Syrian quicksand
It's the crucial question in Syrian politics: is there a third way? Is the choice really between the barbarism of the violent jihadis and the repression of President Assad? Aren’t…
The quest for warm waters
British Prime Minister Clement Attlee had rightly stated, "he who rules the Mediterranean Sea rules the world". In today's tri-polar world struggles for mastery over the Mediterranean have restarted with…
Turkey’s security predicament
Turkey is becoming a more dangerous place, but then so is the Middle East and North Africa and anywhere Isis can send its suicide squads. The Turkish authorities say that…
With wary eye, Turkey readies for return of coalition rule
Turkey is preparing for a return to coalition government after 13 years of one-party rule by the Justice and Development Party (AKP), hoping there will be none of the chaos…
Travails in Turkey
A Recent visit to friendly, beautiful Turkey revives awareness of how close are the bonds with Pakistan. Alas, one also realises there is one subject in which the two fraternal…
A fatal contradiction
Will it be a modern, secular democracy or an Islamic state, harking back to the pristine glory of early Islam? Or will it be both, at the same time? We do…
Small and great
WITH the exception of a handful of countries, this world is ruled by small people. There is no great man in sight. In America, Richard Nixon was the last great…
Straws in the Syrian whirlwind
THE pendulum of zealotry almost always ushers in intellectual subterfuge in its wake. The lightning, if not spontaneous, takeover of Damascus by mediaeval militias is being predictably applauded by Western journalists as…
What do we know about Syrian rebels’ major offensive on Aleppo?
Rebel forces opposing President Bashar al-Assad have launched their biggest offensive in years this week, controlling a majority of Syria’s second city of Aleppo according to a monitor. Government forces…
Elections and complications
AFTER a nail-biting race, the Turkish election appears to be headed towards a run-off poll, with neither candidate able to secure 50 per cent of the vote. The electoral rules…
