Author: Mustafa Caner

The discipline of international relations is generally understood to focus on the relationships between two or more states based on notions such as defined national interests, geopolitical balances and power competition. Yet, another perspective – often overlooked but still encompassed within the discipline – is the consideration of the relationship between a state’s foreign policy behavior and its internal dynamics. This perspective is particularly important for understanding why Iran chose to sit at the negotiating table with the U.S. and why it somewhat softened its rigid stance despite President Donald Trump’s domineering attitude, even though Supreme Leader Khamenei had banned…

After approximately 14 months of conflict, a cease-fire between Israeli and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon came into effect at 4 a.m. local time on Nov. 27. Mediated by the United States and France, the cease-fire is fundamentally based on the revival of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. According to this agreement, Hezbollah forces will withdraw north of the Litani River, while Israeli forces will retreat south of the Blue Line. This process is expected to be completed within 60 days. Lebanese army units and U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) forces will be deployed in the vacated areas to…