Conflict Transformation and International Politics during the Covid-19 Pandemic - IstanPol publication series
©FES Türkiye / IstanPol
The Populist Challenge to American Democracy: Deciphering the US Election Outcome (Analysis)
24 November 2020
Joe Biden's victory against President Donald Trump in the 2020 US presidential race freshened the democratic faith that a populist can actually be defeated through the ballot box. Moreover, the existence of effective check and balance mechanisms as well as a free media that has persistently questioned the "alternative truth" proved to make a real difference in the struggle against populism. In this analysis, Selin Nasi discusses the future of populism in the US and elaborates what the anti-populist bloc in the US should do, particularly during the Biden presidency, to prevent a possible populist resurgence.
Download report here (available only in Turkish)
The New Order in Nagorno-Karabakh: Building an Inclusive Peace (Policy note)
12 November 2020
In this policy note, Dr. Pınar Sayan discusses the new regional order in Caucuses after the ceasefire deal between Azerbaijan and Armenia brokered by Russia.
Download report here (available only in Turkish)
An Overview of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: The Role and the Future of the Peace Plans (Policy note)
16 November 2020
U.S. President Donald Trump claims his peace plan for Israel and Palestine conflict will prove to be the ultimate deal. In this policy note, Karel Valansi discusses the main arguments of Trump's Plan; "Peace to Prosperity: A Vision to Improve the Lives of the Palestinian and Israeli People" also known as the Deal of the Century, and compares it with previous American efforts for peace negotiations. The main difference of Trump’s plan is its departure from the Oslo principles that until recently have been the starting point for all American peace initiatives. The note analyzes Trump's Plan and compares it with the Oslo approach in crucial issues of Jerusalem, refugees, the Palestinian state, borders, and settlements. The role of Turkey, the role of the Arab Peace Initiative and the future of the American policy towards this issue during the presidency of Joe Biden is also explained.
Download report here (available only in Turkish)
The Prospects for Peace in Cyprus: The Impact of Elections in the North (Policy report)
18 September 2020
Turkish Cypriots are preparing to elect their fifth president – the next community leader – to guide the peace negotiations. The presidential election in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), originally scheduled for 26 April, was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic and will soon be held on 11 October 2020. In this policy paper, Dr. Cihan Dizdaroğlu discusses the extent to which the election affects the prospects for a solution in Cyprus.
Policy Recommendations Towards Immigrants, Asylum-Seekers and Refugees for the COVID-19 Pandemic (Policy report)
17 September 2020
In this policy report, Dr. Derya Özkul explores the problems faced by irregular migrants, asylum seekers and refugees during the COVID-19 outbreak in Turkey. The first part explains the background of the epidemic when Turkey had opened its borders for migrants and refugees to cross to Europe. The second part explores the growing difficulties experienced by asylum seekers and refugees in Turkey in accessing their rights to health, work and education, particularly since the period when the COVID-19 outbreak was declared. The third part summarises the examples from other countries in responding to migrants and refugees’ needs. The last section, ‘Projections for the Future’, discusses the increasing use of new technologies and automated decision making for asylum seekers and the associated challenges. The report will also provide policy recommendations for each of these areas.
Download report (available only in Turkish)
COVID-19 and the Call For Global Ceasefire
24 August 2020
The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres called for a global ceasefire on March 23 due to the COVID-19 pandemic as the pandemic poses a serious risk for conflict zones. In this paper, Dr. Sayan discusses the vulnerable healthcare services and the courses of multi-actor armed conflicts in three conflict zones; Syria, Yemen and Libya and warns against the risk of humanitarian crisis.
Download report here (available only in Turkish)
Related links
