Dr. Philip Robins
A decade ago Turkey was ‘a rising power’, cultivated by Europe and the Middle East, and with tangible benefits flowing, such as its 2009/10 UN Security Council membership. Turkey’s fall from grace has been equally as rapid but in a way that has both jeopardised its reputation and dissipated its impact. Though it fleetingly began the ‘Arab Spring’ to good effect, Turkey’s decline since then has been devastating. It was particularly ill prepared to face the most important challenges to its foreign and security policies, namely the devastating conflict within Syria and the unexpected collapse of much of the Iraqi state. More concerned with its great and regional power relations,Turkey was slow to engage with Syria and Iraq in a context of regional turmoil. In spite of its best attempts, stalemate characterises its relations with Asad’s Syria. In Iraq, where outcomes are still difficult to predict, Turkey’s abandonment of the Syrian Kurds at Kobani has inflicted reputational costs at a global level.
7,90 €Add to basket
Prof. Dr. Raymond Hinnebusch
The article examines the causes and consequences of the turn from amity to enmity in Turkey-Syrian relations as a result of the Syrian Uprising. The uprising precipitated negative tit-for-tat at the leadership level, which fed into a change in Turkish identity under the AKP. Turkey’s bid for neo Ottoman hegemony had begun with a ‘zero problems’ policy and economic integration, but turned towards democracy promotion as the Arab Uprising opened a democratic road to power for Islamist parties kindred to Turkey’s ruling AKP. At the regional level, the struggle for Syria between Turkey and Iran precipitated Turkish re-alignment with the Sunni bloc. Turkey miscalculated the tenacity of the Asad regime and its increasing frustration led it to support the jihadists as the most effective fighters. This contributed to the rise of ISIS, which precipitated twin security threats to Turkey – blowback from ISIS and re-empowerment of the PKK. The costs of Turkey’s Syria policy exposed the gaps between its regional ambitions and its capabilities.
7,90 €Add to basket
Dr. Özlem Tür
Since 2011, Turkey’s ‘zero problems with neighbours’ foreign policy has been put to the test in Syria. while Ankara was hesitant at first, it began to draw red lines and actively endorse regime change in Damascus. Subsequently, the boundaries established by then Prime Minister Erdoğan and then foreign minister Ahmet Davutoğlu were not enforced. Therefore, with the situation in Syria deteriorating, the choices for Ankara became more limited.
7,90 €Add to basket
Dr. Hasan Kösebalaban
This article examines the ideas and strategy of Turkish foreign policy towards the Middle East. Since 2003 Turkey is in a direct competition with Iran for a regional hegemony and Syria is the battleground of this competition. The article asserts that Turkish support for the Syrian opposition is based on ideological and strategical reasons. Yet at the same time, Turkey’s position on Arab democratization brings it into conflict with Sunni authoritarian regimes. Instead of focusing on Syria
as its number one foreign policy goal, Ankara has overextended its capabilities by engaging in other regional conflicts. Consequently, it has alienated other regional and international powers and could not capitalize on chances of collaboration and coordination on Syria.
7,90 €Add to basket
Yao Chen and Tuncay Kardaş
This study analyses the mechanisms through which China performs its balancing act when dealing with regional rivalries in the Middle East, especially between Saudi Arabia and Iran. We argue that unlike traditional balance of power practices in the Western context, China’s understanding can be better described with the Chinese phrase “Ping-Heng” (平衡). The latter refers to holding a balanced position among states in rivalry and keeping good relations with all of them. China performs its balancing strategy mainly through three mechanisms. Diplomatically, it establishes same-level partnerships with both by paying identical state visits, and by promptly soothing one’s dissatisfaction with diplomatic interactions with the other. Institutionally, China seeks to absorb Saudi Arabia and Iran into multi-lateral organizations, such as SCO and BRICS, by providing platforms for them to promote mutual communication and cooperation. Militarily, China keeps abundant arms sales to Saudi while holding more drills with Iran to alleviate security concerns of each side. Under China’s balanced act, Saudi Arabia and Iran understand China as a reliable broker.
Yao Chen, PhD Candidate, School of International Relations and Public Affairs, Shanghai International Studies University, China.
Tuncay Kardaş, Professor, Director of Middle East Institute, Sakarya University, Türkiye.
7,90 €Add to basket
Yao Chen and Tuncay Kardaş
This study analyses the mechanisms through which China performs its balancing act when dealing with regional rivalries in the Middle East, especially between Saudi Arabia and Iran. We argue that unlike traditional balance of power practices in the Western context, China’s understanding can be better described with the Chinese phrase “Ping-Heng” (平衡). The latter refers to holding a balanced position among states in rivalry and keeping good relations with all of them. China performs its balancing strategy mainly through three mechanisms. Diplomatically, it establishes same-level partnerships with both by paying identical state visits, and by promptly soothing one’s dissatisfaction with diplomatic interactions with the other. Institutionally, China seeks to absorb Saudi Arabia and Iran into multi-lateral organizations, such as SCO and BRICS, by providing platforms for them to promote mutual communication and cooperation. Militarily, China keeps abundant arms sales to Saudi while holding more drills with Iran to alleviate security concerns of each side. Under China’s balanced act, Saudi Arabia and Iran understand China as a reliable broker.
