Author: Mehmet Rakipoglu
The Israeli war on Gaza, now exceeding 18 months, has laid bare more than the relentless continuity of military aggression – it has revealed the complicity of institutions once regarded as bastions of liberal values. Among these, Western universities have emerged not as defenders of justice but as active participants in its suppression. Far from fostering critical inquiry, they have become instruments for enforcing ideological conformity, particularly in the context of pro-Palestinian advocacy. This complicity is neither accidental nor superficial; it is deeply embedded in a structural transformation within liberal democracies, where the repression of dissent is executed through legal,…
As of April 2025, the Gaza Strip has become a territory of Israeli systematic annihilation and extermination. Officially, over 50,000 Palestinians – mostly civilians – have been killed since Oct. 7, 2023, and the social, medical and educational infrastructure of the enclave lies in ruins. The total toll of deaths in Gaza is estimated at more than 186.000, according to the Lancet report. Israel’s ongoing genocidal war on Gaza is a deliberate, large-scale effort not only to eliminate Hamas but to dismantle Gaza’s capacity for survival and continuity. Despite extensive documentation by international organizations such as Amnesty International and Human…
Iraq occupies a strategic position in Middle Eastern politics, making it a pivotal axis for regional and global powers. There are at least three key factors that underline its relevance: its unique geopolitical and historical profile, its disproportionate influence on Arab politics, and its cosmopolitan demography and vast hydrocarbon reserves. Iraq’s civilizational strength is evident in the ruins of ancient Mesopotamian civilizations, including Babylon. Historically, Iraq has symbolized Arab resistance, exemplified by Saddam Hussein’s assertive foreign policies and the country’s protracted war against Iran (1980-1988) and confrontation with Israel and the United States. The country’s diverse sectarian and ethnic identities…
Syrians have toppled the 60-year-old Assad regime through civil and military resistance, unlike other revolutions. The unexpected moment attracted all attention to Syria, where I conducted field research through interviews with political and military elites in multiple cities, such as Azaz, Aleppo, Hama, Homs and Damascus. Thus, this piece aims to gain a better understanding of the post-Assad Syrian transition in terms of society, politics and security. These findings highlight a variety of dynamics, including security gaps, reconciliation initiatives, population movements and the important role played by external particularly Russia, in reshaping Syria’s political and social landscape. Azaz: Sanctuary for…
The absence of a dominant power in Iraq has transformed the country into a battlefield of geopolitical rivalry since 2003. Iraq presents geopolitical significance, triggering competition among countries. Regional actors, including Iran, the United States and Saudi Arabia, compete to expand their influence in Iraq’s political and security domains. Contrary to the other actors, Türkiye’s active involvement in Iraq stems from its desire to play a leading role in the region, underscored by recent diplomatic engagements, including Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al Sudani’s visit to Türkiye and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s reciprocal visit to Iraq. Such visits reflect a…