Insight Turkey / Articles

The Abolition of Turkish Language and Turkish Culture Course in Middle Schools in France

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 19:10:00 GMT

The aim of this research is to examine the opinions of parents and teachers about the abolition of the Turkish Language and Turkish Culture course in middle schools in France. The data for this study were collected through face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured interview form and were conducted with a case study pattern, one of the qualitative research approaches. The typical case sampling method, which is one of the purposive sampling methods, was used to determine the study group of the research. Within the scope of the research, face-to-face interviews were conducted with seven parents, who have children studying in middle schools in France and eight teachers assigned to shcools in France by the Ministry of National Education (France). The data gathered from the interviews were analyzed by content analysis, and certain codes were reached, and related codes were brought together under certain themes. According to the findings, participating parents and teachers stated that the Turkish Language and Turkish Culture course in middle schools in France is necessary and very important for the language development of the students.

Hezbollah’s Escalating War Strategy Following October 7: Balancing Ideology and Geopolitical Context

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 18:43:00 GMT

This study explores Hezbollah’s evolving war strategy following the October 7, 2023, Operation al-Aqsa Flood, emphasizing its gradual shift toward high-intensity engagement with Israel. Utilizing Ontological Security Theory, the analysis examines Hezbollah’s decision-making process, considering its dual role as a Lebanese political actor and a resistance movement. Initially refraining from full-scale warfare, Hezbollah transitioned to more intense military actions, including missile strikes targeting Haifa and Tel Aviv, in response to Israel’s increased airstrikes on Lebanon and the announcement of a ground invasion. The study highlights how Hezbollah’s strategic decisions balance immediate security concerns, domestic and regional dynamics, and the preservation of its ideological identity. By contextualizing these actions within broader Middle Eastern conflicts, this research underscores the importance of ontological security in understanding the behavior of non-state actors amid escalating tensions.

The Sursuk Family and Land Dealings in Ottoman Palestine: A Historical Perspective (1890-1920)

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 18:30:00 GMT

In the late 19th century, the Jewish migration to Palestine had a wide range of political, economic, and social impacts that have continued to the present day. The belief of the Jews that the land of Palestine was promised to them constituted one of the principles on which the migration movement was based and one of the main factors that motivated migration. The Zionist Community’s backing was a major factor in the background of Jewish immigration to Palestine of the Ottoman Empire. One of the activities of this Zionist organization in Palestine was to purchase the land on behalf of the Jews through the Sursuk family, one of the rich landowners of the region. By selling the properties they held in Palestine to Jewish settlers, the Sursuks contributed to the permanent settlement of Jews. This article will examine the Sursuk family’s involvement in the sale of Palestine to Jews, considering Ottoman Archive documents. These documents, which cover the years 1890-1920, provide details on how Palestinian territories were sold to Jewish settlers via the Sursuks. This study also aims to understand the overall picture of land sales by touching upon the multidimensional regional/international cooperation established by the Sursuk family.

From Holocaust Victimization to Construction of Sovereignty Image: A Critical Study on Fauda

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 18:21:00 GMT

This article analyses the series Fauda, which portrays the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, one of the longest-running conflicts in international politics and the subject of numerous initiatives by the international community. The paper also focuses on series’ narrative based on the conflict’s political dynamics. The main aim of the study is to analyze uses with metonymic abstraction, Israel’s security-oriented strategy narrative and its attempt to legitimize its claim to sovereignty over Palestinian territories and to seek an answer to the question of why Palestinian side is transformed into the passive and trouble-making party. In this context, Fauda is a field of expression where social struggles are reproduced, and the discourse of sovereignty is appropriated in favor of Israel. The innocence defined in Holocaust films evolves into a prevented chaos in Fauda. While humanism is a quality that purifies human being from violence, in Fauda, it is necessary to secure humanist violence.

