Opinions - Turkey

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.
Can Europe Trust Turkey in Its Defense Plans?

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

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

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

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.
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.

Videos - Turkey

Humeyni'nin Bursa Sürgünü ve Devrim'e Giden Yol (3. Bölüm)

October 28, 2023
by Haşim Tekineş and Mehmet Akif Koç, published on 28 October 2023
1979 İran Devrimi ve Güncel Yansımaları programımızın 3. bölümünde Mehmet Akif Koç ve Haşim Tekineş Humeyni'nin Türkiye ve diğer ülkelerdeki sürgün yaşamı ile devrime giden süreci konuştular.

Türkiye-Hamas İlişkileri

October 26, 2023
by Servet Akman and Haşim Tekineş, published on 26 October 2023
Haşim Tekineş ve Servet Akman Türkiye Hamas ilişkilerini değerlendirdiler.

Ankara'nın HAMAS kararı neyin işareti?

October 24, 2023
Haşim Tekineş and Servet Akman, published on 24 October 2023
instituDE üyesi Servet Akman ve Haşim Tekineş, katıldıkları yayında küresel ve bölgesel boyutlarıyla İsrail-Hamas savaşında gelinen aşamayı, İsrail'in Gazze'ye kara harekatı planını ve İsrail'in bu harekattaki hedeflerini

ABD Türk SİHA'sını Düşürdü

October 7, 2023
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 7 October 2023
Dış Gündem'de bu hafta Haşim Tekineş Türkiye'nin Suriye'deki PKK/YPG hedeflerine yönelik operasyonları esnasında bir Türk SİHA'sının NATO müttefiki ABD tarafından vurularak düşürülmesini çeşitli boyutlarıyla ele aldı.

Erdoğan'ın Tunus'ta Unuttuğu Dostları

October 5, 2023
by Haşim Tekineş and Mehmet Çelik, published on 5 October 2023
Dışı İçi Bir'de bu hafta Haşim Tekineş ve Tunus'ta görev yapmış eski diplomat Mehmet Çelik Tunus'un demokratikleşme serüvenini, ülkenin otoriterleşmeye savrulmasını ve Tunus'ta yaşanan son gelişmeleri ele aldılar.

Tarihi Erdoğan - Netanyahu Görüşmesi

September 29, 2023
by Haşim Tekineş and Servet Akman, published on 29 September 2023
Dışı İçi Bir'de Haşim Tekineş ve Servet Akman BM Zirvesi çeçevesinde Erdoğan'ın New York'ta gerçekleştirdiği temasları, Netanyahu ile 20 Eylül'de gerçekleştirdiği görüşmeyi, Türkiye-İsrail ilişkilerini ve İsrail'de yaşanan hukuk reformu çerçevesinde yaşanan son gelişmeleri ele aldılar.