In The News

Putin and Erdogan Move to Restore Russia-Turkey Ties

Olesya Astakhova and Andrew Osborn August 10, 2016
Russian-Turkish relations hit a low point in November after Turkey shot down a Russian warplane that had strayed into its territory from Syria. Both countries are experiencing deteriorating ties with the West, and presidents Vladimir Putin and Tayyip Erdogan, the latter who survived a failed military coup, have met to explore restoration of economic relations. “The meeting paves the way for a...

Trump Sets Conditions for Defending NATO Allies

David E. Sanger and Maggie Haberman July 22, 2016
The Republican nominee for US president set off alarm bells in Europe by suggesting he might not quickly aid Baltic States against a Russian attack. Defense might depend whether they “have fulfilled their obligations to us,” Donald Trump said in an interview with the New York Times. “During a 45-minute conversation, Mr. Trump re-emphasized the hard-line nationalist approach that has marked his...

Erdogan Targets More Than 50,000 in Purge After Failed Turkish Coup

Humeyra Pamuk and Ercan Gurses July 20, 2016
The Turkish government is said to be blaming a self-exiled religious leader for a July 15 coup attempt and targeting his supporters in the military, judiciary and education systems. Fethullah Gulen lives in Pennsylvania and denies having a role in the coup attempt. “A former ally-turned critic of Erdogan, he suggested the president staged it as an excuse for a crackdown after a steady...

Nato and Russia – In Search of Dialogue

Jonathan Marcus July 14, 2016
In 1997, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and Russia, determining that they were no longer adversaries after the Cold War, signed a pact on building a “lasting and inclusive peace in the Euro-Atlantic area.” Good relations did not last long, explains Jonathan Marcus for BBC News. Russia expressed concern after NATO accepted members once were within the sphere of control of the Soviet Union...

An Attack on Turkey's Airport and Its Ambitions

June 29, 2016
Coordinated suicide bombings at the Istanbul Ataturk Airport killed 41 and injured more than 200. Airports, with large crowds and lots of hefty luggage, make easy targets and are symbolic, too, representing globalization and world connections through commerce and tourism. Analysis from Stratfor points out that Turkey confronts multiple threats, including Kurdish militants, though the Islamic...

NATO War Games In Poland Get Russia's Attention

David Welna June 21, 2016
NATO conducted a joint military exercise in northwest Poland with 30,000 troops. The exercise did not identify a specific enemy, but planners had Russian interventions in Crimea and eastern Ukraine in mind. The United States and Europe are relying on a stance used during the Cold War – that strength deters Russian aggression. Other researchers suggest that such exercises irritate Russia and...

Brexit and the Future of US-UK Military Cooperation

Stephen Meyer June 19, 2016
Analysts have long debated the feasibility of the European Union moving beyond an economic partnership with tighter integration in other areas, including foreign policy. The United Kingdom’s decision to remain or leave the European Union would signal a direction for the nation’s future military relationships. “If the British vote down the Brexit referendum later next week and choose to remain in...