The Transformation of Turkish-Israeli Relations after Al-Aqsa Flood: An Analysis of Geopolitical, Political, and Social Dynamics

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 18:03:00 GMT

Türkiye established diplomatic relations with Israel in 1949, with Ankara’s recognition of the Jewish state. During the Cold War era, the relations were shaped by geopolitical and security concerns such as Soviet expansionism. Over the years, both countries opted for a pragmatic rapprochement in the aftermath of the Abraham Accords, which normalized ties between Israel and several Gulf Arab states in a significant realignment in regional dynamics. For Türkiye, it was a calculated decision against regional isolation and evolving dynamics. Operation al-Aqsa Flood and Israel’s subsequent invasion of Gaza turned out to be another key moment that caused significant social sensitivity to Türkiye’s ties to Tel Aviv. This article examines the evolution of Türkiye-Israel ties through three critical events: the Abraham Accords, Turkish foreign policy’s post-Arab Spring reorientation, and social reactions to Israel’s genocide in Gaza. It also analyzes the gradual transformation of Türkiye-Israel ties from being mainly shaped by political elites to being increasingly influenced by social pressures and sensitivities. Its trajectory now depends on a complex web of structural, geopolitical factors, and domestic public opinion, and suggests a potential foreign policy recalibration for Türkiye.

Reflections of the Palestinian-Israeli War in Western Media: The Case of Thomson Reuters

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 17:30:00 GMT

The Palestinian-Israeli conflict has long been a central issue in the Middle East, with global resonance and significant media reflections. Western media often claim neutrality, but are criticized for ignoring power imbalances and presenting news largely from an Israel-centric perspective, highlighting Israel’s security concerns while downplaying Palestinian suffering. International media organizations play a key role in shaping global perceptions, yet ownership and control are concentrated in Western companies, which shape news policies based on political, ideological, and cultural values. This study examines how Thomson Reuters, one of the world’s most influential international news agencies, covered the Palestinian-Israeli war beginning on October 7, 2023. Using content analysis, news published between October 7, 2023, and January 7, 2024, were analyzed in terms of language, themes, visuals, tone, and emphasis. Findings highlight the role of media ownership and reveal how Western-origin international media shape narratives on Middle Eastern conflicts, contributing to future research on war journalism and media studies.

The British Academia and the Genocide in Gaza

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 17:05:00 GMT

This article critically examines the muted and often suppressive response of British academia to the unfolding genocide in Gaza following the events of October 7, 2023. While academic freedom is traditionally upheld as a pillar of liberal democratic societies, the article argues that it has been significantly compromised in the UK by geopolitical alliances, neoliberal institutional logics, and the weaponization of anti-Semitism. Drawing on concepts such as biopolitics, cultural hegemony, and grievability, the study explores how British universities have internalized state narratives that silence dissent on Israel-Palestine issues. The article provides a detailed analysis of administrative interventions, student protests, media campaigns, and government pressure that have collectively restricted pro-Palestinian expression and academic critique. Case studies of prominent academics and student movements reveal how accusations of anti-Semitism have been deployed to suppress legitimate criticism of Israeli policies. Despite this climate of fear and censorship, the article also highlights moments of resistance, including large-scale protests, court vindications, and calls for divestment from companies complicit in Israeli war crimes. The article concludes by asserting that the Gaza crisis has exposed a profound ethical failure within British academia, necessitating a structural reimagining of academic responsibility, free speech, and global solidarity.

Legal Implications of the ICJ Proceedings Regarding Israel’s Conduct in Gaza

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 16:54:00 GMT

This study examines the interim injunction decisions made by the International Court of Justice in a case where South Africa accused the State of Israel of committing the crime of “Genocide.” The study explores the idea that international law predominantly serves the powerful and argues that progress can be made in terms of international law concerning Gaza. It aims to challenge the notion that law solely benefits the powerful based on the concept of “common interest.”

Testing Human Rights in Gaza under the Genocide Convention

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 16:15:00 GMT

The humanitarian crisis and violations of international law committed during Israel’s attacks on Gaza after Hamas’ Operation al-Aqsa Flood on October 7, 2023, have led to accusations against Tel Aviv within the scope of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. In various reports prepared by independent experts within the United Nations, it has been stated that Israel’s actions contain strong evidence of genocide in Palestine and prove the existence of genocidal intent. On December 29, 2023, South Africa filed an application against Israel with the International Court of Justice (ICJ), alleging that Israel had violated its obligations under the Genocide Convention toward Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, and requested interim measures to end the attacks and provide humanitarian assistance. The insistence on the non-implementation of binding interim measures issued by the ICJ and Israel’s continued attacks despite the ceasefire call into question the effectiveness of international human rights protection mechanisms. This case before the court should be seen as an opportunity to prevent the commission of a grave crime such as genocide and to reinforce the supremacy of international law against human rights violations.

