Opinions - Turkey

A New Episode in Turkey’s Censorship Regime

A New Episode in Turkey’s Censorship Regime

by Haşim Tekineş, published on 28 August 2023
Turkey’s tightening censorship regime continues to challenge its relations with the western countries. The Turkish authorities, last week, gave 72 hours for Voice of America (VOA) Türkçe and Deutsche Welle (DW) Türkçe to register as an internet broadcaster. Otherwise, they will either stop their activities or their administrative boards will face imprisonment in Turkey. Washington and Ankara want to configure their relationship on a transactional basis, but as Turkey’s authoritarian practices deepen, Turkey’s authoritarian drift continue to be a challenge for Turkish-American relations.
The Rapprochement between Turkey and Egypt, Not So Fast

The Rapprochement between Turkey and Egypt, Not So Fast

by Enes Esen, published on 7 August 2023
President al-Sisi has faced extensive criticism for leading his country toward an authoritarian path. One of his fiercest critics was Turkey’s President Erdoğan, who did not mince his words about al-Sisi, calling him a tyrant, an oppressor, and a murderer. After a decade of feuding, the two leaders have apparently mended the fences. President Sisi was scheduled to visit Turkey on July 27th, marking the beginning of a new era between Cairo and Ankara. However, at the eleventh hour, he chose to cancel his trip.
Ukrayna Savaşı Gölgesinde NATO Vilnius Zirvesi ve İsveç’in NATO Üyeliği

Ukrayna Savaşı Gölgesinde NATO Vilnius Zirvesi ve İsveç’in NATO Üyeliği

by Enes Esen, published on 11 July 2023
Ukrayna savaşı ana gündemiyle toplanacak NATO Zirvesi 11-12 Temmuz tarihleri arasında Litvanya'nın başkenti Vilnius’ta düzenlenecek. Zirvede NATO’nun açıkça bir tehdit olarak adlandırdığı Rusya’ya karşı yeni savunma planları onaylanacak. Türkiye’nin İsveç’in NATO üyeliğine ilişkin vetosunu kaldırmasıyla Rusya’ya karşı daha güçlü bir birlik mesajı verilecek. Kısacası sonu tehlikeli vadilere giden yeni bir silahlanma yarışının yaşandığı dünyamızda, NATO liderleri bölgesel ve küresel güvenlik politikalarını ve savaş planlarını gözden geçirecek.
The Cracks in CHP: The Breaking of the Fellowship?

The Cracks in CHP: The Breaking of the Fellowship?

by Haşim Tekineş, published on 5 July 2023
Turkey’s main opposition party, CHP, has not yet recovered from the trauma of its recent election defeat. Despite the challenges posed by President Erdogan's extensive access to public resources for campaigning, his complete control over the media, and various election manipulations, it was a notable achievement for Kilicdaroglu to secure 48% of the votes. However, a segment of the opposition holds the view that Kilicdaroglu, who has been leading the party for 13 years, cannot fully realize the CHP’s potential. This discrepancy between expectations and reality is causing instability within the CHP's leadership.
Is the US blackmailing Turkey over Sweden?

Is the US blackmailing Turkey over Sweden?

by Enes Esen, published on 30 June 2023
The US and Swedish authorities are currently investigating graft allegations involving Bilal Erdoğan, the son of Turkey's President, according to a Reuters special report. These allegations have significant implications, as they could constitute a criminal offense under certain circumstances. However, as the report points out, there is a possibility that they may not even lead to formal charges. Interestingly, the Turkish side seems to have minimal interest in the substance of the allegations or its judicial implications.
The Era of Normalization: Turkey-Gulf Relations After al-Ula Summit

The Era of Normalization: Turkey-Gulf Relations After al-Ula Summit

by Haşim Tekineş, published 22 June 2023
Turkey and the Gulf countries have initiated a normalization process since the al-Ula Summit in late 2020. The leaders have mended fences through high-level visits, diplomatic overtures, promises of investments, and dozens of agreements. Turkey has already started to reap the benefits of normalization in terms of economic and diplomatic relations. It is difficult to forecast how long this period of authoritarian peace will last, but it is promising to witness the success of diplomacy in the region.

Reports - Turkey

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.
WEAPONIZING FINANCIAL SYSTEMS: ERDOĞAN'S TRANSNATIONAL REPRESSION TO MUZZLE DISSIDENTS ABROAD

WEAPONIZING FINANCIAL SYSTEMS: ERDOĞAN'S TRANSNATIONAL REPRESSION TO MUZZLE DISSIDENTS ABROAD

by Dr. Yasir Gökçe, Mayra Russo and Sara Kezia Heinonen, published on 29 August 2024
This report sets out to provide a comprehensive analysis of the tactics employed by the Erdoğan administration to achieve repressive goals abroad and the vulnerabilities and how they are enabled by the AML and CFT regulation in place.
ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES BY THE ERDOGAN GOVERNMENT

ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES BY THE ERDOGAN GOVERNMENT

by instituDE, published in June 2024
This submission highlights the ongoing systematic actions and omissions by Turkish authorities against the so-called members of the Gulen Group, framed as crimes against humanity. It demonstrates the violations of recommendations that even Türkiye has supported.
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.

Videos - Turkey

Türkiye Hiçbir Masada Yok!

February 15, 2026
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 15 February 2026
Münih Güvenlik Konferansı'na Neden Hakan Fidan değil de İbrahim Kalın Katıldı? Türkiye'nin azalan diplomatik nüfuzu... Dış politikada model ülkeden İHA satıcısına... Marco Rubio'dan Avrupa'ya sıcak mesajlar

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

AİHM, Siyaset ve İnsan Hakları

January 14, 2026
by Haşim Tekineş and Hakan Kaplankaya
Hukukçu-Avukat Hakan Kaplankaya AİHM'nin Türkiye'deki hak arama mücadelesindeki önemini 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.

Erdoğan'a Mesaj mı? Amerika'da Tanıdıklarım Var Benim!

November 11, 2025
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 11 November 2025
Hakan Fidan'ın sürpriz Amerika ziyareti Ankara'daki dengeler açısından ne anlama geliyor? Erdoğan bu ziyarete nasıl bakıyor?

Şarm el-Şeyh'te Bir Fırsat mı Kaçırıldı?

October 14, 2025
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 14 October 2025
Mısır'da ABD başkanı Donald Trump, Erdoğan ve 20 ülke başkanının katılımıyla büyük bir Gazze barış zirvesi gerçekleştirildi. Peki Zirve bekleneni verebildi mi? Türkiye Gazze'ye asker gönderecek mi? Riskler neler? Asker göndermeye niyetli başka ülkeler hangisi?