Interest-based vs. value-based foreign policy

Turkey pledges not to change its humanitarian priorities in the region and continues to stand against the self-serving approaches of other actors

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Interest-based vs value-based foreign policy
Last nail in the coffin US decision on illegal Israeli

Last nail in the coffin: US decision on illegal Israeli settlements

The most recent decision made by the U.S. government can be considered the last nail in the coffin of the international system. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declared that the U.S. will soften its position on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

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There were too many controversial issues on the table in President Erdoğan’s recent visit to Washington and the meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. Washington's continuing support for the People's Protection Units (YPG); the S-400 missiles; the situation with the F-35 fighter jets; Washington’s policy on the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) and other sanction bills against Turkey are urgent issues for Turkey that need to be tackled constructively by the American authorities. Only a reset in Turkish-American relations can assure a significant change, but the circumstances are not conducive to a reset. For the moment the Democratic Union Party (PYD) issue seems to be the biggest problem leading to constant tensions between the two countries.

French President Emmanuel Macron told The Economist last week that NATO was "brain dead." He blamed the alliance's supposed problem on the lack of "coordination... of strategic decision-making between the United States and its NATO allies." Macron added that Turkey's actions were "uncoordinated," warning that NATO failed to monitor the actions of its members.

This analysis shows that although the United States was a security partner of both the EU and Turkey when it decided to no longer commit to responding to its allies’ security concerns, the latter took over the responsibility of ensuring their national defenses.

U.S. President Donald Trump changed his mind about pulling American troops out of Syria – again. The latest reversal of policy reflects the Pentagon's concerns that the U.S. withdrawal will play into the hands of Russia and Iran. The return of U.S. servicemen to Kobani and Qamishli, and the military buildup in eastern Syria suggest that the White House is on board.

Western otherization and Turkey's response

Turkey initiated a large-scale Westernization project immediately after the declaration of the Republic. It had decided to follow the footsteps of the enemy it had fought during World War I and the Independence War. It introduced many political, economic, even social and cultural reforms during the first two decades of the interwar period. In the wake of World War II, the Soviet threat further paved the way for Turkey's alliance with the West.

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Western otherization and Turkey's response
Western media still ignoring PKK attacks

Western media still ignoring PKK attacks

PKK's existence in Turkey, Syria and northern Iraq is the number one national security problem for Turkey. This is the Turkish red line that Western media organs have been refusing to see

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President Erdoğan vowed that Turkey will not stop working until Syria completes its reconstruction process

From sanctions against Turkey to cooperation with nonstate actors, the U.S. establishment seeks ways to help the PKK form a statelet in the region

The United States has declared that it killed Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of Daesh, after a successful military operation on Oct. 27. The death of Baghdadi will be a new turning point for the struggle against international terrorism and for Middle Eastern politics. The de-territorialization of Daesh was also a turning point, because with de-territorialization, Daesh had lost its claim on a caliphate and statehood. Therefore, in the near future, it has to restructure itself according to the new realities.

Much has been written regarding Ankara's negotiations with Russia and the U.S. and the process and potential outcomes of the accords the countries have reached following intense diplomatic activity.

The PKK/YPG threat in the region is far from over, but the group's nationalist project — the so-called 'cantons' — are now dead in the water

Turkey's legitimate campaign in Syria needs further steps to establish terror-free areas in the region

Turkey's deals in Syria have provided a great opportunity for a more secure region, but there is still a lot of work to do

Terrorist YPG/PKK's federation claim disappeared, Syria’s territorial integrity protected with agreement, say analysts

By demonizing the Turkish anti-terror operation in northern Syria, Western countries miscalculate regional balances, damage their interests

Yusuf Hamoud says they will protect rights of all minorities oppressed by YPG/PKK terror group in northern Syria

The primary purpose of the Turkish operation is to drive out terrorist groups threatening regional security and secure the area in line with international law

Although their practices are already beyond the pale in terms of journalistic ethics, both the U.S. and the European media are apparently seeking to set a new record with regard to their old prejudices

What are the main objectives of the operation? What is the scope of Operation Peace Spring? What is the background of the operation? How will the operational process work? What are the reactions from the international community? How can they be interpreted?