Creating new perspectives since 2009
Items by Dr Elif Selin Calik
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The re-engagement of Anatolia with the Levant
The relationship between Turkiye and Syria is like a dense tapestry woven with threads of imperial legacy, ideological divergence and strategic recalibration. From the Ottoman conquest of Syria in 1516 to the 21st-century refugee crisis, the story is not merely one of borders and treaties, but also of civilisational...
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Opportunities and risks: How Turkiye might navigate Trump’s trade shake-up
Few countries occupy such a unique position where the East and West economic fault lines meet as Turkiye does, especially with the global economy preparing for potential disruptions from Donald Trump’s second term in the White House. Under protectionist trade policies, Trump is imposing aggressive tariffs and bilateral deals...
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Between war and hope: Ukraine’s gratitude for European support amid global rivalries
As the war in Ukraine drags into its third year, the country finds itself at the heart of a growing global rivalry between the United States and Russia. Beyond military conflicts and diplomatic talk, there exists a deeper and more intricate trend that represents what we must recognise as the...
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How Trump’s new energy policies reshape global oil markets
Only two months into his second term, President Donald Trump has wasted no time reactivating his signature “energy dominance” doctrine—this time, with even sharper tools and bolder ambitions. The initial executive orders and international policy actions from his administration show a revitalised transactional approach to energy diplomacy which relies heavily...
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Does the Iran-Iraq-Turkmenistan Triangle provide a solution for Europe's energy security?
Europe’s energy crisis is far from over. European energy diversification efforts have faced significant challenges since the Ukraine war jeopardised Russian gas supplies. European leaders search for energy alternatives as a potential solution emerges from an unlikely region: the Iran-Iraq-Turkmenistan energy triangle. Europe has access to reliable long-term energy...
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Pope Francis to visit Turkiye in May despite health concerns: What comes next?
Despite ongoing health issues, Pope Francis plans to visit Turkiye in May 2025 for diplomatic and interfaith purposes. The planned visit of Pope Francis to Turkiye in May 2025 will become one of the year’s top diplomatic and interfaith events. The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Francis is considering travelling...
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The power of cinema: From No Man’s Land to No Other Land
My Bosnian neighbours Karim and Selma invited me to view No Man’s Land during my 2010 work tenure in Sarajevo, as the movie reflected their own experiences deeply. Through its depiction of the Bosnian War (1992-1995), the film demonstrated both the senseless tragedy and the devastating impact on their...
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What are the implications for regional trade and investment of the Turkiye-Abu Dhabi port deal failure?
The failed port negotiations between Turkiye and Abu Dhabi Ports (ADP) represent a major disappointment for the economic goals of both countries. Turkiye’s Transportation Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu stated that negotiations for expanding İzmir’s Alsancak Port ended without agreement which would have improved Turkiye’s maritime trade capabilities. It is clear that...
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The ripple effect of tariffs on global trade and energy markets
Tariffs implemented by President Donald Trump will lead to significant changes in global trade dynamics and energy market conditions. The recent announcement by President Donald Trump regarding 10 per cent tariffs on Chinese goods and proposed 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports has generated extensive conversations about...
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Libya and Turkiye: Pioneering a renewable energy consortium for a sustainable future
Nestled in the heart of North Africa, Libya finds itself at a historic crossroads. Long known for its oil reserves, the country now grapples with growing electricity demand that requires a shift toward renewable energy. This is where Turkiye enters the picture, with a growing renewable energy sector and a history...
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The future of the mining industry in the Middle East: 2025
The global mining sector stands on the verge of fundamental change as it gears up for a decade in which it will need to invest $6 trillion, according to Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources. Into this global mix, the Middle East is emerging as a leader of mining...
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DOHA FORUM 2024: Qatar’s LNG future and the acrobatics between Asia and Europe in a shifting energy landscape
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) father Michael Tusiani, writing in his book From Black Gold to Frozen Gas, How Qatar Became an Energy Superpower, noted that the world energy market has entered an intersection where sustainability, security and affordability must be addressed. Qatar, the world’s largest exporter of LNG, plays a central...
