift and start treating Turkey as a respected ally, by offering Turkey real EU membership prospects. Turkey is of major strategic importance to Europe and it is up to the politicians of EU member states to alter public opinion.
... More
Leah McFarland: The EU is competing with other countries for Turkey as an energy transit hub. Giving Turkey membership in the EU would not only enhance the economic and political stability of the country, but would also ensure a much needed energy infrastructure for the EU.
... More
Mark Brzezinski: The US has missed opportunities to make sensible progress in India and Iran. In both cases, the United States should be promoting constructive engagement rather than undercutting long-held nonproliferation doctrine.
... More
Jan Bittner: The West must acknowledge the disastrous dimensions of the Iraq refugee crisis. First, the most urgent needs must be addressed; second, prospects for the refugees must be developed in the region. The most vulnerable refugees need shelter in the West.
... More
Jan Bittner: The Middle East is facing the largest refugee crisis since 1948. Syria, the country which has so far accepted the most Iraqi migrants, has now changed its policy.
... More
Joerg Wolf: Noting the high stakes for the continent and its limited capabilities, European analysts suggest that Europe should pursue different policies than the US or make support dependent on more involvement in the decision-making process.
... More
Irem Köker: I identify the issues to watch for between Turkey and the United States. Although the majority party remains in power, new developments on the Kurds, the Armenian genocide question and Turkey’s energy deal with Iran could have lasting consequences.
... More
Yiorghos Leventis: The AKP’s recent election victory is not simply a blessing for the party: the specter of violent reaction by the country’s military establishment still looms large. The EU should reward Turkish reforms towards EU membership.
... More
Global Must Read Articles
Discussions on Turkey’s EU membership tend to neglect the fact that the country’s strategic significance has skyrocketed since the end of the Cold War. From the standpoint of Western interests, Turkey plays a key role in conflict resolution from the Balkans to the Middle East, the Caucasus and Central Asia, to the Persian Gulf region. It is hence essential that the United States and the
... More
Since assuming power, the AK Party in Turkey has shifted foreign policy eastward. ++ Turkey should continue to strengthen ties with Asia politically, economically, and culturally. ++ This policy shift can be seen through Turkey’s increased trade with Asian countries and greater presence in Asian international organizations such as ASEAN and CICA. ++ “Turkey feels the need to pursue a
... More
Turkey’s motives are being questioned within the European Union over its growing connections with Iran. ++ Some argue that Ankara could further the Union’s policies concerning Iran’s nuclear capabilities, while others contend that Western efforts will be frustrated by “lessening that country’s sense of isolation.” ++ The West risks ruining its own relationship with Turkey over short-term
... More
The growing opposition against the accession of Turkey to the EU is a dangerous development. ++ In recent months Turkey has been a very active player in the Middle East, signalling its fatigue with the EU and demonstrating its importance as a regional player. ++ A European Turkey would enable Europe to compete with regional powers and provide access to a region that is of crucial importance to
... More
Armenia and Azerbaijan have some lessons to learn from the Turkish-Armenian reconciliation, where the employment of soft power and public diplomacy created the enabling environment for the signing of bilateral protocols. ++ Although Azerbaijani President İlham Aliyev and Armenian president Sarskyan support a resolution, they struggle to ‘sell’ it to their citizens. ++ Turkey should
... More
The lingering conflict between Turkish and Greek Cypriots needs to be resolved now the conflict is riper than ever before. ++ Although Turkey has demonstrated a benevolent commitment to defusing the conflict, internal Cypriot politics are standing in the way of a peace deal. ++ This is where Lebanon, a valuable friend to Cyprus, should step in and use its leverage to convince both parties of the
... More
This summer will mark 50 years since Turkey first asked to join the EU, a feat it still cannot achieve. ++ Despite this “Turkey’s leaders say they remain committed to their bid, however long it takes” even though public support is quickly falling away. ++ The EU should make an earnest commitment to Turkey joining eventually as not to continue to undermine the complex reform process
... More
The Turkish-Russian relationship has improved immensely since Turkey’s setback in its EU accession plans. ++ Despite supporting Europe’s Nabucco pipeline project Ankara also cooperates with Russia over gas supplies. ++ “If Turkey still had hopes for EU membership, it probably would have reacted differently” to Russia’s interest. ++ There is no reason for Ankara to coordinate its
... More
Turkey’s rapprochement with Syria shows its transformation to a confident regional player. ++ The foreign policy crafted by the Islamist regime has three focuses, making Turkey a valuable international partner: to forge ties with Iran, politically and economically, be a respected mediator vis-à-vis the US; be a respected broker in the Middle East, regarding the Arab-Israeli and Iraqi
