The U.S. and Global Security Review - Blog by Michael Novakhov

How to Carve a Turkey 2015 Thanksgiving Show Two hot old turkeys fight. Applause, applause and many thanks!  They are no "Honest" and they are no "Abe" . No pardons for them, Mr. Obama!  There are striking similarities between Erdogan’s Turkey and Putin’s Russia , not least their ability and propensity to move conflicts into the covert arena. While Russia’s intervention in Syria  may have cynical intent , the Turks are acting in support of their national interests in Syria with equal ruthlessness. Ankara is often guilty of neglecting attacks on Isis and hitting the Kurds (who are in so many ways the most effective force against the jihadists) instead,  smuggling weapons  in the guise of humanitarian convoys (something we saw the Russians doing in Ukraine), and being willing to support groups which are often jihadist in their own terms. Turkish military intelligence organisation (MIT) is every bit as cynically opportunist as the Russian military sp

It is lonely in the House of Lord, and hard to read, too: AP PHOTOS: Ancient Jewish community endures on Tunisian isle   by Mosa'Ab Elshamy | AP:  When school lets out, the streets around the ancient synagogue on this Tunisian island fill with rambunctious boys wearing Jewish kippahs and girls in long skirts, shouting to each other in Hebrew, Arabic and French. "Wait, buddy, not so fast..." Skies Darken for Accord on Syria :  Fallout of fatal incident threatens to destroy chances for any grand coalition of international powers to change the course of chaos in Syria, at least for now. Good Schoolmaster: "Fun is over, boys, now back to class..." Paris Attacks, Turkish Crisis Cast Fresh Light on NATO :  Bataclan massacre and Turkey’s downing of Russian plane raise questions about whether the alliance has a genuine role to play in countering terrorism or instability. What Happens Now? Military Experts Weigh Implications Of Russian Jet Downin