Kadir Üstün All daily Yeni Şafak Columns

11.07.2025, Friday
03:33

Kadir Üstün

137 columns listing

The limits of Trump's Ukraine strategy...

10 July 2025, Thursday

During his presidential campaign, Trump stood out with his promise to end the war in Ukraine. But so far, he’s failed to come up with a viable strategy. Back then, he strongly opposed aid to Ukraine. Even while in office, Trump tried to pressure Russia into peace by occasionally halting aid packages approved during the Biden administration. He broke away from Biden’s policy of isolating Russia and offering continued support to Ukraine for “as long as it takes,” but his approach hasn’t delivered

The new US-Israel playbook on Iran

29 June 2025, Sunday

The United States has entered a new phase in its long-standing effort to limit Iran’s nuclear ambitions and prevent it from becoming a nuclear power. The 12-day war that ended with a ceasefire revealed a deeper level of U.S.-Israel cooperation—one that could become the new formula for stopping Iran’s nuclear progress. Previously, strategies combined covert operations like the Stuxnet cyberattack with diplomatic pressure to force Iran into negotiations. This latest conflict, however, showed that

Is a war with Iran imminent?

12 June 2025, Thursday

Reports that the U.S. State Department has withdrawn its diplomats from Iraq and authorized the departure of military families from the region have intensified speculation that an Israeli strike on Iran could be imminent. Coupled with President Trump’s pessimistic remarks on nuclear talks with Iran and the UK’s warning against threats to maritime traffic, the signals point to the possibility of looming military confrontation. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) initiating a vote on Iran’s

The Los Angeles Protests: Immigration, Violence, and a Power Struggle

10 June 2025, Tuesday

The protests in Los Angeles against the Trump administration’s efforts to deport "illegal" immigrants have become the top item on America’s political agenda. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in California sparked wider demonstrations and outbreaks of violence that quickly escalated beyond small, local protests. In addition to being home to a large Hispanic population, California is a Democratic stronghold with cities like Los Angeles that are known as “sanctuary cities” for undocumented

The End of the American Century? Interdependence, Soft Power, and the Liberal Order

08 June 2025, Sunday

Last month, Joseph S. Nye, Jr. and Robert O. Keohane, who recently passed away, published an article in Foreign Affairs titled The End of the Long American Century. In it, they argue that America’s soft power has been weakened as a result of Trump’s policies. The authors contend that the U.S. cannot sustain its military and economic power without soft power, and they warn that Trump’s steps—such as imposing tariffs, withdrawing from international agreements, and adopting punitive policies toward

Harvard's Showdown with Trump

31 May 2025, Saturday

The Trump administration continues to target America's elite universities, which it accuses of failing to adequately combat antisemitism on campuses and practicing discrimination under the guise of diversity. Having previously focused on Columbia University, the administration announced the cancellation of approximately $400 million in funding, forcing the university to compromise by altering its protest and security policies. After turning its attention to Harvard University for some time, the

Trump-Netanyahu Relationship Takes a Turn for the Worse

28 May 2025, Wednesday

Despite former President Donald Trump’s repeated calls for a swift resolution, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s announcement that Israel will expand its military operations and occupy much of Gaza has further deepened tensions between the two leaders. On Sunday, Trump reiterated his desire for an end to the war, saying, “We’re discussing this with Israel and trying to stop it as quickly as possible.” During his recent Gulf tour, Trump pointedly skipped Israel, signaling that he now prioritizes

Why Is Trump Bypassing Israel?

13 May 2025, Tuesday

The fact that President Trump didn't add an Israel stop before or after his Gulf trip undermines America's carefully maintained image of "unshakable" relations with Israel. Of course, the issue isn't just about the visit - reports in the press suggesting Trump doesn't want to engage with Netanyahu indicate broader dissatisfaction behind the scenes. It's undeniable that Israel's genocidal operation in Gaza has caused more debate in American public opinion than ever before. Both Israel-aligned lobby

Israel’s plan to involve the United States in the occupation of Gaza

09 May 2025, Friday

For two months, Israel has prevented humanitarian aid from entering Gaza, worsening what many already describe as a catastrophic situation. International aid organizations, which have been pushing for an end to the blockade, rejected Israel’s latest proposal this week. Under the plan, Israel’s cabinet announced it would indefinitely occupy Gaza and centralize aid distribution in select zones. Reports indicate that U.S.-based private security firms will be involved in distributing aid—fueling speculation

Will the rare earth elements deal bring peace?

01 May 2025, Thursday

The signing of a rare earth elements agreement between the United States and Ukraine could signal a slight easing of tensions in their bilateral relationship. Trump, who was elected on a promise to end the Ukraine war “within 24 hours,” had previously called on both Zelensky and Putin to begin peace talks. When his efforts didn’t yield results quickly, Trump began pressuring Zelensky by targeting the aid Ukraine receives from the U.S. He floated the idea of demanding repayment for past aid and turning