The Rise of Theopolitical Discourse: Sacred Narratives and Israeli Strategies of Destruction against Palestinians

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 15:53:00 GMT

This article examines Israel’s policies toward Palestinians following Operation al-Aqsa Flood, within a conceptual framework that emphasizes processes of othering, destruction, and purification. Since the onset of the conflict, tens of thousands of Palestinians have lost their lives, and essential infrastructure has been systematically targeted. The analysis argues that conventional concepts of international relations, such as conflict, crisis, or war, are insufficient to fully explain the underlying logic of Israeli policies. Instead, it proposes that these policies should be examined through a theopolitical lens that highlights the interplay between political narratives, religious doctrines, and practices of violence. Specifically, the study focuses on two foundational doctrines in the Jewish tradition: the concept of chosenness and the Promised Land. These doctrines have been mobilized in political discourse as instruments for legitimizing exclusion and the construction of Palestinians as the “other.”

Are All Gazans Hamas?

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 14:43:00 GMT

This article investigates the people in Gaza’s perceptions of the current war and the role of international actors in facilitating peace. A survey conducted with 1,188 respondents across Gaza reveals that 58 percent attribute responsibility for the war to Israel. The majority (58.2 percent) believe the losses in Gaza after October 7 are not worth the achievements. Respondents favor both military and diplomatic solutions, with 27.7 percent supporting a global coalition and 16.1 percent advocating for canceling relations. 64 percent of Gazans still regard Hamas as indispensable for Palestine’s future. The PLO is perceived as less legitimate and effective than Hamas. International actors seen as important to shaping Palestine’s future include Egypt, Jordan, the UN, Saudi Arabia, the U.S., and Türkiye while Israel faces strong opposition, as do the EU and the U.S. These findings reveal a wide range of views on Hamas and Israel, challenging the narrative that all Gazans align with Hamas. The continued legitimacy of Hamas among Gazans indicates the futility of Israel’s long-held policy of “the Iron Wall.” Support for Hamas especially during intense attacks on their group survival can be well-explained by the findings in political psychology literature.

From Operator’s to AI’s Control: Assessing the Killer Drones Future Role in Warfare

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 13:23:00 GMT

Although the nature of war remains the same, its characteristics have been dynamic throughout history. One of the most significant factors contributing to this dynamism is technology. Every technological advancement introduced to the battlefield has brought and continues to bring striking changes to the conduct of conflicts. In particular, the impact of autonomous weapons and unmanned vehicles has highlighted the need for a more comprehensive reconsideration of warfare. The integration of AI into these systems takes the concept of war to an entirely new dimension. Accordingly, this study will discuss the implications of AI-supported killer drones. Currently these drones are expected to make fewer errors than operator-controlled ones in processes such as target identification, real-time and continuous tracking, high-accuracy neutralization, and evading counterattacks. Consequently, the use of AI-enhanced systems has been analyzed in terms of their pressure on adversaries and the countermeasures they might provoke. The study referenced the concrete example of the Ukraine-Russian war, where killer drones have been deployed, facilitating a more tangible discussion and addressing the potential transformations AI could bring to future warfare.

Techno-Polarization on the East-West Axis in AI-Based Algorithmic Communication

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 13:17:00 GMT

This paper examines algorithmic biases and ideological orientations in AI models through a comparative analysis of Eastern and Western perspectives. At a time when technological advances are reshaping global power dynamics, AI systems are not independent of cultural and political contexts in their design and operation. The ideological tendencies embedded in the outputs of the Western-based ChatGPT and the Eastern-based DeepSeek offer critical insights into the ways algorithms process data within specific frameworks. In this context, the study analyzes how algorithmic bias is not only a technical problem but also reflects global power asymmetries. The research uses qualitative content analysis to examine the responses generated by ChatGPT-4 and DeepSeek-R1. Türkiye’s digital media ecosystem offers a distinctive context for exploring how differing digital governance models and normative frameworks are reflected in media practices. Its geopolitical and technological positioning between East and West enables the observation of how diverse ideological influences shape the digital media landscape. This setting provides valuable insights into the interaction between global digital trends and locally embedded political, cultural, and institutional dynamics.

