Opinions - Turkey

Why Turkey Is Missing from the Negotiations on Ukraine and Iran

Why Turkey Is Missing from the Negotiations on Ukraine and Iran

by Enes Esen, published on 27 April 2025
Negotiations are currently underway to end the war in Ukraine and to strike a new nuclear deal with Iran. Given this proximity and high stakes for Turkey, it would seem natural for Ankara to play a role in these diplomatic efforts. Yet despite closely monitoring developments in both theaters, Turkey remains notably absent from the negotiation tables. Several reasons help explain why.
Containment vs. Consolidation: Israel and Turkey’s Diverging Visions on Syria

Containment vs. Consolidation: Israel and Turkey’s Diverging Visions on Syria

by Enes Esen, published on 9 April 2025
Recent Israeli airstrikes on military infrastructure in Homs, Hama, and Damascus—coupled with accusations that Ankara is attempting to transform Syria into a Turkish protectorate—underscore the extent to which Israeli officials perceive Turkey’s involvement in Syria as a threat. Ankara argues that the Israeli military strikes are undermining regional stability and counterterrorism efforts against ISIS. But behind this rhetoric lies a much deeper strategic divergence.
What Does the Muted Reaction from the West to Imamoğlu’s Arrest Tell Us?

What Does the Muted Reaction from the West to Imamoğlu’s Arrest Tell Us?

by Enes Esen, published on 20 March 2025
The arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu on charges of corruption and aiding a terrorist group, has sent shockwaves through Turkey. While opposition leaders decry the move as a "coup against our next president," the reaction from Western capitals has been notably restrained or absent.
Can Europe Trust Turkey in Its Defense Plans?

Can Europe Trust Turkey in Its Defense Plans?

by Haşim Tekineş, published on 13 March 2025
When the idea of a European army resurfaces, Turkey often emerges as a potential partner. Its strategic location and military capabilities make it an attractive ally. Turkey’s democratic shortcomings have long blocked its EU membership bid, yet it might still play a key role in a new European defense framework. But is Erdoğan’s Turkey a reliable partner or a wildcard?
The Damascus-SDF Agreement: Promises Made, But the Devil Is in the Details

The Damascus-SDF Agreement: Promises Made, But the Devil Is in the Details

by Enes Esen, published on 12 March 2025
In a landmark agreement, the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have reached a deal on March 10. At the heart of the deal is the integration of all civil and military institutions in northeastern Syria into the administration of the Syrian state. Nonetheless, the agreement’s intentionally vague language on military integration suggests that key issues remain unresolved, with implications for Turkey and the US.
Avrupa Savunmasında Yeni Dönem ve Türkiye

Avrupa Savunmasında Yeni Dönem ve Türkiye

by Enes Esen, published on 6 March 2025
Trump’ın yeniden seçilmesiyle ABD’nin Avrupa’ya yönelik tutumundaki değişim, Avrupa’nın savunma ve ekonomik bağımsızlık arayışlarını hızlandırıyor. Ekonomik alanda ABD, müttefiklerine yüksek gümrük tarifeleri uygularken, savunma alanında ise Rusya karşısında Avrupa’yı kendi kaderine terk edebileceğinin sinyallerini veriyor. Avrupa’nın askeri kapasitesini artırması zaman alacağından, Türkiye’nin bu süreçteki rolü önem kazanıyor.

Reports - Turkey

UNVEILING THE BRUTAL REALITY: SYSTEMATIC TORTURE OF FORMER DIPLOMATS

UNVEILING THE BRUTAL REALITY: SYSTEMATIC TORTURE OF FORMER DIPLOMATS

by instituDE, published on May 2024
This report offers an update to the United Nations Committee against Torture (the Committee) regarding the obstacles to implementing the Convention against Torture (the Convention) in Turkey. As a coalition formed by a collective of former Turkish diplomats, our focus is on the systematic torture faced by former diplomats detained at Ankara Police Headquarters. We delve into the Turkish context and present insights from our organization.
SUCCESSION: THE QUESTION OF POWER TRANSITION IN ERDOGAN’S TURKEY

SUCCESSION: THE QUESTION OF POWER TRANSITION IN ERDOGAN’S TURKEY

by Haşim Tekineş, published on 6 December 2023
His electoral victory in May 2023 gave President Erdoğan five more years to further consolidate his power, eviscerate institutions, fill the bureaucracy with yes-men and expand his corruption network. This, of course, raises questions about the Turkish political system’s chances of recovery, the prospects for democratization after Erdogan and the regime’s tolerance for his demise.
PERSECUTORY CONFISCATION AMOUNTING TO CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY: CASE OF THE GÜLEN GROUP

