Opinions - Turkey

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.
Changing Strategic Calculations in Ankara

Changing Strategic Calculations in Ankara

by Haşim Tekineş, published on 9 May 2026
Turkish foreign policy has undergone constant transformation under President Erdoğan’s rule since 2002. Zero problem with neighbors, trading state, neo-Ottomanism, and precious loneliness are some well-known terms coined to symbolize the periods of this transformation. President Erdoğan and his close circle lead this change in interaction with global developments and domestic politics.

Reports - Turkey

JUDICIAL CORRUPTION IN TÜRKİYE

JUDICIAL CORRUPTION IN TÜRKİYE

by instituDE and Arrested Lawyers, published on October 2024
This submission to the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) highlights severe issues undermining the integrity of Türkiye's judiciary, particularly focusing on rampant judicial corruption and impunity as well as human rights abuses which they facilitate. Based on the most recent incidents of corruption concerning members of the judiciary who serve in courts in Istanbul, Izmir and Ankara, this report seeks to examine the high-level corruption within the judiciary and the Turkish government’s failure or even willful ignorance in addressing it.
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.

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?