Opinions - Middle East and North Africa

 What Comes Next in the U.S./Israel–Iran Conflict? Mapping the Escalation Trajectory

What Comes Next in the U.S./Israel–Iran Conflict? Mapping the Escalation Trajectory

by Mehmet Akif Koç, published on 6 April 2026
While it remains too early to fully assess the long-term consequences of the Gaza war, one outcome is obvious: whatever Hamas hoped to achieve on October 7, the fallout has significantly undermined Iran's quasi-hegemonic position in the region.
The Causes of the Iran War and the Prospects for a Ceasefire

The Causes of the Iran War and the Prospects for a Ceasefire

by Mehmet Akif Koç, published on 4 April 2026
The Prussian general and military theorist Carl von Clausewitz famously defined war not merely as an act of violence, but as "the continuation of politics by other means" — an extension of diplomacy rather than its abandonment. Wars are not fought to satisfy some destructive impulse, nor do states enter conflict for its own sake.
IRAN’S DRONE STRIKES ON NAKHCHIVAN SERVED AS A TEST OF AZERBAIJAN'S RESOLVE

IRAN’S DRONE STRIKES ON NAKHCHIVAN SERVED AS A TEST OF AZERBAIJAN'S RESOLVE

by Rufat Ahmadzada, published on 23 March 2026
Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan exclave contains neither U.S. nor other foreign military bases, contrary to the Iranian official narrative. What motivated the Iranian regime to target a civilian airport and a school in Nakhchivan on 5 March?
İran’a kara harekatı senaryosu: %55 savaş, %45 ateşkes

İran’a kara harekatı senaryosu: %55 savaş, %45 ateşkes

by instituDE, published on 23 March 2026
Bu hafta içi uzmanlarımızla bir anket daha yaptık. Katılımcılara 1- İran’da rejim yıkılır mı, 2- Yakın dönemde bir ateşkes olur mu, 3- ABD kara harekatı yapar ve savaş uzar mı diye soruldu.
When THAAD Leaves: The Risks to South Korea’s Missile Defense and What Washington, Tokyo, and Seoul Must Do Next

When THAAD Leaves: The Risks to South Korea’s Missile Defense and What Washington, Tokyo, and Seoul Must Do Next

by Ju Hyung Kim, published on 16 March 2026
The redeployment of U.S. missile defense assets, including Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) batteries and Patriot systems from South Korea to the Middle East has triggered understandable concern in Seoul.
Collateral Allies: Why the Gulf States Are Paying the Price for the War with Iran

Collateral Allies: Why the Gulf States Are Paying the Price for the War with Iran

By Sidra Shaukat, published on 10 March 2026
On Saturday morning, February 28, white contrails streaked across the blue skies above Abu Dhabi. They were not passenger jets. They were Iranian ballistic missiles. Within 24 hours, six Gulf States (Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman) had all been struck, even though not one of them had fired a single shot at Iran. Apart from military installations, luxury hotels and airports were also targeted by Iran.

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

İran için Tehlikeli Senaryolar

February 5, 2026
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 5 February 2026
Amerika ve İran arasında gerginlik artıyor. Taraflar diplomatik çözüm arasa da, uzlaşı kolay değil

Davos'ta Transatlantik Kopuş ve Suriye

January 25, 2026
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 25 January 2026
Davos'ta Kanada Başbakanı Amerika'yla kopuşu ilan etti. Yeni Dünya düzeninde Türkiye ve bölgesel nüfuzu

İran'a Askeri Operasyon Muamması

January 15, 2026
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 15 January 2026
Trump İran'a askeri operasyon yapmaktan vazgeçtiğini açıkladı şimdilik. Ancak askeri hareketlilik devam ediyor.

2026'da Dünya ve Türkiye

January 1, 2026
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 1 January 2026
2026'da dünyayı bekleyen sorunlar neler? ABD-Çin rekabeti, Tayvan, Ukrayna Savaşı ve Orta Doğu

İran'da Milliyetçiliğin Yükselişi

December 23, 2025
by Haşim Tekineş and Mehmet Akif Koç, published on 23 December 2025
İran Devrimi sonrası arka plana itilen milliyetçi duygular son zamanlarda yeniden öne çıkmaya başladı. Milliyetçiliğe dönüş ne anlama geliyor? İran ve Pers milliyetçiliği arasındaki fark? Milliyetçiliğin yükselişi İran rejimi için nasıl tehdit oluşturuyor? Dr. Mehmet Akif Koç İran'da milliyetçiliğin dönüşünü değerlendirdi.

Türkiye-Rusya İlişkilerinin 10 Yılı

November 27, 2025
by Haşim Tekineş and Kerim Has, published on 27 November 2025
Türkiye'nin hava sahasını işgal eden Rus jetini düşürmesinin üzerinden tam on yıl geçti. Peki bu on yılda ikili ilişkiler nasıl bir seyir izledi? Dr. Kerim Has Ankara-Moskova hattındaki dalgalı ilişkileri değerlendirdi.