MIDDLE EAST STUDIES

Nikolas Stylianou
(RIEAS Research Associate, Security Analyst)

Copyright: www.rieas.gr
The incident on the Mavi Marmara on the 31st of May introduced a new era in Turkish – Israeli bilateral relations and many analysts and diplomats argue that this crisis between the former strategic allies has come to indicate that their political and geostrategic agenda, especially regarding the Middle East radically differs, especially after AKP, came to power in 2003. The current article seeks to address the role of Cyprus in regards to the rapid developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East and what strategies it should pursue in order to enhance its position in the region.

Steve Stylianoudis
(Senior Analyst – Intelligence Research)

Copyright: Steve Stylianoudis on line

A change entailing unpredictable geopolitical ramifications is taking place in Turkey!  For years, an objective of the Turkish government was the acceptance of Turkey as a full member in the European Union (EU).  It has made substantial progress, but only because Turkey secured and continues to receive the unqualified support of the US State Department.  It was able to convince the State Department leadership that Turkish inclusion in the EU and adoption of Turkey’s positions on issues in the Balkans and the Middle East would be in the best interests of the United States.  Turkey did so by retaining scores of “revolving door” consultants - the majority of whom are prominent former administration officials from both parties.

Nickolaos Mavromates
(Analyst)

Copyright: Nikolaos Mavromates on line

The Jewish minority in the Ottoman times were always the favorite millet of the Sultanate, the only nationality that did not ever betray the Porte by revolting. This may have been one of the factors that may have influenced Turkey to be one of the first states to recognize Israel’s Independence in 1948, the only Muslim nation that defied Middle East Arab sentiments and of course Tel-Aviv never forgot this gesture.

Dr. Anat Lapidot-Firilla
(Senior Research Fellow, Academic Director of the Mediterranean Unit, The Van Leer Jerusalem Institute)

Copyright: www.cceia.unic.ac.cy - Cyprus Center for European and International Affairs

Note: Dr. Anat Lapidot-Firilla first delivered this paper at the Cyprus Center for European and International Affairs at the University of Nicosia. 

Since the rise of AK Party to power, in November 2002, and the appointment of Ahmet Davutoglu to the post of senior adviser on foreign affairs, the process of devolution of the strategic alliance with Israel began. Moreover, it should be noted that the dismantling is not the result of Turkish discomfort or dissatisfaction with a specific Israeli policy but the result of a specific, new strategic outlook: which is directly linked to Davutoghlu theory of how foreign policy should be handled, adopted by the AKP regime. 

Joseph Fitsanakis
(Dr. Joseph Fitsanakis teaches politics and history at King College, USA. He is Senior Editor of intelNews.org.)

Copyright: www.rieas.gr

The vast majority of Western and Israeli defense and intelligence agencies agree that Iran’s ultimate aim is to fortify its military posture with nuclear weapons. Cross-agency --let along cross-national-- consensus on matters of nuclear intelligence is rare, but there is nothing profound about this particular agreement. Only a cursory look on a world map is sufficient to confirm --even strategically justify, some would say-- Iran’s nuclear intentions.

Thrassy N. Marketos

Copyright: www.rieas.gr

This paper examines Russia’s Central Asian policy in the context of the continued Iranian – American confrontation which affects Central Asian geopolitics and the Eurasian approach dominating Russia’s foreign policy (which presupposes Russia-Iran partnership in Central Asia). It is absolutely clear that the nature, content, and pace of Russia’s involvement in the region, as well as cooperation between the two countries, directly depend on the state and level of Iranian – American relations. Read more