Keen On America The Istanbul Perspective: A Time for Monsters and Middle Powers
Dec 31, 2025
Soli Özel, a political commentator from Istanbul with expertise in Turkish geopolitics, delves into the shifting multipolar world and Turkey's emerging role as a middle power. He discusses how managing vulnerabilities will be crucial for global influence, contrasts America's self-image with its current foreign policy, and critiques performative diplomacy during turbulent times. Özel also evaluates the prospects for peace in Ukraine and the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, offering insights into what 2026 might hold for global stability.
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Middle Powers Rising In A Multipolar World
- Turkey sees opportunity as Pax Americana fades and multipolarity rises.
- Soli Özel argues mid-sized powers like Turkey gain room for maneuver and influence.
Empires Linger; Vulnerability Management Matters
- History shows empires are hard to discard and often retain pretensions.
- Özel stresses that managing vulnerabilities, not mere power, will determine future success.
America As A Cause And Nation
- The United States projects itself as a providential 'cause' as much as a nation.
- Özel suggests U.S. identity tensions shape how it engages the world and its allies.