International Strategic Research Organization
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The International Strategic Research Organization or I.S.R.O. (Turkish: Uluslararası Stratejik Arastirmalar Kurumu or USAK.) is a Turkish non-governmental think tank dealing with global security, international law, international economy and other areas of international relations as well as Turkish foreign policy.
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[edit] Activities
The ISRO believes that the study of international relations is dominated by a Western point of view and that they intend to provide an alternative perspective.
The activities of the I.S.R.O. (USAK) include research, publications, seminars and conferences, as well as policy recommendations. They also conducts surveys on foreign policy and security issues.
[edit] Publications
English-language publications of the ISRO include the Journal of Turkish Weekly (JTW) and the Ankara Post, both available online. It further publishes Turkish, English and German language books, periodicals and onlines.
ISRO is the publisher of two academic journals: Review of International Law and Politics (RILP) and Journal of Central Asian and Caucasian Studies (JCACA).
[edit] Controversies
The institution, its branches, and its publications are known to have a highly nationalistic stance, particularly in issues regarding the Armenian Question, which is claimed by Mr. Laçiner (who has a broad mandate over their functions [1]) as a field of expertise. The institution's approach is often criticized for being on the border of disinformation and counter-propaganda. A recent example of this approach was when the ISRO claimed that Armenian-American band System of a Down issued a video clip that degraded some historical Turkish notables and announced the incident as "Provocation of the Armenian band". However, the clip for the song Holy Mountains was edited by a SOAD fan and shared through Internet. Similarly, another clip for the song, primarily criticising the Bush administration exists. ISRO further argued, relying on a report by Turkish daily Akşam, that SOAD had the words "Turks and dogs not allowed" written on the tickets for a concert. When SOAD denied the claims, ISRO and Akşam failed to give the date and location of the concert.
[edit] Center for Middle East and Africa Studies
Center for Middle East and Africa Studies (CMEAS - ODAM) is located in Ankara. The center is part of the U.S.A.K. located in the I.S.R.O. central offices in Ankara. The aim of the centre is to provide information, advice and a forum on Middle Eastern studies. The CMES (ODAM) is regularly consulted by journalists, officials, politicians, diplomats, and other NGOs on the Middle Eastern security and politics.
The centre staff regularly contributes to the I.S.R.O. publications and organize meetings on the Middle Eastern studies.
The CMES (ODAM) arranges programs of lectures, seminars, conferences and other discussions, and sponsors research and publications. It is financed by the Ankara-centred I.S.R.O. (U.S.A.K.).
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "Laçiner has a broad mandate" at usak.org
