5 years after the Arab uprisings have started the Middle East is still experiencing a period of turmoil. War, instability, refugees ; uncertainty and crisis have become the new norm and this has become a permanent state. Rather than a short period of problems, we need to accept that there is no quick fix for the region’s problem on the horizon. Much of the political fallout that we are reaping now is the result of decision makers both in Turkey, as well as in the EU assuming that this crisis would end quickly. Turkey assumed that the Assad-regime would fall soon and that taking in Syrian refugees was just a temporary measure. The EU assumed that the neighbouring countries would deal with the refugees and if the conflict was to escalate, the United States would assume its role as regional security guarantor and intervene. But these are new times, the US has taken on the role of a more passive observer and the spill-over of the many conflicts in the region threaten to tear the Middle East apart. Finding solutions that are more long-term than the current approach that risks selling out human rights will be the only way to meet these challenges.

In this edition of Alternatif we take a look at what the regional situation means for Turkey. The Kurdish question and an emboldened Kurdish movement in Syria is one that has repercussions for Turkey. But are the PYD’s policies reason for optimism? Where is the Middle East heading and how is Europe reacting to it? And how has the war spilled over into Turkey and what will be next in the conflict in the south-east? These are the topics Alternatif is dealing with in its current issue. We also look at other contentious issues in the ecological and democracy field and hope that you have an interesting time reading our articles.

On behalf of the Alternatif team

Kristian Brakel