Region Related Event Feeds

Critical Questions for 2012

ian — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

From international security and regional study to global challenges, CSIS experts will address many of the world's most difficult policy concerns and critical questions in 2012. To kick off the new year, we asked 25 of our scholars to identity what worries them most and what are the biggest opportunities in their respective areas of study.

Middle East Notes and Comment: Allies at Odds

mDziuban — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The United States is used to looking for trouble from its enemies, but a growing set of problems will emerge from its allies. In the eastern Mediterranean, three U.S. allies are increasingly at loggerheads, and the situation is likely to get worse before it gets better.

The Turkish-Israeli Crisis and U.S.-Turkish Relations

ian — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Simmering Turkish-Israeli tensions have escalated sharply since the release on September 2 of the UN secretary general’s panel of inquiry report on the Gaza flotilla crisis last year.

Middle East Notes and Comment: The Turkey Connection

dholodnik — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Saudi Arabia has a problem. Its decades-long alliances with Iraq and Egypt have been sundered, and its faith in U.S. leadership is at its lowest point in memory. Its regional threats have grown, not only from Iranians directly across the Gulf, but from the actions of Iranian proxies in Lebanon, Syria and elsewhere in the Middle East that endanger Saudi allies.

The United States and Iran: Competition involving Turkey and the South Caucasus

sherry — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0400

US competition with Iran has become the equivalent of a game of three-dimensional chess, but game where each side can modify at least some of the rules with each move.

Capacity and Resolve

jdunton — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The last decade has seen the United States involved in two wars, an ongoing worldwide struggle against terrorism, and more recently a severe economic recession. This period has exposed two great structural challenges facing the United States. First, in a globalized world, vectors of prosperity quickly become vectors of insecurity. And second, the center of gravity in world affairs is shifting to Asia.

Misplaced priorities: Turkish assessments of U.S. Power

ian — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Turkish elites and the general public retain a wary respect for American economic and hard power but remain dubious that this enormous capacity will be used in ways that will advance Turkish regional and global interests.

Turkey's June 12 Elections

sherry — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400

As expected, the Justice and Development Party (JDP) led by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan easily retained power in the June 12 parliamentary elections. Empowered by a strong new mandate, Erdogan’s immediate priority is the adoption of a new constitution that would enhance the powers of the president.

Turkey’s June 12 Elections: Will Erdogan Maintain His Ascendance?

ian — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Turkish voters go to the ballot boxes on June 12, 2011 to decide if the governing Justice and Development Party (JDP), which has been in office for just over eight and a half years, will win its third successive general electoral victory.

Emerging Powers, Emerging Donors

jdunton — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500

With China, Brazil, and Russia now among the top 10 economies in the world and the continued second-tier growth of still other nations, most notably India, Mexico, Turkey, Indonesia, and South Africa, the term “emerging powers” is on the lips of policymakers everywhere.

Erdogan’s Referendum Victory and Turkish Politics

mentman — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400

On September 12, Turkish voters decisively approved a package of constitutional amendments sponsored by the governing Justice and Development Party (JDP). The final result was 57.88 percent in favor to 42.12 percent against with 73.71 percent of registered voters participating.

The Gaza Flotilla Raid and its Aftermath

ian — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0400

On May 31, Israeli commandos raided the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara in international waters resulting in the death of at least nine passengers and the temporary detention of several hundred others who were seeking to break Israel’s blockade of Hamas-controlled Gaza. The raid and its aftermath seriously threaten Israeli-Turkish relations, complicate U.S.

European Defense Trends: Annotated Brief

gsanders — Tue, 18 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400

An in-depth understanding of the supply and demand sides of the European defense market and the regulatory framework that governs it is critical to assessing broader European defense policies and capabilities.

Transnational Threats Update January-February 2010 - Vol. 8, No. 1

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500

The Transnational Threats Update is produced by the Transnational Threats Project and provides monthly reports and analysis on terrorism, drug trafficking, organized crime, money laundering, and arms trafficking. The newsletter draws on several U.S.

Turkey Update: The Genocide Vote in Congress and US-Turkish Relations

ian — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:00:00 -0500

On March 4, 2010, the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee passed the “Affirmation of the United States Record on the Armenian Genocide” resolution by a vote of 23 to 22. The Turkish government showed its strong displeasure by immediately recalling Ambassador Namik Tan from Washington.

President Obama meets with Prime Minister Erdogan

ian — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0500

On December 7, President Barack Obama will host Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey at the White House. It will be the first formal meeting between the two leaders since April, when Obama visited Turkey early in his administration.

Afghanistan and Iran are expected to be the main issues on their agenda. However, there are other important issues that could come up.

