Opinions - Turkey

Ankara's Potemkin City

Ankara's Potemkin City

by Mustafa Enes Esen, published on 28 June 2026
The NATO Summit will be attended by the heads of government, among them U.S. President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, along with other guests such as Syrian President Ahmad al-Shaara. These are the busiest days for Western diplomats posted in Turkey, who are scrambling to prepare for their leaders' arrivals.
Turkey's Stake in the U.S.–Iran Deal

Turkey's Stake in the U.S.–Iran Deal

by Mustafa Enes Esen, published on 18 June 2026
The agreement provides Iran with substantial gains, including sanctions relief, an end to hostilities extending to Lebanon, and tacit acceptance of its ballistic missile program. The two sides also retain a 60-day window to negotiate a final settlement on the nuclear file. From Ankara's perspective, a settlement preserving the Iranian state was always more likely than the regime change pursued by Washington and Israel.
Avrupa Kalesinin Yeni Duvarları: Göç ve İlticaya Dair Yeni Pakt ile Kişinev Bildirisi

Avrupa Kalesinin Yeni Duvarları: Göç ve İlticaya Dair Yeni Pakt ile Kişinev Bildirisi

by Dr. Yasir Gökçe and Mehmet Bozkaya, published on 12 June 2026
12 Haziran 2026 tarihinde yürürlüğe girecek Avrupa Birliği (AB) Göç ve İlticaya Dair Yeni Pakt, AB hukukundaki sığınma ve sınır yönetimi mevzuatını köklü biçimde reforme etmektedir. Söz konusu pakt salt teknik bir mevzuat güncellemesi olarak değerlendirilemez. Bilakis, göçle ilgili yürürlüğe giren bu düzenlemeler Avrupa’da son on yılda siyasi konjonktürü belirleyen göçmen karşıtı dalganın ve aşırı sağın yükselişinin hukuki düzleme yansımasıdır.
How Regional Conflicts Are Reshaping Energy Routes Around Turkey

How Regional Conflicts Are Reshaping Energy Routes Around Turkey

by Mustafa Enes Esen, published on 4 June 2026
The conflicts erupting across Turkey's neighborhood are doing more than reshaping political maps. They are quietly redrawing the region's energy geography, forcing countries to reroute pipelines, seek alternative corridors, and settle for less efficient solutions.
NATO’s Drone Dilemma: Why Article 5 Needs a Grey-Zone Strategy

NATO’s Drone Dilemma: Why Article 5 Needs a Grey-Zone Strategy

by Aleksandra Domalewska, published on 22 May 2026
NATO emphasizes that hybrid activities may indeed reach the level of an armed attack, but at the same time many such activities remain below, or on the edge of, the escalation threshold. The key question is therefore how the Alliance should respond to the growing wave of grey-zone attacks. This article analyses that challenge and proposes the development of a doctrine of collective resilience, combining deterrence, active defence, and enhanced civil-defence readiness as a complement to Article 5.
From Drones to ICBMs: The Expansion of Turkey's Defense Industry

From Drones to ICBMs: The Expansion of Turkey's Defense Industry

by Mustafa Enes Esen, published on 12 May 2026
The expansion of Turkey's defense industry is a deliberate government policy, pursued through state-owned companies and private firms with direct ties to President Erdoğan and his inner circle. This growing arms export business also reinforces an expanding military footprint across multiple regions.

Reports - Turkey

INSTITUDE ARTICLE SERIES ON THE JULY 15 COUP ATTEMPT

INSTITUDE ARTICLE SERIES ON THE JULY 15 COUP ATTEMPT

by instituDE, published on the July 15th, 2021
It has been five years since the failed coup attempt in Turkey and no one has any clear idea yet what actually happened that night. While the complete narrative and evidence about the failed coup have yet to be clarified, the scope of the reaction by the Turkish government to the coup attempt was quite horrifying.
ACTIVITY REPORT (MAY 2021)

ACTIVITY REPORT (MAY 2021)

by instituDE, published on the May 15th, 2021
In the past year, through our various publications, analyses and podcasts, instituDE has strived to shed light on Turkey; its domestic politics, economy, foreign policy and human rights situation. We have worked to provide valuable information and comments on Turkey for the foreign observers as well as the Turkish public. We put effort into raising awareness on the human rights violations and authoritarian practices in Turkey.

Videos - Turkey

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.

Meloni's Deal with Erdoğan: Energy, Migration, and Silence

May 1, 2025
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 1 May 2025
This video breaks down the real reason behind Italy's silence: gas, migration, and Libya. With Russia out of the picture, Italy is turning to North Africa for energy and is desperate to control migration flows from Libya. But in Libya, Turkey calls the shots.

Energy, Power, and Politics: Turkey’s $350 Billion Oil Question

April 23, 2025
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 23 April 2025
Turkey is drilling deep—literally and politically. With potential reserves in the Diyarbakır and Thrace Basins, and rising production in the Black Sea Sakarya Gas Field, this could be a turning point for the country’s energy future. But is this an economic breakthrough—or just another political power play?