By Julian Fischer-Lhamon Conflict between Turks and Kurds has characterized the northern tip of the Middle East (specifically southeastern Türkiye, northern Iraq, northeastern Syria, and western Iran) for a century. However, it would be a mistake to assume that it is unyielding or permanent. In 2009 there was a wave of liberalization, since titled the... Continue Reading →
By John W. Parks. Edited by Jose Miguel This year’s ISCNE Army War College wargaming scenario was held at the Patterson School October 4-5, 2024. The scenario was attended by students representing China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Issues regarding water resource and great power competition was at the heart of all negotiations.... Continue Reading →
By Julian Fischer-Lhamon A few days ago Turkey attended a BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia. The significance of this is underline by Turkey’s bid to join the group, which would make it the first NATO country to do so. This maneuver does not necessarily imply that Turkey is shifting away from the West, although relations... Continue Reading →
By Julian Fischer-Lhamon Turkey is in a precarious, though strategic, position between East and West. This also holds true for conflict between Israel and the Arab world. Nominally, Turkey’s leader, Erdoğan, is resolutely in favor of the Palestinian cause. However, his words do not align with his actions. As the East-West rivalry intensifies, Turkey’s balancing... Continue Reading →
By Julian Fischer-Lhamon The Turkic peoples have long been separated politically as well as geographically by Russia, Persia, and the Caspian Sea. In spite of, or rather because of, this separation, a great sense of Turkic identity has spread and survived over the centuries between Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Central Asia. Although Turkish nationalists have dreamed... Continue Reading →
By Julian Fischer-Lhamon After fourteen years, a German Chancellor has finally visited Kazakhstan again. Olaf Scholz’s visit was highly anticipated, with groundwork being laid already last year with a visit by Germany’s foreign minister and president. Scholz met with not only Kazakhstan's president, Tokayev, but also leaders of the other central Asian countries. Despite other... Continue Reading →
By Julian Fischer-Lhamon Historically, tensions between Turkey and Russia have remained tense over the centuries. Their shared interest in the Black Sea, the Crimea, and Russia’s desire for unrestricted access to the Mediterranean have led to them facing off against each other in the Crimean War, the First World War, and very nearly again in... Continue Reading →
BRICS recently expanded to allow for the integration of six new members into the group. Pakistan has also submitted a formal request to join the group, though this request is made complicated by Pakistan's history and relations with India.
The Organization of Turkic States recently met for their 10th Summit. It is a group that works to advance trade and economic cooperation between member states and serves as a forum to discuss domestic and international issues.
Pakistan announced in early October that all illegal migrants would need to leave the country by November 1st or risk deportation. This policy targeted the 1.73 million Afghan refugees that fled to Pakistan following the rise of the Taliban. Many of these refugees could face persecution upon return to Afghanistan.
