Geopolitics and International Security
European Defence Readiness 2030: A New Blueprint for Strategic Autonomy
ReArm Europe – Scaling Investment for Credible Deterrence The EU aims to massively boost defense spending and cooperation to build a credible deterrent by 2030. Recommendations: Launch €150B SAFE loan program for joint EU arms procurement. Ease...
NATO at a Crossroads in Trump’s Second Term
Introduction President Donald Trump’s return to the White House in January 2025 has brought a series of abrupt policy shifts that are reverberating across the NATO alliance. In a matter of weeks, longstanding U.S. approaches to European...
India and the EU: Strategic Realignment in the Era of ‘America First’
Key Takeaways EU’s Strategic Response to Trump’s Policies: Trump's second-term "America First" agenda and confrontational stance toward European allies have forced the European Union to reconsider traditional alliances and strategically deepen...
The Transactional Turn in U.S. Foreign Policy: Trump’s Ukraine Policy Shift and Its Implications for Asia-Pacific Alliances
The recent recalibration of U.S. policy on Ukraine under President Trump represents a profound departure from the longstanding American commitment to robust military and economic support for Kyiv—a commitment that has historically underpinned...
Trump’s Gamble: Is the U.S. Trading NATO for a Russia-China Split?
The second Trump administration has ushered in a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, particularly in its approach to Russia. By deprioritizing full support for Ukraine and seeking a diplomatic resolution with Moscow, Trump’s...
The End of an Era: What the US Retreat from European Security Means for the World
Key Takeaways The US is stepping back from European security: For the first time in decades, Washington has signaled that Europe must assume primary responsibility for its own defense, reshaping NATO and altering the continent’s security...
The New U.S.-China Trade War: Strategic Motives, Domestic Consequences, and Global Ramifications
Key Takeaways: Strategic Motives: Trump’s tariffs, aimed at reducing reliance on China and boosting domestic industry, mark a return to protectionism with broader economic and political implications. While the administration frames tariffs as a...
Europe at the Crossroads: Navigating Political and Economic Turbulence Amid Trump’s Return
Key Takeaways Transatlantic Turbulence: The return of Donald Trump as U.S. president signals renewed challenges to U.S.-EU relations, including protectionist trade policies, skepticism toward NATO, unpredictable approaches to the Ukraine...
The Geopolitics of Dependence: NATO, China, and Critical Raw Materials
Introduction Critical raw materials (CRMs) underpin contemporary defense, energy, and technological capabilities. They lie at the heart of advanced military systems, support the expansion of clean energy infrastructures, and enable cutting-edge...
Israel Amid Regional Upheaval: Evaluating Strategic Shifts Since October 7, 2023
The Middle East is undergoing one of its most transformative periods in recent history, characterized by an unprecedented cascade of political, military, and societal shifts. This period of upheaval has reshaped power dynamics and alliances,...
A New Chapter for Syria: Analyzing the Collapse of Assad’s Regime
Key Takeaways A Historic Turning Point: The collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime ends over five decades of authoritarian rule in Syria and opens the door to a new era of hope and uncertainty for the nation and the broader Middle East. The...
ADMM and ADMM-Plus 2024: ASEAN’s Blueprint for a Secure and Resilient Region
Introduction The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has long been recognized as a cornerstone of regional security and cooperation in Southeast Asia. Amidst a rapidly evolving global order marked by geopolitical rivalries,...
Trump’s Hardline Cabinet: Implications for America’s Future with China
Key Takeaways: Hawkish Cabinet Appointments: President-elect Donald Trump has appointed a predominantly hawkish group of individuals to key cabinet positions, signaling a strategic pivot toward a more confrontational U.S. policy on China. Marco...
America First, Again: How Trump’s Return Could Reshape U.S.-Asia Relations
Key Takeaways Economic Competition: Trump is expected to bring back tariffs on China, pushing for economic independence. This could disrupt supply chains and impact economies across Asia. Tech Rivalry: The U.S.-China tech competition is likely...
