The Caucasus is Turkey's corridor to the Turkic states of Central Asia, and a corridor for growing trade in both energy and goods, given substantial new transport infrastructure. But as the 2008 Russian-Georgian war and the escalating tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan show, it is also a region fraught with challenges that directly affect Turkey.
Cornell will discuss Turkey's interests and priorities in the region; how Turkey balances the calls for normalization of relations with Armenia and its strong ties to Azerbaijan; and what the transition of power in Georgia means for Turkey.
Dr. Svante E. Cornell is Director of the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk Road Studies Program, a Joint Research and Policy Center affiliated with Johns Hopkins University-SAIS, Washington DC, and the Stockholm-based Institute for Security and Development Policy. (www.silkroadstudies.org) He is the Editor of the Joint Center’s biweekly journals, the Central Asia-Caucasus Analyst (www.cacianalyst.org) andTurkey Analyst (www.turkeyanalyst.org). He was educated at the Middle East Technical University, Ankara, and received his Ph.D. in Peace and Conflict Studies from Uppsala University. Cornell teaches the Caucasus and the Turkic world at SAIS, where he is an Associate Research Professor. He served as Course Chair for the Caucasus at the Foreign Service Institute in 2002-2003, and as Associate Professor of East European Studies and Government at Uppsala University from 2003 to 2010. He is the author, among other, of Small Nations and Great Powers, (2001) the first comprehensive study of the post-Soviet Caucasus, and numerous academic and policy articles that have appeared in journals including World Politics, Journal of Democracy, Current History, Foreign Policy, Orbis, Journal of Peace Research, and Middle East Quarterly. His most recent book is Azerbaijan since Independence (M.E. Sharpe, 2011).
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ANNOUNCEMENT
Fethullah Gulen, Rumi Forum Honorary President, named in 2013 TIME 100 list

We were delighted to hear today that Mr. Fethullah Gulen, an inspiration for many of our volunteers and donors, was named as one of TIME Magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world in 2013.
Being named on the TIME100 list is recognition we see befitting of Mr. Gulen, who has dedicated his life to interfaith tolerance and peaceful coexistence with people of all faiths and backgrounds. His reinterpretation of aspects of Islamic tradition not only meets the needs of contemporary Muslims, but also inspires millions in Turkey and around the world to promote community service, intercultural dialogue and education.
Statement from Fethullah Gulen Condemning Boston Marathon Attack
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 17, 2013
Statement from Fethullah Gulen Condemning Boston Marathon Attack
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic bomb attack at the Boston Marathon that cost the lives of innocent people and injured many more. I express my absolute condemnation of this senseless act of violence that accomplished nothing more than the infliction of unbearable pain on innocent people. I send my sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased and my prayers for a speedy recovery of the injured. On this sad occasion, I reiterate my condemnation of all forms of terror, which can never be justified by its perpetrators or their stated purposes. I hope that the perpetrators will be swiftly brought to justice and steps will be taken to prevent such horrific acts in the future. In difficult times such as this, I believe we must reaffirm our shared values of peaceful dialogue and mutual respect.”
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STATEMENT on Boston Bombings - Rumi Forum - April 16, 2013
The Rumi Forum condemns the actions of those responsible for the horrific incidents in Boston yesterday. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the victims and their families, the wider Boston community and all Americans. Terror, violence and the killing of innocent people can never lead to beneficial results. The Rumi Forum believes that dialogue is the most important way to bring people together to discuss differences and plays the utmost important role of overcoming prejudice and ignorance.

Honorary President
Fethullah Gulen is regarded as the founder and inspirer of the global social movement known as the Hizmet (Service) Movement, more popularly known as the Gulen Movement.
For More Information on:
Fethullah Gulen
The Gulen Movement
Gulen Inspired Schools
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