CIAO DATE: 08/2012
Volume: 9, Issue: 33
Spring 2012
CONTENTS (PDF)
Ekonomik Bütünleşme/Siyasal Parçalanmışlık Paradoksu: Avro Krizi ve Avrupa Birliği'nin Geleceği (PDF)
Ziya Öniş, Mustafa Kutlay
Economic Integration/Political Fragmentation Paradox: The Euro Crisis and the Future of European Union
The Euro-zone project has been struggling for survival since it was hit hard by the global fi nancial crisis in 2008. When the crisis fi rst erupted, the member countries immediately plunged into a vicious cycle of ‘blame-game’ by trying to transfer the burden on the shoulders of other members. In this article, we argue that the structural problems pertaining to the very architecture of the Euro-zone rather than the individual policy choices of member states were at the heart of the deep crisis that the European Union is currently confronted with. Our central argument, therefore is that the ‘economic integration/political fragmentation’ paradox constitutes a central underlying element of the Euro-zone crisis. We claim that the future of the Euro-zone and thereby the European Union will mainly be shaped by the response of the European leaders to the economic integration/political fragmentation paradox. Th e mostlikely response of the EU to this paradox will be a La Carte Europe, which foresees diff erent integration level among EU member countries. Finally, the type of European leaders’ response to the paradox in question will closely aff ect the future of Turkey-EU relations.
Birleşmiş Milletler Palmer (Mavi Marmara) Raporu ve Uluslararası Hukuk (PDF)
Yusuf Aksar
The UN Palmer Report (Mavi Marmara) and International Law
The operation conducted by the Israeli forces on the Mavi Marmara fl otilla resulting in the deaths and injuries of civilians on board in international waters on 31 May 2010 shocked the international community. In examining the details of the fl otilla incident in detail, the UN Human Rights Council established a fact-fi nding mission. Additionally, the UN Secretary- General established a Panel of Inquiry led by former New Zealand Prime Minister Geoff rey Palmer. Th e Report of the Panel of Inquiry (also known as the Palmer Report) was made public in July 2011. Th e most striking point of the fi ndings of the Palmer Report was, undoubtedly, the fi nding that the “the naval blockade was imposed as a legitimate security measure in order to prevent weapons from entering Gaza by sea and its implementation complied with the requirements of international law” (page 4 of the Report). Th e aim of this paper is to examine the Palmer Report in light of rules of international law. To do so, fi rstly, a brief historical background to the event and the refl ections of the UN will be provided. Th en, the imposition of blockade by Israel and its legality will be discussed. Th e work will be ended by drawing some conclusions providing possible recommendations to the crisis between the parties to the case.
Avrupa'daki Radikal Sağ Partiler ve Balkanlı Kuzenleri: Çanlar Türkiye İçin Çalıyor (PDF)
Nazif Mandaci
The Radical Right Parties in Europe and Their Balkanic Cousins: The Bells Ring for Turkey
The European radical right seems to have given a warm hug to their Balkanic counterparts. Although they flourished in different geographies and different goals, the family of European radical right has currently become more vocal with the new adherents. On the other side, the rise of radical right movements both in Europe and in the Balkans is likely to inflict the Turkish foreign policy toward Europe. This study essentially aims at giving an idea about to what extent the radical right parties are potential threat to Turkey who once fi nalized negotiations for accession to the European Union and began to wait for the ultimate decision of the member states and the European parliament.
Levant'ta Büyük Oyun: Doğu Akdeniz'in Enerji Jeopolitiği (PDF)
Volkan Ş. Ediger, Balkan Devlen, Deniz Bingöl Mcdonald
The Great Game in the Levant: Energy Geopolitics in the Eastern Mediterranean
This study explores the historical evolution of the Levant region from the trade system to hydrocarbon geopolitics by using a longue dureé approach, one which evaluates the region's present situation in light of developments in oil and natural gas exploration, production, and export. The concepts of great power politics and balance of power frame the investigation of permanent and changing dimensions of hydrocarbon geopolitics. The first of the two hypotheses tested and verifi ed in this study is that the geopolitics of the Levant maintains its historical importance for the global hegemon and for the international state system even though the central thrust of the Levant's geopolitics has been tranformed from trade to energy. The second hypothesis is that regional and global peace and stability increase when the geopolitics of the Levant is in the control of a hegemon. Instances of conflict increase and opportunities for cooperation decrease when the Levant's geopolitics slips from the grasp of a single hegemon as a result of shifts in the balance of power. Following a discussion of threats and opportunities for confl ict and cooperation in the Levant region, possible strategies for the regional actors are evaluated. Lastly, the threats and opportunities that Turkey faces are situated within emergent trends in the energy geopolitics of the region.
Çin'in Değişen Enerji Stratejisinin Dış Politikasına Etkileri (1990-2010) (PDF)
R. Kutay Karaca
The Impact of China’s Changing Energy Strategy to its Foreign Policy (1990–2010)
The economic program, which was planned after Deng’s coming to power and which began to “bear the fruits” in the beginning of 1990’s, emerged the need for energy import since 1995. Import increased continuously and the import-dependency exceeded the security limit in 2009. In contrast with the other powers in the world, for China, obtaining energy with ease does not only mean an increase in economic development; but sustaining the economic development will also maintain an increase in public welfare, rapid modernization of the army and, most importantly, the continuity of the regime. This situation has already begun to influence China’s foreign policy directly. China perceives establishing relations with the countries having the energy sources as a priority. Most of these are less developed or developing countries in the Middle East and Africa, making it easy for China to establish relations with.