US Secretary of Defense
Washington’s efforts for ‘damage control’ in Israel
| OpinionDuring his visit to Israel, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin reiterated the Biden administration’s …
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OpinionWashington’s efforts for ‘damage control’ in Israel
By Kadir ÜstünDuring his visit to Israel, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin reiterated the Biden administration's support but conveyed the message that operations should be more limited. Austin, who previously stated that Israel faced the risk of 'strategic defeat,' is believed to be delivering the message that winning the war in urban combat requires gaining civilian support. The U.S. administration reportedly urged Israel to reduce the intensity of operations by the end of the year and increase humanitarian aid passages. While continuing support for Israel, the Biden administration seems to be trying to limit the political cost generated by the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
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OpinionErdoğan’s visit to Qatar and developments in Gaza
By Burhanettin DuranPresident Recep Tayyip Erdoğan paid an official visit to Qatar where he held a bilateral meeting with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and attended the 9th meeting of the Türkiye-Qatar High-Level Strategic Committee and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit.
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OpinionNeither with nor without China…
By Kadir ÜstünThe Biden administration is struggling to formulate a comprehensive and effective China policy. While the Trump era saw constant pressure on China, attempting to limit its sphere of influence, the Biden administration embarked on a path of both competition and cooperation. Despite a general consensus across both parties about the need for the United States to contend with China, it is evident that crafting a concrete and effective China policy remains challenging. The planned visit of Secretary of State Blinken to China in February, expected to ease the escalating tensions and establish a "constructive" framework, was postponed due to the strain caused by the "spy balloon" incident, further highlighting the fragility and lack of trust in the relationship. However, there is no indication of any tangible outcome achieved during Blinken's visit.
Bu Konuda Daha Fazla
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US’ ‘ifs and buts’ on PKK cause skepticism in...
By Kılıç Buğra KanatLast week an act of terrorism shook Turkey to its core. A total of 13 Turkish citizens kidnapped by PKK terrorists in previous years were executed in the Gara region of northern Iraq.
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Escalating tensions amid a changing global order
By Burhanettin DuranThe United States took its first 'concrete step' to encourage Turkey to rethink its plan to purchase the S-400 missile defense system from Russia. Washington was going to exclude Turkish pilots from the F-35 fighter jet training program, Reuters reported last week.
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Is China’s ‘Peaceful Rise’ over?
By Kılıç Buğra KanatWithin the framework of a shift in global economic gravity, Chinese assertiveness and political-military vision regarding East Asia is creating heated debates with U.S. representatives at international summits
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CENTCOM’s policies in Syria paving ground for more terrorism
By Ömer ÖzkizilcikWith no Daesh-held territories left and McGurk, Votel gone, time for the US to seriously reassess the role of CENTCOM and its policies
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The US exit strategy from Iraq to Syria
By Kılıç Buğra KanatIn 2005, during a visit to troops in Iraq, U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld reportedly said, "We don't have an exit strategy, we have a victory strategy." The true meaning of this statement and its potential repercussions for the U.S. strategy in Iraq is a matter of debate among scholars.