Serkan Birgel

Serkan Birgel is a graduate from the School of Geography and the Environment, Oxford. His DPhil focused on natural resource conflicts, with particular emphasis on the relationship between the peace and natural gas development processes in Cyprus.

Articles from author

Hagia Sophia and the test of time

Is the state of secularism in Turkey entirely predicated upon the exclusion of worshippers from the Hagia Sophia?

7 MIN READ

Against polarisation: The politics of gratitude in Cyprus

Are we to replace the known dangers of an ethno-national conflict in Cyprus with a new Cypriot nationalism, one that promotes the old xenophobic trope of the ‘Terrible Turk’?

9 MIN READ

Against polarisation: The politics of gratitude in Cyprus

Looming UN vote and the future of aid in Syria

Russia and China have previously undermined international efforts to keep border gates open to Syria. In the backdrop of the pandemic, voting on the renewal of a UN mandate is fast-approaching, as well as tentative talks in Geneva.

7 MIN READ

Looming UN vote and the future of aid in Syria

Food insecurity and the crashing Syrian Pound

With an overwhelming majority already reeling from poverty, the ongoing pandemic has exacerbated food shortages across Syria.

7 MIN READ

Food insecurity and the crashing Syrian Pound

Coronavirus aid controversy in the spectre of Turkish-Cypriot elections

Turkish Cyprus debates whether the country's leader politicised aid from Greek Cyprus.

8 MIN READ

Coronavirus aid controversy in the spectre of Turkish-Cypriot elections

PKK/YPG supporters rejoice in the Afrin terror attack

If the heinousness of yesterday's terror attack in Afrin won’t move PKK/YPG sympathisers, including some international observers, then what will?

8 MIN READ

PKK/YPG supporters rejoice in the Afrin terror attack

Oil price collapse reignites geopolitical speculation

Is the move a manifestation of Saudi Arabia’s new-found penchant for nationalism, which could incur a US backlash for undermining the US shale oil industry?

7 MIN READ

Oil price collapse reignites geopolitical speculation

Analysis: Why the US shouldn't 'pinch' doctors amid the Covid-19 crisis

The US State Department clearly signalled last week that it was eyeing specific talent from the developing world, especially those with skills to mitigate the effects of Covid-19.

6 MIN READ

Analysis: Why the US shouldn't 'pinch' doctors amid the Covid-19 crisis

Why is Germany granting asylum to children and ignoring the rest?

As Berlin prepares to resettle "an appropriate share" of Syrian children, it remains to be seen whether these young minds will be disassociated from their parents and cultures entirely as they are integrated in their host country.

6 MIN READ

Why is Germany granting asylum to children and ignoring the rest?

Russian disinformation and refugee dehumanisation overshadows Idlib crisis

The incredulous statements from Russia mirror how severely the situation in Syria has escalated, but perhaps the potential for escalation will finally stir action from Western states apathetic to the plight of Syrians in Idlib.

6 MIN READ

Russian disinformation and refugee dehumanisation overshadows Idlib crisis