Opinions - Turkey

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

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?

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.

Can Europe Trust Turkey in Its Defense Plans?

by Haşim Tekineş, published on 13 March 2025

When the idea of a European army resurfaces, Turkey often emerges as a potential partner. Its strategic location and military capabilities make it an attractive ally. Turkey’s democratic shortcomings have long blocked its EU membership bid, yet it might still play a key role in a new European defense framework. But is Erdoğan’s Turkey a reliable partner or a wildcard?

The Damascus-SDF Agreement: Promises Made, But the Devil Is in the Details

by Enes Esen, published on 12 March 2025

In a landmark agreement, the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have reached a deal on March 10. At the heart of the deal is the integration of all civil and military institutions in northeastern Syria into the administration of the Syrian state. Nonetheless, the agreement’s intentionally vague language on military integration suggests that key issues remain unresolved, with implications for Turkey and the US.

Avrupa Savunmasında Yeni Dönem ve Türkiye

by Enes Esen, published on 6 March 2025

Trump’ın yeniden seçilmesiyle ABD’nin Avrupa’ya yönelik tutumundaki değişim, Avrupa’nın savunma ve ekonomik bağımsızlık arayışlarını hızlandırıyor. Ekonomik alanda ABD, müttefiklerine yüksek gümrük tarifeleri uygularken, savunma alanında ise Rusya karşısında Avrupa’yı kendi kaderine terk edebileceğinin sinyallerini veriyor. Avrupa’nın askeri kapasitesini artırması zaman alacağından, Türkiye’nin bu süreçteki rolü önem kazanıyor.

Reports - Turkey

LES VIOLATIONS DES DROITS DE L’HOMME EN TURQUIE ATTEIGNENT LE NIVEAU DES CRIMES CONTRE L’HUMANITÉ

by instituDE, published on 13 August 2021

Ce rapport vise à susciter et à analyser les actes et/ou omissions scandaleux des autorités turques à l’encontre de personnes – qui, selon elles, sont affiliées au Groupe Gülen, y sont liées ou sont membres de celui-ci – relevant du crime contre l’humanité.

HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN TURKEY RISING TO THE LEVEL OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY CASE OF GÜLEN GROUP

by instituDE, published on the August 13, 2021

This report aims to elicit and analyze the outrageous acts and/or omissions of the Turkish authorities against individuals –whom they claim are affiliated with, connected to, or members of the Gülen Group– within the legal purview of crime against humanity.

INSTITUDE ARTICLE SERIES ON THE JULY 15 COUP ATTEMPT

by instituDE, published on the July 15th, 2021

It has been five years since the failed coup attempt in Turkey and no one has any clear idea yet what actually happened that night. While the complete narrative and evidence about the failed coup have yet to be clarified, the scope of the reaction by the Turkish government to the coup attempt was quite horrifying.

ACTIVITY REPORT (MAY 2021)

by instituDE, published on the May 15th, 2021

In the past year, through our various publications, analyses and podcasts, instituDE has strived to shed light on Turkey; its domestic politics, economy, foreign policy and human rights situation. We have worked to provide valuable information and comments on Turkey for the foreign observers as well as the Turkish public. We put effort into raising awareness on the human rights violations and authoritarian practices in Turkey.

Videos - Turkey

İran'a Karşı Türkiye-İsrail Cephesi mi?

October 31, 2024

Ali Dinçer

Haşim Tekineş

Bu yayınımızda Ali Dinçer ve Haşim Tekineş Türkiye'de güdeme gelen gelişmeleri okumanın ve anlamlandırmanın güçlüğünü, çözüm süreci konuşuluyorken Tusaş'a yönelik PKK saldırısı yaşanması ve CHPli Esenyurt Belediye Başkanı'nın gözlatın alınarak yerine kayyum atanmasını, bu gelişmelere dair dış etkenleri, İran'ı zayıflatan gelişmeler karşısında Türkiye'nin konumlanma ve yeni olgulara hazırlanma olasılığını, İsrail'in İran'a yönelik misilleme saldırısını ve 5 Kasım'da yapılacak ABD başkanlık seçimlerinde son durumu ele aldılar.

Ankara'nın Göbeğinde Terör

October 24, 2024

Haşim Tekineş

Ali Dinçer

instituDE'nin bu yayınında Ali Dinçer ve Haşim Tekineş, TUSAŞ'a yönelik terör saldırısını, Türkiye'nin BRICS üyelik başvurusunu ve İsrail'in Hamas ve Hizbullah'a yönelik savaşlarına dair vaziyeti ele aldılar.

Erdoğan ve Bahçeli Cepheyi Mi Guçlendiriyor?

October 18, 2024

Ali Dinçer

Haşim Tekineş

by Ali Dinçer and Haşim Tekineş, published on 18 October 2024

Bu hafta Ali Dinçer ve Haşim Tekineş Türkiye'de yeniden konuşulmaya başlayan çözüm süreci mevzuunu, konunun Orta Doğu'daki şiddet sarmalı ile irtibatını, AB finansmanı ile Türkiye'deki geri gönderme merkezlerinde yaşanan hak ihlallerini ve Kanada-Hindistan arasındaki diplomatik krizi ele aldılar.

Dışişleri'ne Silahlı Güç

September 26, 2024

Ali Dinçer

Haşim Tekineş

by Ali Dinçer and Haşim Tekineş, published on 26 September 2024

Bu yayınımızda Ali Dinçer ve Haşim Tekineş, haftanın öne çıkan dış politika gündemlerinden İsrail-Hizbullah gerilimi bağlamında Lübnan'da savaşa yaklaşan vaziyeti, Dışişleri Bakanlığı'nda silahlı donanımı olan bir güvenlik biriminin kurulmasına ilişkin son düzenlemeyi ve F-35 savaş uçağı projesinden çıkarılan Türkiye'nin bu uçakları alabilmesine yönelik ileri sürülen S-400'lerden bir biçimde vazgeçmeyi içeren bir çözüm önerisini ele aldılar.

Transnational Repression: Weaponizing Financial Systems

September 25, 2024

Yasir Gökçe

Haşim Tekineş

by Dr. Yasir Gökçe, Haşim Tekineş, Mayra Russo and Sara Kezia Heinonen, published on 25 September 2024

In this episode, Dr. Yasir Gökçe, Mayra Russo, Sara Kezia Heinonen and Haşim Tekineş discussed our report published in August on weaponizing financial systems by Turkey against its opponents. The co-authors of the report shared more details over this abuse of Turkey.

Mısır'la Yeni Bir Sayfa

September 5, 2024

Haşim Tekineş

Ali Dinçer

by Ali Dinçer and Haşim Tekineş, published on 5 September 2024

Bu yayınımızda Ali Dinçer ve Haşim Tekineş Mısır-Türkiye normalleşmesini, Sisi'nin bu haftaki Türkiye ziyaretini ve Türkiye'nin BRICS'e katılma niyetini değerlendirdiler.