Opinions - Middle East and North Africa

İran–İsrail Savaşı: Askerî Gerçeklikler ve Güç Dengesindeki Aşınma

İran–İsrail Savaşı: Askerî Gerçeklikler ve Güç Dengesindeki Aşınma

by Ahmet Kalafat, published on 6 March 2026
İran ile İsrail arasında giderek tırmanan çatışma hakkında yapılan yorumların önemli bir bölümü, savaşın gerçek askerî dinamiklerinden çok algılar üzerinden şekillenmektedir. Özellikle bazı analizlerde ABD ve İsrail’in stratejik hedeflerine ulaşamadığı veya planlarının başarısız olduğu yönünde iddialar öne sürülmektedir.
Ankara Expects the Iranian Regime to Survive but Risks for Turkey Persist

Ankara Expects the Iranian Regime to Survive but Risks for Turkey Persist

by Mustafa Enes Esen, published on 5 March 2026
The Turkish government views the potential collapse of the Iranian regime as a harbinger of regional instability. Nonetheless, Ankara remains convinced that the Iranian regime will survive this ordeal, even after the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
Three Phases of Turkish-American Relations in Syria

Three Phases of Turkish-American Relations in Syria

by Haşim Tekineş, published on 20 February 2026
The Syrian civil war has had a major impact on relations between Turkey and the United States. Syria has created both areas of cooperation and sources of tension between the two countries. As interests and the regional balance of power shifted, the nature of the relationship also changed.
Why Turkey Chooses Continuity Over Change in Iran

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

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

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.

Reports - Middle East and North Africa

Turkey's Vision For a New Syria

Turkey's Vision For a New Syria

by Mustafa Enes Esen, Haşim Tekineş, Mehmet Demirbaş and Servet Akman, published on 14 February 2026
This report analyzes Turkey’s vision for Syria following the fall of the Assad family and the rise of the HTS under the leadership of Ahmad al-Sharaa. In this regard, it focuses on the foreign actors that, alongside Turkey, now have the greatest ability to shape Syria’s future: namely the United States and Israel.

Videos - Middle East and North Africa

Oil, Power, and Politics: Inside the Turkey-Iraq Pipeline War

July 28, 2025
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 28 July 2025
In this video, we break down the complex dispute between Turkey, Iraq, and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) over the Kirkuk-Ceyhan oil pipeline.

Suriye Türkiye için Zafer mi Zaafiyet mi?

July 17, 2025
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 17 July 2025
Suriye'de artan gerilim bir kere daha bölgedeki dengelerin nezaketini ortaya koydu. İsrail ise Şam'ı vurarak Suriye konusunda kararlılığını ortaya koydu? Türkiye nasıl cevap verecek?

İran'ın 13. Günü

July 13, 2025
by Haşim Tekineş and Mehmet Akif Koç, published on 13 July 2025/
İran'ın İsrail'le yaşadığı askeri gerilim İran'ı nasıl etkiledi?

Israel vs. Iran: What It Means for Turkey

June 26, 2025
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 26 June 2025
In this in-depth analysis, we explore how Turkey is responding to the Israel–Iran war and what it means for Ankara’s security, its role in the Middle East, and its delicate balance between its alliances and rivalries. From Turkey’s historical neutrality in regional conflicts to its growing tensions with both Israel and Iran, this video takes a closer look at the biggest geopolitical shift in the Middle East — and how it could redefine Turkey’s future.

İran ve İsrail Arasında Rusya

June 25, 2025
by Haşim Tekineş and Kerim Has, published on 25 June 2025
Bu hafta instituDE'nin konuğu Dr. Kerim Has, İran-İsrail krizinde Rusya'nın pozisyonunu analiz ediyor.

Trump ve İran-İsrail Gerilimi

June 19, 2025
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 19 June 2025
Trump İran ve İsrail arasındaki gerilime katılıp katılmama konusunda yol ayrımında.