SIEGE OF GAZPROM. Part II

On the 28^th of September this year anti-monopoly bodies of European Commission searched the offices of 20 Central European and Western European companies. Gazprom subsidiaries in Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Baltic States and Poland were concerned, too. List of searched companies includes German giants like Е.ON and RWE, Polish state concern PGNiG and EuRoPolGaz. The system of transit Yamal-Europe gas pipelines coming through Poland belongs to the latter one. At the same time the blow on the south-eastern flank was delivered.

Part 1

TURKISH MARCH SOUNDS ALL THE LOUDER

Is Ankara threatening Cyprus with war?

Turkish stirring up at the Middle East, its attempt to scrape up the political fortune at the settlement of Palestinian conflict seems sufficient for solving the foreign-policy goals, which Recep Erdoğan set after winning the elections. Either appetite comes with eating, or the bellicose descendants of Mehmed the Conqueror took an offence for their maneuvers and demarches going unnoticed by the Euro-Union and the USA — be as it may, Turks have started an unprecedented sabre-rattling campaign.

What Turkey aggravates its relations with Israel for?

Having chosen the reinforcement of its influence in the Arab world as the strategic goal, Turkish Republic logically started to actively support Palestine, countering Israel. This is a true path for gaining love of Arab streets and respect of Arab leaders. Wealthy Middle-Eastern monarchies are ready to accept Turkey as a mediator of a dialogue between the West and East in exchange for liberating them from a role of a buffer, staying under constant pressure from both sides.

Erdoğan’s “New Deal”. Part II

At the global arena contemporary Turkey fetched itself in an “enemy within” kind of situation. Being integrated into the NATO Euro-Atlantic structures, this showcase of a secular Islamic state failed to overcome the alienation of its allies, simultaneously losing influence in its traditional environment — the Islamic world. Erdoğan’s “New Deal” is intended to drastically change this situation and turn Turkey not only into the most influential power in the Middle East, but also into the bearer of the Western influence in Islamic world — so vital for the USA and the Euro-Union.

ERDOĞAN’S NEW DEAL. Part I

Analysts assume that Erdoğan is willing to change the very state system of Turkey, although their imagination can’t stretch further than that statement. In fact Erdoğan’s space for maneuver is not that vast. He won’t be able to make the country turn for an Iranian-like theocratic state. Therefore, we’re rather talking about some skin-deep changes, the main purpose of which is erasing the period of boundless military rule from the memory of Turks. After all, the effective Basic Law of Turkey was written exactly by the military.

PARLIAMENT ELECTIONS IN TURKEY: STRIVING TO VICTORY THROUGH THE ISTANBUL CANAL

Quite notable recent foreign-policy activity of Turkey (especially in the Middle East) has certain domestic reasons. Voters should behold the ruling party, restoring former greatness of Turkey and making it an heir of the Ottoman Empire.

IRAN-TURKEY-SYRIA: IS THE FORECAST COMING TRUE?

It is yet unclear whether Turkey will find the stomach to invade Syria. We can’t rule out the possibility that the “leaks” regarding the prepared action are only intended to frighten Syria and Iran. Yet, if Turkey makes up its mind for this, Middle Eastern theater of war is to go through a total scenery change.

Palestinian «isle of Stability» amidst the storming sea of Arabian revolutions

For several months tensions in the Middle East have been growing with each passing day. Protests, gradually turning into a bloody manslaughter, have spread from Tunisia to Libya, having struck the territories of Egypt, Bahrain, Yemen and Syria. As for the geographic center of these events, we have Israel, Hamas in the Gaza strip and Fatah at the West Bank. Why haven’t the mass protests movement flared up in this area, although it should have been the utmost appropriate thing to expect from Palestinians?

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For several months tensions in the Middle East have been growing with each passing day. Protests, gradually turning into a bloody manslaughter, have spread from Tunisia to Libya, having struck the territories of Egypt, Bahrain, Yemen and Syria. As for the geographic center of these events, we have Israel, Hamas in the Gaza strip and Fatah at the West Bank. Why haven’t the mass protests movement flared up in this area, although it should have been the utmost appropriate thing to expect from Palestinians?

TURKEY–IRAN: APPROACH AND RIVALRY? Part II

Competing for influence over the Middle East, Ankara and Tehran will inevitably clash in Syria

Competition of Turkey and Iran in Syria is accompanied by simultaneous Turkish self-assertion in the Western direction. Turkey makes the USA and the EU accept the fact that they would have to recognize leadership of Ankara in the Islamic world — age of direct influence over the Middle Eastern countries is coming to an end.  New, post-revolutionary layout in the region will seemingly be characterized by indirect influence of major Western world powers on the settlement of Middle Eastern peace.

TURKEY–IRAN: APPROACH AND RIVALRY? Part I

Erdoğan fights Ahmadinejad for sympathies of Arabs

Middle East has once again become the ball game that drawn the attention of entire world. Former empires — Turkey and Iran — approach each other, although desperately competing with each other at the same time. Arabian world is at stake in this struggle of no joke. And that’s quite a lot in any sense — 35 million hearts, minds and wallets.

FAST TRAIN OF ARABIAN REVOLUTIONS PROCEEDS WITHOUT STOPPING IN DAMASCUS. Part II

Native population of Syria is carefully watching the situation in Libya, being afraid that it might repeat in their own country. We may hardly expect military invasion of NATO into Syria even in case of an outright stand between the authorities and protesters. At least, when the issue will be considered at the UN Security Council, we may be sure that this time Russia will veto the decision, and without permit of Security Council NATO would hardly make its mind to decisive actions.

Fast train of Arabian revolutions proceeds without stopping in Damascus. Part I

„God, Syria and Freedom” is the main motto of people, protesting against Syrian ruler Bashar Al-Assad in the south of the country. Like in the rest of Arabian countries ablaze with revolutionary flames, people demand to cancel the state of emergency, which was imposed 48 hours ago, supress corruption and fight unemployment and poverty.