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2191. Lighting the way to municipal prosperity

Author:
Mary Larzelere
Publication Date:
09-2013
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
Urban Institute
Abstract:
When was the last time you thought about street lights? They’re certainly something I’ve always taken for granted, until a recent trip to Kosovo as part of an Urban Institute program supported by USAID, the Democratic Effective Municipalities Initiative (DEMI). DEMI is a three-year, $20 million project dedicated to helping Kosovo municipalities achieve good governance at the local level. DEMI undertakes steps to make local service delivery more transparent and inclusive, and make local officials more accountable for results, a true challenge in any democracy, let alone a new one such as Kosovo’s.
Topic:
Infrastructure, Electricity, and Public Service
Political Geography:
Eastern Europe and Kosovo

2192. Evolution and Change in Iranian Foreign Policy: From Ideology-Orientedness to Pragmatism

Author:
Cenap Çakmak
Publication Date:
07-2013
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
BILGESAM (Wise Men Center for Strategic Studies)
Abstract:
There is visible Iranian interest in the so-called Arab Spring process. This growing interest could be attributed the advantages associated with the emerging Shia Crescent in the Middle East which could be favorable to the Iranian interests. However, it is essential to review the overall aspects of Iranian foreign policy to further elaborate on this matter. In other words, the Iranian foreign policy should be prone to have regional ambitions in order to speak of interest in regional developments such as Arab Spring or Shia Crescent. In order to properly analyze whether or not Shia Crescent becomes a stronger reality in the Arab Spring process, it is also relevant to discuss the fundamental tenets and current tendencies of the Iranian foreign policy. For the sake of the discussion, a brief analysis of the Iranian foreign policy after the Islamic revolution in 1979 will be sufficient to determine as to whether Iran may actually be interested in expanding its sphere of influence in the region and taking advantage of the Arab Spring, though there are some similarities with the foreign policy approach before the regime change as well.
Topic:
Foreign Policy, Arab Spring, Ideology, and Pragmatism
Political Geography:
Iran and Middle East

2193. The Militarization of the Caspian Sea is Inevitable: Cooperation is Needed

Author:
Ilgar Gurbanov
Publication Date:
09-2013
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
BILGESAM (Wise Men Center for Strategic Studies)
Abstract:
There is a strong linkage between energy and security. It can be a factor both for cooperation and conflicts, namely it can push forward for cooperation between two states, while at the same time can create tension between them. This tendency can be applied to Caspian Sea, which contains one of the largest oil and gas areas of the world. The energy diplomacy has been key factor for the political and economic development of Caspian states. The exploration and transportation of energy resources to world markets has been a central element of their foreign policies, and has enabled them to strengthen their sovereignty.
Topic:
Security, Development, Energy Policy, and Militarization
Political Geography:
Caspian Sea

2194. Assessing Turkey’s Performance As a Norm Entrepreneur in Syrian Crisis

Author:
Cenap Çakmak
Publication Date:
09-2013
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
BILGESAM (Wise Men Center for Strategic Studies)
Abstract:
Norms matter in world politics; and it is actually the norms, rather than complicated provisions of treaties or other formal arrangements, that the state express strong willingness to comply with. Norms are also significant as they reshape the conduct of interstate affairs and the overall outlook of the international political stage. From a constructivist perspective, norms are expected to take reign in the aftermath of a major and pervasive transformation in global stage. Such norms are further consolidated and legally backed by the repetitive compliance of states which turn them into binding customs that are applicable to all similar cases regardless of whether parties to these cases express their consent to abide by them as international legal rules.
Topic:
International Law, Politics, Treaties and Agreements, Conflict, and Norms
Political Geography:
Turkey, Middle East, and Syria

