Atilla's Musings

What has Erdogan learned from Soleimani’s killing?

Source:al Monitor Date:12Jan2020

This article by veteran Turkish political affairs reporter Mrs Pinar Trembley is a jewel. It covers not only Turkey-Iran dynamics, but how skillfully Erdogan needs to balance Iran vs Trump.

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Libya’s War of the Many

Source:Carnegie Europe Date:04Jan2020

How will Turkey’s interference in Libyan civil war end?   Ultimately, U.S. and Europe inaction opens the door to multipolarity in Libya, with Turkey and Russia jointly filling the

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Turkey’s Gunboat Gambit in the Mediterranean

Source:Gatestone Institute Date:31Dec2019

This article explains Erdogan’s involvement in the Libyan civil war, as well as giving a very comprehensive acount of Turkish naval build-up.   With the al-Sarraj handshake, Erdoğan is

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Turkey’s Grand Plans for Middle East Primacy

Source:The National Interest Date:22Dec2019

A thorugh analysis of Turkey’s regional policy steps and the strategy underneath.  Also, sympathetic to Turkish view.  Yet, this author must remind the readers that Imperial Overreach has

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Talking Turkey, Islamism, and Genocide on Capitol Hill

Source:Middle East Forum Date:17Dec2019

Editor’s Note:  I dopn’t agree with the discourse and conclusions, but this article is a jewel to demonstrate  how the American policy debate about Turkey is proceeding. I wish the

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Turkish Conservatives’ Loyalty to Erdoğan and Views on Potential Successors

Source:Center for American Progress Date:11Dec2019

At one level, President Erdoğan continues to enjoy broad, loyal support among AKP voters. By way of rough comparison, in the United States, Republican voters’ approval for President Donald Trump

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Opinion: Iran’s bloody protests are just the beginning

Source:Deutsche Welle Date:30Nov2019

The backdrop to the fuel-price hike were very likely severe and urgent budget constraints, which would have jeopardized the payment of salaries to state employees, including various security

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Assessing the Fatalities in Turkey’s PKK Conflict

Source:International Crisis Group Date:23Nov2019

This report by International Crisi Group answeers the question of who is winnig the war against PKK.  The answer is not clear-cut.  But the damage to Kurds loyalty to the Republic of Turkey is

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Turkey’s Erdoğan scores a pyrrhic victory in Washington

Source:Brookings blog Date:20Nov2019

The definite word on Erdogan’s confusing visit to Washington.  It is no victory. Let me add that Operation Peace Spring did not much reignite the nationalist spirit at home, either.  This

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Lebanon’s Protests Divide Hezbollah. Will It Strike Back?

Source:Daily Beast Date:19Nov2019

Iraq, Iran and Lebanon are in flames. A corrupt and self-interested political system and rising poverty seem to be the main causes.  Iran’s attempt to spread its Shia revolution appears as

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