Valdai Club

Even though it is too early to say that cooperation with Russia will turn into a strategical partnership, it is possible to mention that common interests of Ankara and Moscow are coming closer and the public opinion in both countries supports these developments.

Syrian conflict, which has started with Arab Spring in 2011 and dragged the whole Middle East into the proxy war among super powers, gave more instability signals with the intervention of the USA. While the efforts of Russia, Turkey and Iran have struggled to constitute de-conflict zone diplomatically through Astana and Sochi summits, the US efforts to form an army of 30 thousand militants with the majority of YPG/PKK along the Turkish border in Syria raised new concerns about the future Turkish-American relations.  

Russia played a vital role during the Syrian civil war, which is a proxy war in the Middle East. Through Astana process, Russia first assured the ceasefire and later in Sochi the door to peace was opened.

What will be the role of the UN Security Council’s mission if the US military strike does not stop the ongoing civil war? What will happen if radical Islamic groups like Al- Qaida fighters get the control of the stockpile of chemical weapons? At this crucial point, Russian President Vladimir Putin takes a historical diplomatic responsibility by hosting G20 leaders in St. Petersburg.

Is there a big margin between Russian political elites and the public? Why do people criticize the recent Duma elections in a way that has not been seen since the beginning of Putin’s administration? Is there a threat to Russian democracy which could lead to chaos and a breakdown of normal political life? How popular is Mr. Putin notwithstanding these protests and how long can he enjoy such popularity in the years ahead?

Vladimir Putin, in his new costume, has been preparing himself to be the captain, once again, of the Russian transatlantic ship, sailing from the Pacific to the Atlantic. The Russian people will definitely benefit from this, and Russian democracy will flourish in its own way.

A brief attempt to explain how NATO’s missile defense politics has changed, specifically regarding nuclear defense. During the Cold War, the East and West were two separate camps which daily faced the prospect of nuclear conflict. Today, however, the Euro-Atlantic community is much more free, united and secure.