Eastern Orthodox Church

January 22, 2024 | Haisam Hassanein |

After Israel-Hamas war, Egyptian Copts face ambiguous future

For almost a decade, Egyptian President Abdel Fatah el-Sisi has wanted to curb religious extremism and enhance the status of Christians in his country. In the wake of Hamas’ Oct. 7th attacks...

September 30, 2023 | Ivana Stradner |

Putin is opening up a new front against the West

The Balkans are set to explode unless urgent action is taken by NATO to quell Russian and Serbian aggression in Kosovo

August 22, 2023 | Ivana Stradner |

Zelensky Calls Meeting with Serbian President ‘Fruitful’

Tensions between Ukraine and Serbia have been high, with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic saying on Aug. 10 that 'If Ukraine recognizes Kosovo’s independence, it will lose everything in one day.'

July 10, 2023 | Jonathan Schanzer |

Breaking a leg in Jerusalem: How Arab-Israeli kindness challenged my assumptions

The kindness of one stranger from the West Bank doesn’t change the challenges associated with the two-state solution, but it certainly feels like the right time to question some of my assumptions.

February 22, 2023 | Ivana Stradner |

Russia’s Hybrid War Against Montenegro

Irked by Montenegro’s accession to NATO, Russia and its traditional ally Serbia are trying to undermine democracy throughout the Balkans in their general strategy of dividing Europe.

December 28, 2022 | Clifford D. May |

Strategery 101

When an enemy attacks a friend, back the friend

September 7, 2022 | David Shedd, Ivana Stradner

Waging Psychological War Against Russia

The U.S. has a real opportunity to erode Putin’s propaganda.

July 20, 2022 | Ivana Stradner |

Israel Needs to Speak Out and Hold Putin Accountable for His Crimes and Lies

Russian President Vladimir Putin says that his “special military operation” aims to “de-Nazify” Ukraine, portraying his troops as freeing ethnic Russians from a fascistic regime in Kyiv. Yet despite...

April 8, 2022 | Ivana Stradner, Dalibor Rohac

The Threat to the West Is Inside the House

The United States and Europe need to toughen up on the spoilers in their own ranks.

November 26, 2021 | Aykan Erdemir, Paul Gadalla

Russia’s Power Games Extend to the Orthodox Church

Pushing back against Russia’s multipronged assault on the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which includes Putin and Erdogan’s coordinated pressure on an institution they see as posing a threat to their respective illiberal projects, requires devising and implementing a concerted transatlantic strategy.

June 3, 2021 | Aykan Erdemir, Tuğba Tanyeri-Erdemir

State Department Should Deliver an Honest Message about Turkey’s Religious Freedom Record

The US Department of State’s annual report on international religious freedom, released on May 12, documents the ongoing erosion of freedom of religion or belief in Turkey. The report echoes the concerns...

April 29, 2021 | Aykan Erdemir, Nadine Maenza

Turkey Needs to Change its Policy and Rhetoric Toward Religious Minorities

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan stunned his country’s Christians and Jews by publicly using the slur “gavur” (infidel), a pejorative designation for non-Muslims, to criticize...

February 26, 2021 | Aykan Erdemir, John Lechner

Russia-Turkey Pincer Movement Threatens Ecumenical Patriarchate’s Survival

It is time the West offered robust support to the Istanbul-based Patriarchate – now being squeezed by Ankara and Moscow, both of which see it as a threat to their illiberal projects.

October 1, 2020 | Philip Kowalski |

Turkey Uses Medieval Score-Settling To Justify Its Hagia Sophia Conversion

Europe is now home to one of the world’s strangest paradoxes. The continent’s most prominent mosque, the Great Mosque of Cordoba, has served as a church since the year 1236. Meanwhile, Ankara in July converted Europe’s...

January 14, 2020 | Aykan Erdemir, John Lechner

Turkey Must Stop Meddling in Armenian Church Affairs

The Turkish government is imposing its political preferences when it comes to selecting the leaders of the country’s minority groups—and posing a threat to religious freedom.

November 30, 2018 | Aykan Erdemir |

AKP Eyes Alevi Voters – Again and to No Avail

Turkey’s Supreme Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that the state should pay the...

November 29, 2018 | Aykan Erdemir, John Lechner

Erdoğan’s Interests Converge with Putin in Moldova’s Gagauzia

BACKGROUND: On October 17, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan touched down in Chisinau for a ...

October 31, 2018 | Aykan Erdemir, John Lechner

The Embattled Ecumenical Patriarch Caught Between Russia and Turkey

On October 15, the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) announcedits decision to break with the Ecumenical Patriar...

September 8, 2017 | Reuel Marc Gerecht |

Perfect Partners

When he won the election, Donald Trump—along with his national security adviser Michael Flynn, his all-purpose counselor Stephen Bannon, and, perhaps, his son-in-law, Jared Kushner—wa...

October 12, 2012 | Khairi Abaza Fikra Forum |

Alawites and Alevis: What’s in a Name?

Co-authored by Soner Cagaptay Tensions are rising on the Turkish-Syrian border, as Turkey recently became the first country to take direct military action against the al-As...