Opinions - North America

 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 - North America

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.
TURKEY'S GROWING ROLE IN GLOBAL COCAINE TRAFFICKING

TURKEY'S GROWING ROLE IN GLOBAL COCAINE TRAFFICKING

by Dr. İmdat Öner, Halil Çavuş, Ömer Güler and Mustafa Enes Esen, published on 17 September 2024
This report focuses on Turkey's prominence as an emerging market for cocaine trafficking and organized crime in the last decade. Cocaine production in Latin America has dramatically increased since 2013, and Turkey’s status as an emerging market has attracted the attention of Latin American government officials on the front lines of the cocaine trade.
ABD'NİN ÇİN TEHDİDİ ALGISI VE PASİFİK'TE DEĞİŞEN DENGELER

ABD'NİN ÇİN TEHDİDİ ALGISI VE PASİFİK'TE DEĞİŞEN DENGELER

by Mehmet Demirbaş, Enes Esen and Tolga Güneş, published on 13 June 2024
Küresel güç dengelerinin yeniden şekillendiği bir dönemden geçmekteyiz. Asya ülkelerinin güçlü ekonomik performansı nedeniyle dünyanın ağırlık merkezi Batı’dan Doğu’ya doğru kaymaktadır. Özellikle Çin’in hızlı yükselişi yeniden çok kutuplu bir dünyanın oluşmaya başladığına işaret etmektedir.

Videos - North America

Biden vs. Trump on Ukraine: Who’s Right?

March 23, 2025
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 23 March 2025
In this video, we break down Biden’s and Trump’s Ukraine policies, their different endgames, and how their choices shape US foreign policy, NATO, and the global balance of power. Is Biden’s cold-blooded strategy the best way to contain Russia, or is Trump’s push for a ceasefire actually the smarter move?

Ve Ticaret Savaşları Başladı!

March 5, 2025
by Mehmet Demirbaş and Haşim Tekineş, published on 5 March 2025
Amerikan Başkanı Donald Trump Kanada, Meksika ve Çin'e gümrük vergileri koydu. Trump AB'ye de vergi koyacağını belirtiyor. Bu vergiler Amerika'yı, dünya ekonomisini ve Türkiye'yi nasıl etkileyecek?

Beyaz Saray'da Kavga: Oval Ofis'te Trump-Zelenski Atışması

March 1, 2025
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 1 March 2025
Ukrayna devlet başkanı Zelenski'nin Beyaz Saray ziyareti ters tepti. Trump ve Zelenski arasındaki ilişkiler yumuşayacak diye beklerken taraflar arasındaki ilişki daha beter bir şekilde koptu.

Why Is Erdoğan Unhappy with the US-Russia Talks?

February 20, 2025
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 20 February 2025
US President Donald Trump decided to initiate direct talks with Russia to end the war in Ukraine.

Roosevelt'ten Trump'a Amerikan Siyasetini Anlamak

February 17, 2025
by Haşim Tekineş and Furkan Yeşildal, published on 17 February 2025
Furkan Yeşildal ve instituDE Dış Politika Analisti Haşim Tekineş Roosevelt'ten bugüne ABD siyasetinin nasıl doğru anlaşılabileceğini ele aldılar.

Ukrayna'da Ateşkes Mümkün mü?

February 13, 2025
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 13 February 2025
instituDE Dış Politika Analisti Haşim Tekineş, devam eden Trump Fırtınası'nı ve Ukrayna'da ateşkesin mümkün olup olmadığını ele aldı.