Opinions - Turkey

The Turkish House: Buildings Don’t Make Diplomacy

The Turkish House: Buildings Don’t Make Diplomacy

by Haşim Tekineş, published on 28 October 2024
In September 2022, Turkey opened the Turkish House (Turkevi) in New York City, right across from the United Nations Headquarters. This impressive 35-story building was meant to enhance Turkey's diplomatic efforts and serve as a hub for international dialogue during major global events, particularly the UN General Assembly, typically hold in September. However, the question remains: has Turkevi somehow transformed Turkey's diplomatic engagement, or has it simply become just another skyscraper on New York City's skyline?
Turkey's Syria Calculations Amid U.S. Troop Withdrawal from Iraq

Turkey's Syria Calculations Amid U.S. Troop Withdrawal from Iraq

Mustafa Enes Esen
Washington and Baghdad have reportedly agreed on the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq, aligning with the U.S.'s broader tendency of disengaging from the Middle East. Under the proposed plan, the US troops are expected to leave Iraq by the end of 2026, with phased withdrawals that will likely have ripple effects beyond Iraq's borders. Turkey is likely to welcome the U.S. withdrawal from Iraq, viewing it as a gain that could expedite the U.S.'s exit from Syria.
Yeni Bir Savaşın Eşiğinde

Yeni Bir Savaşın Eşiğinde

by Haşim Tekineş, published on 24 September 2024
Gazze’deki şiddetin yoğunluğu göreceli olarak azalırken Orta Doğu Lübnan-İsrail sınırında yeni bir savaşın eşiğine geldi. Aslında geçen sene 7 Ekim’de Hamas’ın gerçekleştirdiği terör saldırısının ardından Hizbullah ve İsrail arasında da yeni bir çatışma başlamıştı.
Turkey and Egypt Strengthen Bilateral Relations Amid Regional Crises

Turkey and Egypt Strengthen Bilateral Relations Amid Regional Crises

by Mustafa Enes Esen, pubblished on 5 September 2024
On September 4, 2024, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi made an official visit to Turkey, signaling a deepening of relations between Egypt and Turkey. During the first meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, Turkish President Erdogan referred to el-Sisi as "my dear brother," and the leaders displayed a level of cordiality that marked a significant departure from past tensions.
Factionalization of Turkish Security Bureaucracy and Authoritarian Bargaining

Factionalization of Turkish Security Bureaucracy and Authoritarian Bargaining

by Haşim Tekineş, published 3 August 2024
The internal balance of power in the security bureaucracy directly influences Turkish politics. A perception of change in that balance can immediately escalate the tensions or affect alignments. So indeed, the graduation ceremony of new cadets from the war college on August 30 has once more polarized the politics in Turkey.
Turkey’s New Origin Myths

Turkey’s New Origin Myths

by Haşim Tekineş, publieshed on 31 August 2024
The 953-year-old Battle of Malazgirt (Manzikert) between the Byzantine Empire and the Seljuk Turks was the most important agenda item in Turkey this week. This year's ceremonies were more spectacular, with Erdoğan's coalition partners, leaders of various religious groups and, of course, generals in attendance.

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

Trump Erdoğan'ı Neden Seviyor?

June 25, 2026
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 25 June 2026
Trump Erdoğan'ı Neden Seviyor?

Türk Dış Politikası'nda Yeni Dönem!

June 2, 2026
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 2 June 2026
Türk Dış Politikası'nda Yeni Dönem!

Mavi Vatan'da İsrail Operasyonu?

May 20, 2026
by Haşi Tekineş, published on 20 May 2026
Mavi Vatan'da İsrail Operasyonu

İran'a Karşı Türkiye'den Amerika'ya Önemli Destek!

May 16, 2026
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 16 May 2026
İran'a Karşı Türkiye-Amerika!

Türkiye ve İsrail Donanmalar Karşı Karşıya Gelebilir!

May 5, 2026
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 5 May 2026
"Türkiye ve İsrail Donanmalar Karşı Karşıya Gelebilir!"

AİHM'den Yeni İhlal Kararı

May 5, 2026
by Hakan Kaplankaya and Haşim Tekineş, published on 5 May 2026
Bu videoda Avrupa İnsan Hakları Mahkemesi’nin (AİHM) Büyük Daire’den çıkan Yasak kararını ve bu kararın Türkiye’deki davalar açısından ne anlama geldiğini ele alıyoruz.