BY PROFESSOR ILTER TURAN During the week, Turks celebrated the 100th Anniversary of the commencement of the “Grand Campaign,” the “Commander in Chief ’s Battle,” and “Victory Day.” These events mark the last stage in the Turkish War of National Independence where a campaign against the occupying Greek armies culminated in their disastrous defeat and...
Author: Prof. Ilter Turan (Prof. Ilter Turan)
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Turkey and Sweden must agree on differences
PROFESSOR ILTER TURAN The debate regarding the accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO continues. Turkey insists that these countries should reconsider their policies which, for all practical purposes, amount to extending support to the PKK that conducts acts of terrorism against Turkey, operating mainly from Iraq and to a lesser degree from Syria. The...
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A new approach to allegations of armenian genocide is needed
PROFESSOR ILTER TURAN It has now evolved into an annual ritual. As April 24 approaches, the Turkish government starts waiting for the words the American president will use in commemorating the fate the Armenians suffered in 1915, shortly after the Ottoman Empire entered the First World War. For years, the American leadership abstained from using...
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The outcome of the French election is problematic: OPINION
BY PROFESSOR ILTER TURAN Elections in democratic countries may sometimes produce unexpected results. Most recently, in addition to being unexpected, some results have also been undesirable. Although the victory of Orban might have been expected, for example, his margin of victory exceeded expectations. Equally importantly, it was hoped that Mr, Orban, whose commitment to liberal...
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Is the war in Ukraine a window of opportunity for Turkey?
BY PROFESSOR ILTER TURAN Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, countries affected by the Russian military action have tried to evaluate its implications. As the invasion has progressed, the West (the U.S., members of NATO, and the EU) have introduced an escalating series of mainly economic sanctions. These sanctions have increased the...
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Ukraine is one problem among many: OPINION
BY PROFESSOR ILTER TURAN The crisis in Ukraine has monopolized the news during the recent weeks. If a man from space read the newspaper headlines, he might easily conclude that the world has a single problem. If an agreement could be reached, then the world would indeed become a happy place, that man would think....
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It will be difficult to adress the Russian challenge without leadership
The challenge that Russia has mounted against NATO, the European Union, and the United States ( briefly, the West) in Ukraine continues unresolved, perpetuating fears that at some point Russian forces might invade their neighbor. Western nations warn that while they do not intend to use their own militaries to meet the Russian threat, they...
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Russian-Ukrainian conflict: difficult choices for Turkey
The escalating conflict between Russia and Ukraine (supported by its Western allies) presents Turkey with numerous difficulties. Despite often competitive engagements with Russia, in recent years Turkey has managed to maintain balanced relations with its northern neighbor. The Russian moves, interpreted as preparations for an invasion of Ukraine, or parts of it, has prompted a...
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The dangers of Ukraine
Some wars are started deliberately by one country against another but many may break out not because any of the warring parties initially planned or even desired it, but a string of mutual misjudgments have created a situation in which fighting has become the only option. These days Russia and the U.S., backed by NATO,...
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Turkey gets a new U.S. ambassador
During the Trump administration, there was a long period during which US-Turkish relations proceeded without an American ambassador. Although the failure to appoint an ambassador is sometimes employed as an instrument to communicate messages to the other side that there are problems in the relationship, in Mr. Trump’s case, it was more one of indifference,...