Opinions - Turkey

Is the US blackmailing Turkey over Sweden?

Is the US blackmailing Turkey over Sweden?

by Enes Esen, published on 30 June 2023
The US and Swedish authorities are currently investigating graft allegations involving Bilal Erdoğan, the son of Turkey's President, according to a Reuters special report. These allegations have significant implications, as they could constitute a criminal offense under certain circumstances. However, as the report points out, there is a possibility that they may not even lead to formal charges. Interestingly, the Turkish side seems to have minimal interest in the substance of the allegations or its judicial implications.
The Era of Normalization: Turkey-Gulf Relations After al-Ula Summit

The Era of Normalization: Turkey-Gulf Relations After al-Ula Summit

by Haşim Tekineş, published 22 June 2023
Turkey and the Gulf countries have initiated a normalization process since the al-Ula Summit in late 2020. The leaders have mended fences through high-level visits, diplomatic overtures, promises of investments, and dozens of agreements. Turkey has already started to reap the benefits of normalization in terms of economic and diplomatic relations. It is difficult to forecast how long this period of authoritarian peace will last, but it is promising to witness the success of diplomacy in the region.
Latin American Left's Strong Endorsement of Erdogan

Latin American Left's Strong Endorsement of Erdogan

by İmdat Öner, published on 7 Juni 2023
President Erdogan's recent re-election victory in Turkey's runoff election against his main opposition candidate, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, has garnered widespread attention. What is particularly intriguing is the show of support for Turkey’s conservative politician Erdogan from leftist leaders in South America, including Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela, Lula da Silva of Brazil, and Evo Morales of Bolivia.
Will Turkey Drop Its Objections to Sweden’s Accession to NATO?

Will Turkey Drop Its Objections to Sweden’s Accession to NATO?

by Enes Esen, published on 3 June 2023
Sweden’s accession to NATO represents a milestone in shaping the security dynamics of the alliance. Using different pretexts, Erdoğan has consistently hindered Sweden's desired accession to NATO so far. With his triumph in the elections, the good news for NATO members is that they have a window of opportunity to negotiate with Erdoğan. 
Post-Election Turkey: More Repression at Home, More Diplomacy in the World

Post-Election Turkey: More Repression at Home, More Diplomacy in the World

by Haşim Tekineş, published on 1 June 2023
Turkey has left behind its election period with the second round of presidential runoff on May 28. Proving his invincibility to economic woes, natural disasters, and refuge crisis, Erdogan won another victory against the opposition coalition. But Erdogan is not the only winner of the elections. Turkish nationalism continues to gain momentum in the Turkish politics. However, it is important to note that nationalism may lead to greater repression within domestic politics. Paradoxically, President Erdogan appears to adopt a more diplomatic approach to foreign policy.
Evolution of Erdoğan's Victory Speeches From 2002 To 2023

Evolution of Erdoğan's Victory Speeches From 2002 To 2023

by Haşim Tekineş, published on 30 May 2023
Evolution of Erdoğan's Victory Speeches From 2002 to 2023

Reports - Turkey

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.
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.

Videos - Turkey

İran Füzeleri ve Türkiye'nin Cevabı

March 10, 2026
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 10 March 2026
İkinci bir İran füzesi Türkiye'yi hedef aldı. Peki Ankara'nın opsiyonları ne?

Trump İran'da Çıkış Arıyor

March 3, 2026
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 3 March 2026
ABD ve İran arasında yaşanan gerilim kendisini Ankara'da giderek daha fazla hissettiriyor.

Trump'ın Nihai Hedefi Ne?

March 2, 2026
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 2 March 2026
Orta Doğu'da gerilim son hız devam ediyor. Peki Trump'ın hedefi ne? Körfez ülkeleri Amerika'ya katılır mı?

İran - Amerika Hesaplaşmasında İkinci Tur mu?

February 28, 2026
by Mehmet Akif Koç and Haşim Tekineş, published on 28 February 2026
İran ve bölgenin geleceği nasıl olacak? Büyük resimde Türkiye'nin rolü ne?

Türkiye Hiçbir Masada Yok!

February 15, 2026
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 15 February 2026
Münih Güvenlik Konferansı'na Neden Hakan Fidan değil de İbrahim Kalın Katıldı? Türkiye'nin azalan diplomatik nüfuzu... Dış politikada model ülkeden İHA satıcısına... Marco Rubio'dan Avrupa'ya sıcak mesajlar

Davos'ta Transatlantik Kopuş ve Suriye

January 25, 2026
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 25 January 2026
Davos'ta Kanada Başbakanı Amerika'yla kopuşu ilan etti. Yeni Dünya düzeninde Türkiye ve bölgesel nüfuzu