Governing Artificial Intelligence: Comparing AI Regulation among BRICS

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 13:08:00 GMT

The article examines AI regulation in BRICS countries through a typology of AI regulatory governance and a BRICS AI Readiness Index. Based on these analytical tools, the article assesses ethical, economic, governance, and temporal factors that influence the regulatory readiness of the five BRICS. This index mainly draws from a qualitative assessment of national legislation and AI national strategies. Based on this index, the article finds China the most prepared of the BRICS to regulate AI deployment, while Brazil, India, and South Africa show promises but face challenges in developing regulations. Russia appears in the Index as a clear laggard in the adoption of an AI regulatory framework. The article highlights ethical trade-offs, the complex relationship between public trust and regime type, and the relevance of temporal parameters to regulating AI. It calls for tailored policies to strengthen AI governance across BRICS countries.

Towards Global Digital Governance: Norms, Institutions, and Challenges of Multilateral Cooperation

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 12:56:00 GMT

This research investigates the possibilities for constructing a holistic, accountable, and effective global digital governance framework amid growing geopolitical competition and regulatory fragmentation. It explores how Joseph Nye’s theory of the regime complex and the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) multi-stakeholder initiative can serve as complementary models for advancing digital governance. While both have limitations, the study argues that when revised, they can offer foundations for balancing cooperation and competition in the digital domain. Through qualitative analysis of legal texts, policy reports, and institutional practices, the study assesses the mechanisms shaping digital governance. Findings suggest that a revised regime complex theory can illuminate the multi-actor, multi-level nature of governance and its cooperative potential, and that the IGF, if strategically recalibrated, can effectively guide future institutionalization efforts.

Navigating Global Power Dynamics of AI and the Generative World Order

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 16:53:00 GMT

The rapid advancement of AI technologies offers transformative opportunities alongside significant risks. AI can enhance global cooperation in areas such as healthcare and climate governance but also poses threats to international security through autonomous weapons, surveillance, and disinformation. This study examines AI’s dual role in shaping a generative world order, analyzing the U.S.-China competition and the EU’s regulatory interventions. Our analysis reveals that AI is not only a technological frontier but also a geopolitical fault line, fostering a world order where normative, economic, and security concerns converge. While the U.S. and China lead AI innovation, their escalating geopolitical tensions and economic rivalry highlight AI’s geopolitical significance. The EU, despite its limited AI industry capacity, shapes global norms through regulatory frameworks. Although Türkiye is not currently a leading actor, it emerges as a potential regional mediator, leveraging its geopolitical positioning and growing AI initiatives. This paper frames AI’s techno-political implications within global order theories, highlighting Türkiye’s soft-balancing approach as a novel case in middle-power diplomacy in the AI era.

Technological Extensions of the Offense-Defense Balance: Turkish Navy in the Eastern Mediterranean

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 16:48:00 GMT

The Eastern Mediterranean is one of the important points in the international arena where maritime competition is deepening. Although strategic approaches are effective in this competition, the level of technological progress is the primary goal of naval forces. In line with this goal, the level of technological progress of the naval forces in the region also affects their strategic assets and gives clues about long-term regional steps. These steps, which also highlight the interaction of technology and geopolitical presence, raise the question of where states stand in ensuring the balance of offense and defense. Ensuring this balance, which is also an indicator of regional peace and stability, is highly related to the technological qualities of the naval forces. This study asks where the Turkish Navy stands in the Eastern Mediterranean by focusing on the offense-defense balance approach. Türkiye, as one of the rising naval powers of the region, takes the link between technology and navy into consideration and considers it as one of the main steps in its long-term geopolitical existence. Focusing on the years 2011-2024, the study addresses the increasing naval activities with an offense-defense balanced approach and discusses the technological extensions of long-term geopolitical presence.

