Turkey’s president suffered a frustrating setback in local government elections as democratic resilience prevailed. Watch out for the impact on the economy, the rule of law, defense, and Syria.
Elections in three very different countries share a common desire to change the status quo.
Iran, Turkey, and Russia are deepening their footprints in the Middle East, while the United States’ role is becoming more uncertain. The EU must now confront this new geopolitical landscape.
Four big issues will dominate Turkey’s policy agenda this year. The net result is growing uncertainty about the country’s reliability among its Western allies.
The Turkish Stream pipeline will make Ankara more energy dependent on Moscow. It will also give Russia a bigger energy foothold in Europe.
President Erdogan is now projecting a foreign policy in which Turkey is described as being part of the solution to crises. In reality, it’s about winning foreign support to compensate for the mounting political and economic tensions at home.
Germany, the EU, and Turkey have a lot at stake in current economic, humanitarian, and rule-of-law crisis. Berlin wants to help, but not at any price.
The Trump administration’s sanctions on Turkey just might be the catalyst to shift Europe’s relations with Ankara.
The EU should continue to increase its support to human rights defenders, independent media and civil society. This is probably an even more arduous task than before the election.
The stakes are just so high: more centralization of political power, dealing with a polarized society, or even shifting Turkey’s direction to the West.
Upcoming elections in Turkey will determine whether democracy in the country can rebound or will be replaced by one-man rule.
The latest standoff over energy resources in the Mediterranean illustrates the renewed risk of a military miscalculation in the region. More than ever before, diplomacy should prevail over saber rattling.
The course that Turkish leaders choose to follow in the Syrian war will have long-term consequences for their country and for the world.
A selection of experts answer a new question from Judy Dempsey on the foreign and security policy challenges shaping Europe’s role in the world.
Ankara’s latest military offensive in Syria and its domestic agenda are leading to a cul-de-sac with the EU.
Turkey is haphazardly decoupling from Western norms and behavior, but the EU must remain an anchor for Turkish democrats.
Despite a deteriorating relationship, Brussels and Ankara will have to find a way to work together.
Turkey’s quandary will only be resolved by the country’s politicians and citizens. How much courage, consistency, and resilience they show will be of the essence.
EU leaders should use the next European Council summit to have a frank and sober discussion about Ankara’s future relationship with Europe.
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