Middle East Forum - 21 Kasım 2025 tarihli bültenin tamamı Türkiye aleyhinde yazılara yer verilmiş; yazarların hemen tümü Türkiye aleyhtarı ve İsrail yanlısı

 

View on web  |  Read what you missed Turkey: A Persistent Threat to the U.S., Israel, and the West By Winfield Myers ● Nov 21, 2025 Smart Brevity® count: 8.5 mins...2237 words This issue features seven articles on Turkey, beginning with Jonathan Spyer’s analysis of the split between Israel and the U.S. over what, if any, role Turkey should have in postwar Gaza. For reasons that “aren’t mysterious,” he writes, Israel views Turkey as “something very close to an enemy state.” Yet the U.S. “sees Ankara as a strong, stable, and welcome partner.” Spyer advises that “the Middle East is notably different from the real estate world in a number of key details.” Sinan Ciddi, in a recent MEF Podcast, warns that U.S. accommodation to Islamist, Hamas-supporting Turkey may “amplify Turkey’s expansionist aims.” Robert Ellis advocates sanctioning Turkey, while Michael Rubin thinks it’s time for the U.S., the E.U., and others to prosecute Turkish military personnel implicated in war crimes. We also include articles on Turkey by Nathaniel Miller, Ohad Tal & Alon Schuster, and Fernando Carvajal. Elizabeth Samson details the legal contradictions in Europe’s recognition of a state of Palestine. Why Israel Fears Turkey’s Involvement in Gaza By: Jonathan Spyer As the Gaza ceasefire extends into its second month, a significant divergence has emerged between Israel and the U.S. regarding Turkey’s involvement in the region. Why it matters: This difference highlights broader gaps in perception between Jerusalem and Washington on Middle Eastern dynamics. Turkey’s expressed desire to join the international stabilization force, as part of President Trump’s 20-point plan, contrasts with U.S. views of Ankara as a stabilizing partner. Israel is absolutely opposed to any Turkish role in future security arrangements in Gaza. Jerusalem appears to grudgingly accept Turkish civil involvement. The big picture: Israel identifies Turkey in its current form as something very close to an enemy state. The reasons aren’t mysterious. Jerusalem has alleged that Ankara allows Hamas to maintain a large office in Istanbul, from which they claim the organization has planned both military and terror activities and political and media campaigns. Past actions, like support for the Gaza flotilla, deepen distrust, with Israel viewing Turkey’s ambitions as part of a Neo-Ottoman agenda. What’s next: The current U.S. administration shares little or none of Israel’s perception of Turkey. Rather, it sees Ankara as a strong, stable and welcome partner, able and willing to play an important role in securing the region. The view of Middle Eastern affairs diplomacy as a real estate deal so prevalent in Trump’s White House is programmed to regard such elements as politicized religion or nationalist revanchism as surely verbiage only. The problem is that the Middle East is notably different from the real estate world in a number of key details. Recent experience suggests that those who try to ignore this may eventually learn it through bitter experience. To read the full article, click here. Sinan Ciddi on Turkey’s Role in the Gaza Ceasefire By: Marilyn Stern Sinan Ciddi, speaking on a recent Middle East Forum Podcast, highlighted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s maneuvers in the Gaza peace process. Why it matters: Erdoğan leverages Turkey’s ties with Hamas to gain influence in the proposed International Stabilization Force (ISF) for Gaza, aligning with U.S. support but clashing with Israeli and Arab states‘ concerns. The Trump administration’s sympathy for Erdoğan’s bid contrasts with opposition from Israel and several Arab states. Driving the news: Turkey’s ongoing humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza through its Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) reflect Erdoğan’s desire to project military and commercial power in the region. IHH’s ties to the Muslim Brotherhood raise concerns about Turkey’s impartiality in the peace process. What’s next: If Turkey joins the ISF, it could boost its influence but risk conflict with Israel, potentially involving NATO’s second-largest military. This move underscores Turkey’s broader geopolitical goals, including strengthening its energy corridor to Western Europe via Syria. Our thought bubble: The U.S.’s willingness to accommodate Turkey’s ambitions may undermine its credibility and amplify Turkey’s expansionist aims. The Trump administration’s transactional approach contrasts with regional dynamics and may lead to increased tensions. To read the entire summary and watch the podcast, click here. ICYMI — The Forum Roundtable: Anti-Israel Bias in the Media Mainstream and Western media exhibit pervasive anti-Israel bias, driven by heavy reliance on Qatar-funded outlets (e.g., Al Jazeera) and Gaza-based stringers working under Hamas oversight and threats. Contributing factors include declining journalistic standards due to ideological capture by anti-Israel