The absence of inclusive, convincing and strong leaders in European capitals is causing great trouble for the continent amid the Ukraine crisis

With a mutual-interest-based approach, the two countries can further improve their ties at the political, economic and social levels

Turkey and the European Union seek a positive agenda. It would serve the interests of both parties if the European Council’s meeting on March 25-26 transforms that pursuit into a concrete policy. After all, it is high time that the Turkey-EU relationship undergoes a strategic assessment.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected the standing and popularity of major economies around the world. None of the top three major economies handled the pandemic well. China, as the epicenter of the pandemic and its failure to inform the world about it; the EU, as the second epicenter of the pandemic and its failure to help member countries; and the United States, as the third epicenter of the outbreak and its failure to contain the crisis, all lost credibility.

The oppositions' presidential candidates, i.e. Muharrem Ince, Temel Karamollaoğlu and Meral Akşener, are calling for the release of Selahattin Demirtaş, who is supported by the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), from prison.

The Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research (SETA), one of the leading think tanks in Turkey, has been publishing its annual "European Islamophobia Report" (EIR) for the last three years.

In addition to the Syrian crisis, Ankara and Washington have not been able to come to an agreement on Turkey's possible purchase of Russian-made defense systems.

Deliberate categorizations such as the ‘Fragile Five' constitute part of the soft power mechanism intended to keep global capital away from Turkey and constitute financial pressure on Turkish policy makers

The West does not seem to be bothered much about the rising tide of micro-nationalism in the Middle East, which is categorically perceived as an endemic conflict zone

The conflicting interests of all sides in the Catalan referendum could prevent them from reaching a consensus in the near future

The fight against Daesh terrorism should focus on the stabilization of Syria as well as how to stop Daesh elements in different countries from organizing deadly attacks around the World

We must find answers to a number of key questions: are the U.S. and the U.K. assuming the leadership of an emerging coalition? Is an alliance between Germany and France still feasible? Could Turkey work more closely with Italy, Spain and the U.K.?

The old continent is rapidly losing its promise to preserve human dignity, fundamental rights and liberties in the deep abyss of its exaggerated fears

The threat comes from the European failure to coordinate their security services and share actionable intelligence with their counterparts in different parts of the continent.

Spain and Greece followed the same path in the transition to democracy after a failed coup. The EU made some concessions to promote their memberships. However, when it comes to Turkey, the EU seems not to take any responsible steps.

The British experience about the separation may generate a model for other Eurosceptics across the continent

The EIR documents and analyzes trends in the spread of Islamophobia in various European nation states. Every year on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (21 March), EIR will be published.