Middle East and North Africa

Saving Syria’s ceasefire

  • Julien Barnes-Dacey
  • Commentary

Despite its limitations, the current US-Russian brokered ceasefire offers the best chance of moving the Syria conflict towards a poltiical resolution

Why Incitement runs both ways in Israel/Palestine

  • Hugh Lovatt
  • Commentary

In working to rein in manifestations of incitement to violence, Europe must not lose sight of the factors that, while never justifying violence, create conditions that are particularly conducive to radicalisation

12 Apr

Berlin Foreign Policy Club: EU-Türkei Beziehungen

  • ECFR Berlin

Through the summit decision on 18 March 2016 Turkey became a totally different “strategic partner” of the EU than initially expected. Due to this now very close connection within the refugee crisis, Turkey becomes an important key player that is responsible for the stability and strategic position of the EU. The position of Turkish politics concerns Europe significantly more than it was the case before. Therefore we discussed this strategic position and the perspective of Turkey, as well as the consequences in foreign policy of the decision in Brussels within our Berlin Foreign Policy Club.  Currently, Turkey is seen as a key state, acting as a gatekeeper for Europe in times of the refugee crisis. The general role of Turkey in the Arab Spring was always driven by economic interests, and this interest had dominated all other aspects of the Turkish view of the Arab Spring. This position is even more strenghtened by the new refugee deal between the EU and Turkey. Furthermore, the Kurdish issue was dicussed, as well as the deep mistrust between Turkey and Iran, based on historic narratives and religion, but also being shaped by economic rivalry now.