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

Suriye'de Zamana Karşı Yarış!

May 3, 2025
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 3 May 2025
instituDE Dış Politika Analisti Haşim Tekineş Suriye'de son haftalarda yaşanan gelişmeleri, ana aktörlerin oyun planlarını ve ülkedeki dengeleri ele aldı

Is a Turkey-Israel Clash Coming?

April 9, 2025
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 9 April 2025
In this video, we break down the rising tensions between Turkey and Israel following the fall of the Assad regime in Syria. As Ankara emerges as the dominant power in post-war Syria, Israel grows increasingly concerned about Turkish influence spreading across the region.

What is the PKK? Inside Turkey’s Recent Peace Talks

March 12, 2025
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 12 March 2025
Turkey has initiated a new round of talks with the Kurdistan Workers' Party, a.k.a. PKK. PKK's founding leader called the group to lay down their weapons and dissolve the organization. The PKK has declared a ceasefire. Turkey seems to be closer to peace more than ever. Yet, ironically, the country is getting more and more authoritarian every passing day. The question is whether the authoritarian peace is possible?

Trump Gözünü Gazze'ye Dikti!

February 5, 2025
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 5 February 2025
Amerikan Başkanı Donald Trump Gazze hakkında önemli açıklamalar yaptı. Trump #gazze nin boşaltımasını ve buraya #Amerika nın kontrol etmesini teklif etti.

Gazze’de Ateşkes(?) Ne Kadar Kalıcı

January 17, 2025
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 17 January 2025
Gazze’de Ateşkes (?) sağlandı mı? Şiddetin bilançosu? Ne kadar kalıcı?

SURİYE'DE ZAFER SARHOŞLUĞU

December 19, 2024
Türkiye Suriye'nin doğusuna operasyon mu düzenleyecek? Trump dönemine geçiş Türkiye'nin Suriye hamlelerini nasıl etkileyebilir? Suriye'deki belirsizlikler kimlere hangi fırsatları sunuyor? Ali Dinçer ve Haşim Tekineş yanıtladılar.