Brookings: Experts - Ömer Taşpınar

Turkish-Armenian Traumas

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Recent reminders have shown Turkey and Armenia to be two traumatized regions in which reconciliation will be difficult. Ömer Taşpınar believes that in order for Armenia to have Western options, it will need Turkey's help, and external conditions between the nations will relieve the weight of historical issues.

Fighting Radicalism, not 'Terrorism': Root Causes of an International Actor Redefined

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In the years since the September 11th attacks, Western policymakers, analysts and academics have debated the best approaches to confronting and ending terrorism. Brookings Fellow Omer Taspinar argues that the global fight against extremist violence must move beyond the "war on terror" to a broader strategy of fighting radicalism with human development - an approach that would address the political, economic and social conditions that foment violent radicalism.

A Tighter Command Is Needed in Afghanistan

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Michael O'Hanlon and Ömer Taşpınar write that the Obama administration's plan for Afghanistan and Pakistan is generally strong, but it also requires improvement. Most importantly, O'Hanlon and Taşpınar believe command arrangements need to be strengthened, based on the three-person Iraq model and broadened to include a foreign leader like Turkey's foreign minister Hikmet Cetin.

President Obama's Visit to Turkey

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 11:52:21 GMT

President Obama will visit Turkey this week seeking to forge stronger ties with its government. Ömer Taşpınar, director of the Turkey Project at Brookings, says the president is making a strategic move that could bode well for the two countries.

Obama’s Turkey Policy: Bringing Credibility to “Strategic Partnership”

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Omer Taspinar writes that under the Obama administration American foreign policy will be engaged in genuine coalition building with allies. Taspinar believes such a return to multilateralism will have a positive impact on transatlantic and Turkish-American relations and he outlines issues which are likely to come up over the course of the next few years.

Time for Turkey to Reward Obama

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Omer Taspinar discusses President Obama's upcoming visit to Turkey and how it relates to his pledge to recognize the Armenian genocide. Though the Armenian issue could shake U.S.-Turkish relations, Taspinar argues that Ankara should reward Obama for his visionary approach to the region.

Dancing with the Kurds

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Omer Taspinar discusses recent talks between the Turkish government and the Kurds in Iraq and what they may mean for the region as well as Kurdish autonomy.

U.S. Policy and Turkey: Lost in Translation

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Omer Taspinar notes that Turkey is again going through a difficult time internally and externally. Once declared a model of the Islamic World by the U.S., the country now finds itself trying to "find a balance between Islam, secularism and Western identity," which has recently seemed totally elusive.

Time for Kurdish Realism

Sat, 09 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Michael O'Hanlon and Omer Taspinar believe Iraq's Kurds face crucial choices. They can attain a remarkable future by compromising, forming regional partnerships and strengthening their bond with the United States. Or they can continue to pursue their own agenda that may ultimately destabilize the broader region.

New Optimism in Turkish-American Relations

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Omer Taspinar discusses the recently mended U.S.-Turkish relationship and what both countries will seek in future bilateral talks.

No Magic Bullet Against the Kurdistan Workers' Party in Washington

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Omer Taspinar discusses why the current U.S. strategy on the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) is flawed and what should be done to fix the problem. Taspinar argues a U.S. pre-emptive strike on the PKK would continue to harbor and strengthen the terrorist organzation, and that multilaterism and analysis of domestic dynamics must be used instead.

The Old Turks’ Revolt: When Radical Secularism Endangers Democracy

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Omer Taspinar argues that "the real challenge for Turkey will be to maintain a working democracy by keeping the military out of politics."

Deciphering the Kurdistan Workers' Party

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Omer Taspinar argues that Washington's failure to act against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Iraq will lead to big problems in the future because Turkey is running out of patience and may soon move on their own with military force.

