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Haluk Direskeneli

Haluk Direskeneli

Eurasia Review

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The Bolu Kartalkaya Fire Tragedy – OpEd

The Bolu Kartalkaya Fire Tragedy – OpEd

The fire at Bolu Kartalkaya hotel resort has devastated us all. The death toll has now reached 66, a figure

21.01.2025 4

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

The Destruction Of Early Republican Architecture In Ankara – OpEd

Unbelievable things are happening in Ankara. Many valuable buildings from the early Republican period, which witnessed the founding years of the...

05.01.2025 3

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

A New Era: Ukraine Halts Gas Transit, Ending Russia’s Energy Dominance – OpEd

For more than two decades, Russia has used its energy resources as a tool to exert pressure on Eastern Europe. As part of this strategy, President...

02.01.2025 1

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

The 2025 Jubilee Year And The Significance Of The Holy Door At The Vatican – OpEd

In the Christian tradition, Jubilee Years are deeply meaningful as times of spiritual renewal and forgiveness. Declared sacred by the Catholic...

01.01.2025 20

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

A Delightful 2025 New Year’s Concert At CSO – OpEd

Last night, despite heavy rain and Ankara’s notorious traffic, we managed to arrive on time for the 2025 New Year’s Concert by the Presidential...

27.12.2024 6

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

Religious Calendars And New Year Traditions In Turkey – OpEd

Orthodox Christians traditionally exchange gifts on St. Nicholas Day (19 December) or during the New Year celebrations. While they use the...

23.12.2024 2

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

The Historical Heritage Of Büyükada: Rizzo Palas Is Being Restored – OpEd

Büyükada, the largest of Istanbul’s Princes’ Islands, is witnessing the long-awaited restoration of Rizzo Palas, located at Kadıyoran 29....

20.12.2024 5

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

Invading Or Annexing Syria: A Flawed Approach – OpEd

Invading or annexing Syria is neither a moral nor a strategically sound course of action. Such a move would provoke widespread international...

20.12.2024 5

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

Who Lost The Great Chess Match? – OpEd

Vladimir Putin’s strategic gambit in Ukraine produced results far different from what he anticipated. Ukraine, intended as bait in Russia’s...

16.12.2024 8

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

Turkey’s Energy Security And The Impact Of The Ukraine War – OpEd

The Ukraine war has significantly influenced Turkey’s energy security policies and its relations with Russia. Turkey relies on Russia for...

14.12.2024 10

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

The Future Of Syria: Assad’s Asylum In Moscow And Possible Scenarios – OpEd

It has been announced that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad fled the country and sought asylum in Moscow, where he has obtained a residence permit....

11.12.2024 3

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

The Renovated Notre Dame Cathedral: History, Faith, And Diplomacy – OpEd

Notre Dame de Paris, located on the Île de la Cité island in the 4th district of Paris, is a medieval Catholic cathedral considered one of the...

10.12.2024 10

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

Developments In Syria: Regional Dynamics And Implications For Turkey – OpEd

Recent political and military developments in Syria suggest a potential shift in regional power dynamics. Reports citing Kremlin sources claim that...

09.12.2024 4

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

BRICS And The US Dollar: A New Era In Global Trade – OpEd

Around 40% of Turkey’s annual natural gas demand of 56 billion cubic metres is supplied by Russia. However, payment disruptions caused by the...

06.12.2024 2

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

Ankara And Istanbul: Transforming Cities Through Metro Investments – OpEd

For many years, metro investments were neglected in Ankara. The AKP administrations viewed metro projects as solutions typically associated with...

06.12.2024 2

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

The Sephardic Jews And The Contribution Of A Language To Business Negotiation – OpEd

A friend of mine, who spends summers on the Princes’ Islands, is a descendant of Sephardic Jews who fled the Spanish Inquisition in 1492 and...

04.12.2024 40

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

Timeless Works And The Power Of Writing – OpEd

Throughout human history, writing has not only served as a means of communication but also as the most effective tool for immortalizing thoughts...

03.12.2024 4

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

Key Considerations In Negotiations With Chinese Companies – OpEd

In Turkish domestic tenders, many Chinese companies continue to secure projects by leveraging Chinese Eximbank project financing support and...

02.12.2024 2

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

Permanence And True Legacy: From Autocrats’ Greed For Wealth To The Power Of Writing – OpEd

Nothing is permanent. The transformative and consuming power of time gradually erases or alters everything. In this transient world, even the...

02.12.2024 3

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

Turkish Energy Markets: 2025 Forecasts – OpEd

Turkey’s energy sector has witnessed remarkable growth as of 2024. According to data released by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources,...

01.12.2024 5

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

Turkey’s Natural Gas Dependency On Gazprom And US Sanctions: Possible Solutions – OpEd

Following the US sanctions on Gazprombank, Turkey’s request for an exemption from these sanctions to continue importing natural gas from Russia...

30.11.2024 10

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

COP29 Climate Conference: International Collaboration, Criticism, And Expectations – OpEd

The COP29 Climate Conference, held in Baku, Azerbaijan, aimed to strengthen global collaboration in addressing climate change. Despite its noble...

25.11.2024 3

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

Angela Merkel’s Memoirs: Freiheit’ And Initial Reactions – Book Review

After serving as Germany’s chancellor for four terms, Angela Merkel stepped down due to health reasons, retreating from the public eye and leading...

25.11.2024 2

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

Prince Igor At The Ankara Opera: The Power Of Art – OpEd

Last night, we had the pleasure of watching Alexander Borodin’s timeless masterpiece, Prince Igor, at the Ankara Opera. The production captivated...

