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BETWEEN OIL AND BREAD
The Third Desk Nov 5, 2026

BETWEEN OIL AND BREAD

Sailors have always known that the sea is a treacherous companion. Kings claimed it, empires fought over it, cartographers divided it and lawyers eventually supplied the necessary terminology. The sea, meanwhile, continued to do much as it pleased. Today, we have territorial seas, exclusive economic zones, continental shelves and elaborate conventions governing almost every conceivable maritime activity. For all this legal ingenuity, a merchant vessel may still find itself at the mercy of forces less innocent than the water.

Can Öztaş
TURKEY CALLS FOR BLACK SEA SECURITY AFTER SHIP STRIKES
Foreign Affairs Aug 6, 2026

TURKEY CALLS FOR BLACK SEA SECURITY AFTER SHIP STRIKES

Turkey urged Russia and Ukraine to safeguard civilian navigation in the Black Sea after Turkish-owned cargo ships were hit by drones. Ankara refrained from blaming either side for the attack, instead calling on both warring parties to immediately ensure maritime security, on Aug. 4.

Editorial Staff 2 min
U.S.-MADE USV WASHES ASHORE ON BLACK SEA COAST
Security and Defense Mar 26, 2026

U.S.-MADE USV WASHES ASHORE ON BLACK SEA COAST

An unmanned surface vessel manufactured in the U.S. was found washed ashore in the Ünye district of Ordu, on the Black Sea coast, on March 21. An unmanned surface vessel (USV) of unknown origin struck the Altura, a Sierra Leone flagged tanker which is owned by a Turkish company, Pergamon Maritime, on March 26 in the Black Sea, 15 miles off the coast of the Bosphorus Strait.

Editorial Team
HAVELSAN TO ESTABLISH PARTNERSHIP IN ITALY
Security and Defense Feb 19, 2026

HAVELSAN TO ESTABLISH PARTNERSHIP IN ITALY

Havelsan, a company affiliated with the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with VN Maritime and Piloda Defence to become a partner in the production of hybrid and unmanned marine vehicles in Italy.

Editorial Team
ANKARA TO LEAD BLACK SEA SECURITY AS FRANCE AND BRITAIN BOOST SECURITY GUARANTEES AMID GREENLAND THREAT
Foreign Affairs Jan 8, 2026

ANKARA TO LEAD BLACK SEA SECURITY AS FRANCE AND BRITAIN BOOST SECURITY GUARANTEES AMID GREENLAND THREAT

France, Britain and Ukraine signed a joint “statement of intent” after a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in Paris, where nearly 30 Western leaders gathered. According to the statement, Britain and France will deploy troops to Ukraine in case of a peace agreement with Russia. Turkey is envisaged to take the lead in maritime security elements in the Black Sea.

Editorial Team
FINDING THE RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN DETERRENCE AND PROVOCATION IN THE BLACK SEA
Deciphering Turkish Diplomacy Oct 3, 2025

FINDING THE RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN DETERRENCE AND PROVOCATION IN THE BLACK SEA

When a European expert based in Bulgaria received an invitation to a conference in Tbilisi, he decided to take the maritime route, boarding the ferry from Burgaz to Batumi. At one stage of the 64-hour crossing, while sailing in the open sea, the ferry shut its transponder and turned off its lights. A Russian fuel tanker approached and docked with the ferry to provide fuel to the ship, which is mainly used by trucks. The expert later found out that Russia sold the fuel 30 to 40 percent less than the market price. The captain of the ferry confessed he had all the official documents proving that the fuel was purchased from Romania.

Barçın Yinanç
TEKNOFEST OPENS WITH “BLUE HOMELAND” THEME
Security and Defense Aug 28, 2025

TEKNOFEST OPENS WITH “BLUE HOMELAND” THEME

Teknofest, Turkey’s flagship defense and technology festival organized by the T3 Foundation — whose board is chaired by Selçuk Bayraktar, son-in-law of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and head of Baykar — kicked off this year with a maritime focus under the theme “Blue Homeland.”

Editorial Team