Erdogan Positions Powerful Turkish Military as Backbone of Regional Strategy

January 8, 2021

President Recep Tayyip Erdoganushered in the new year, pledging to employ his country’s military to secureTurkey’s place in a rebalanced new world order. Mr. Erdogan spelledout his vision when he inse…

The Battle for Jerusalem: Turkey’s Erdogan Stakes His Claim

October 18, 2020

Opinion

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan didn’t mince his words at this month’s opening of parliament. In his first assertion of a claim to a lost non-Turkic part of the Ottoman empire, Mr. Erdogan decl…

Hagia Sophia: Clash of Civilizations or Reassertion of Civilizational Identity?

July 16, 2020

Opinion

Turkey's controversial decision to reconvert Hagia Sophia from a museum into a mosque has been met with sharp criticism abroad from those who claim that it'll exacerbate the so-called "Clash of Civili…

Converting Hagia Sophia for Domestic Consumption Will Backfire on Erdogan

July 15, 2020

Opinion

On Friday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan signed a decree changing the status of the Byzantine-era built Hagia Sophia from a museum to a mosque. The first Islamic service in the formerly …

Empires of the Steppes Fuel Erdogan Khan’s Dreams

March 7, 2020

Opinion

The latest installment of the interminable Syria tragedy could be interpreted as Greece barely blocking a European “invasion” by Syrian refugees. The invasion was threatened by President Erdogan even …

Showdown in Idlib: Master Statesman Putin Averts War with Combative Erdogan

March 6, 2020

Opinion

The media has done a poor job of explaining what’s actually taking place in Idlib Province in Syria. That’s unfortunate, but the facts are pretty clear. A year and a half ago, Russian President Vladim…

Erdogan or Erdo-gone in Turkey?

March 6, 2020

Opinion

“Whom the gods would destroy they first make mad”— Henry Wadsworth Longfellow “Prometheus” It looks like Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is headed for the political gallows a lot quicker than I…

Why’s Anyone Shocked That Putin Listened to Erdogan and ‘Stepped Aside’ in Idlib?

March 3, 2020

Opinion

All credible reports indicate that the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) are giving the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) an unprecedented pounding after President Putin seemingly listened to President Erodgan's reques…