Resolving Conflicts between States at the Diplomat School

The second week of the Diplomat School began with assessments by Marc Gopin, Director of the Center for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University, on resolving conflicts between states in the 21st century.

At the program, attended by Director of the Center for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University Dr. Marc Gopin; Acting Chair of the Board of the Türkiye-Europe Foundation and former Turkish Ambassador to Libya Uluç Özülker; and Chair of the Center for Eurasian Studies, former Head of the Institute for Armenian Research and retired Ambassador Ömer Engin Lütem, many topics were addressed, such as the field and practices of conflict management as an important tool of diplomacy, the latest developments in post-Gaddafi Libya and the region, the Armenian issue from the perspective of international law, and Türkiye-Armenia relations.

The participants' views in brief were as follows:

Dr. Marc Gopin:

- Understanding the communication of states in terms of global events is possible not only by identifying the bad actors in a society but, on the contrary, by identifying the situation of the good ones. Since the 20th century, non-religious regimes have mostly emerged as totalitarian and authoritarian regimes. This has a major impact on conflicts today, and these need to be resolved in the century we live in.

- Individuals are very influential in diplomacy; the influence of individuals on decision-makers is of undeniable importance in conflict management.

Uluç Özülker:

- With the "Arab Spring," a trend of Islamization has emerged. The secular and nationalist Arab movement has been replaced by Islamist thought, which has emerged in various forms.

- To rise to the level of contemporary civilization, Türkiye should not give up its goal of EU membership. However, this goal should be not so much becoming a European country as the ideal of achieving the prosperity enjoyed by EU member states.

Ömer Engin Lütem:

- The 3 reasons why Türkiye has been unable to establish healthy relations with the Armenians are territorial claims on Türkiye, genocide allegations and the Karabakh problem.

- Türkiye-Armenia relations have changed over time depending on the leaders who come to power in Armenia.