Opinions - Middle East and North Africa

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.

The New Energy Routes Out of the Gulf

by Mustafa Enes Esen, published on 23 July 2026

Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz may ultimately prove more consequential than its military campaign in reshaping the region's energy landscape. Saudi Arabia is operating its pipeline to the Red Sea at capacity and evaluating an expansion. The United Arab Emirates is constructing a second line to bypass Hormuz.

Turkey's Stake in the U.S.–Iran Deal

by Mustafa Enes Esen, published on 18 June 2026

The agreement provides Iran with substantial gains, including sanctions relief, an end to hostilities extending to Lebanon, and tacit acceptance of its ballistic missile program. The two sides also retain a 60-day window to negotiate a final settlement on the nuclear file. From Ankara's perspective, a settlement preserving the Iranian state was always more likely than the regime change pursued by Washington and Israel.

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.

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...?