June, 2023

• 6 June

  Just War and Just War Theory

  

  One of the most disputed topics with regard to the concept of war is the idea of a Just War – a war held to be founded on the principles of justice in principle caused and conducted in the name of humanity like, for instance, self-defense or protection of minority …

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• 6 June

  The Politics of Erdogan and Western Anxieties

  

  Recep Tayyip Erdogan has become the longest-serving leader in the history of the Turkish Republic. He has been a controversial yet dominant figure in Turkish politics since 2003 holding various positions including prime minister and president. In the runoff election held on May 15, neither Erdogan nor his opponent, Kemal …

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• 6 June

  Turning the Page: Saudi Arabia’s New Diplomatic Approach

  

  The Arab League meeting earlier this month was one of the more interesting in the last couple of decades, mostly due to the host, Saudi Arabia, using it for messaging the West, particularly on Israel and Syria. More recently, Riyadh has engaged in new diplomatic moves towards Canada, a country …

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• 6 June

  The Art of Tasseography: China–Russia Relations as Viewed from China

  

  Analysis of Beijing’s relationship with Moscow tends to focus on official statements and diplomatic behaviour. But what do Chinese experts have to say about the matter? And how might they be advising their government? The dynamics of Beijing’s relationship with Moscow remain as opaque as the inner workings of the …

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• 6 June

  Overcoming the Challenges of Transitional Mobilization

  

  Nonviolent action can be a powerful way to bring about peaceful transitions from autocratic rule to democracy. But even when initially successful, movement leaders often face significant challenges, from frustrations that grievances are not addressed quickly enough to counterrevolutions aimed at restoring the authoritarian status quo. This report examines two …

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• 6 June

  Dislodging Putin’s Foothold in the Balkans

  

  With the West focused on Ukraine, Russia is taking the opportunity to nibble away at NATO’s borders and to sow discord. The impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on the Balkans can only be understood by considering Moscow’s malign influence in the region from a broader perspective. While Russia has …

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• 6 June

  Egypt’s cautious approach to rapprochement with Iran

  

  Over the past three months, observers have speculated about the restoration of ties between Egypt and Iran. For many, it seemed logical for the Egyptian regime of President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi to follow the Saudi example and restore ties with Tehran. In March, Riyadh resumed ties with Iran after a seven-year …

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• 6 June

  Erdogan’s victory: Implications for the Turkey-US alliance

  

  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s win on 28 May extends his rule until 2028. Shortly after securing another term, which may have been his biggest political challenge, he addressed hundreds of thousands of people outside the presidential palace in Ankara. Erdogan announced that “the only winner today is Turkey” and …

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• 6 June

  Stabilizing instability: The challenges of Middle East peacebuilding

  

  The Middle East is experiencing a remarkable spate of diplomacy, de-escalation, and normalization. This started with the Abraham Accords between Israel and four Arab countries in 2020, the ending of the intra-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) crisis in 2021, and the revival of GCC-Turkey relations, and has extended to the Saudi-Iranian …

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• 6 June

  Putting Diplomacy First in the Middle East: Creating Incentives for De-Escalation

  

  The Middle East is undergoing a historic transformation with unprecedented opportunities to build new relationships, de-escalate tensions, and foster conditions for stronger integration. At the same time, the region remains on edge because of ongoing tensions in Yemen, Syria, Iraq, and other conflict zones, a civil war that broke out …

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