Opinions - Turkey

Changing Turkish Calculus in Northern Syria

Changing Turkish Calculus in Northern Syria

by Enes Esen, published on 12 February 2023
The earthquake has probably changed the calculus of a political decision on an incursion into northern Syria before the presidential elections. The earthquake has disrupted a vital logistics link between Turkey and Syria. The Turkish leadership is busy with the political outcomes of the earthquake and containing heavy criticism against its incompetence in handling the disaster.
Will Erdoğan and Al-Assad Shake Hands Soon?

Will Erdoğan and Al-Assad Shake Hands Soon?

by Enes Esen, published on 30 December 2022
President Erdoğan said on December 15th that he had proposed to Russia’s President Putin to hold a trilateral meeting between Turkey, Russia, and Syria. First, chiefs of intelligence would meet, followed by a meeting with ministers of defense, and later a meeting with ministers of foreign affairs. After these meetings laid the ground, he opined that the three presidents could have a trilateral meeting.
Bir Diplomatın Kazası Niye Haber Olur?

Bir Diplomatın Kazası Niye Haber Olur?

by Enes Esen, published on 23 December 2022
Geçtiğimiz hafta 15 Aralık günü İstanbul Şişli’de bir trafik kazası yaşandı. Haberlerde konsolosluk aracını ABD İstanbul Başkonsolosu Julie A. Eadeh'in eşi Mounir Elkhamri'nin kullandığı, yapılan ölçümde 240 promil alkollü çıkan Elkhamri’nin konsolosluk aracını bırakarak olay yerinden ayrıldığı, yaralı vatandaşın hastanede tedavisinin devam ettiği ve kazayla ilgili inceleme başlatıldığı belirtiliyordu. Basit bir trafik kazasına ilişkin basında birçok haber çıkması ve alakası bulunmadığı halde ısrarla kazaya ABD İstanbul Başkonsolosu Julie Eadeh’in dahil edilmesi üzerine ABD Ankara Büyükelçiliği bir açıklama yapma gereği duydu.
Would Turkmen Gas Make Turkey an Energy Hub?

Would Turkmen Gas Make Turkey an Energy Hub?

by Enes Esen, published on 19 December 2022
The interruption of the flow of Russian gas to Europe within the context of the invasion of Ukraine has affected the Central Asian Republics such as Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan which were heavily counting on the Russian infrastructure to transport their hydrocarbon resources. Central Asian states have now to be more assertive in diversifying their export routes to Europe and China, the two main power-hungry regions of the world. Turkey, in its turn, wants to take advantage of its geographical proximity to the natural resources-rich countries to become an energy hub.
Why is Turkey so insistent on an incursion into Syria?

Why is Turkey so insistent on an incursion into Syria?

by Enes Esen, published on 24 November 2022
Turkey has already carried out four large-scale military operations in Syria in the last six years. And yet it wants to launch another large-scale military campaign. There are some reasons why Turkey is concerned with northern Syria nowadays.
İsrail-Lübnan Anlaşması ve Türkiye’nin Alacağı Dersler

İsrail-Lübnan Anlaşması ve Türkiye’nin Alacağı Dersler

by Enes Esen, published on 7 November 2022
ABD’nin arabuluculuğuyla İsrail ve Lübnan arasında yürütülen müzakereler sonucunda iki ülke 27 Ekim’de tarihi bir deniz yetki anlaşması imzaladı. Lübnan devletinin, varlığını resmi olarak tanımadığı İsrail’le uzlaşıya varmasında ülkede yıllardır devam eden ağır ekonomik kriz büyük rol oynadı. İsrail bakımından ise doğalgaz kaynaklarının güvenliğinin ve meşruiyetinin sağlanması için Lübnan’la anlaşmaya varılması gerekiyordu. Bu uzlaşıda, Akdeniz ve Ege’deki komşularıyla problem yaşayan Türkiye için çıkarılacak bazı mühim dersler bulunuyor.

Reports - Turkey

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.
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.

Videos - Turkey

Çin Merkezli Dünyada Türkiye

September 5, 2025
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 5 September 2025
Çin Şanghay Zirvesi'nde hangi mesajları verdi? Trump'ın politikalarının bu mesajlar üzerinde etkisi ne? Türkiye Çin ile olan ilişkilerınde nasıl bir denge takip ediyor?

Ankara Suriye'de Vites mi Yükseltiyor?

August 28, 2025
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 28 August 2025
Türkiye Suriye'deki açmazdan nasıl kurtulacak. Alternatif politika arayışları neler? Türkiye İsrail'e karşı daha cesur politikalar izleyebilir mi? İsrail bir NATO ülkesini vurmaya cesaret edebilir mi?

Türkiye'nin Rejimi ve Uluslararası Dengeler

July 6, 2025
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 6 July 2025
Türkiye'de rejim mi değişiyor? İmamoğlu'nun tutukluluğu ve CHP'li belediyeler üzerinde artan baskı ne anlama geliyor? Uluslararası dengeler Erdoğan'a içeride baskıyı artırma imkanı veriyor.

Israel vs. Iran: What It Means for Turkey

June 26, 2025
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 26 June 2025
In this in-depth analysis, we explore how Turkey is responding to the Israel–Iran war and what it means for Ankara’s security, its role in the Middle East, and its delicate balance between its alliances and rivalries. From Turkey’s historical neutrality in regional conflicts to its growing tensions with both Israel and Iran, this video takes a closer look at the biggest geopolitical shift in the Middle East — and how it could redefine Turkey’s future.

How Turkey Is Expanding Its Power in Africa!

May 22, 2025
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 22 May 2025
In this video, we uncover the dramatic transformation of Turkey’s Africa policy — from humanitarian aid to drone diplomacy, arms sales, and military bases. As Western powers pull back, Turkey is stepping in to fill the vacuum, building influence from the Horn of Africa to the Sahel.

Erdoğan'ın Dış Politikada İkinci Baharı!

May 14, 2025
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 14 May 2025
Son dönemde Türk dış politikasında gözle görülür bir olumlu ivme yaşanıyor! Esad'ın düşmesi, Avrupa güvenlik mimarisindeki değişimler, Trump'ın etkisi ve Ukrayna krizi gibi küresel gelişmeler, Türkiye'nin dış politikada yeni bir sayfa açtığını gösteriyor.