Creating new perspectives since 2009
Items by Dr Ahmet Alioglu
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For Palestine, Saudi’s actions speak louder than its words
Prince Turki Al-Faisal, who led the Saudi intelligence apparatus for more than two decades and served as an ambassador to the US and UK, has described Israel as a “Western colonising” power. He said: “Israel has incarcerated Palestinians in concentration camps under the flimsiest of security accusations – young...
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Turkey braces itself for the Biden era with more challenges ahead
One of the leading assistants of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, and a founder of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), resigned last week from the government’s high advisory council citing disagreements and discontent over judicial practices. Bulent Arinc called for a comprehensive reassessment and radical reform of...
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Unlike his favourite dictator in Egypt, Trump is a weak authoritarian
Once upon a time, America’s democratic values and ideals collided with the cold realities of war and dictatorship in Egypt. In July 2013, though, Barack Obama’s idealistic rhetoric surrendered to the realities of geopolitics. The 44th President of the United States of America and his Vice President Joe Biden...
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Will Biden be cast in Obama’s image with regard to the Palestinians?
When former US President Barack Obama delivered his famous speech at Cairo University in 2009, he said, “So let there be no doubt: The situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable. And America will not turn its backs on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity and a state...
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Will the latest reconciliation talks between Fatah and Hamas succeed?
Senior officials from Fatah and Hamas have been meeting in Istanbul for the past few days, and have reportedly reached a deal for elections within the next six months. The last Palestinian parliamentary elections were held in 2006 when Hamas won with an unexpected landslide. Since then, the differences...
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Negotiating with the enemy: Hamas and Israeli prisoner exchange talks
Israeli officials are quietly confirming that “significant” talks are underway with Hamas to strike a prisoner swap deal to return a number of Israeli soldiers held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Last month, Ismail Haniyeh, chief of Hamas’ political bureau, announced in a television interview with the London-based...
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The coronavirus pandemic is a test of our humanity, morality and solidarity
The coronavirus Covid-19 is a serious test of our humanity, morality and solidarity; resilience, steadfastness and the will to survive are being tested alongside our basic values and beliefs. Some have responded with magnificent displays of self-sacrifice, altruism and integrity, while others have been selfish and self-centered, bordering on...
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Gaza faces coronavirus alone after a 14-year lockdown
Humans never thinks of the blessings they have unless they’re lost or about to vanish. Freedom to move is an unequivocal human right that is taken for granted everywhere except in conflict zones or besieged areas like the Gaza Strip. People living there have been tirelessly calling on the...
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In the Officers’ Republic of Egypt, only generals are honoured when they die
In June 2019, Egypt’s first democratically elected civilian president, Mohamed Morsi, died in a cage in an open court session. He had been detained in solitary confinement for almost six years after he was forced from power in a bloody coup in 2013. Morsi ruled Egypt just for one...
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The battle for Idlib will make or break Russia’s relations with Turkey
Since the outset of the Syrian revolution in 2011, Russia has been the staunchest backer of the Assad regime in Damascus. Turkey, meanwhile, has maintained its position as the closest friend and supporter of the rebel groups in Syria. Ironically, both countries have succeeded in maintaining their friendship, regardless...