Opinions - Middle East and North Africa

Would Turkey Follow Saudi Arabia into Yemen?

by Mustafa Enes Esen, published on 14 September 2026

Over the weekend of September 11–13, Yemen's Houthis captured the Red Sea port of Mocha and the island of Perim, completing their takeover of Yemen's Red Sea coast and increasing their control over the Bab al-Mandeb strait. Saudi Arabia was forced to shut down a critical oil pipeline that had become one of the kingdom's principal outlets to the sea after Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Japan and Israel Move Closer

by Shogo Hiruta, published on 31 August 2026

The Israeli government is exploring closer cooperation with Japan on semiconductor technology, and Tokyo has already approved subsidies for an Israeli chip investment in Japan. The investment's importance, however, extends beyond commerce, reflecting an intent to deepen ties between the two countries.

South Korea’s Arctic Route Should Be a Strategic Backup, Not a New Suez

by Ju Hyung Kim, publised on 30 August 2026

South Korea’s first trial container voyage via the Arctic route should not be viewed simply as an experiment for faster shipping. Its genuine implication hinges on a more difficult question: how could South Korea, one of the most trade-dependent countries in the world, minimize exposure to maritime disruption without creating new geopolitical vulnerabilities?

The Mecca Agreement Is Goodwill, Not a Shield

by Mustafa Enes Esen, published on 17 August 2026

The leaders of Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement on August 7, declaring that an armed attack on any one of the three countries would be treated as an attack on all. The agreement is open to other countries, with Egypt and Qatar among the states that could potentially join.

Our Experts Assess the Turkey-Saudi Arabia-Pakistan Defense Pact

by Servet Akman, Mustafa Enes Esen and Ömer Güler, published on 8 August 2026

On August 7, 2026, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan signed a trilateral defense pact in Mecca, each committing to treat an attack on one as an attack on all. Coming amid the Iran-US war and a renewed Houthi threat to Saudi Arabia, the agreement has drawn immediate comparison to NATO's Article 5. Our experts weigh in.

Why Caution Is Warranted in Turkey’s PKK Deal

by Mustafa Enes Esen, published on 7 August 2026

Turkey stands closer to ending its four-decade war with the PKK. A draft framework law, the product of more than two years of negotiations with the imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, reached parliament this week, and a plenary vote is expected soon. An end to the armed conflict would benefit Turkey and the wider region. The way the government has drafted the law and managed the process, however, carries several warning signs that temper such optimism.

Reports - Middle East and North Africa

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

Gazze ve İnstagram

August 10, 2024

Haşim Tekineş

Ali Dinçer

Harun Reşit Halisoğlu

by Haşim Tekineş, Ali Dinçer and Harun R. Halisoğlu, published on 18 August 2024

Ali Dinçer, Harun Reşit Halisoğlu ve Haşim Tekineş Türkiye'nin Uluslararası Adalet Divanı'nda görülen #Gazze soykırım davasına müdahil olmasını, #CHP'nin #Paris çıkarmasını, #İngiltere'de yaşanan sokak olaylarını ve Türkiye'de bu hafta getirilen #İnstagram yasağını ele aldılar.

Haftanın Ortası - Suikastler, Savaşlar ve Seçimler

August 1, 2024

Ali Dinçer

Haşim Tekineş

by Ali Dinçer and Haşim Tekineş, published on 1 August 2024

Ali Dinçer ve Haşim Tekineş'in haftanın öne çıkan uluslararası gündemlerini ele aldıkları yeni yayınımızda, İsrail'in Hamas liderlerine yönelik suikast saldırıları, Erdoğan'ın İsrail'e yönelik açıklamaları, bölgesel savaş senaryoları ve ABD seçim sürecine ilişkin son gelişmeler değerlendirildi.

Haftanın özeti: Trump'a Suikast Girişimi, İngiltere'de Yeni İktidar ve Suriye'yle Normalleşme

July 20, 2024

Haşim Tekineş

Ali Dinçer

by Haşim Tekineş and Ali Dinçer, published on 20 July 2024

Ali Dinçer ve Haşim Tekineş Trump'ın suikastten kurtulmasının ardından kazanma olasılığının çok yüksek görülmesini, #İngiltere'de kurulan yeni hükümet ve sağ partilerin durumunu ve Türkiye-#Suriye normalleşme sürecini ele aldılar.

BOP: Nedir Bu Büyük Orta Doğu Projesi

June 26, 2024

Haşim Tekineş

by Haşim Tekineş, published on 26 June 2024

instituDE Dış Politika Analisti Haşim Tekineş Büyük Orta Doğu Projesi'nin ne anlama geldiğini ve içeriğini ele aldı.

Future of Terrorism in the Era of Hegemonic Rivalry

May 1, 2024

Haşim Tekineş

Hasim Tekines discussed the current state of radical terrorism, particularly ISIS and al-Qaeda with Research Associate Professor Dr. Mahmut Cengiz.

Ortadoğu Isınırken 3. Dünya Savaşına Ne Kadar Yakınız?

April 20, 2024

Haşim Tekineş

Ramazan F. Güzel'in hazırladığı Tv FOCUS GÜNDEM KONUĞU: Dış Politika Uzmanı/ Institute for Diplomacy Economy'den Dış Politika Uzmanı Haşim Tekineş @hasimtekines : İran İsrail geriliminin perde arkasında yaşananlar, - Yaşananlar bir tiyatro muydu, yoksa başka dinamikler mi var? - Gerilimin İran, İsrail, Netanyahu, Molla Rejimi için kazanımları ve Filistin'in konumu. - Gerilim bölgeye sıçrayıp bir 3. Dünya Savaşına yol açar mı, bunu isteyenler var mı? - Böyle bir savaştan Türkiye nasıl etkilenir ve neler yapmalı...?