reporters, newsroom cutbacks, and social-media algorithms that amplify pro-Hamas narratives. The lack of substantive investigative reporting on claims that Israel committed war crimes and genocide through famine are examples of these lacunae. In response, pro-Israel media outlets and watchdog groups are scaling up independent reporting, audience-engagement campaigns, and tech-based monitoring tools. Broader trends involve rising antisemitism across left and right political spectra, amplified by influential commentators and the dominant role of digital platforms in forming public views of the Israel–Hamas conflict. Joining us to discuss this disturbing situation were Alex Traiman, CEO and Jerusalem bureau chief of the Jewish News Syndicate; Liel Leibovitz, editor-at large of Tablet Magazine and senior fellow at Hudson Institute; and Gil Hoffman, executive director of HonestReporting.com.  To watch the entire podcast, click here. Why Turkey Is a Strategic Problem for the United States By: Ohad Tal and Alon Schuster Recent “day after” plans for Gaza wisely exclude Turkey from security and governance roles. Why it matters: A state hosting and legitimizing Hamas leaders cannot stabilize Israel’s border, and the same principles apply to the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC). The IMEEC bypasses Turkey, diversifying routes and reducing risk by avoiding reliance on states that use transit as leverage. Driving the news: At the 2023 G20 summit, IMEEC plans were unveiled to route goods and energy from India to Europe, sidestepping Turkey. Ankara’s alternative corridors aim to redirect trade through Turkey, challenging IMEEC’s strategic intentions. What’s next: Greece and Cyprus, as future EU presidents, can anchor policies supporting lawful maritime claims and energy security. Their roles will be crucial as IMEEC advances along the India-Persian Gulf-Israel-Cyprus-Greece route, aligning with U.S. efforts to counteract Russian and Chinese influence. Our thought bubble: U.S. policy should reflect Turkey’s conduct, ensuring advanced arms sales align with protecting Israel’s military edge. Keeping Turkish forces out of Gaza, advancing IMEEC along the Israel-Cyprus-Greece route, and conditioning advanced arms on verifiable change would serve U.S. interests today and in the future. To read the full article, click here. Impose Sanctions on Turkey By: Robert Ellis President Donald Trump has just given the green light for a bipartisan bill to impose sanctions on Russia’s trading partners, and there is one obvious candidate: Turkey. Why it matters: Despite Turkey’s NATO roots, Erdoğan’s defiance, showcased by his continued oil dealings with Russia, strains U.S. ties and warrants decisive action. Turkey’s purchase of the S-400 missile system from Russia and its refusal to disengage from Russian energy projects highlight its pivot away from NATO, challenging U.S. strategic interests. Driving the news: Erdoğan’s foreign policy gambit seeks to balance East and West, eyeing BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) membership while undermining Western alliances. Turkey’s deep trade bonds with Russia, including its role as a major importer of Russian oil, underscore its geopolitical recalibration. What’s next: The U.S. plans to tighten the screws with sanctions, forcing Turkey to reconsider its alliances and align more closely with the West. As Erdoğan’s ambitions clash with U.S. interests, the stakes for regional stability and NATO cohesion rise dramatically. Our thought bubble: Turkey’s geopolitical maneuvers threaten to fracture NATO and strain U.S.-Turkey relations. A clear U.S. strategy is essential to protect its interests while countering Russian influence, ensuring stability in the region. To read the full article, click here. Try Turkish Army Veterans for Human Rights Violations By: Michael Rubin A decade ago, the Turkish army imposed a severe curfew on Kurdish towns, cutting off water and electricity and engaging in brutal actions against civilians. Why it matters: The humanitarian impact was devastating, with diabetics dying due to lack of insulin and civilians wounded by indiscriminate shelling unable to access hospitals. Satellite images show extensive destruction, and reports allege execution-style killings of suspected Kurdish activists by Turkish soldiers. Ongoing offenses: Turkish airstrikes continue to target Kurdish and Yezidi villages, affecting civilians and prompting international condemnation. