Opinions - Turkey

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.
Almanya’nın Yeni Askeri Stratejisi Ne Anlama Geliyor?

Almanya’nın Yeni Askeri Stratejisi Ne Anlama Geliyor?

by Yasir Gökçe, published on 29 April 2026
Almanya'nın Nisan 2026'da yayımlanan yeni askeri stratejisi ("Gesamtkonzeption militärische Verteidigung"), ülkenin savunma politikasında bir dönüm noktasını temsil etmektedir. Federal Cumhuriyet tarihinde bir ilk olan bu kapsamlı doküman, değişen küresel güvenlik mimarisine ve özellikle Rusya'dan kaynaklanan artan tehditlere karşı Berlin'in yanıtını oluşturmaktadır.
Uganda’da Generallikten Fenomenliğe: Kainerugaba’nın Türkiye Meselesi

Uganda’da Generallikten Fenomenliğe: Kainerugaba’nın Türkiye Meselesi

by Mustafa Enes Esen, published on 14 April 2026
“Türkiye’den 1 milyar doların yanı sıra, en güzel kadınını da kendime eş olarak istiyorum.” diye sosyal medyadan tehditler savuran Uganda Genelkurmay Başkanı Muhoozi Kainerugaba’nın sözleri Türkiye’de alay konusu oldu.
İstanbul'da Deniz Unsuru, Adana'da NATO: Yeni Karargahlar Ne Anlama Geliyor?

İstanbul'da Deniz Unsuru, Adana'da NATO: Yeni Karargahlar Ne Anlama Geliyor?

by Mustafa Enes Esen, published on 1 April 2026
İstanbul’da Ukrayna operasyonları kapsamında Deniz Unsur Komutanlığı ve Adana’da Çok Uluslu NATO Karargahı kurulacağı yönündeki haberler kamuoyunda tartışmaya neden oldu. Türk halkı doğal olarak bölgede biri bitip öbürü başlayan savaşlara ülkenin sürüklenmesinden endişe ediyor.
Turkey’s Expanding Security Role in the Horn of Africa

Turkey’s Expanding Security Role in the Horn of Africa

by Mustafa Enes Esen, published on 16 March 2026
Turkey’s expanding role in the Horn of Africa is no longer limited to diplomacy or development assistance. It has become a security actor in the region’s civil wars. The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Israel are also taking more active positions in these conflicts.
Ankara Expects the Iranian Regime to Survive but Risks for Turkey Persist

Ankara Expects the Iranian Regime to Survive but Risks for Turkey Persist

by Mustafa Enes Esen, published on 5 March 2026
The Turkish government views the potential collapse of the Iranian regime as a harbinger of regional instability. Nonetheless, Ankara remains convinced that the Iranian regime will survive this ordeal, even after the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.

Reports - Turkey

TURKEY'S RARE ELEMENTS: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES - THE BEYLİKOVA CASE

TURKEY'S RARE ELEMENTS: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES - THE BEYLİKOVA CASE

by Mustafa Enes Esen, Ömer Güler, Harun Güngör and Dr. İmdat Öner, published on 21 May 2026
This report is addressed to two audiences simultaneously: Turkish policymakers weighing how to develop the Beylikova deposit, and Western governments and companies assessing whether Turkey is a credible partner in their supply chain diversification strategies. It examines both the opportunities Turkey’s entry into the rare earth sector could realistically generate and the structural obstacles that stand between the current situation and those outcomes.
Turkey's Vision For a New Syria

Turkey's Vision For a New Syria

by Mustafa Enes Esen, Haşim Tekineş, Mehmet Demirbaş and Servet Akman, published on 14 February 2026
This report analyzes Turkey’s vision for Syria following the fall of the Assad family and the rise of the HTS under the leadership of Ahmad al-Sharaa. In this regard, it focuses on the foreign actors that, alongside Turkey, now have the greatest ability to shape Syria’s future: namely the United States and Israel.
Electrifying Turkey's Roads: EV Adoption Scenarios & Their Impact on Oil Imports