Turkish-American Relations: The Perfect Storm

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Omer Taspinar assesses Turkish-American relations in light of the Armenian genocide resolution and recent violent acts against Turkey by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

Turkey Eyes the Shia Crescent

Mon, 12 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Omer Taspinar, Newsweek International (2/12/07)

Why France Shouldn't Legislate Turkey's Past

Mon, 30 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Philip H. Gordon and Omer Taspinar, The New Republic Online (10/30/06)

Turkey on the Brink

Thu, 01 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Philip H. Gordon and Omer Taspinar, The Washington Quarterly (Summer 2006)

Roundtable: Immigration Issues in Europe and the United States

Fri, 14 Apr 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Interview with Omer Taspinar, PBS (4/14/06)

Roundtable: Kurdistan Rising

Fri, 17 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Interview with Omer Taspinar, PBS (3/17/06)

Turkey and Russia: Axis of the Excluded?

Wed, 01 Mar 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Fiona Hill and Omer Taspinar; Survival (Spring 2006)

Turkey: On Europe's Verge?

Tue, 07 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Article by by Henri J. Barkey and Omer Taspinar, Great Decisions (2006)

Russia and Turkey in the Caucasus: Moving Together to Preserve the Status Quo?

Sun, 01 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Relations between Russia and Turkey have changed dramatically over the last decade. In fact, in 2005, relations between the two states were probably better than at any point over the last several centuries—given a history of imperial competition and frequent wars between the Russian and Ottoman Empires since the 18th Century as well as the rivalry of the Cold War. Since 2003, President Putin and Prime Minister Erdogan have held multiple meetings, and Russia and Turkey seem to have found common ground on once contentious issues.

The Anatomy of Anti-Americanism in Turkey

Wed, 16 Nov 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Omer Taspinar, The Brookings Institution (11/16/05)

US Gloating Over French Riots is Misplaced

Tue, 15 Nov 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Omer Taspinar, Handelsblatt (11/15/05)

Fighting Radicalism with Human Development : Education and Growth in the Islamic World

Sun, 01 May 2005 00:00:00 GMT

In this book, Omer Taspinar argues that there can be no military solution to terrorism and radicalism. Rather, socioeconomic development is the most effective long-term strategy to fight radicalism. Taspinar examines the essential problem of human de

Syria loves Ankara but will the relationship last?

Tue, 19 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Omer Taspinar and Emile El-Hokayem, The Daily Star (4/19/05)

Can These Men Save Iraq?

Sun, 10 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Omer Taspinar, The New Jersey Star-Ledger (4/10/05)

Taking Terrorism and Democratisation Seriously

Fri, 11 Mar 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Omer Taspinar, The Daily Times (3/11/05)

Turkey and the EU

Wed, 02 Mar 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Omer Taspinar, The Daily Times (3/2/05)

Changing Parameters in U.S.-German-Turkish Relations

Wed, 16 Feb 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Paper by Omer Taspinar, AICGS Policy Report

U.N. Reform Potential

Fri, 17 Dec 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Michael E. O'Hanlon and Omer Taspinar, Washington Times (12/17/04)

Turkey's European Quest: The EU's Decision on Turkish Accession

Wed, 01 Sep 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Analysis by Philip Gordon and Omer Taspinar (September 2004)

Europe Needs Turkey

Tue, 09 Dec 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Omer Taspinar, The Daily Times (12/9/03)

Turkey Under Attack: Terrorists' Message and Ankara's Response

Mon, 24 Nov 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Omer Taspinar, The Daily Times (11/24/03)

The Turkish Turnaround

Tue, 14 Oct 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Omer Taspinar, The Daily Times (10/14/03)

Will Turkey Send Troops to Iraq

Sun, 03 Aug 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Omer Taspinar, The Daily Times (8/02/03)

An Uneven Fit? The "Turkish Model" and the Arab World

Fri, 01 Aug 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Analysis paper by Omer Taspinar

Turkey's Kurdish Question

Sun, 06 Apr 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Omer Taspinar for the Pakistan Daily Times (April 6, 2003)

Europe's Muslim Street

Sat, 01 Mar 2003 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Omer Taspinar, in Foreign Policy, March/April 2003