21.11.2024 4

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

The US Presidency: A Challenging Role And Trump’s Management Strategy – OpEd

The U.S. presidency is a demanding and exhausting role. To succeed, it requires a skilled and experienced team. However, the new cabinet members...

14.11.2024 3

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

Turkey Cannot Halt Oil Shipments From Azerbaijan To Israel Without UN Sanctions – OpEd

Turkey lacks the authority to halt oil shipments from Azerbaijan to Israel without a UN sanctions resolution. At most, Turkey can request or advise...

13.11.2024 2

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

Lessons Learned From The 2024 US Presidential Election – OpEd

The 2024 U.S. presidential election has sparked many discussions on the evolving political landscape and the key issues that influenced voters....

07.11.2024 2

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

US Presidential Election: Key Policy Differences Between Kamala Harris And Donald Trump – OpEd

As the U.S. presidential election on November 5 approaches, the policy differences between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are becoming increasingly...

31.10.2024 1

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

North Korean Troops In Russia: Implications For The Ukraine Conflict – OpEd

The Pentagon has confirmed that approximately 10,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed to eastern Russia, ostensibly to undergo military...

29.10.2024 1

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

Solutions To End The Ukraine-Russia War: A Look At Peace And Victory Plans – OpEd

Amidst the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, both sides have outlined their respective paths to either victory or peace. Ukrainian...

25.10.2024 2

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

How Can Security Vulnerabilities Revealed By TUSAŞ Terror Attack Be Addressed? What Should Be Done? – OpEd

The attack on Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) headquarters in Ankara Kahramankazan on October 23, 2024, was seen as a serious threat to...

24.10.2024 4

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

How Could The Ukraine-Russia War End? – OpEd

The outcome of the Ukraine-Russia war hinges on a complex mix of military strategy, diplomatic negotiations, and the endurance of each side’s...

22.10.2024 1

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

Is An Israel-Iran War Possible? – OpEd

These are extremely challenging times. If Israel decides to expand the conflict by striking Iranian facilities, it could spark a major crisis in...

20.10.2024 1

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

Germany’s New Faces – OpEd

In the 1960s, Germany sought to replenish its post-WWII labor force by recruiting workers from countries like Turkey, Italy, Greece, and former...

05.10.2024 5

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

Mining Accidents And Safety Issues In Afşin-Elbistan, Turkey – OpEd

On February 6 and 10, 2011, two separate landslides occurred at the Çöllolar Coal Mine, which supplies coal for the Afşin-Elbistan B Thermal...

01.10.2024 1

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

The Depths Of The New York Corruption Scandal – OpEd

The alleged corruption scandal that has erupted in New York surrounding Mayor Eric Adams is a state-level incident cannot be overlooked....

27.09.2024 3

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

The 1932 Italy-Turkey Agreement: Defining Borders In The Aegean, Sovereignty Over Kekova, Meis, And Kara Ada – OpEd

Blue cruises around Kekova Island, departing from Kaş and Üçağız ports in southern Turkey, have long been a popular activity. This region is a...

24.09.2024 2

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

Çayırhan Thermal Power Plant: Privatization And Future Challenges – OpEd

The Çayırhan Thermal Power Plant (A), a coal-fired power station with a capacity of 3×210 MWe, began operations in Ankara in 1987. In 2000, the...

19.09.2024 3

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

Evaluation Of The Trump-Harris Debate – OpEd

BBC reports that Trump has announced he will not participate in any further debates with Harris as both candidates continue their visits to key...

13.09.2024 1

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

Responding: The Importance Of Defense And Reaction – OpEd

The recent incident in the Turkish Parliament, where an aggressor walked up to speaker MP Ahmet Şık and grabbed his shoulder during a speech,...

11.09.2024 1

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

Arena AquaChallenge 2024 Open Water Swimming Competition – OpEd

The Arena AquaChallenge swimming competition, open to athletes of all ages, was held at the Heybeliada Water Sports Club on Saturday and Sunday,...

09.09.2024 4

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

Project Financing Of Thermal Power Plants – OpEd

We previously examined the situation surrounding the auction of the thermal power plant—its value, budget, and current status. Today, we will turn...

01.09.2024 2

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

Pool Problems On The Prince Islands – OpEd

In recent years, there has been a growing trend of installing swimming pools in the gardens of private homes on the Prince Islands. While this is...

29.08.2024 1

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

The Surp Asdvadzadzin Verapokhum Church – OpEd

The Surp Asdvadzadzin Verapokhum Church, also known as the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, is a historic Armenian Catholic church...

22.08.2024 1

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

Turkey: Brawl In Parliament – OpEd

The incidents of fighting, physical altercations, injuries, and violence against women that occurred yesterday in the Turkish Grand National...

17.08.2024 2

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

The Anticipated Great Istanbul Earthquake: Destruction And Changing Worldviews – OpEd

Istanbul, one of Turkey’s largest and most significant cities, also faces substantial geological risks. Experts have long warned that an...

06.08.2024 2

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

The Overlooked Success of Female Athletes: Gender Inequality In Turkey’s Reception Culture – OpEd

Globally, athletes who achieve top ranks in sports tournaments and the Olympics are celebrated upon their return to their home countries, often...

06.08.2024 1

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

The Consequences Of Disturbing Nature: The Medieval Papacy And Mao’s China – OpEd

Throughout history, humanity has often faced unexpected and devastating consequences when interfering with the natural order. Two striking examples...

30.07.2024 4

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli

The Refugee Problem And Solutions – OpEd

The refugee problem is a significant issue that almost every country faces today. Millions of people flee their countries due to war, economic...

28.07.2024 1

Eurasia Review

Haluk Direskeneli