Category Archives: Foreign Policy

New Politics (as usual?)

Posted on September 11, 2017 by aaronstein1

After a lengthy hiatus, the Turkey Wonk podcast is back. In the inaugural episode, Aaron speaks with Laura Pitel, an Ankara-based journalist. The conversation touched on all things Turkish politics since the April referendum and the current state of affairs … Continue reading →

Posted in Erodgan, Foreign Policy, PKK, Podcast, Turkey | Tagged | Leave a comment

The New Turkey and Saudi Arabia’s New King

Posted on January 23, 2015 by aaronstein1

*Authors note: For a far more detailed analysis about the death of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, please read my RUSI colleague, Michael Stephens’, excellent piece over at Al Jazeera English.  In recent years, the Turkish-Saudi relationship has come under strain, … Continue reading →

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Turkey Did Have a Choice in Syria

Posted on March 20, 2013 by aaronstein1

Turkey’s approach to the crisis in Syria is rooted in its previous “pre-Syrian revolt” foreign policy ambitions in the Middle East. Turkey’s overarching goal is to engage in a multi-directional proactive foreign policy, in order to deepen relations with leaders … Continue reading →

Posted in Foreign Policy, Syria | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

German Patriot Games: The Bundestag Debates the Deployment of Patriot in Turkey

Posted on January 14, 2013 by aaronstein1

Niklas Anzinger –  a  Philosophy and Economics student at the University of Bayreuth in Germany – has kindly offered to summarize the debates taking place in Germany about the deployment of Patriot missile batteries and troops to Turkey. Anzinger spent … Continue reading →

Posted in Chemical Weapons, Foreign Policy, Israel - Turkey Relations, Syria, Turkey | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Future Prospects for Nuclear Weapons in Europe: Why Turkey Needs a New Policy

Posted on January 9, 2013 by aaronstein1

The United States currently deploys about 200 B61 tactical nuclear weapons in five European countries (Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, and Turkey). The weapons were originally deployed during the Cold War and were intended to help defend NATO countries from … Continue reading →

Posted in F-35, Foreign Policy, NATO, Nuclear Weapons, Tactical Nuclear Weapons, Turkish - US Relations | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

What Hagel, Kerry, and Brennan will mean for the U.S. – Turkish relationship

Posted on January 8, 2013 by aaronstein1

As Obama gears up for his second term, his decision to nominate Chuck Hagel, John Kerry, and John Brennan will affect the Turkish – American relationship. Turkey, despite its value oriented approach to foreign policy, has few problems with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Foreign Policy, Iran, Turkish - US Relations, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 3 Comments

2013 Predictions for Turkey’s Missile and Drone Programs

Posted on January 2, 2013 by aaronstein1

Apologies for my prolonged absence. I was in Los Angeles for the past two weeks, where I  was busily analyzing LA’s food truck scene and re-acquanting myself with my favorite Mexican restaurants. I have concluded that Istanbul needs to import … Continue reading →

Posted in Drones, Foreign Policy, Israel - Turkey Relations, Missile Defense, Turkey, Turkish - US Relations | Leave a comment

Turkey’s Role in Bringing about a Region Free of Weapons of Mass Destruction

Posted on November 28, 2012 by aaronstein1

Apologies for neglecting the blog for the past couple of days, I have been at a conference discussing ways to help expedite the discussions for a zone banning weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East. Efforts to bring this … Continue reading →

Posted in Foreign Policy, NATO, Nuclear Weapons | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Turkey’s (NATO) Patriots

Posted on November 8, 2012 by aaronstein1

After months of bluster, and repeated threats to intervene in Syria, Turkey may be preparing to try and implement a no-fly-zone. The plan, as it has been reported, is to use Patriot to deter Syrian aircraft from entering airspace on … Continue reading →

Posted in Foreign Policy, Missile Defense, Syria | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

The Issues Facing the Turkish – US Partnership After the Election

Posted on November 7, 2012 by aaronstein1

Despite some low lying tensions, and the inevitable once in a decade diplomatic spat, the Turkish – American relationship has been incredibly durable. Each decade, however, has seen its fair share of ups and downs. In the 1960s, the Turks … Continue reading →

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