Is Donald Trump playing nuclear chicken with Turkey?

Oct 16, 2019

2 min

Glen Duerr, Ph.D.

As Elvis Presley used to sing “Wise men say, only fools rush in…” and it seems America’s hasty retreat from northern Syria and its seemingly unprepared rhetoric with Turkey may have landed America in a bit of a pickle.


Unbeknownst to most, the United States has an arsenal of nuclear weapons in Turkey, and senior officials are now scrambling with what they can or may have to do.


“And over the weekend, State and Energy Department officials were quietly reviewing plans for evacuating roughly 50 tactical nuclear weapons that the United States had long stored, under American control, at Incirlik Air Base in Turkey, about 250 miles from the Syrian border, according to two American officials.


Those weapons, one senior official said, were now essentially Erdogan’s hostages. To fly them out of Incirlik would be to mark the de facto end of the Turkish-American alliance. To keep them there, though, is to perpetuate a nuclear vulnerability that should have been eliminated years ago.


“I think this is a first — a country with U.S. nuclear weapons stationed in it literally firing artillery at US forces,” Jeffrey Lewis of the James Martin Center for Non-proliferation Studies wrote last week.” October 14 - New York Times


It’s quite the conundrum, and if you are a journalist covering this escalating issue – let our experts help.


Dr. Glen Duerr's research interests include comparative politics and international relations theory. Glen is available to speak to media regarding this topic– simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.



Connect with:
Glen Duerr, Ph.D.

Glen Duerr, Ph.D.

Professor of International Studies

Dr. Deurr's research interests include nationalism and secession, comparative politics, and international relations theory

International TerrorismDomestic TerrorismInternational RelationsBrexit

You might also like...

Check out some other posts from Cedarville University

1 min

Covering King Charles? Our Expert can Help

It's news that has shocked the world and has citizens across Britain and the Commonwealth as well  loyal watchers of the British monarchy in deep concern. This week, King Charles was diagnosed with cancer. News was released Monday in a statement from the palalce. This news will raise many questions both in the UK and abroad. Will his medical condition make him consider stepping down? Is William ready to be King? Is there still a time, place and relevance for Royals in these modern times? If you're covering - let our experts help. Dr. Glen Duerr is a citizen of three countries. He was born in the United Kingdom, moved to Canada as a teenager, and then to the United States to obtain his Ph.D. His teaching and research interests comparative politics and international relations theory. Dr. Duerr is available to speak to media regarding this topic– simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.

1 min

Progress lost? Is there any chance for lasting peace in the Middle East?

War is on again in the Middle East - and after years of talks, negotiations and most recently the Abraham Accords - has it all been lost now that war has returned? Glen Duerr, Ph.D. a Professor of International Studies at Cedarville University and a renowned expert in the areas of international relations and comparative politics, can explain the peace process and what might be next in Arab-Israeli relations. If you're covering this ongoing war and need to know more - then let us help with your questions and stories. Dr. Duerr is an expert on this subject and is available to speak to media regarding this topic– simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.

1 min

Middle East 101: Our expert walks you through centuries of tension and how we go to where we are today

There's nothing new about tensions, clashed and all out war in the Middle East. For thousands of years, it has been an area that has seen bloodshed, war and very few moments of peace. With all of the world watching the war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, a quick lesson in the history of the region might help everyone understand this very complex region a little easier. It's why we sat down with Glen Duerr, Ph.D. a Professor of International Studies at Cedarville and a renowned expert in the areas of international relations and comparative politics. If you're covering this ongoing war and need to know more - then let us help with your questions and stories. Glen is an expert on this subject and is available to speak to media regarding this topic– simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.

View all posts