The crisis in Syria is driving a wedge between Turkey and Iran

Despite Turkish politicians’ efforts to downplay the diplomatic rift with Iran, more evidence has emerged suggesting otherwise. The main reason is Turkey’s increased role in supporting the groups that want to topple the regime in Syria. Iran considers that to be a red line and they seem to have communicated that to the Turkish prime Read more

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Turkey and Iran navigate the Middle East tense issues

via RCReadersFeed Ali Akbar Salihi and Ahmet Davutoğlu  Turkish Foreign Minister held a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart, Ali Akbar Salihi, in Tehran and reiterated his fear that the volatile Middle East might be headed for a new Cold War era unless a sectarian rift in Iraq is immediately mended. Ahmet Davutoğlu has urged Iranian Read more

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Loathed pandering and the appropriation of the legacy of victims of genocide

by Ahmed E. Souaiaia* The horrors of war and war crimes cannot be diminished by engaging in semantics especially when it comes to state sanctioned mass killings. It is criminal, it is genocidal, and states that engaged in such acts must be held to account. It is not a revenge mentality and it should not Read more

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Turkey’s ambitious foreign policy surge chilled by the Arab Spring

by A. E. SOUAIAIA* Starting in 2002, Turkey adopted a dual-purpose foreign policy aimed at increasing its chances of joining the EU and at strengthening its economy. Although Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has the final say in all matters of national and international matters, it is easy to notice the fingerprints of Ahmet Davutoğlu Read more

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Clinton’s lack of diplomatic acumen diminishes US foreign policy

by A. E. SOUAIAIA* It is true that Obama, as president, is the person responsible for foreign policy initiatives. However, it is the secretary of state who implements the vision of the administration and communicates it to foreign leaders in nuanced language that, at times, would seem as if it were a code. Hillary Clinton, Read more

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Citizens of western countries killed in Tunisia as Ben Ali dismisses a general

As the number of people killed by Ben Ali’s security forces rises, victims’ family have reported that some of the fallen are citizens of European nations. The French Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday that one of the victims killed in the central Tunisian town of Douz during Wednesday clashes was a dual French-Tunisian citizen. “We Read more

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US credibility in the Islamic world hinges on consistent & principled diplomacy

The Obama administration promised a new era with the Islamic world based on mutual respect and common interests. The US and the Islamic world must work together to end deadly extremism and dislocating suspicions. The global relations can be balanced when each side of the equation is also balanced. While the US administration must respect Read more

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