WASHINGTON — April 2009 will mark the 10th anniversary of the entry of Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic into NATO. The journey of these and other former Warsaw Pact countries to NATO and to the European Union is one of the most inspiring transformations in modern history.
There are lessons … Continue Reading…
Three weeks after Brussels Forum, GMF begins another major conference today with the opening of the Bucharest Conference alongside the Bucharest NATO Summit. Romanian President Traian Basescu and U.S. Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher will deliver speeches beginning at 6:30 Bucharest time, 5:30 in Brussels, and 11:30 … Continue Reading…
ISTANBUL — This year’s Transatlantic Trends survey contains some striking data on Turkey. Conversations about the findings here in Turkey suggest several key points.
First, over the last year, the survey shows Turks becoming markedly cooler toward the world. The trend is most striking in attitudes … Continue Reading…
WASHINGTON — Americans should pay close attention to the news from Turkey. The August 28 election of a new president, which has provoked strong opposition from the powerful Turkish military, is a test of Turkey’s democracy. The visit of Turkey’s energy minister to Iran earlier in August to sign energy … Continue Reading…
PARIS — Although there is some consistency in French answers to the Transatlantic Trends questionnaire compared to 2006, the French distinguish themselves on two major issues.
The first one is Turkey: 49% of French respondents say that Turkey’s accession to the European Union … Continue Reading…
PARIS — “France, like every other nation, has no given right when it comes to its international status; its message to the world won’t be heard unless it comes from a confident and ambitious society.”
This is how Nicolas Sarkozy chose to revitalize French foreign policy in a speech delivered August … Continue Reading…
Presidential Elections
The political impasse surrounding the presidential elections in Turkey continues. Following the Constitutional Court ruling, the AK Party unexpectedly stepped back, saying that it wants the newly formed government to elect the next president. However, upon the proposal of the opposition leader Baykal that the new president … Continue Reading…
Where “Balkanization” has come to mean the breaking up of a country into smaller, hostile territories, two weeks ago saw the “anti-Balkanization” of the historically hostile Balkan region. And all because of a TV show.
As this piece from the New York Times/International Herald Tribune discusses, … Continue Reading…
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul who is the only candidate for the Presidency has today withdrawn his candidacy. Gul’s withdrawal does not come as a surprise as in the repeat first round of the presidential vote in the Parliament the required 2/3 quorum coul dnot be attained. Announcing the withdrawal of … Continue Reading…
Since there has been considerable confusion about the current political crisis in Turkey let me explain who is who and what is happening and why it matters.
The Facts:
The current constitution requires the President to be elected by the Parliament. The Turkish Parliament is made up of 550 MPs. A 2/3 … Continue Reading…