Carnegie Europe
At the NATO summit, President Biden will have to deal with Donald Trump’s pernicious legacy. The biggest challenges include Russia and Turkey, both of which have undermined the alliance solidarity.
Biden’s recognition of the killing and deportation of Armenians as genocide has caused outrage in Turkey. Dealing with a nation’s past is immensely complex. It can only be done by a country’s leaders and citizens.
Ankara’s goal in dealing with Europe is to limit the future agenda to trade, economic matters, and refugee arrangements. In a diminishing space for civil society, academic freedom, and human rights, EU leaders are divided over what strategy to pursue with Turkey.
Europe’s leaders cannot expect a free ride from the incoming Biden presidency. It’s time to prepare the ground on security, defense, and strategy if the changing transatlantic relationship is to remain relevant.
The era of European benevolence and benign neglect with Ankara is over; Turkey is now openly adversarial toward the entire European Union and NATO. It’s time for the EU to clarify its response.
Armenia and Azerbaijan are blaming each other for the latest surge of violence over Nagorny Karabakh. The consequences for the region are unpredictable, but much will depend on the intentions of Russia and Turkey.
After so many years of striving to build up its foreign policy credentials, the EU faces—over the Eastern Mediterranean—a real test of its ambitions and capabilities as an effective foreign policy actor.
Tensions are rising dangerously in the Eastern Mediterranean between Greece and Turkey, two members of NATO. But can the world’s most powerful military alliance do anything to de-escalate the crisis?
Turkey’s leadership is fueling a dangerous maritime dispute with Greece and Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean. The EU must pursue dialogue while resisting Ankara’s attempts to bully its way forward.
EU leaders must either decide to act jointly as the European Union or leave Libya’s future in the hands of Russia and Turkey—with dangerous consequences for NATO and for Europe’s security.
The way autocratic regimes make use of the coronavirus pandemic is disrupting democracy and governance worldwide. Turkey is no exception.
Greece’s borders are sealed off, Europe is becoming a fortress, and most EU countries are turning their backs on refugees; so much for Europe’s values and adherence to international law.
Instead of Europe becoming a serious foreign policy actor, Turkey and the war in Syria are weakening the credibility of both NATO and the EU—while the suffering continues in Idlib.
The acquittal of Osman Kavala followed by his absurd rearrest shows the abysmal state of rule of law and democracy in Turkey.
Canal Istanbul is a truly international and environmental issue, not just a dream-come-true story for Turkey’s leadership.
Turkey’s incursion into Syria has adverse consequences for Europe’s security. But the problem is much bigger than just Turkey. It is high time the EU reemerged on the Middle East scene and acted strategically.
After almost seventeen years in power, Turkey’s president wields absolute power. It’s doubtful he would relinquish it without a fight.
As Turkey continues to forge its own economic and political path, the issue is how much more damage the current system of governance will inflict on the country, and how long and costly fixing the destruction will be.
The Turkish leadership has not only turned its back on its proclaimed European ambitions. It has also launched itself into a different political, legal, and ethical orbit.
European leaders should do more to preserve the rule of law, which is both a domestic and a foreign policy matter—and the cornerstone of the EU’s outlook and goals.
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