Opinions - Turkey

Adım Adım Türkiye-Suriye Serbest Ticaret Anlaşması’na Doğru

Adım Adım Türkiye-Suriye Serbest Ticaret Anlaşması’na Doğru

by Mehmet Demirbaş, published on 14 May 2025
Yaklaşık 14 yıl önce Suriye iç savaşının başlamasıyla birlikte askıya alınan Türkiye-Suriye Serbest Ticaret Anlaşması’nın yeniden gündeme gelme ihtimali güçlenmiş durumda.
PKK'nın Kendini Feshetmesinin Sonuçlarına Dair Uzmanlarımızın Görüşleri

PKK'nın Kendini Feshetmesinin Sonuçlarına Dair Uzmanlarımızın Görüşleri

by Ömer Güler, Enes Esen, and Ahmet Kalafat published on 13 May 2025
12 Mayıs'ta PKK kendini feshettiğini duyurdu. 40 yıllık kanlı bir devrin sonuna gelindi ama sürecin sonuçlarının ne olabileceğine dair farklı görüşler var. Uzmanlarımıza bu soruyu sorduk ve cevapları sizin için derledik.
Sectarian Violence in Syria May Draw in Foreign Powers—Again

Sectarian Violence in Syria May Draw in Foreign Powers—Again

by Enes Esen, published on 1 May 2025
The latest unrest in Syria was precipitated by the circulation of a voice recording, allegedly made by a member of the Druze community, that insulted the Prophet Muhammad. The violence initially erupted in Jaramana and subsequently spread to Sahnaya, a predominantly Druze area on the outskirts of Damascus.
Why Turkey Is Missing from the Negotiations on Ukraine and Iran

Why Turkey Is Missing from the Negotiations on Ukraine and Iran

by Enes Esen, published on 27 April 2025
Negotiations are currently underway to end the war in Ukraine and to strike a new nuclear deal with Iran. Given this proximity and high stakes for Turkey, it would seem natural for Ankara to play a role in these diplomatic efforts. Yet despite closely monitoring developments in both theaters, Turkey remains notably absent from the negotiation tables. Several reasons help explain why.
Containment vs. Consolidation: Israel and Turkey’s Diverging Visions on Syria

Containment vs. Consolidation: Israel and Turkey’s Diverging Visions on Syria

by Enes Esen, published on 9 April 2025
Recent Israeli airstrikes on military infrastructure in Homs, Hama, and Damascus—coupled with accusations that Ankara is attempting to transform Syria into a Turkish protectorate—underscore the extent to which Israeli officials perceive Turkey’s involvement in Syria as a threat. Ankara argues that the Israeli military strikes are undermining regional stability and counterterrorism efforts against ISIS. But behind this rhetoric lies a much deeper strategic divergence.
What Does the Muted Reaction from the West to Imamoğlu’s Arrest Tell Us?

What Does the Muted Reaction from the West to Imamoğlu’s Arrest Tell Us?

by Enes Esen, published on 20 March 2025
The arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu on charges of corruption and aiding a terrorist group, has sent shockwaves through Turkey. While opposition leaders decry the move as a "coup against our next president," the reaction from Western capitals has been notably restrained or absent.

Reports - Turkey

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.
PERSECUTORY CONFISCATION AMOUNTING TO CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY: CASE OF THE GÜLEN GROUP

PERSECUTORY CONFISCATION AMOUNTING TO CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY: CASE OF THE GÜLEN GROUP

by Yasir Gökçe, Hakan Kaplankaya, Harun Reşit Halisoğlu and Mehmet Bozkaya, published on 6 November 2023
This report aims to reveal and analyze the criminal acts and/or omissions of the Turkish authorities against individuals alleged to be affiliated with, connected to, or members of the Gülen Group in the context of violations of the right to property as crimes against humanity.
EURASIANISTS IN TURKEY AND THEIR MEDIA ON THE WAR IN UKRAINE

EURASIANISTS IN TURKEY AND THEIR MEDIA ON THE WAR IN UKRAINE

by Enes Esen, Servet Akman, Ahmet Kalafat and Bahadır Gülle, published on 27 February 2023
Most of the Russian propaganda in Turkey is not overtly conducted by Russian state-affiliated media outlets. Eurasianists in Turkey carry out the Kremlin’s bidding to influence Turkish public opinion in favor of Russian war efforts. They blame the West, specifically NATO and the US, for instigating the war in Ukraine and causing regional instability. They also attack Turkey's political opposition for their milder views on NATO and the US and recommend that the Turkish government prioritize its relations with Russia.

Videos - Turkey

Çin Merkezli Dünyada Türkiye

September 5, 2025
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 5 September 2025
Çin Şanghay Zirvesi'nde hangi mesajları verdi? Trump'ın politikalarının bu mesajlar üzerinde etkisi ne? Türkiye Çin ile olan ilişkilerınde nasıl bir denge takip ediyor?

Ankara Suriye'de Vites mi Yükseltiyor?

August 28, 2025
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 28 August 2025
Türkiye Suriye'deki açmazdan nasıl kurtulacak. Alternatif politika arayışları neler? Türkiye İsrail'e karşı daha cesur politikalar izleyebilir mi? İsrail bir NATO ülkesini vurmaya cesaret edebilir mi?

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.