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees personnel avoid Turkish border roads, fearing attacks by Turkish forces, while Turkish jets overfly Greek islands, escalating regional tensions. International response: The State Department’s human rights report criticizes Turkey for violations, including arbitrary killings and suppression of free expression. Proposed actions include travel bans and arrests for Turkish soldiers implicated in war crimes, particularly those involved in Cyprus and airspace violations. Our thought bubble: Western and moderate Arab countries should investigate and potentially prosecute Turkish military personnel for human rights abuses. Implementing travel bans and financial restrictions could pressure Ankara to change its aggressive policies, promoting accountability and regional stability. To read the full article, click here. Will Turkey and Qatar Seek to Mediate an End to the Sudanese Civil War? By: Fernando Carvajal Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, chairman of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council, maneuvers amidst the world’s bloodiest civil war, affecting millions. Why it matters: Delays in a ceasefire agreement exacerbate suffering, with nearly 10 million displaced and at risk of famine. Burhan’s dismissal of the Quad’s communique challenges efforts by the U.S., Egypt, UAE, and Saudi Arabia to mediate a resolution. Driving the news: Burhan seeks to replace the Quad with Qatar and Turkey as mediators, leveraging ties with Trump’s allies to counterbalance regional powers. His alliances with Islamist factions and military setbacks underscore a complex web of regional and international interests. What’s next: The flow of arms from Iran and Qatar to Burhan’s forces highlights an escalating proxy conflict, complicating peace efforts. Washington faces strategic challenges in prioritizing ceasefire talks without empowering Islamist governments over peace. Our thought bubble: If the United States is to end the Sudanese war, it must set ceasefire priorities within the current framework before expanding the table to include Qatar and Turkey, lest it cause further delays or empower states for whom empowering an Islamist government trumps efforts to end the civil war. To read the full article, click here. Diyanet’s Terror Conference Needs Strong Western Response By: Nathaniel Miller In the wake of an Istanbul conference supporting “jihad” against Israel, the German government urged its Turkish diaspora to sever ties with Turkey’s Diyanet. Why it matters: This organization, once a secular tool, now projects Erdoğan’s Islamist agenda globally, with influence across 145 countries and a $3 billion budget. The Diyanet’s presence in the U.S. raises concerns over its influence and potential to spread extremist narratives. Driving the news: The Istanbul conference, attended by global Islamist figures, emphasized “armed resistance” and “global jihad,” alarming Western governments. The German response highlights fears of the Diyanet’s influence, with calls to curb its reach. What’s next: Experts urge the U.S. to reassess the Diyanet’s operations within its borders, particularly its center in Maryland. Concerns include potential espionage and the promotion of extremist narratives that align with terrorist organizations. Our thought bubble: The Diyanet’s activities pose a national security risk, necessitating urgent evaluation by U.S. authorities. Addressing these risks is crucial to safeguard public safety and the interests of the broader Muslim community. To read the full article, click here. The Legal Contradiction at the Heart of Europe’s Palestine Policy By: Elizabeth Samson When France and the U.K. recognized a state of Palestine in September 2025, they claimed to champion justice and self-determination. Why it matters: U.N. Resolution 2803, which they supported, contradicts their stance by establishing a transitional administration in Gaza, raising questions about Palestine’s sovereignty. The Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States stipulates that a state must have a permanent population, defined territory, functioning government, and capacity for international relations—criteria Palestine has not met. Driving the news: Resolution 2803 acknowledges Palestine’s lack of sovereignty, as the situation in Gaza threatens regional peace, challenging France and the U.K.‘s diplomatic narratives. The resolution’s requirements for disarming non-state actors underscore the challenges in establishing a peaceful and unified Palestinian state. What’s next: If Europe wants to support Palestinian self-determination, it must be willing to tell the truth and assess Gaza objectively rather than through the subjective demands of a radicalized domestic constituency. Effective governance and peace-loving statehood depend on holding Palestinian leaders accountable and ensuring they fulfill obligations under international law. Our thought bubble: A viable, non-threatening, peace-loving, Palestinian state with political unity, functioning institutions, and stable territorial control will not come with the wave of a magic wand; it will come when outside powers hold Palestinian governance accountable for its actions. To read the full article, click here. Further Reading: The European Union Should Ban Turkish Soldiers, Foreign Tourists Who Visit Occupied Cyprus By: Michael Rubin It is time to make the penalties clear and onerous for any individual wantonly violating Cypriot sovereignty. Greece Must Be Proactive on U.N. Refugee Post By: Michael Rubin Greece increasingly punches above its weight at the United Nations and on the world stage. Turkey’s Drug Seizures Revea

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