Ankara’s relationship with Moscow is becoming directly linked to his bid to win the Turkish elections in 2023. Meanwhile, a disruptive Turkey within NATO and President Erdogan’s continued balancing act with the Kremlin offer Putin a strategic advantage.
Turkey is part of NATO and keeps close ties with the West, but its president is on the way to Russia with some very specific requests.
First, Dimitar explains Turkey's relationship with Russia, NATO, and the US in order to illustrate the many factors behind Erdogan's foreign policy. Last, Dimitar dives into Bulgarian foreign policy, which has traditionally been Russophilic and anti-risk, but has taken a greater stand against Russia.
Last week, Russian and Ukrainian officials arrived in Istanbul, Turkey for the latest round of peace talks amid the ongoing crisis. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has cornered Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan into a difficult dilemma. As a NATO member, Turkey is trying to balance its support for Ukraine without aggressively provoking Russia.
Despite soaring inflation rates and dwindling currency reserves, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan remains committed to the Turkish Growth Model. Beyond monetary policy, Turkish foreign policy is being recalibrated to account for the country’s political, business, and economic interests.
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatened to expel ten Western ambassadors who called for the release of jailed businessman and philanthropist Osman Kavala. Marc Pierini looks at what is behind this move and the implications such a foreign policy decision could have.
Thomas de Waal assesses the implications of U.S. President Joe Biden's decision to recognize that the World War I-era killing and deportation of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire was a genocide.
Turkey must make progress on the rule of law and human rights before the European Union can negotiate on Ankara's demands, including the renewal of the customs union and financial support for the facilitation of Syrian refugees.
The chaos Trump has created in Syria ultimately benefits Russia, Syria, Iran, and ISIS, has made it a difficult hole for the the United States will have climbing out of.
Relations between Brussels and Ankara have not yet passed the point of no return, however they are at an important fork in the road.