Turkish voters will go to the polls in June 2023 to elect their president and members of the parliament. As cliché as this may sound, the results of these elections will decide the fate of not only President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party (AKP) but also
In the war in Ukraine, which has dragged on for four months now, the deployment of military drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) was expected to be a game changer. The reality, however, has not lived up to the promise—for either side in the conflict. Both Ukraine and Russia have
Turkey’s ruling coalition, the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), pursues new legislation that muzzles dissident voices on the Internet and social media as Turkey heads into another election cycle. Contrary to how the bill is presented as a legal framework against disinformation and misinformation, it
NATO membership for Sweden and Finland undoubtedly has the power to change the security architecture in Europe. Often overlooked, however, are the potentially significant consequences in a much different region—the Arctic. Inclusion of the Nordic states in the NATO alliance would mean that all members of the Arctic Council—except Russia—will
The efforts by Turkey to block Sweden and Finland from becoming a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization have led to confusion and frustration within the alliance. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan voiced Turkey’s opposition to NATO expansion, and his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) followed with similar remarks.
Ever since Vladimir Putin assumed leadership, the world and especially Europe have been watching nervously how Russia may act given its position as a dominant energy supplier (see the Appendices for information on Russia’s key oil and gas importers and main pipelines). The first time Europe literally held its breath
Chaos and instability have always been fertile ground for organized crime and criminal networks typically operating in Eastern Europe. The conflict in Ukraine is a golden opportunity for nefarious groups to exploit desperate and vulnerable people weary of death and destruction. It is no coincidence that the rise and empowerment
When Israel President Isaac Herzog visited Turkey in early March, it was a victory of sorts for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who welcomed his Israeli counterpart with open arms. The president and his foreign policy team had worked diligently for the past couple of months to make this moment
In this Orion Talks podcast, Dr. Colin Clarke describes how Ukraine has become a center of gravity for foreign fighters and mercenaries and provides a background for those joining the legion. He explains the logistical, organizational, and operational challenges waiting for them on the battlefield and discusses whether their participation
In this Orion Talks podcast, Dr. Richard Falk discusses the position of international law and United Nations vis a vis the Ukraine conflict and ongoing humanitarian crisis. He talks about plausible solutions to minimize human suffering and evaluates two sides’ positions for a potential ceasefire or peace deal. He concludes
In this Orion Talks podcast, Dr. Paul Poast elaborates on his disagreement with John Mearsheimer’s arguments on the West’s responsibility in the Ukraine crisis. He also explains potential scenarios on how the war might end and how these scenarios interplay with Putin’s endgame in the conflict. Dr. Poast continues
In this Orion Talks podcast, Dr. Matthew Light talks about Russian president Putin’s purpose in the invasion, how to complicate his aims, and the lessons to take away from the crisis. Dr. Light also provides insights into NATO’s unity and enlargement plans, security in the Baltic region, and the former
