Turkey’s Strategy for Syria and Iraq

by Robert Olson Turkey is in a strong position to achieve its geopolitical objectives in the both Syria and Iraq. In Iraq, for instance, Turkey’s objective after the U.S. invasion in 2003 was to ensure that the Kurdistan Region Government… Continue Reading

Turkey’s Plan to Expand Its Periphery

by Robert Olson On March 29, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu caused quite a stir during a visit to Jordan where he stated, “Turkey’s security zone starts from Latakia and passes through Aleppo, Mosul and Sulaimani (Sulaymaniya).” This confirmed that Turkey intends to expand its regional geopolitical and… Continue Reading

Playing Poker with One Card

by Payman Shamsian The number of registered refugees in Turkey has exceeded three million, which makes it the largest sanctuary in the world. This number is terrifying, not only for human rights organizations or Turkey’s government, but also for European leaders.… Continue Reading

Europe: Go Big or Go Home

by John Feffer Europe has a deal on the table to address the current refugee crisis. This week, European leaders are gathering to discuss the particulars. Although the rough outline has already come under some withering criticism for being incompatible… Continue Reading

Erdogan: The Savior-Turned-Destroyer of Turkish Democracy

by Derek Davison Turkey’s political landscape wasn’t supposed to look like this. When Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) won almost two-thirds of the seats in Turkey’s Grand National Assembly in 2002, it looked like a positive sign… Continue Reading