... More
The election of President Obama created hope that realism will cease to determine US foreign policy. ++ But the changing attitude of Obama towards the Armenian genocide prioritizes American-Turkish relations—and American national interest—over human rights and international justice. ++ The emphasis on the strategic interest reveals that it would be “naive” for the Greek
... More
The Turkish Parliament has voted in favor of a motion allowing female deputies to wear trousers — symbol of freedom and equality of the sexes — when working. ++ As straightforward as it may be, this must not be taken for granted in Turkey where during the 90s women entering the House wearing trousers were forced to leave and repeated attempts to remove this ban failed. ++ Thus the “Yes,”
... More
Developments in Turkey since AKP’s accession to power in 2002 are seriously compromising the special relation between Ankara and the West. ++ Activities at both the domestic — discrimination against women — and international level — rapprochement with Iran — are alarming. ++ Antisemitism is also rising: the “Jewish community is being threatened: businesses are being boycotted, and instances
... More
The US-Turkey bilateral relation is under strain due to disagreement over policy under the Bush administration and many hope that the change of Presidency will bring a change of feeling. ++ However, this might not be the whole story as the Turkish governing party also shares part of the blame. ++ Under AKP, anti-Americanism has been growing stronger in the media, with false and inaccurate
... More
Over the last year Turkey has accomplished more in the Middle East than the entire transatlantic contingent. ++ Last week Erdogan negotiated with the Afghan and Pakistani presidents over economic projects, in which both countries are interested. ++ The Turkish Parliament is not only preparing further projects in the Gaza strip, but is also promoting talks between Israel and Syria regarding the
... More
Intelligence sharing between the US and Turkey has forced the PKK out of the countryside and into the cities, bringing their violent attacks with them. ++ Further security measures, such as protected bus routes and tightened defenses around static targets, are needed to prevent future strikes. ++ Having failed to construct a separatist movement among the Kurds, the PKK now turns its attention to
... More
Will Turkey side with the US, its NATO ally, and give it access to the Black Sea to assist Georgia, or will it choose Russia? ++ Russia is warning Turkey that it will hold it responsible if US ships do not leave. ++ Turkey depends on Russian gas and, more importantly, the two countries share many negative opinions about the US. ++ Azerbaijan and Armenia are worried about a Turkish-Russian
... More
Last week Turkey narrowly averted a catastrophe when its Constitutional Court turned back state prosecutors’ motion to disband the ruling Justice and Development Party by only one vote. ++ Had the prosecutor succeeded in his request the will of Turkish voters would have been disregarded and Turkey’s chances for EU membership ruined. ++ Such a ruling was a victory not only for Turkey, but
... More
While Turkey’s judiciary, with support from its bureaucratic and military elite, threatens to disband the AKP, the US remains reluctant to take sides. ++ The US should realize that these anti-democratic groups are not necessarily more pro-Western, and formulate a clear pro-democracy policy towards Turkey. ++ Staying non-committal will be viewed by the majority of Turks as hypocritical pragmatism,
... More
The EU’s treatment of Turkish democracy is “more functional and opportunistic than principled.” ++ In its recent condemnation of the Turkish judiciary, the EU wrongly interpreted secularism as a threat to democracy while simultaneously disregarding the rule of law, separation of powers, and independence of the judiciary. ++ Accession negotiations and pulling Turkey toward the EU are more
... More
The significant and growing contribution of emerging markets to the global economy demonstrates the strategic importance for the OECD to cooperate and engage with them, with an ultimate view to membership. ++ Countries like Turkey also have much to gain from the OECD’s knowledge of good policy practices. ++ The OECD’s platforms and instruments would provide for “increased
... More
Ankara’s belligerence threatens Iraq’s fledgling democratic institutions, and encourages other neighbors such as Iran and Syria to settle disputes within Iraqi territory, writes Jamaa Alatwani for the Iraqi newspaper Kitabat.
Cataloged by the European Union and the United States as a terrorist organization, the PKK finds opposition but also support among Iraq’s Kurdish MPs, as some remain
... More
There is growing doubt among Turks that democracy can thrive within their country, reports Robert Ruby of the Pew Research Center. Pew Global Attitudes surveys indicate that, in conjunction with recent turmoil over presidential elections, concerns are increasing over the growing role of Islam in domestic politics. According to Ruby, the events of early May could intensify fears that mixing
... More
Comments
|
