Columnist

Yasar Yakis

Yasar Yakis is a former foreign minister of Turkey and founding member of the ruling AK Party.

Twitter: @yakis_yasar

Latest published



Turkey’s balancing act with the US and Russia

For decades, Turkey’s relations with the US and Russia have been a zero-sum game: When its relations with Russia improve, its American ties decline. The same rule also applies to Turkey’s relations with NATO and Russia.

June 06, 2021

Turkey slides down the EU’s agenda

In an effort to improve its relations with EU countries, Turkey last year withdrew its seismic exploration ship from the eastern Mediterranean, while claiming that this withdrawal was only for maintenance purposes. However, it is unclear what will happen when the maintenance is complete.

April 04, 2021

Erdogan’s eye on next Turkish election

The Turkish government has taken several initiatives in an attempt to increase its support ahead of the general election to be held in 2023.

March 28, 2021

New warmth in Ankara and Cairo

Turkey this month sent the strongest message yet indicating its desire to improve relations with many Arab countries, particularly Egypt.

March 21, 2021

Russia tightens its grip on Armenia

A crisis was expected in Armenia after the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War, and it did not take long to arise. It started as an arm-twisting exercise between the civilian and military authorities of Armenia but evolved to further consolidate Russia’s influence in the country.

March 07, 2021

A better way for Turkey to tackle the PKK

Several aspects of the Feb. 10 Turkish military operation 35 kilometers inside Iraqi territory in the Gara Mountain are still the subject of heated debate.

February 28, 2021

Foreign militaries an obstacle in Libya’s path to peace

The political process in Libya is moving steadily, but the risks of uncertainty remain. The political negotiations under the UN’s auspices on the one hand and the military situation on the other do not follow the same paths.

February 07, 2021