Turkey

Policy Analysis on Turkey

As a 'Kingmaker,' Turkey’s Nationalist Faction Could Bring Trouble

Erdogan's trickiest challenge will be staving off MHP pressure on Russian and Kurdish issues while keeping the party from taking down his government.

Jun 28, 2018

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Soner Cagaptay

Brief Analysis

Erdogan's Victory Could Actually Improve U.S.-Turkish Relations

Turkey’s decisive election results and shaky geopolitical situation could make it more amenable to addressing U.S. concerns about Russian weapons sales, Iranian adventurism, and other key security issues.

Jun 27, 2018

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James Jeffrey

Articles & Testimony

Four Things to Watch in Turkey's Elections

The formation of a large opposition block and other electoral dynamics are clouding Erdogan’s longer-term political future.

Jun 21, 2018

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Soner Cagaptay

Articles & Testimony

There Is Hope for Democracy in Turkey, Even If Erdogan Wins Again

Three ascending candidates are whittling away at Erdogan's base, posing a long-term challenge to his rule even if they can't unseat him in this election.

Jun 20, 2018

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Soner Cagaptay

Turkish president Erdogan - Source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

Erdogan Enters Turkish Elections with More Power but Less Support

The president will probably become even more authoritarian in the coming months, knowing that a majority of citizens would vote him out in a fair election.

Jun 20, 2018

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Soner Cagaptay

Brief Analysis

In Search of a New Patron, the KRG Turns Back to Moscow

As the Iraqi Kurds reach out to Russia, the Kremlin’s sway over their politics and energy resources is growing.

Jun 14, 2018

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Anna Borshchevskaya
Bilal Wahab

Brief Analysis

Will U.S.-Turkish Progress on Manbij Lead to Wider Cooperation in Syria?

The feuding NATO allies have apparently agreed on a concrete roadmap for rolling back the Kurds, but broader strategic cooperation would require them to overcome tall political obstacles.

Jun 5, 2018

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James Jeffrey

Articles & Testimony

Why Talks with the Turks Matter More Than Ever

U.S. and Turkish officials have four main security and legal disputes to work out, and the geopolitical stakes are immense.

Jun 4, 2018

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James Jeffrey

Brief Analysis

Sanctions on Turkey: Reconciling Washington’s Diverging Views

Despite the deep-seated problems roiling the bilateral relationship, U.S. legislators need to understand the potentially dire geopolitical consequences of putting heavy pressure on a fellow NATO member.

Jun 1, 2018

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Soner Cagaptay

Articles & Testimony

U.S. Could Stop Turkey, Not Yet a Moscow Ally, From Caving to Russia

Washington can address Ankara's deep security concerns via Kurdish withdrawal from the Manbij pocket and ironclad guarantees against Russian aggression.

May 25, 2018

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Soner Cagaptay

Articles & Testimony

How Nativism in Turkey Is Stifling Democracy

According to President Erdogan's worldview, the 40 million Turkish citizens who oppose him stand for alien and imported interests, signaling much discord ahead.

May 11, 2018

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Soner Cagaptay

A Turkish soldier stands guard at a rally. Image source: Reuters

Video

Brief Analysis

Snap Elections, Syria Incursions: Turkey's Challenges and Risks

A panel of experts and policymakers grapples with the weighty implications of Turkey's early elections at home and its military intervention in Syria's Afrin pocket.

Apr 30, 2018

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Gonul Tol
Aaron Stein
Rich Outzen

Articles & Testimony

How President Erdogan Is Turning Turkey into Putin's Russia

Erdogan’s repressive policies are steadily driving out the educated and business classes needed to achieve his goal of transforming the country into a great power.

Apr 24, 2018

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Soner Cagaptay

Articles & Testimony

How Erdogan Wins

Turkey will formally begin a new era in June, with the president becoming the ultimate head of state, government, police, army, and the ruling party.

Apr 19, 2018

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Soner Cagaptay

Articles & Testimony

Pull Troops Out of Syria? Trump Has a Point

By moving to an airpower-focused approach, Washington could avoid an unending stabilization mission, calm tensions with Turkey, and help allies with the bigger goal of countering Iran and Russia.

Apr 13, 2018

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James Jeffrey

Brief Analysis

Turkish-Russian-Iranian Summit: Limits to a Tripartite Entente

Although any attempts at coordinated action will be hampered by historical rivalries and modern disagreements, Moscow and Tehran can still use the Ankara meeting to harm U.S. interests in Syria.

Apr 3, 2018

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Soner Cagaptay
Anna Borshchevskaya
Nader Uskowi

Articles & Testimony

The U.S. Alliance With Turkey Is Worth Preserving

Ankara is a difficult friend, but that doesn't mean the United States should cut it loose.

Mar 19, 2018

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Michael Singh
James Jeffrey

Articles & Testimony

Kurdish Nationalism Needs a New Start

Kurdish leaders should embrace a more pragmatic approach in which they prioritize rather than jeopardize the well-being of their citizens, even if this means accepting something less than formal statehood.

Mar 16, 2018

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Bilal Wahab

Brief Analysis

Iraq's Energy Future Lies to the North

U.S. support for Iraqi oil export projects involving Turkey, the Gulf, and Europe can help keep undue Iranian influence at bay.

Mar 8, 2018

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James Jeffrey
Michael Knights

Maps & Graphics

In-Depth Reports

Tentative Transition:

Civil-Military Relations in Turkey Since the July 15 Uprising

On July 15, 2016, Turkey survived a harsh test to its democracy when it pacified a coup attempt led by the ultrasecretive Gulenist movement. But the episode raised more questions than it resolved. Looking back, how had the Gulenists infiltrated the highest military ranks, thereby allowing the uprising to go

Mar 7, 2018

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Metin Gurcan

Supported by the

Turkish Research Program

Since its inception in 1995, The Washington Institute's Turkish Research Program has established itself as the most influential center in Washington for research and information on Turkey -- a predominantly Muslim, secular, and democratic U.S. ally.

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Soner Cagaptay

Soner Cagaptay is the Beyer Family Senior Fellow and director of the Turkish Research Program at The Washington Institute.

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Turkey

Policy Analysis on Turkey

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Policy Analysis on Turkey

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