BRICS in Transition: Aspirations and Challenges from the Kazan Summit
Key Takeaways Ambitious Expansion and Global Influence: The 2024 BRICS Summit underscores the bloc's ambition to challenge the Western-led global system by advocating a more equitable and multipolar world order. The inclusion of 13 new partner...
Assessment of China’s Rise and Great Power Competition: A Review of Global Strategic Trends Out to 2055 Report
Introduction The Global Strategic Trends Out to 2055 (GST7) report, published by the UK Ministry of Defence's Development, Concepts, and Doctrine Centre (DCDC), presents an in-depth analysis of the geopolitical, economic, and societal...
China-Africa Relations in Transition: The 2024 FOCAC Summit and Its Implications
Key Takeaways Financial Commitment: China pledged $50 billion in financial support over the next three years, signalling a shift from large-scale infrastructure projects to more diversified investments in green energy, industry, and digital infrastructure. Green...
Xi Jinping in Europe: Strategic Autonomy and the Shifting Alliances in EU-China Relations
In early May of 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping undertook a significant diplomatic visit to Europe, the first since the global pandemic began. His five-day itinerary included visits to France, Serbia, and Hungary. Each stop on the tour was imbued with meaning and...
Governance, Growth, and Geopolitics: Insights from China’s Two Sessions
The National People's Congress (NPC) of China functions as the paramount organ of state authority, operating as a single-chamber legislature endowed with extensive capabilities, including amending the Constitution, legislating, supervising governmental activities, and...
The Admiral’s New Role: Analysing the Geopolitical Implications of China’s Defense Ministry Shift
The appointment of Admiral Dong Jun as the People's Republic of China's (PRC) Minister of National Defense represents a critical juncture in the nation's military leadership and strategic direction. Dong's ascension to this role, notable for being the first naval...
The Biden-Xi Dialogue: Balancing Competition and Cooperation in a Fragile World
Introduction At the recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in San Francisco, a significant meeting took place, drawing considerable attention in the realm of international politics. This was the dialogue between President Joe Biden of the United States and...
The US and Israel’s War with Hamas
Introduction The situation in Israel and the Gaza Strip is tense. Although there have been numerous attacks in Israel, the present situation appears to be much more extensive than in the past. Coming to the aid of its ally, the United States has sent military forces...
Latest Gaza War to Reshuffle Cards in the Middle East
Background On October 7, 2023, in the next day of the 50th anniversary of the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, the world woke to the news of another terrorist attack where militants of Hamas and Islamic Jihad infiltrated borders around Gaza from land, air and sea to seize...
China’s Rising Power in the Middle East: A New Geopolitical Landscape
The Middle East, a region rich in energy resources, is strategically important for global powers. As the world's largest oil importer, China has steadily increased its influence in the area. This influence is driven by China's energy needs and diplomatic efforts, as...
US-China Relations: Adrift Between Conflict and Tianxia
US-China Relations: Adrift Between Conflict and Tianxia by Mats Radeck[i], Fatih Civrillioglu[ii] October 18, 2022 | 8 min read Introduction On August 2, 2022, Nancy Pelosi visited the island of Taiwan (officially the Republic of China) to underscore America’s...
The potential directions of the Ukraine War in spring 2023
Abstract The Ukraine War slowed down over the past months due to the harsh weather conditions and the high casualties on both sides. Russia and Ukraine will likely launch new offensives between February and April 2023. While Russia’s battlefield destiny lies in its...
Japan: Proactive in the Light of Current Issues
Introduction Following World War II (WWII), just as Germany did, Japan disarmed itself. Since then, the country has prioritized economic development over political and military disputes, and it has determined a foreign policy strategy that fosters stability in its...
COP 27, EU Green Deal, and the Birth Pain of a New International Order
COP 27, the EU Green Deal, and the Birth Pain of a New International Order by İlyas Gülenç* November 22, 2022 | 6 min read Introduction Ending up the fossil fuel addiction of the global economy, which is the main reason for global warming, is a challenging task...
India’s Dilemma over Ukraine
Introduction The war on Ukraine has clearly transformed the political environment in Europe, but it has also divided the world. In this turbulent time, India has positioned itself as neutral, balancing between Russia and the West. While India has not officially...
