Article Category: Geopolitics

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...

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...

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,...

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,...

It is evident that Turkey has been trying to mend fences with countries with whom its relationship has deteriorated, often as a result of initiatives taken by the Turkish government. For example, Turkey’s relationship with Egypt was paralyzed when Abdul Fettah Sisi overthrew the Muslim Brotherhood government headed by Mohammed Mursi. Turkey’s negative reaction to...

I trust it has not escaped the attention of observers of Turkish foreign policy that the current Greek government is pursuing an active policy of mobilizing neighbors, friends, and allies against Turkey to isolate it in the region by limiting its access to the sea, rendering it militarily weaker by both increasing its military capabilities...

Recent plans put forth by Joseph Borrell, the European Union (EU) foreign minister, calling for the development of a 5000-strong, rapid-deployment European defense force, is another indicator of the Union’s aspirations to develop military capabilities and to be a powerful autonomous actor in the security domain. A similar aspiration led to a decision in 2007...

Although more than a week has lapsed since the Turkish President Erdogan and his American counterpart, President Biden met on the fringes of the G-20 Summit in Rome, debate continues to rage as regards what transpired at the meeting. It has become somewhat established by now that Turkey’s public statements about what happens at international...

Even as the Taliban government in Afghanistan struggles to take shape, plans to re-open the international airport in Kabul are already in motion. Turkey is still vying to play a central role in that process, as well as the future operation of the airport. As of writing, a Qatari technical team was on the ground...

After weeks of trying to persuade the Taliban that Turkey should command the security of Kabul airport, the Erdogan government appears to have relented and ordered the evacuation of the Turkish military contingent. Presidential Advisor Ibrahim Kalin has intimated that Turkey still hopes to offer its services to operate the airport. Whether the Taliban government...