Turkey Update: President Obama's Trip to Turkey

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400

By choosing Turkey as his second destination for a bilateral visit after neighboring Canada so early in his administration, President Barack Hussein Obama has sent a very important signal to his Tu

Turkey's Evolving Dynamics

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Relations between the United States and Turkey stand at a critical juncture. Turkey is a key ally in the advancement of U.S. interests vis-à-vis the Middle East, Eurasia, and global energy diversification. Turkey still sees the United States as its closest ally and wants to be a partner in advancing mutual interests, particularly in its immediate environs.

Alliance Reborn

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0500

A new report by four Washington think tanks calls for a reinvigorated Atlantic partnership to tackle global challenges and urgent shifts in NATO strategy in Afghanistan and relations with Russi

Turkey Update: Turkish Politics in 2008

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500

The year had begun with the Justice and Development Party (JDP), which has been in office since November 2002, riding high after its second successive election victory in July 2007.

PKK Attacks in Turkey

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Q1: What is the significance of the recent PKK attack on Turkey?

Turkey and the Crisis in the Caucasus

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0400

The outbreak of war between Georgia and Russia, following the ill-advised Georgian attempt to wrest control of the breakaway province of South Ossetia on August 7, posed an immediate challe

The Terrorist Attack on the U.S. Consulate in Istanbul

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Q1: What happened?

Another Long, Hot Summer in Ankara

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400

The summer months in the Turkish capital are invariably hot and unpleasant, and politicians, bureaucrats, and members of the judicial and military establishments who work there look forward to ge

Atlantic Outlook

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Topics covered in this issue of Atlantic Outlook:

Reviving Turkey's Stalled EU Drive?

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400

On April 10-12, 2008, the Justice and Development Party (JDP) government hosted European Union (EU) Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso on his first official visit to Turkey.

The JDP Faces the Threat of Closure: Erdogan's Toughest Test?

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400

On March 31, 2008, the Turkish Constitutional Court voted unanimously to consider the case for the closure of the ruling Justice and Development Party (JDP).

The Strategic Impact of the Turkish Invasion of Iraq's Kurdish Region

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Commentary: Balancing Relations with Turks and Kurds

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500

On February 21, Turkish troops crossed into northern Iraq to attack bases belonging to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

US-Turkish Relations: Another Honeymoon?

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0500

On January 8 President George W. Bush hosted Turkish President Abdullah Gul at the White House.

Security and Stability in the Greater Middle East

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0500

The attached briefing provides an overview of the major security problems facing the Middle East.

Turkish Airstrikes in Northern Iraq

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Q1: Did the United States approve the latest Turkish airstrikes in northern Iraq?

Turkey and the West in Global Forecast: The Top Security Challenges of 2008

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0400

A sound relationship with Turkey is central to advancing a broad range of U.S. interests in Eurasia and the Middle East. Profound changes in Turkish politics and society—reflected in the dramatic 2007 electoral victories of the Justice and Development Party (AKP)—as well as shifts in relations with neighbors have altered many Turks' views of their national interests.

Turkey's Military Options for Dealing with the PKK

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0400

The Kurdish Workers Party (PKK), a group the United States, the European Union, and Turkey consider a terrorist organization, has been staging attacks in Turkey from camps in the mountainous border regions in northern Iraq for three decades.

Secretary Rice in Ankara: Mission Impossible?

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0400

On November 2, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will be in Ankara for what is certain to be one of her toughest missions.

Time for High-Level Diplomacy with Turkey?

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0400

We can hope that Turks are familiar with the famous quote attributed to Winston Churchill, “You can always count on America to do the right thing, but only after it has exhausted all other po

The Armenian Genocide Bill and the Turkish Reaction in Iraq

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Tragic as the fate of the Armenians may have been in the aftermath of World War I, the fact remains that the issue is more than half a century old. Turkish-Armenian conciliation might serve an important purpose, as might any effort to reconcile Armenians, Turks, and Azerbaijanis.

Turkey Update: After Election Victory, Erdogan Faces Difficulties

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0400

With its overwhelming victory in the July 22 parliamentary elections, in which it obtained the support of almost half of the votes cast, the ruling Justice and Development Party (JDP) has consolida

A Stronger Second Mandate for Erdogan and the JDP

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0400

By winning a decisive victory in the July 22 parliamentary elections, the Justice and Development Party (JDP) firmly underlined its stunning success in the November 2002 elections - achieved only a

The Turkish Grand National Assembly Elections

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0400

The July 22 parliamentary elections will not only determine the composition of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) and the government for the next five years but also the future of the count

Joint Declaration on European Defense Integration

Thu, 19 Aug 2004 00:00:00 -0400

"European countries must move quickly to acquire the military capabilities that will enable them to share
the responsibility for global security. We believe that further defense integration in Europe is critical to meeting
Europe’s defense needs, now and in the future."