Kadir Üstün All daily Yeni Şafak Columns

23.05.2025, Friday
03:00

Kadir Üstün

130 columns listing

Why Is Trump Bypassing Israel?

13 Mayıs 2025, Salı

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 Mayıs 2025, Cuma

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 Mayıs 2025, Perşembe

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

Trump's first 100 days...

30 Nisan 2025, Çarşamba

Trump came to power with strong rhetoric about tackling inflation and taking control of the migrant crisis at the southern border. But by the end of his first 100 days, his popularity had plummeted as a result of his economic policies. Leading up to the November elections, polls showed that many voters believed Trump would manage the economy better. Similarly, there was widespread confidence that he would be the one to stop the waves of migration at the Mexican border. For many voters, the tax cuts

Is the U.S. withdrawing from Syria?

24 Nisan 2025, Perşembe

Following the fall of the Assad regime and the establishment of a new government in Damascus under Ahmed Shara, the internal balances and regional dynamics of the Syrian civil war have shifted. This change signals the beginning of a new era in Syria’s reconstruction while prompting regional actors involved in the conflict to reassess their positions. Rapid developments have also led Washington to reconsider its presence and strategic objectives in Syria. The U.S. military has been working to facilitate

The two-state solution debate and Türkiye’s strategic patience

16 Nisan 2025, Çarşamba

Over the weekend, I had the privilege of moderating a panel at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF) titled “Peace in the Middle East: Time for a Two-State Solution.” The panel brought together high-level speakers who analyzed the issue from both on-the-ground developments and ongoing diplomatic efforts. The session’s title reflected a core thesis: that peace in the Middle East cannot be achieved without the establishment of a Palestinian state. As expected, the discussion had to address many grim realities—ones

Fidan’s Visit to Washington and Türkiye’s Strategic Autonomy

29 Mart 2025, Cumartesi

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s visit to Washington took place at a pivotal moment when the U.S. is redefining its foreign policy priorities. As the restructuring of the international system accelerates, countries like Türkiye—capable of responding swiftly and effectively to regional dynamics—are poised to seize new opportunities. Meanwhile, nations accustomed to the comfort of American-led Western alliances struggle to adapt. With Donald Trump’s return to power, it is clear that transatlantic relations

The Limits of Trump’s Diplomacy

22 Mart 2025, Cumartesi

When President Trump took office, he promised to end the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, positioning himself as the only leader capable of achieving peace. However, his diplomatic efforts have so far fallen short. Trump has blamed Biden for the escalation of both conflicts, claiming that only he could bring about a resolution. Unlike the Biden administration, which supported Israel and Ukraine’s strategies without applying significant diplomatic pressure, Trump demonstrated America’s influence over Netanyahu

Democrats' tough choice: resistance or compromise?

14 Mart 2025, Cuma

At the beginning of the week, the House of Representatives passed a temporary budget bill that will fund the federal government until September. After pushing the bill through without Democratic support, Republican representatives left Washington to return to their districts—signaling they are not open to further negotiations. Under normal circumstances, the Senate would amend the bill through negotiations and vote on a unified version. However, by refusing to consider any changes, Republicans are

Recession Fears Rattle U.S. Stock Market

11 Mart 2025, Salı

The sharp market drop on Monday is undermining President Trump’s economic promises. In the run-up to the election, Trump gained a significant advantage over Kamala Harris by focusing on inflation and high prices. However, his trade wars are rattling the markets. His push for a more protectionist U.S. economy has reignited fears of a recession. Over the weekend, Trump’s remarks about a “painful transition period” in the economy turned existing concerns into full-blown panic. While he may attempt