Electrifying Turkey's Roads: EV Adoption Scenarios & Their Impact on Oil Imports

by Baki Kaya, Ömer Güler, Harun Güngör, and Mustafa Enes Esen, published on 10 September 2025
This study evaluates, through long-term projections to 2053, the potential impact of increased EV penetration on Turkey’s energy landscape. It provides a comparative assessment of how changes in the share of EVs within the total vehicle fleet, across several scenario frameworks, could influence fuel demand and petroleum import volumes. A second, closely related objective is to measure the scale of Turkey’s oil dependency in order to establish a basis for examining its policy implications.
Geopolitical Constraints of Turkey's Energy Hub Ambitions

Geopolitical Constraints of Turkey's Energy Hub Ambitions

by Mustafa Enes Esen, published on 8 July 2025
This study focuses on the geopolitical dimensions and constraints shaping Turkey’s ambition to become a natural gas hub. The emphasis is on Turkey’s diplomatic relations with key supplier countries, the political instability across the wider Middle East, and the limited capacity of neighboring states to produce and export gas reliably—factors that collectively can make or undermine Turkey’s hub ambitions.
MODERNIZING THE TURKEY–EU CUSTOMS UNION: ISSUES AND PROSPECTS

MODERNIZING THE TURKEY–EU CUSTOMS UNION: ISSUES AND PROSPECTS

by instituDE, published in March 2025
The Turkey–EU Customs Union, established in 1995, has been a defining feature of trade relations between Turkey and the European Union. Over the past three decades, the global economic landscape has evolved significantly, necessitating a modernization of the agreement to address new trade realities, regulatory developments, and emerging geopolitical challenges.
TURKEY‘S MASS PURGE AS VIOLATIONS OF THE RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN PUBLIC SERVICE IN ICCPR

TURKEY‘S MASS PURGE AS VIOLATIONS OF THE RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN PUBLIC SERVICE IN ICCPR

by instituDE, published on 23 October 2024
'A gift from God' was one of Erdoğan's first descriptions related to coup attempt in July 15. At first no one realized that God's gift meant a chaotic environment in which he needed to declare a national emergency with no checks and balances and then transform Türkiye’s parliamentary democracy into an executive presidency.

Videos - Turkey

Is a Turkey-Israel Clash Coming?

April 9, 2025
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 9 April 2025
In this video, we break down the rising tensions between Turkey and Israel following the fall of the Assad regime in Syria. As Ankara emerges as the dominant power in post-war Syria, Israel grows increasingly concerned about Turkish influence spreading across the region.

Erdogan’s Biggest Blunder: Is This the Beginning of the End?

March 26, 2025
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 26 March 2025
In this video, we break down why Imamoglu’s arrest is backfiring on Erdogan, the growing resistance in Turkey, and what might come next. Will Erdogan tighten his grip with more force, or is he facing an unstoppable wave of change?

Türkiye Sokaklarda!

March 24, 2025
by Mehmet Demirbaş and Haşim Tekineş, published on 24 March 2025
Erdoğan sarayında, İmamoğlu hapiste, Türkiye sokaklarda! Türkiye nereye gidiyor? Gösteriler nereye varacak? Dünyanın tepkisi nasıl?

Sivil Darbenin Uluslararası Konjonktürü

March 19, 2025
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 19 March 2025
Uluslararası dengeler tek adam rejimini sağlamlaştırması konusunda Erdoğan'a ciddi bir avantaj sağladı.

What is the PKK? Inside Turkey’s Recent Peace Talks

March 12, 2025
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 12 March 2025
Turkey has initiated a new round of talks with the Kurdistan Workers' Party, a.k.a. PKK. PKK's founding leader called the group to lay down their weapons and dissolve the organization. The PKK has declared a ceasefire. Turkey seems to be closer to peace more than ever. Yet, ironically, the country is getting more and more authoritarian every passing day. The question is whether the authoritarian peace is possible?

Ve Ticaret Savaşları Başladı!

March 5, 2025
by Mehmet Demirbaş and Haşim Tekineş, published on 5 March 2025
Amerikan Başkanı Donald Trump Kanada, Meksika ve Çin'e gümrük vergileri koydu. Trump AB'ye de vergi koyacağını belirtiyor. Bu vergiler Amerika'yı, dünya ekonomisini ve Türkiye'yi nasıl etkileyecek?