Category: Security and Strategy

Source: Al Monitor By Omar Sattar As Iraq exports most of its crude oil production, the Iraqi government is trying to diversify its oil export outlets in a bid to avoid any damage that could result from the tense security situation in the Gulf region. Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said in a press… Continue reading IRAQ PLANS TO LAUNCH PIPELINES TO EXPORT OIL THROUGH JORDAN AND SYRIA

Source: Bloomberg By Editorial Board For the past few years, as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has railed ever more belligerently against the U.S., Europe and NATO, Washington’s foreign-policy establishment has argued for patience. Erdogan’s fusillades, mostly intended for domestic consumption, were thought to be a small inconvenience — certainly not enough for the West… Continue reading TURKEY HAS ABANDONED THE WEST. GOOD RIDDANCE

Source: FT By Aime Williams Donald Trump has formally expelled Turkey from the US-led F-35 fighter jet programme after Ankara took delivery of a Russian air defence system over American objections. Turkey’s purchase of the Russian S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile system comes despite repeated US warnings that it would allow the Kremlin to gather intelligence… Continue reading TRUMP FORMALLY EXPELS TURKEY FROM F-35 PROGRAMME

Source: Bloomberg By Selcan Hacaoglu Turkey, girding for the worst despite encouraging messages from President Donald Trump, has stockpiled crucial spare parts for American-made weapons in case Congress sanctions it over a contentious Russian missile purchase. It’s unclear when the stockpiling decision was first taken, but Turkish officials say the preparations were made in anticipation… Continue reading TURKEY STOCKPILES CRUCIAL WEAPONS PARTS ANTICIPATING U.S SANCTIONS

Source: The drive By Tyler Rogoway Absolutely historic moments occurred just minutes ago as President Donald Trump visited Truce Village, historically the highest profile and one of the tensest locations along the demilitarized zone that bisects the Korean Peninsula. Trump met Korean dictator Kim Jong Un at the demarcation line that runs through the site,… Continue reading TRUMP STEPS OVER THE LINE

Source: CFR By Steven A. Cook Ekrem Imamoglu’s stunning victory in the rerun of Istanbul’s mayoral election marks a new low for Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his long-ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). But don’t expect the president to take the drubbing sitting down. The AKP went to the trouble of forcing Turkey’s Supreme Election… Continue reading ISTANBUL’S ELECTION: WHAT DOES ERDOGAN’S LOSS MEAN FOR TURKEY?

Source: Kathimerini Turkey’s activities within Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) are tantamount to an attack on the Republic of Cyprus, government spokesman Prodromos Prodromou has said. In comments on Skai Monday, the Cypriot official said that although it could not be confirmed that Turkey has actually commenced drilling for oil and gas within the contours… Continue reading TURKEY’S ACTIONS AN “ATTACK ON THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS” SPOKESMAN SAYS

Source: MSN Turkey expects the delivery of the controversial Russian S-400 missile defence system to begin in July, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was quoted as saying in Turkish media on Sunday. “I believe (S-400s) will begin to arrive in the first half of July. Colleagues in charge of the schedule are following the issue,” Erdogan… Continue reading TURKEY’S ERDOGAN SAYS S-400 DELIVERY FOR EARLY JULY

Source: USNI By Lieutenant Commander Jeffrey R. Frost, U.S. Navy The Black Sea is a challenging operational environment for the U.S. military because of its confining geographical features, Russia’s established military dominance in the region, and the restrictions placed on the U.S. Navy as a non-Black Sea nation by the Montreux Convention of 1936. Overcoming… Continue reading HOW TO FIGHT LIKE A SMALL NAVY AND WIN – DEVELOPING A BLACK SEA STRATEGY

Source: Defense One By Marcus Weisgerber The Pentagon has started the process of removing Turkey from the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, and has drawn up plans to shift the NATO ally’s manufacturing roles to American and allied manufacturers, U.S. defense officials said Friday. Washington has given Ankara a deadline: by July 31, Turkey must… Continue reading PENTAGON GIVES TURKEY A DEADLINE TO CANCEL S-400 DEAL OR LOSE F-35