Turkish Space Policy in a Technopolar Paradigm Shift: A Roadmap

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 16:41:00 GMT

In 2021, Ian Bremmer coined the term technopolarity, signaling a world where big tech companies, especially in the digital realm, were gaining so much power that they were now able to ignore or even challenge nation-states. Some of these companies in the digital realm, such as X or Amazon, also own space companies such as SpaceX or Blue Origin. The space sector has been rapidly expanding with the emergence of a highly ambitious private sector worldwide, and space-based services are becoming essential for carrying on with daily life. Boosted by the power of AI technologies, space activities promise to become more prevalent, more interdependent with other emerging technologies, and thus offer even more services faster than they are today, as well as providing more power to the nation-states that master them. This is surely adding fuel to the fire in debates about technopolarity. Within this framework, this study explores how an emerging spacefaring nation like Türkiye should prepare for a technopolar world where technology companies increasingly challenge or add to the power of nation-states. The author discusses technopolarity as a concept in the making, vis-à-vis the wider understanding of polarity in international relations in general, demonstrates in which ways space activities and discussions on technopolarity are connected and puts Türkiye forward as a case study of an emerging actor in space to suggest a roadmap for a space policy in an increasingly unpredictable global environment.

Dual-Use Technologies in Türkiye’s Defense Sector: Pathways to Agricultural Modernization and Strategic Autonomy

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 16:34:00 GMT

The recent restructuring of global supply chains, along with growing concerns about food security, has highlighted the potential benefits of applying innovations from the defense industry to agriculture. This article examines how UAVs, sensor networks, and AI systems, initially developed for military use, can be adapted to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and resilience in agriculture. Concerning strategic autonomy, the study synthesizes the dynamic framework of Türkiye’s national innovation system with open innovation theory, employing a mixed-methods approach that includes policy document analyses, pilot project evaluations, and quantitative data comparisons of defense spending with agricultural productivity. Key findings reveal that Türkiye benefits from well-coordinated interactions between the state and farmers. Lastly, this study highlights the potential advancements in precision agriculture, cost efficiency, and enhanced technological sovereignty, arguing that innovations derived from military applications can aid in climate change adaptation and reduce dependency on foreign suppliers.

From Adopter to Innovator: Türkiye’s Strategic AI Initiatives for National Security and Inclusive Growth

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 16:28:00 GMT

In an increasingly technopolar world, artificial intelligence (AI) is pivotal for national competitiveness and security. This article examines how Türkiye, a rising regional power, leverages AI initiatives to bridge the digital divide while ensuring robust economic growth and defense capabilities. Situated within broader debates on digital governance, the study elucidates the interplay between Türkiye’s national policies and global tech competition. Drawing on policy documents and case studies, it traces the nation’s transition from technology adopter to proactive innovator in key sectors like defense, healthcare, and education. The article underscores the importance of inclusive AI that prioritizes human capital, equitable access, and data governance. It also highlights Türkiye’s pursuit of AI-driven defense modernization to establish strategic autonomy against modern threats. This work contends that Türkiye’s AI ambitions must be analyzed within the context of geopolitics, domestic regulation, and AI governance, not just through a technological lens. By offering policy recommendations for fostering cross-sector partnerships and investing in critical infrastructure, the study provides insights into balancing economic development with social equity and national security. Ultimately, this research contributes to the discourse on how emerging technologies reshape power structures, offering a deeper understanding of Türkiye’s evolving role in the digital age.

Türkiye’s Cybersecurity, Critical Infrastructure, and National Resilience in a Technopolar World Order

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 16:21:00 GMT

In an era where cybersecurity has become a defining element of global power competition and national security, Türkiye is developing its cyber capabilities to protect its critical infrastructures, ensure national resilience, and assert its strategic autonomy. As the international landscape shifts toward a technopolar world order, Türkiye aims to protect its national resilience from cyber threats from state-sponsored and non-state actors. In this context, this article examines Türkiye’s cybersecurity policies. It focuses on its strategic efforts to secure critical infrastructure, strengthen cyber resilience, and navigate the complexities of cyber governance in an evolving geopolitical environment. In addition, the article explores Türkiye’s approach to strengthening its digital sovereignty through national cybersecurity legislation, a Cybersecurity Presidency, the establishment of other key defense agencies, and investments in local technologies. It assesses the resilience of key sectors such as energy, finance, transportation, and defense against cyber threats, and analyses the role of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity in mitigating risks. Finally, the article analyses Türkiye’s cybersecurity trajectory against other emerging powers and highlights its evolving role in shaping global cyber governance.

