Turkey

Research includes Turkey’s domestic politics, its borders with the Middle East region, especially Syria, the future of the Turkish economy, and its role on the international stage.

Democracy and stability remain major issues following the attempted coup of 2016 and the devastating 2023 earthquake, as is the country’s role in the ongoing Syria crisis which affects its borders.

Turkey is also pushing for a stronger voice in multilateral institutions such as NATO and the European Union (EU). It is pushing to be included in future EU free trade agreements, and to simplify procedures for Turkish goods vehicles at its borders with Bulgaria and Greece, and when transiting between EU states.

The country also needs to restore fiscal and monetary prudence, deal with foreign debt in the private sector and focus on productivity-improving economic and institutional reforms to gain the confidence of global financial markets.

Featured

Trump’s commitment to NATO is questionable. The EU cannot hope to deter Russia effectively without closer cooperation with Ankara.

Assad’s departure could help Turkey become a key point of transit for natural gas. But renewable energy may offer the more promising avenue for cooperation with a new Syrian regime.

Turkey feels its longstanding support of the Syrian opposition has now been vindicated. But its increased influence in Damascus also comes with significant responsibilities.

Events in Syria have upended the balance of power in the region – exposing the weakness of the dictator’s alliances and driving home the failure of Western policy.

Protesters attack a Turkish truck during demonstrations against Turkey in al-Bab, in Aleppo on July 1, 2024

Plans for ambitious reform in Egypt, Turkey and Argentina could fold in the face of public unrest. A second Trump term may change how the IMF and World Bank respond.

The Republic of Türkiye’s Minister of Finance joins Chatham House Director, Bronwen Maddox to discuss the world economy.

Explaining the history of democracy in Turkey, prospects for its future trajectory and the key factors behind the current crisis in the country’s democracy.

Turkey’s voters moved decisively against President Erdoğan in the local elections. Does this give an opening to the opposition in 2028?

A French marine observes the Romanian Navy frigate 'Regele Ferdinand' from one of the windows of the ATL2 Atlantique 2 airplane over the Black Sea during the Sea Shield 2023 military exercise off Constanta, Romania, on 30 March 2023.

Containing Russia requires a holistic view of Black Sea security that considers how this is interlinked with the security of adjacent regions.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan shakes hands with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens, Greece on December 07, 2023.

Better relations are an opportunity for the EU to improve cooperation with a major geopolitical player.

In spite of its diplomatic activism, Ankara is careful that its role will not overshadow that of the Arab Gulf states

Regional players have spent the last five years finding pragmatic solutions to end conflict and forge connections. Now they must address the issue they have sought to avoid.

The feeling in Kyiv may not be entirely positive, but the NATO alliance has been strengthened by the summit.

As dust storms in the Middle East become increasingly frequent and intense, adversaries must cooperate to address the causes.

How geopolitics will affect Turkey’s relationship with the West will depend on whether they compete or cooperate in their shared neighbourhood.

Episode 28 of our weekly podcast examines the outcome of the final round of Turkey’s presidential election.

The future of the region is still up for grabs. It will be up to those who believe in democracy and progress to seize it.

Irrespective of the results of the presidential runoff, Turkey’s election will define its politics for decades to come.

Episode 26 of our weekly podcast examines the political fallout from the first round of Turkey’s presidential and parliamentary elections.

Although Erdoğan and Putin enjoy a close personal bond, Turkey’s aim is to benefit from Russia’s international isolation regardless of who is in power.

Open access

Emre Kizilkaya explores the impact of oppressive media control by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government on the national debate.

Galip Dalay explores the main issues in the upcoming Turkish elections as well as the significance of the Kurds in determining the outcome.

Member content

Europe’s great song competition may strive for continental harmony, but bitter conflicts and voting blocs often drag it off key, writes Saskia Postema.

Episode 21 of our weekly podcast examines the latest developments relating to Sweden and Finland’s proposed accession to NATO.

Open access

President Erdogan is trying to control the post-quake narrative, but history suggests Turkey’s trauma might herald a political transformation, writes Yaprak Gürsoy.

Episode 15 of our weekly podcast examines the far-reaching consequences of the earthquakes which struck Turkey and Syria on the region’s fragile geopolitics.

Help for Syrians following the devastating earthquakes is being hampered by the Assad regime’s control over aid flows and a slow-moving United Nations.

Episode six of our new weekly podcast examines the ongoing conflict in Ethiopia and the international response to further attacks on Europe’s largest nuclear plant in Ukraine.

Open access

Somaia Valizadeh, an Afghan journalist, describes building her new life in Turkey since escaping the Taliban.

Turkey benefits from NATO’s Strategic Concept and is in a celebratory mood over a new deal with Sweden and Finland. But interpretation is the key to success.

Professor Andrew Dorman explores the reasons why Turkey might want to block Finland and Sweden from joining NATO.

Research publications

Turkey’s experience shows the challenges facing a non-member state in a formal customs arrangement with the EU. Post-Brexit Britain should seek a more intimate arrangement with the EU.

Event recordings

Experts examine the impacts of the Gaza war and Greece–Turkey de-escalation on regional security and cooperation.

Discussing infrastructural challenges and regional perspectives on the emergent trade route.

What is at stake in the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections?

The panel discusses the significance of the Russian invasion on Ukraine’s southern front and implications for the Black Sea region.

South of Russia, from Syria to Israel, there exists a variety of complex perspectives on Vladimir Putin’s Russia.

This event explores how to address memory and commemoration in the former Soviet states, considering their role in political processes and violent conflict.

In conversation with Michel Barnier, Chief Brexit Negotiator, European Union (2016-2019).

This webinar examines how Turkey’s role in the international order has changed, and what to expect from Erdoğan’s government in the future.

Assessing the current security risks in the Black Sea region and discussing the strategies of the littoral states, in particular Ukraine and Turkey.

Sir Peter Westmacott joins Jon Sopel, BBC’s North America Editor, to discuss his life as an official at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and representing the UK abroad.