Global Supply Chain After the 20th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)
Strengthening his position in the Congress after winning the elections for the third time, Xi Jinping raised the Taiwan issue in the Congress. His harsh words and constitutional amendments have stoked up fears of a large-scale military operation against Taiwan. A...
The Implications of Nord Stream-1 Explosion within the Context of the EU Green Deal
The Implications of Nord Stream-1 Explosion within the Context of the EU Green Deal by İlyas Gülenç October 18, 2022 | 8 min read Introduction The latest sabotage attacks damaging the Nord Stream-1 pipeline, which carries one-third of the imported natural gas...
The New Global Order in the Making
The New Global Order in the MakingGeopolitics Task Force Brief by Onur Sultan[i], Mats Radeck[ii], Jeremy Alan Garlick[iii], Olena Snigyr[iv], Charles Joseph Sullivan[v] October 5, 2022 | 10 min read Background On August 29, 2022, the Ukrainian military...
Iran: The Beginning of a Feminist Revolution
Iran: The Beginning of a Feminist Revolution by Mats Radeck[i] and Avin Khodakarim[ii] October 5, 2022 | 10 min read For about four weeks, the people of Iran have been taking to the streets and were met by the extraordinary force of the Islamic regime. Often,...
Follow-Up: Saied’s Project of Democratic Backsliding
Background In 2011, the Jasmine revolution brought Tunisia’s president Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali to fall and ended an entrenched dictatorship. The momentum further spread to other countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and initiated a protest movement...
Tension in Taiwan increase as Western-Chinese rivalry intensifies
Background On August 2, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made a controversial visit to Taiwan while on a tour in Asia to show support for US Allies. At the beginning of her trip in Singapore on July 31, there was no mention of a visit to Taiwan. However, speculations...
Assessing Germany’s Potential Responsibility in a Rearming Europe
Introduction Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has moved the topic of defence to the epicentre of the political debate in the transatlantic zone. Responding to the new circumstances, the German government recently announced a massive scale-up of the country’s defence...
Finland and Sweden to Become NATO Allies Soon
While the discussions and musings on “strategic autonomy” after Brexit flooded corridors of EU, the brutal invasion of Ukraine by Russia brought back memories of Cold War. The war unleashed all sorts of strategic thinking at EU, NATO and European capitals. Naturally,...
Green or Brown Future for The World: Geopolitical Dimensions of The Eu Green Deal
Green or Brown Future for The World: Geopolitical Dimensions of The Eu Green Deal by İlyas Gülenç* June 24, 2022 | 13 min read Rising energy prices, ongoing negative impacts of the pandemic, and dependence on Russian natural gas have created a harsh political...
EU-NATO and the Eastern Partnership Countries Against Hybrid Threats: From the EU Global Strategy till the war in Ukraine
In a period of geopolitical shocks, intensifying competition, regional shifts, external pressures, and rapid changes in the security environment, it is important to pay attention to instability drivers and threats that can affect the EU and NATO and their partners....
Vote Abstention in France
On April 24 2022, the second round of the French presidential elections took place with a 28% vote abstention rate.[1] In the first round of the elections, this rate was even lower, at 26.31%. The strong competition between France's two historical parties goes a long...
Tunisia’s Deadlocked Situation: President Saied Takes the Authoritarian Exit
Introduction On the 25th of July 1957, Tunisia was stripped of its monarchical superstructure and became a republic. 64 years later, this day is still special to Tunisians. However, besides festivities and protests, it has recently gained a further meaningful...
Will Sweden break with its military non-aligned policy?
The ongoing Russian war on Ukraine has abruptly transformed the political landscape in not only Europe, but also the world. In Scandinavia, political tensions are high as both Finland and Sweden are discussing the future of their security policies and potentially...
China’s Options in the Ukraine War: Bandwagoning with Russia or Being a Real Mediator
China’s Options in the Ukraine War: Bandwagoning with Russia or Being a Real Mediator by Tom Peeters April 15, 2022 | 12 min read Introduction Fukayama described the end of the Cold War as the completion of the ideological evolution of humanity and claimed...