Reinforcing Strategic Autonomy through Technological Power: Türkiye’s Position in the Emerging Technopolar Order

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 14:28:00 GMT

This article examines Türkiye’s strategic transformation into an emerging digital power within the context of the evolving technopolar international order. It argues that Türkiye’s pursuit of technological sovereignty, through investments in AI, defense innovation, digital infrastructure, and indigenous research, is not merely an economic or developmental ambition but a deliberate effort to enhance strategic autonomy and recalibrate its foreign policy positioning. Drawing on a theoretical framework that integrates offensive realism, constructivist insights, and strategic autonomy theory, the study explores how technological capacity has become central to Türkiye’s identity formation, regional influence, and global aspirations. The analysis is empirically grounded in the findings of the TechPulse Türkiye 2025 report, which captures the country’s technological advancements and their broader geopolitical implications. The article concludes that Türkiye’s case exemplifies how rising powers can transition from technology consumers to autonomous actors shaping the rules of the emerging global order.

Discussing the ‘New Türkiye’ in the Context of Strengthening the State

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 14:29:00 GMT

In recent decades, the foundational narratives of modernity have come under intense scrutiny. Global phenomena such as neoliberalism, mass migration, and economic transformation have challenged national sovereignty and questioned the legitimacy of the nation-state model. This article argues that Türkiye, through its ‘New Türkiye’ strategy, is not returning to the early republican ideals but reconfiguring itself as a regional economic and political center. It examines how nationalism and state power are restructured in the post-Kemalist context. Drawing on the work of theorists like Wendy Brown and Carl Schmitt, the article explores the erosion of modern sovereignty and the rise of new state logics. It concludes that the ‘New Türkiye’ reflects a shift away from closed nationalist frameworks towards a pragmatic, multipolar model of statehood, balancing tradition and global repositioning.

A Discursive Analysis of Changing Policy of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan towards Türkiye Post-Karabakh War

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 17:50:00 GMT

This study employs Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) to examine the transformative impact of the Second Karabakh War on the diplomatic relationships between Türkiye and two pivotal Central Asian nations, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. By analyzing public speeches and official statements from leaders of these countries, this research reveals a significant evolution from formal diplomatic interactions to the recognition of Türkiye as a strategic ally, underlining shared cultural and historical ties. The article highlights Türkiye’s burgeoning role as a regional power, actively shaping political and economic dynamics within the Organization of Turkic States. This shift is particularly evident in Kazakhstan’s narrative transition from an Islamic-centric perspective to one that acknowledges Türkiye’s crucial role in regional geopolitics and cultural partnerships, while Uzbekistan’s discourse moved from cautious interactions to robust partnership, culminating in an elevated relationship to a comprehensive strategic level. This paper not only enriches the literature on Türkiye’s expanding influence in Organization of Turkic States but also provides nuanced insights into the dynamic diplomatic landscapes of Central Asia post-conflict.

Evolving Policies of the EU towards Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Changing Actor Identities and Geostrategic Interests

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 17:25:00 GMT

From the 1980s onwards, the EU took a balanced approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In the last two decades, the EU has abandoned its role as a normative and neutral player. It appeared to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict within the context of security. On this basis, the paper aims to assess changing policies of the EU towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since the early 1970s. By revisiting constructivist theories, the study attempts to find out the role of the identities in the EU’s policies toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It concludes that the shift in the identities of the major political actors from the Palestine Liberation Organization to Hamas led to the reformulation of its policy toward Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Role of Central Security Forces in Supporting Authoritarian Regimes in Egypt (1969-2011)

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 17:10:00 GMT

The paramilitary forces known as the “Gendarmerie” emerged as a novel mechanism for societal control following the French Revolution. In Egypt, Gamal Abdel Nasser instituted the Central Security Forces (CSF) in 1969, drawing inspiration from the French Gendarmerie model, in response to mass protests. However, he developed it to suit the security needs in Egypt, where its operation expanded to include both urban and rural areas, not just rural areas as in France and Türkiye. After President Nasser’s unexpected death in 1970, his deputy, Anwar Sadat, assumed power. During his tenure, the CSF underwent two significant developments. After the assassination of former President Sadat in 1981, President Mubarak restructured the CSF and deployed it across Egypt to ensure the regime’s ability to confront any local threats that might endanger it. Nevertheless, the CSF failed to quell the protests of January 2011 and collapsed, which contributed to Mubarak stepping down from his position. This article investigates the role of the CSF in sustaining Egypt’s authoritarian regimes from 1969 until the 2011 uprising. It delves into the key internal and external factors behind the CSF’s formation and evolution while also analyzing the crucial circumstances that affected the forces’ performance during the 2011 revolution.

