Opinions - Middle East and North Africa

Turkey’s Security Approach in Northern Syria

by Enes Esen, published on 19 December 2025

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) emerged as a dominant military and territorial actor in eastern Syria following the U.S.-led campaign against ISIS. Their control of large areas has created sustained tension with Turkey, which views the SDF as an extension of the PKK. Turkey’s opposition to an independent SDF military structure, alongside Damascus’s efforts to reassert authority in eastern Syria, has made the status of the YPG, the SDF’s armed wing, a central issue in the negotiations, including the most recent talks in December.

The Brotherhood Designation Is Not a Game Changer for Turkey

by Mustafa Enes Esen, published on 4 December 2025

President Donald Trump has issued an executive order to designate several chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organizations. The order is a reflection of sustained lobbying by the United Arab Emirates and Israel, with support from other Arab governments. While the designation reflects regional geopolitical pressures more than U.S. domestic concerns, it will nevertheless create complications for Turkey and Qatar, both of which maintain close ties with the movement.

Filistin’de Barış, Yeniden Yapılanma ve Uluslararası Hukuk

by Harun Reşit Halisoğlu, published on 20 November 2025

Birleşmiş Milletler Güvenlik Konseyi (BMGK), 17 Kasım'da basında ABD Başkanı Donald Trump'ın adıyla anılan 20 maddelik Gazze "Kapsamlı Planı"nı onayladı (2803/2025). Buna göre geçici bir uluslararası istikrar gücü (International Stabilisation Force, ISF) kurulması ve Gazze’nin yeniden inşasını koordine edecek bir Barış Kurulu (Board of Peace, BoP) oluşturulması kabul edildi.

Turkish–Egyptian Cooperation With Boundaries

by Mustafa Enes Esen, published on 15 November 2025

The foreign ministers of Turkey and Egypt met in Ankara on Wednesday for the first session of the Joint Planning Group. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty was also received by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Such routine meetings, which Turkey holds with many countries, provide a useful moment to review where relations stand and how current dynamics may shape future cooperation.

The Cost of Deteriorating Turkey–Israel Relations

by Mustafa Enes Esen, published on 8 November 2025

The bilateral relationship between Turkey and Israel have experienced its ebbs and flows, but since the war in Gaza, the trajectory has remained mostly downward. The Trump administration has so far exerted pressure on Israel and Turkey to settle their differences. Yet this does not mean that the worsening of relations with Israel comes without costs for Turkey.

Why Turkey May Not Let Hamas Wither Away

by Enes Esen, published on 23 October 2025

Under the terms of Trump's 20-point Gaza peace plan, Hamas is expected to transfer control of Gaza first to an international body and eventually to the Palestinian Authority (PA). The Trump administration anticipates that Hamas will eventually wither away as this process unfolds. Ankara, however, may be reluctant to go along with this process.

Reports - Middle East and North Africa

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Videos - Middle East and North Africa

Moskova ile Ankara’nın Ortak Zaafı

March 25, 2024

Haşim Tekineş

by Haşim Tekineş, published on 25 March 2024

instituDE Dış Politika Analisti Haşim Tekineş katıldığı programda Moskova'da IŞiD tarafından 22 Mart'ta düzenlenen terör saldırısını Türkiye'yi ilgilendiren boyutlarıyla anlattı.

Moskova Saldırısı ve IŞID'in Horasan Kolu

March 25, 2024

Haşim Tekineş

Moskova saldırısının arkasındaki Isis-K, yani Işid Horasan grubu kim? Saldırının arkasındaki motivasyon ne? Neden Moskova? Saldırganların Türkiye bağlantısı ne anlama geliyor? instituDE politika analisti Haşim Tekineş tüm bu soruların cevaplarını ele aldı.

Rough Peace in Libya - Interview with Dr. Jalel Harchaoui

March 6, 2024

Haşim Tekineş

by Hasim Tekines, published on 6 March 2024

Hasim Tekines discussed the situation in Libya, its local and regional dynamics, and Turkey's role with Dr. Jalel Harchaoui. Join us in our interview with Dr. Harchaoui, an Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute renowned for his insights on North Africa, including Libya. His expertise has been featured in top-tier publications such as Foreign Policy, Foreign Affairs, Lawfare, Small Arms Survey, and War on the Rocks. Don't miss this insightful discussion that offers invaluable perspectives on one of the most pressing geopolitical issues of our time.

Erdoğan Kahire'ye, F16'lar Türkiye'ye, F35'ler Yunanistan'a

February 18, 2024

Ömer Güler

Haşim Tekineş

by Ömer Güler and Haşim Tekineş, published on 18 February 2024

Ömer Güler ve Haşim Tekineş Erdoğan'ın Mısır ziyaretini, Bilal Erdoğan'ın ziyarette protokolde yer almasını, F-16 alımına dair ABD Senatosu'nun onayını, Yunanistan'ın F-35 alımını ve Ege'de hava gücü üstünlüğünde Yunaninstan'ın avantajlı hale gelmesini ele aldılar.

İsrail Uluslararası Adalet Divanı’nda

January 31, 2024

Harun Reşit Halisoğlu

Haşim Tekineş

by Harun Reşit Halisoğlu and Haşim Tekineş, published on 31 January 2024

Adalet Divanı'nın son İsrail kararını hukukçu Harun Reşit Halisoğlu değerlendirdi.

İsrail Lahey Adalet Divanı Önünde

January 19, 2024

Hakan Kaplankaya

by Hakan Kaplankaya, published on 19 January 2024

Hukuk Günlüğü'nde Hakan Kaplankaya Güney Afrika tarafından İsrail aleyhinde Uluslararası Adalet Dİvanı'nda açılan soykırım davasını anlattı.