Yao Chen, PhD Candidate, School of International Relations and Public Affairs, Shanghai International Studies University, China.
Tuncay Kardaş, Professor, Director of Middle East Institute, Sakarya University, Türkiye.
7,90 €Add to basket
Medicine is at a crossroad in both the Arab world and on a global scale. At the heart of this transformation: women. Their bodies, their silence, their courage. This article is a plea for medicine that listens, understands, and empowers – beyond statistics, rooted in human stories. The world is aging. And with age, new challenges inevitably arise: more chronic illnesses, more frailty, and more cancer. Medical advances have prolonged life – but not always improved it. In many countries, healthcare costs are skyrocketing, systems are overstretched, and patients– especially women – are left behind.
Jalid Sehouli, Charité Berlin, Department of Gynecology with Center for Oncological Surgery,
Women Clinical Global Health.
7,90 €Add to basket
Laila Mrabti and Zouhair Belamfedel Alaoui
This article explores the limitations of health system responses to intimate partner violence in Morocco, placing them in comparative perspective with Tunisia, Egypt, and Jordan. Based on a documentary comparative analysis of institutional reports, public policies, and academic
literature, the study argues that institutional inertia, lack of gender-sensitive budgeting, and fragmented care pathways undermine survivors’ access to support. It calls for structural reforms grounded in feminist and intersectional approaches to health governance in the MENA region.
Laila Mrabti
Laila Mrabti holds a PhD in sociology from Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez. She teaches at the Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques and specialises in
social work and violence against women. She formerly has served as a social worker and head of the Integrated Care Units for Women and Children Victims of Violence under the Moroccan
Ministry of Health from 2007 to 2012.
Zouhair Belamfedel Alaoui
Zouhair Belamfedel Alaoui is Professor of Sociology at Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez. His research focuses on education, gender, and public policy. He co-founded the university’s first MA in social work and has published in both Arabic and English.
7,90 €Add to basket
Yousef Khader, Mohannad Al Nsour, Ruba Al-Sour and Haitham Bashier
The Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET) plays a pivotal role in strengthening the public health workforce in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). The region faces numerous public health challenges, including epidemics, political instability, and weak health systems. EMPHNET addresses these gaps through capacity-building programs, Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs), tailored curricula, e-learning solutions, and sustainability initiatives. This article outlines EMPHNET's comprehensive strategies and in-terventions emphasizing its contribution to regional and global health security.
Yousef Khader
Dr. Yousef Khader is a Professor of Public Health at Jordan University of Science and Technology. His research focuses on epidemiology, health systems strengthening, and non-communicable diseases.
Mohannad Al Nsour
Dr. Mohannad Al Nsour is the Executive Director of the Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET). He has extensive experience in field epidemiology, health policy, and
emergency preparedness across the Eastern Mediterranean Region.
Ruba Souri
Ms. Ruba Souri is a Senior Public Health Specialist at EMPHNET. Her work focuses on workforce capacity, research, and field epidemiology.
Haitham Bashir
Dr. Haitham Bashir is a Senior Technical Advisor at EMPHNET. He specializes in infectious disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, and field epidemiology capacity building in fragile
and conflict-affected settings.
7,90 €Add to basket
Eyob Zere Asbu, Zainab Nader Khazaal, Bashir Aden, Tamir Abdelmutalib and
Saeed Abdullah bin Ishaq
This study examines the health and health system profiles of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries from 2000 to 2020 (or the latest available data), using time-series data from the World Health Organization, World Bank, and United Nations Development Program. Key indicators
analysed include socioeconomic trends, health expenditures, and health outcomes. Descriptive data analysis was conducted in Microsoft Excel.The findings reveal significant progress in reducing child and maternal mortality across the region. However, persistent challenges include the rising burden of non-communicable diseases, particularly diabetes, mental health conditions, and high levels of PM2.5 air pollution. These issues signal an urgent need for targeted public health interventions. The study calls for comprehensive, context-specific strategies to address chronic disease risk factors through health education, lifestyle interventions, and improved healthcare access. In light of declining fertility rates and shifting demographic trends, it also emphasizes the importance of proactive, evidence-informed reproductive health and family planning policies. These insights provide critical guidance for policymakers aiming to strengthen health system performance and improve population health outcomes across the GCC.
Dr. Eyob Zere Asbu is currently a Senior Health Economist at the WHO in Geneva, Switzerland.
Dr. Zainab Nader Khazaal is a Senior Consultant in Public Policy based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Dr. Bashir Aden is an Epidemiologist at Piedmont Healthcare in Atlanta, GA, USA.
Dr. Tamir Abdelmutalib is a Senior Specialist, Medical Practices Ethics at the Department of Health, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Dr. Saeed Abdullah bin Ishaq is a Senior Public Health Consultant based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
7,90 €Add to basket
7,90 €Add to basket
7,90 €Add to basket
7,90 €Add to basket
7,90 €Add to basket