Why Cold War is Not Such a Bad Idea
Depuis l’annexion de la Crimée, l’OTAN et l’UE peinent à trou- ver la juste réponse face au regain d’agressivité de la politique étrangère russe. En dépit de sa condamnation unanime de l’agression, la classe politique occidentale n’a jamais été à même de forcer la...
A Quick Overview of the Strategic Compass
A bit of a History The EU’s first strategy document, European Security Strategy, dates back to 2003, in the wake of the longstanding Cold War. Penned at a time of enormous hope, prosperity and an absence of a global rival, the EU’s self-confidence is reflected...
War in Ukraine: How NATO Responds and What NATO Summit Statement Tells?
War in Ukraine changed the security and defence perception in Europe drastically. Twenty-three years after the war in Kosovo, Europe witnessed another war inside its borders, this time between much more capable sides and with far-reaching effects. The war between the...
The EU Energy Dependency on Russia and Historic Opportunity for Independence
The EU Energy Dependency on Russia and Historic Opportunity for Independence To exact a toll on Russia after its offensive into Ukraine and to squeeze channels that feed Russian military and economic might, the EU tries to impose onerous sanctions on the Russian...
Russian Invasion of Ukraine, China and Towards a New Global Order
Russian Invasion of Ukraine, China and Towards a New Global Order by Ibrahim Genc[1], Tuba Yalinkilic[2], Yunus Erbas[3] March 11, 2022| 13 min read Background In the Beijing Winter Olympic opening ceremony on February 4, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin and...
A new Russian “peaceful” attempt: Invasion of Ukraine
Europe and the Western World has been experiencing a big new wakeup call after Russian Armed Forces initiated its invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022. Putin announced a "special military operation" to "demilitarise and denazify" Ukraine with “no intention to...
For a new range of sanctions against Moscow
Sanctions have been considered by international relations scholars as states mechanisms to influence other governments on their policies. While the traditional view on sanctions implemented by J. Galtung and the Oslo Institute portrays sanctions as an instrument to...
International Law Aspect of Russian-Ukraine Tension
1. Deepening Crisis in the International System The ongoing tension between transatlantic alliance and Russia over the invasion of Ukraine is a clear sign showing the break in the functioning of the international system that was established after the WWII. Ukraine...
Could Turkey Close the Straits to Russian Warships
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who amassed over 100,000 Russian troops around Ukraine in recent months but denied having any intention of invading the country, on Thursday launched a full-scale war in Ukraine, drawing international condemnation. The invasion of...
Can the US Dropping its Support from the EastMed Pipeline Change the Calculus of the Game in the Eastern Mediterranean?
Can the US Dropping its Support from the EastMed Pipeline Change the Calculus of the Game in the Eastern Mediterranean? by Furkan AKAR, Saban YUKSEL February 10, 2022| 10 min read Background The US notified Greece regarding its decision to withdraw the support from...
Repercussions of the Tension between Russia and the West over Ukraine on the Black Sea
Russian Objection to the Enhanced Relationship Between NATO and Ukraine The mobilisation of more than one hundred thousand Russian troops around the border of Ukraine rings an alarm for the transatlantic Alliance. The growing relationship between Ukraine and NATO and...
Making Sense of the Recent Unrest in Kazakhstan
Geopolitics Task Force Brief by Samet Coban(1), Victoria Clement(2), Hasan Suzen(3), Charles J. Sullivan(4), Saban Yuksel(5), Robert M. Cutler(6), and Onur Sultan(7) January 12, 2022| 12 min read Background On January 2 (Sunday), a spike in liquified petroleum gas...
The Belarus Crisis: the Weaponisation of Migration
“Nowadays, the security environment is more unpredictable and challenging to address. The environment to global security is seen as a challenge and emerging tool for peace and stability. For instance, autocratic regimes use all means and ways to fulfil their goals....
China-U.S. Tech war: New Hegemony
On 14 May 2021, China became the second country to have successfully landed a rover on Mars after its Zhurong spacecraft touched down on the surface of the red planet. Zhurong (祝融), carrying the name of the “god of fire” in ancient Chinese mythology, was the sixth...