PERSECUTORY CONFISCATION AMOUNTING TO CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY: CASE OF THE GÜLEN GROUP

by Yasir Gökçe, Hakan Kaplankaya, Harun Reşit Halisoğlu and Mehmet Bozkaya, published on 6 November 2023
This report aims to reveal and analyze the criminal acts and/or omissions of the Turkish authorities against individuals alleged to be affiliated with, connected to, or members of the Gülen Group in the context of violations of the right to property as crimes against humanity.
EURASIANISTS IN TURKEY AND THEIR MEDIA ON THE WAR IN UKRAINE

EURASIANISTS IN TURKEY AND THEIR MEDIA ON THE WAR IN UKRAINE

by Enes Esen, Servet Akman, Ahmet Kalafat and Bahadır Gülle, published on 27 February 2023
Most of the Russian propaganda in Turkey is not overtly conducted by Russian state-affiliated media outlets. Eurasianists in Turkey carry out the Kremlin’s bidding to influence Turkish public opinion in favor of Russian war efforts. They blame the West, specifically NATO and the US, for instigating the war in Ukraine and causing regional instability. They also attack Turkey's political opposition for their milder views on NATO and the US and recommend that the Turkish government prioritize its relations with Russia.
MUHALEFET PARTİLERİNİN KHK SORUNUNA YAKLAŞIMI: ADİL ÇÖZÜM İÇİN YOL HARİTASI

MUHALEFET PARTİLERİNİN KHK SORUNUNA YAKLAŞIMI: ADİL ÇÖZÜM İÇİN YOL HARİTASI

by instituDE, published on 20 June 2022
Türkiye’nin KHK sorununa muhalefet partilerinin yaklaşımlarının ne düzeyde yeterli olduğu sorgulamasından yola çıkarak hazırlanan bu rapor, muhalefet partileri başta olmak üzere bu sorunun üzerine gitme vaadinde bulunan her türlü oluşuma analitik ve hukuksal bir çerçeve sunmayı amaçlamaktadır. Bu bağlamda rapor KHK mağdurlarını, maruz kaldıkları idari ve/ veya adli işlemleri gözönünde bulundurarak kategorize etmekte ve her bir kategoriyi kendi şartları çerçevesinde irdeleyerek çözüm önerileri sunmaktadır.
A VIOLAÇÃO NOS DIREITOS HUMANOS NA TURQUIA ESTÁ A SUBIR ATÉ AO NÍVEL DOS CRIMES CONTRA A HUMANIDADE

A VIOLAÇÃO NOS DIREITOS HUMANOS NA TURQUIA ESTÁ A SUBIR ATÉ AO NÍVEL DOS CRIMES CONTRA A HUMANIDADE

by instituDE, published on 13 August 2021
O presente relatório tem por objetivo suscitar e analisar os atos escandalosos e/ou omissões das autoridades turcas contra indivíduos - a quem alegam estar afiliados, ligados ou membros do Grupo Gülen - no âmbito da competência legal do crime contra a humanidade.

Videos - Turkey

Transnational Repression: Weaponizing Financial Systems

September 25, 2024
by Dr. Yasir Gökçe, Haşim Tekineş, Mayra Russo and Sara Kezia Heinonen, published on 25 September 2024
In this episode, Dr. Yasir Gökçe, Mayra Russo, Sara Kezia Heinonen and Haşim Tekineş discussed our report published in August on weaponizing financial systems by Turkey against its opponents. The co-authors of the report shared more details over this abuse of Turkey.

Mısır'la Yeni Bir Sayfa

September 5, 2024
by Ali Dinçer and Haşim Tekineş, published on 5 September 2024
Bu yayınımızda Ali Dinçer ve Haşim Tekineş Mısır-Türkiye normalleşmesini, Sisi'nin bu haftaki Türkiye ziyaretini ve Türkiye'nin BRICS'e katılma niyetini değerlendirdiler.

BM'den AİHM'e Yusuf Bilge Tunç Uyarısı

August 23, 2024
By Hakan Kaplankaya and Haşim Tekineş, published on 23 August 2024
Bu yayınımızda Hakan Kaplankaya, Ağustos 2019'da kaçırılan ve kendisinden hala haber alınamayan KHK'lı Yusuf Bilge Tunç hakkındaki AİHM'in verdiği olayda ihlal olmadığı kararını, konuya ilişkin BM İnsan Hakları Komitesi'nin 19 Ağustos 2024'te verdiği kararı ele aldı.

Rusya İşgal Altında

August 16, 2024
by Ali Dinçer and Haşim Tekineş, published on 16 August 2024
Haftanın önemli uluslararası gündemlerinden Ukrayna'nın Rusya topraklarına girmesini, Gazze'de şiddetin devam edişini, ateşkes görüşmelerini, Biden'ın görevdeki son üç ayında Gazze savaşına dair adım atma olasılığı, Mahmut Abbas'ın Türkiye temasları ile ABD seçim sürecine dair son gelişmeleri ele aldılar.

Gazze ve İnstagram

August 10, 2024
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
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.