Locked Doors: An Analysis of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Struggles on the Path to European Union Membership

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 16:56:00 GMT

This article explores several challenges that have impeded Bosnia and Herzegovina’s (hereinafter: Bosnia) progress in its pursuit of European Union (EU) membership. It discusses four impediments to the country’s ability to join the EU: (1) the political system (or decision-making process), (2) the country’s societal structure, (3) the quasi-protectorate status, and (4) the Muslim population issue. Due to these impediments, Bosnia is experiencing more difficulties integrating into the EU than countries from previous enlargement waves. Consequently, Bosnia is unable to become a member of the EU at present, and the country has only undergone minimal domestic changes since submitting its application to join the EU in 2016.

Popular Culture and Mediatic Islamophobias: A Decolonial Reading of Exodus and Bharat Eik Khoj

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 15:58:00 GMT

This paper seeks to evaluate the claims of two very influential movements, Zionism and Hindutva, in the context of Palestine and Kashmir. An objective understanding of the world’s geopolitics allows us to understand the implications of films like Exodus (1960) and programs like Bharat Ek Khoj (1988), which have played a pivotal role in shaping our view of recent history. These two celluloid depictions serve as primary sources for study in this research, whereas other mediatic depictions serve as secondary sources. Building an argument about the growing exploitation of the native populations of these two regions, this work attempts to theorize about the Zionist and Hindutva apologia in contemporary times as an “implonialism”: a phenomenon comprising elements of colonialism, imperialism, despotism, and fascism. I further argue that these chronicles, manifested in the politics of film and narrative media, are post-truths that need to be investigated to understand the implicit Islamophobia in these mediatic encounters and, in so doing, to decolonize our minds. Therefore, engaging with Andrew Shryock’s theorizing in his edited book Islamophobia/Islamophilia: Beyond the Politics of Enemy and Friend (2010) and John L. Esposito and Ibrahim Kalın’s edited book, Islamophobia: The Challenge of Pluralism in the 21st Century (2011), this research is a decolonial reading of Zionist and Hindutva apologia that exhibit Islamophobic/Islamophilic implonialism.

Pivot to Asia: Examining Türkiye’s Relations with the SCO, AIIB, and ASEAN

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 15:28:00 GMT

The study examines Türkiye’s pivot to Asia by analyzing its interactions with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Through qualitative case analysis, the study explores Türkiye’s relations with these three organizations, focusing on systemic incentives, domestic objectives, and their interconnections. The findings reveal that Türkiye’s engagement with the SCO centers on political and security collaboration. However, full membership remains unattainable due to the SCO’s priorities and Türkiye’s alliance relations, such as NATO. Due to the strong partnership developed with AIIB, Türkiye has obtained significant amounts of financing from AIIB in connection with projects, renewable energy investments, and other issues related to its national agenda. Relations with ASEAN are progressing through sectoral dialogue partnership, aiming to strengthen institutional and economic ties despite limited trade impacts. The study concludes that Türkiye has successfully obtained significant economic benefits from AIIB for infrastructure projects and has enhanced its geopolitical influence by deepening ties with the SCO and ASEAN.

Türkiye-EU Relations: Revisited from Europeanization and CFSP Alignment Perspective

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 14:31:00 GMT

The European Union (EU) is neither a state nor a traditional international organization in the classical sense. It is described as a sui generis international organization. This article first focuses on the EU’s unique structure, with a particular emphasis on the formulation of foreign policy at the EU level and the Europeanization of national foreign policy in the EU member states. In line with this perspective, the article evaluates Türkiye’s EU membership process, the Europeanization of Turkish foreign policy, and its alignment with the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) of the EU from 1999 to the present. Consequently, this article analyzes the impacts of Europeanization, de-Europeanization, and renationalization of Turkish foreign policy in the context of the EU-Türkiye relations.