Migratory Turmoil on the Mediterranean Sea
Political instability and poverty in various regions have long been sources of migration. However treacherous the routes through the Mediterranean Sea may be, many are willing to risk their lives and that of their family in hopes of bettering their future. The unusual...
Too Late Too Little: An Assessment on the Current State of Play in Libya
In the last couple of weeks, things in Libya are moving so slowly. There is no significant development on the political, economic, diplomatic or military front. Libya’s interim Government, the Government of National Unity (GNU), is not making any progress in preparing...
The EU’s Permanent Structured Cooperation: a new motor for transatlantic relations?
Executive Summary The European The European Union’s Permanent and Structured Cooperation (PESCO) understandably captures the attention of policymakers and experts due to the engagements member states committed to and the consequences for the EU’s defence architecture...
Israel – Hamas Fight Has Potential to Spiral into a Wider Conflict
Background In the week between May 1 and May 7, Palestinians started protesting against an incoming Israeli Supreme Court decision, expected to evict six Palestinian refugee families residing in Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in East Jerusalem. The move framed by...
New White House Administration’s Policy Towards China
The US policy toward China has come under the spotlight after the first high-level talks between the two countries in Alaska. This was the first serious US contact with the country since election of President Biden. On January 20, 2021, Joe Biden was officially...
The US – Jordan Defense Cooperation Agreement*
1. Background: The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi on 21 March announced that Jordan made a defence agreement with the United States that allows free entry of US forces, aircraft, and vehicles onto the kingdom’s territory. The...
Not Like in the Old Days: The Iran Nuclear Deal After the US Elections and Its Implications for the MENA Region
MENA Policy Brief No:8 by Furkan Akar, Hasan Suzen, Ibrahim Jouhari, Nour Aldahabreh, Onur Sultan, Ramazan Turkmen, Saban Yuksel APRIL13, 2021 | 14 min read Background On May 8, 2018, the Trump administration withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action...
The Raising Dispute in the South China Sea
The one-China principle asserts that there is only one sovereign state under the name of ‘China’. Both People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Republic of China (ROC or Taiwan) claim that sovereignty should belong to one power. The roots of the principle go back to...
Time to Focus on Building European Security Resilience: Move from Deterring Russian Aggression to Overcoming the Core Problems
Today, in this strange and difficult time of reformatting the global international order, which is already complicated by globalization and a pandemic, the European Union as a community based on the liberal values has no choice but to accept their leadership role as...
The Current State of Play in Libya
MENA Policy Brief No:7 The Current State of Play in Libya: The Repercussions of the New-Elected Interim Government for the Libyan Peace by Erman Atak, Furkan Akar, Hasan Suzen, Ibrahim Jouhari, Saban Yuksel FEBRUARY 19, 2021 | 11 min read Background - On 5th of...
The Trump legacy: Morphing GWOT into Major Power Warfare
The Trump presidency has set into motion the geostrategic and political-economic dynamics that have begun to morph the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) into Major Power Warfare— or what the US State Department euphemistically calls Great Power Competition. Since the...
The Arab Spring After Ten Years: Drawing the Balance Sheet in Egypt, Libya, Syria, and Yemen
MENA Policy Brief No:6 by Emre Bilgin, Erman Atak, Furkan Akar, Hasan Suzen, Ibrahim Jouhari, Onur Sultan, Saban Yuksel JANUARY 18, 2021 | 18 min read Background Ten years passed since Mohamed Bouazizi, a 26-year-old street vendor, set himself on fire in...
Iran Struggles to Fill the Vacuum Left by Soleimani
A year after Iran’s most renowned general was assassinated in a U.S. drone strike, Tehran is still struggling to recover from the loss. While Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani left behind an entire bureaucracy called the Quds Force – the overseas operations arm of the...
NATO-Turkey Relations in a Turbulent Environment: The Military Dimension of NATO-Turkey Relations
NATO-Turkey Relations Policy Brief-Beyond the Horizon ISSG by Samet Coban*, Furkan Akar** DECEMBER 2020 | 12 min read For understanding NATO-Turkey relations: "…You can just look at the map." NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg [1] 1. Background: Changing...