2195. Russia-EU Energy Relations: from Cooperation toward Contradictions

Author:
Ilgar Gurbanov
Publication Date:
07-2013
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
BILGESAM (Wise Men Center for Strategic Studies)
Abstract:
World War II, it was necessary to take new economic steps in order to overcome political problems among European countries. Establishment of the European Steel and Coal Community, the European Atomic Energy Community and the European Economic Community formed the/an/new European energy policy. After the first oil crisis in 1973, EU understood the importance of creation of common energy policy “…and European Council adopted “New Energy Policy Strategy” in 1974.” In 1991, EU proposed “European Energy Charter” and the Charter was signed by member states in Lisbon in 1994. The Charter considered further regulation of energy policy across the continent.
Topic:
International Relations, Energy Policy, International Cooperation, and History
Political Geography:
Russia, Europe, and European Union

2196. Turkey’s Approach towards Nuclear Armament*

Author:
Sinan Ülgen
Publication Date:
07-2013
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
BILGESAM (Wise Men Center for Strategic Studies)
Abstract:
When we look at Turkey’s nuclear strategy particularly in the field of military, we see that the issue of nuclear armament is not frequently discussed (maybe for right reasons). However, outside the country, in other NATO members, this issue is often discussed. What is at stake here is not the debate over how many nuclear weapons each state possesses but what kind of roles nuclear weapons play in the security strategies of countries.The debate on whether nuclear weapons are still needed in today’s world is being made openly before the public opinion. There has not occurred such a debate environment in Turkey yet. I am of the view that beginning such a debate will be of benefit if we indeed have the ideal of ‘open society’.
Topic:
Nuclear Weapons, Military Strategy, Public Opinion, Military Affairs, and Weapons
Political Geography:
Turkey and Middle East

2197. The Gezi Park Protests: The Lessons Turkey Should Take

Author:
Atilla Sandikli and Erdem Kaya
Publication Date:
08-2013
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
BILGESAM (Wise Men Center for Strategic Studies)
Abstract:
The Gezi Park events, started upon tearing down a few trees and demolishing some walls of the Park within the framework of the “Taksim Pavement Project”, proved to be a turning point in Turkish politics. The events are still one of the major policy debates continuing to affect the national politics in Turkey.
Topic:
Security, Human Rights, Governance, Social Movement, Protests, Domestic Policy, Freedom, and Gezi Park
Political Geography:
Turkey and Middle East

2198. Understanding Islamist Activism and Islamic Movements

Author:
Cenap Çakmak
Publication Date:
08-2013
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
BILGESAM (Wise Men Center for Strategic Studies)
Abstract:
Islamist activism takes growing attention in political discussions and literature of scholarly accounts as well. Islamic movements and activism is often associated with terrorism in these accounts. However, this is a simplistic approach and ignores the dynamics and rationale behind this phenomenon. In other words, Islamism needs to be explored and understood for a proper analysis and discussion.
Topic:
Islam, Terrorism, Political Activism, Islamism, and Jihad
Political Geography:
Turkey

2199. Iran and Arab Spring

Author:
Cenap Çakmak
Publication Date:
06-2013
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
BILGESAM (Wise Men Center for Strategic Studies)
Abstract:
The political actors involved in regional politics in the Middle East were apparently caught unprepared by the events culminating in an Arab Spring. The tectonic shifts and the magnitude of the people’s rise in a very short period of time were the primary reason for the unpreparedness.
Topic:
Foreign Policy, Politics, Arab Spring, and Regional Integration
Political Geography:
Iran and Middle East

2200. Iran’s Nuclear Program and Turkey

Author:
Mustafa Kibaroglu
Publication Date:
07-2013
Content Type:
Commentary and Analysis
Institution:
BILGESAM (Wise Men Center for Strategic Studies)
Abstract:
Iran has become one of the most important issues of international agenda due to its nuclear program and continues to preserve its importance because of this. The question is how Iran has come to occupy an important place on international agenda? Is Iran pursuing its nuclear program in breach of international treaties or what causes problems are its intentions concerning the use of its nuclear capabilities?
Topic:
Foreign Policy, Treaties and Agreements, Nuclear Power, Weapons, and Nonproliferation
Political Geography:
Iran, Turkey, and Middle East