Opinions - Middle East and North Africa

Why Turkey Chooses Continuity Over Change in Iran

by Mustafa Enes Esen, published on 6 February 2026

Ankara has repeatedly made clear that it opposes a military intervention against Iran. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated again on February 5: “We are doing everything to prevent these tensions between the United States and Iran from driving the region into a new conflict and chaos. We clearly expressed our opposition to a military intervention in Iran.” To this end, the Turkish government has also formed a sort of ad hoc alignment with regional countries to lobby the Trump administration against war.

Would Turks in Iran Pursue Independence Amid Turmoil? A Framework Analysis

by Mehmet Akif Koç, published on 21 January 2026

Iran built an extensive sphere of influence across the Middle East between 2003 and 2023. This influence has largely—at least for the time being—collapsed following the 2023 war in Gaza with Hamas, the 2024 conflict in Lebanon with Hezbollah, and the December 2024 fall of Syria’s Baath regime. Together, they formed the backbone of Iran’s regional influence.

When Trump Moves On: Syria’s Lesson for Venezuela

by İmdat Öner and Mustafa Enes Esen

The experience of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) should be a warning for Venezuela’s opposition. Not because Syria and Venezuela are the same, but because they reveal how U.S. policy actually works when hard choices are made. In both cases, Washington has shown that it values stability and workable partners over past alliances or political sympathy. That logic matters far more than the specifics of either country.

What the SDF’s Miscalculations Meant for Turkey and Syria

by Mustafa Enes Esen, published on 19 January 2026

The ceasefire signed on January 18 between Damascus and the SDF was not the product of prolonged bargaining or mutual compromise. It was imposed by developments on the ground that had already stripped the SDF of its bargaining power. As such, the ceasefire agreement formalizes the collapse of the March 10 deal and largely marks the end of the SDF’s ability to shape outcomes in Syria.

An Iranian Collapse Would Pose Security Risks for Azerbaijan

by Rufat Ahmadzada, published on 14 January 2026

The protests in Iran are continuing to escalate. What started as a protest by traders against the fall in the value of the local currency, rising prices, economic mismanagement and worsening economic conditions in the country has quickly transformed into a growing movement for political change. This is evident from the chants of protestors and is threatening the legitimacy of the ruling clerical regime.

Syria’s Fate Still Hinges on Trump

by Haşim Tekineş, published on 13 January 2026

Videos showed fighting erupting in residential areas as civilians fled en masse, while green buses later transported defeated fighters out of the city under a mediated evacuation arrangement. The Aleppo clashes in early January 2026 brought back grim memories of Syria's civil war, even as the new government in Damascus, led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa, claimed another military win against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Aleppo.

Reports - Middle East and North Africa

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Videos - Middle East and North Africa

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.

"Yemen'de Yeni Bir Savaş Kapıda Mı?"

January 15, 2024

Ömer Güler

Haşim Tekineş

by Haşim Tekineş and Ömer Güler, published on 15 January 2024

#DışıİçiBir'in yeni bölümünde Ömer Güler ve Haşim Tekineş Blinken'ın geçen haftaki Ankara ziyaretini, Erdoğan'ın MİT'in 97. yıldönümü etkinliğinde yaptığı dış politika konuşmasını, Türkiye'nin şantaj diplomasisini ve Husilerin Kızıldeniz'den geçen gemilere yaptığı saldırılar çerçevesinde Gazze savaşının Yemen'e yayılma olasılığını ele aldılar.

2024 Hızlı Başladı

January 5, 2024

Ömer Güler

Haşim Tekineş

by Ömer Güler and Haşim Tekineş, published on 5 January 2024

Dışı İçi Bir'de Ömer Güler ve Haşim Tekineş Suudi Arabistan'da yaşanan Süper Kupa krizi ile İsrail-Hamas arasındaki çatışmalar ve dünyadaki seçim hazırlıkları dahil 2024'ün ilk uluslararası gelişmelerini ele aldılar.