The New Balance of Power in the Mediterranean: The Current Geopolitical Landscape
MENA Task Force Brief by Emre Bilgin, Erman Atak, Furkan Akar, Hasan Suzen, Ibrahim Jouhari, Onur Sultan, Ramazan Turkmen, Saban YUKSEL DECEMBER 09, 2020 | 12 min read Background Discoveries of new energy resources in the Mediterranean started a scramble for...
How will Biden Presidency shape US Policy towards the MENA Region?
MENA Task Force Brief by Emre Bilgin, Erman Atak, Furkan Akar, Hasan Suzen, Ibrahim Jouhari, Onur Sultan, Samet Coban, Zafer Kizilkaya NOVEMBER 10, 2020 | 12 min read Background On November 3, Americans judged the presidency of Donald Trump, who is an outlier...
Soft Power & Global Ambition: The Case of China’s Growing Reach in Europe
Abstract This paper argues that Chinese state-owned enterprises and financial instruments facilitate China's exercise of soft power and the execution of its grand strategy. Chinese investments provide an increasingly dense network of commercial links through which...
The UAE-Israel Normalization – What Does It Exactly Mean?
MENA Task Force Brief by Ibrahim Jouhari, Emre Bilgin, Zafer Kizilkaya, Erman Atak, Onur Sultan, Furkan Akar, Hasan Suzen OCTOBER 16, 2020| 9 min read Background On June 19, UAE-affiliated Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces wrested control of the Socotra...
Questioning the Sectarian Discourse: A more Holistic Look into Changing Dynamics of the Syrian Civil War
Abstract The main effort in this article is to find out the main causes of the Syrian Civil War via questioning the common discourse that presents sectarian fault lines as the main cause. In this context, this article argues that instead of a reductionist sectarian...
CSDP Partnership in EUFOR RCA*
Introduction EUFOR RCA was the EU’s military operation in the Central African Republic[1], launched on 1 April 2014. The EU started to search for partners from the very beginning and cooperated with the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU) and the selected third...
The Prime Minister election’s, and government formation in Lebanon
After seven long months, during which the Lebanese went through a popular uprising, a COVID 19 pandemic, a worsening economic and financial crisis, currency devaluation, and a large explosion that destroyed parts of Beirut, the government of Hassan Diab has resigned....
A basic primer on Lebanon’s political changes
Lebanese ministers and MPs have been resigning in drove following the tragic explosion in the port of Beirut, and the subsequent popular anger against the whole political class. On Saturday a huge demonstration took place, and the following day popular movement...
The end of Lebanon’s Liberal model?
The current multifaceted crisis engulfing Lebanon has started a very dangerous political and economic shift that could have a disastrous effect on Lebanon’s Liberal economic model in the long run. Indeed, the liberal model, focusing on personal freedoms,...
Conditions Change, but Stalemate Stays: Dangerous game in Libya
By Erman Atak* and Stefano Marcuzzi** Despite the growing number of Covid-19 victims in Libya in mid-May,[1] the civil war in the country is reaching new highs. The capital Tripoli has been under siege from the leader of eastern Libya-based self-styled Libyan...
A year has passed since Khalifa Haftar’s attack on the Libyan capital, Tripoli
Slightly more than a year passed over start of retired General Khalifa Haftar’s attack on the Libyan capital, Tripoli. It was on April 4, 2019 exactly, a time when Libyans were awaiting the holding of the Libyan Forum on April 14, 2019 in the city of Ghadames as a...
A Europe that Protects? U.S. Opportunities in EU Defense*
What’s New in European Defense? Europe is pursuing significant new defense initiatives that span capability development, policy, and institutional cooperation. Many of these efforts occur under the auspices of the European Union and are part of the EU’s longstanding...
Regional Security in the Middle East**
“Regional Security in the Middle East” by Pinar Bilgin is an amalgamation of efforts to depict and understand the interactive dynamics of security and security agenda in / for the Middle East. Even though Regions and Powers by Buzan and Waewer succeeds in giving an...