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After Assad: the hard way out for Syrian refugees returning from Turkiye
The recent fall of Syrian dictator, Bashar Al-Assad’s regime has added new optimism and challenges to Syria’s prospects and the future of democracy. In Turkey, with close to 3.76 million Syrian refugees (UNHCR, 2024), the issue of whether and how those refugees should be repatriated is at its most urgent. Though...
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Connecting worlds: Turkiye’s rapidly expanding trade with Southeast Asia and Oceania
Turkiye’s trade with Southeast Asia and Oceania has picked up incredible pace during the current globalised and connected market environment. As a strategic nation-state, industrial powerhouse and economic powerhouse, Turkiye is using its strategic location and policy advantage to expand relations with these areas. Turkiye’s trade volume with Southeast Asia increased...
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The new Trump age: A turn in US-Turkiye relations?
Henry Kissinger in his book, “Diplomacy” says that ‘When statesmen want to gain time, they offer to talk.’ Now that Donald Trump is back in the White House, the US-Turkiye relationship comes to an impasse. Related with Kissinger’s statements, the question appears: Will Trump offer to talk with Erdogan around...
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Vision 2030: Why renewable energy is the key to a healthier, wealthier future
As ways to curb carbon emissions become more urgent with each passing day, Vision 2030 takes a much needed, sometimes radical but always sensible plan for Saudi Arabia and oil-rich economies to go renewable and make the environment cleaner, the economy healthier and the society stronger as is stated...
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Turkiye’s strategic shift: Why BRICS membership matters for the world’s 19th largest economy
Turkiye’s potential BRICS membership is an intriguing move that signals Ankara’s strategic intent to diversify its international alliances beyond its traditional affiliations, primarily NATO and the EU. This development is not only about enhancing trade or economic opportunities but also reflects Turkiye’s ambitions to reposition itself as a more...
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TurkStream’s $16bn impact: Geopolitical shifts for Ukraine, Turkiye and Hungary in Europe’s energy landscape
In the shifting landscape of global energy geopolitics, the TurkStream natural gas pipeline stands out as a critical artery for energy flows between Russia and Europe, with far-reaching consequences for Turkiye, Ukraine and Hungary. Launched in January 2020, TurkStream was designed to deliver Russian natural gas to Turkiye and...
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The US-Turkiye S-400 and F-35 standoff: Future paths and implications
Turkiye and the United States have long shared a strategic alliance under the NATO umbrella, with both countries mutually benefiting from economic, military and geopolitical cooperation. However, the ongoing dispute over Turkiye’s purchase of the Russian S-400 missile defence system and its exclusion from the F-35 program has put...
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‘Leveraging Scandinavian expertise: How Turkiye can enhance its renewable energy capacity by 50%’
In his acclaimed book, “The New Map: Energy, Climate, and the Clash of Nations”, Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Daniel Yergin, insightfully observes, “Energy transitions are not just about fuel; they are about how we live, how our economies function, and how we respond to the central challenge of our time—climate change.”...
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The life and legacy of Turkish-American activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi: A beacon of hope for Palestine
The world of activism was shaken by the tragic news of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi’s death at the hands of Israeli forces in the West Bank. Her demise has sparked a renewed conversation about the Occupation of Palestine, the struggles of the Palestinian people, and the role of international activists...
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Turkiye’s humanitarian approach to refugees on World Humanitarian Aid Day
Turkiye’s humanitarian approach to refugees, particularly in the context of the Syrian civil war, stands as one of the most significant and large-scale efforts in modern history. As of 2023, Turkiye hosts the largest refugee population in the world, with over 3.6 million registered Syrian refugees and approximately 300,000...
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Immigration policies in the UK and Turkiye — A comparative reflection
Immigration is a topic that frequently stirs emotions, debates and, most critically, policies that shape the lives of millions. When comparing the immigration policies of the United Kingdom and Turkiye, we are presented with a stark contrast in how two nations, each grappling with its own challenges, address the...
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UK Elections: Turkiye-UK relations amid new immigrant policies
After the Labour Party won the British elections, new laws against immigration of Turks living in the UK are on the agenda. Based on a long and deep-rooted diplomatic history, Turkiye-UK relations have been following an extremely positive course for a long time compared to Turkiye’s relations with the...