An Alternative China
China is gradually turning into a country that closes the shutters. There is a giant in front of us and walls grow in front of it as it grows. We will not be able to see what is happening behind the wall; there is not much left, except for a tiny ray leaking out. Just...
Changes of The Border Notion from A Historical Perspective and China’s Approach to the ENP
Introduction European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) in a way relates to a geographical and political border concept. To understand how China looks at the EU and the world, first we need to understand China’s perception of border. Accordingly, the main objective of this...
Oil Crash Future Ramifications-2020
April 20th, 2020, was a historic and shocking day for oil investors as West Texas Intermediate (WTI) went below zero for the first time in history. This more-to-follow crisis was highly expected as indicated in my previous commentary. It’s a common view among not only...
Polarisation: Understanding the dynamics of Us versus Them**
Bart Brandsma’s book at hand is a timely and precious contribution considering the time we live in. The book opens up the debate on how to manage divergent voices and preserve public order while respecting the democratic right of free speech and free articulation of...
Rethinking Security Governance**
The term security governance has become a buzzword in the realm of security studies, especially after 9/11 attacks. Yet, there are few empirical works on the unintended consequences of security governance and no work on conceptualizing and theorizing the concept....
China and the Global Governance in Post-COVID-19 Era
Chinese scholars have always considered the EU to be destined for destruction; while considering NATO to be unnecessary. According to them the biggest problem of the EU is its failure to achieve political unification. On the other hand, conditions during the cold war,...
Oil Politics During the Corona Outbreak
Corona virus has started affecting a large extent aspect of our lives, particularly in social and economic fields, of which this unprecedentedly fast-spreading novel virus seems to surge dramatically and worsen the situation for unpredictable amount of time. Yet,...
The Making of a Superpower
China’s Use of Crises To Deepen and Extend Power and Influence In Europe and the World. Standing in solidarity with countries in Europe and elsewhere in the fight against COVID-19China scores a diplomatic coup and extends its claim to global leadership. Overview In...
Is COVID-19 an End to Unipolar Global System? What May be the Role of NATO in the New System?
The whole world is trying to find out how to fight against the new coronavirus. The level of anxiety increases as the virus' spreading speed increases. As Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, stated humanity is facing the biggest disaster since World War II. Curfews are...
What is happening in Idlib province?
Several weeks ago, the Syrian regime decided to take one of the last holdouts of the rebels, in Idlib. The area is right at the border with Turkey, and after the Sochi agreement, Turkey has a military presence there in the form of several observation posts, ensuring...
A Fragile Agreement for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan
February 29, 2020 is marked as one of the most important dates in the recent history of Afghanistan. After two decades of turmoil that claimed the lives of approximately 157,000 people (of more than 43,000 are civilians and 4,000 are coalition soldiers (nearly 2,500...
Is there a possibility of leaving the Montreux Convention?
The reemergence of the Canal Istanbul project brought some discussions on the Montreux Straits Convention on the agenda. The Treaty of Lausanne and Montreux Straits Convention were proof of the existence of the newly established Republic of Turkey and are a symbol of...
Will Prime Minister Hassan Diab be another Hoss or a Mikati?
Prime Minister Hassan Diab government has finally won the parliament’s confidence vote this Tuesday, with one of the lowest scores in the modern history of Lebanon, managing only 63 votes out of 128. The day witnessed massive popular protests, that tried to derail the...
Westlessness in Munich Security Conference 2020
56th Munich Security Conference (MSC) took place between 14-16 February 2020. Regarded as Davos of foreign and security policy circles, MSC serves as a platform to exchange ideas for high-profile decision-makers all over the world. Traditionally, a report is published...
Crisis in Afghanistan is Getting Deeper
Afghanistan is struck by severe armed violence and political impasse. Peace talks are seemingly going nowhere, circling around requests for; a reduction in violence by the U.S. (which has never happened), a peace deal between the U.S. and the Taliban before Taliban...
Berlin Conference; Keeping the promises is the key to success!
Merkel highlighted two main results of the Berlin Conference; the first one is continuation of a fragile truce, which could turn into a permanent cease-fire through military committee negotiations of the warring factions and the second one is the re-commitment of the...
