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Turkey

Policy Analysis on Turkey

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Syria's interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa meets with Turkey's president Erdogan in Ankara in 2025 - source: Reuters
Brief Analysis
A New Age for Turkish Relations with Syria
Ankara and Washington should offer incentives to the new leadership in Damascus to encourage an inclusive governance process and make Syria work.
Feb 20, 2025
◆
  • Aaron Y. Zelin
  • Soner Cagaptay
German and French foreign ministers meet with Syria's interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus - source: Reuters
Brief Analysis
The Paris Conference on Syria: Coordination and a Roadmap Are Needed
To set up a future where U.S. forces and constant U.S. attention are no longer needed in Syria, Washington must be involved now, and smart transatlantic engagement could facilitate this goal.
Feb 11, 2025
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  • Devorah Margolin
  • Souhire Medini
Trump and Erdogan images with U.S. and Turkish flag
In-Depth Reports
Building on Momentum in U.S.-Turkey Relations
The two leaders can use their personal rapport to solve bilateral and regional problems, but they will also face tough challenges in matters such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and dealings with China.
Feb 5, 2025
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  • Soner Cagaptay
◆ Transition Notes 2025
Protesters display Iranian, Syrian, Palestinian, and Hezbollah flags - source: Reuters
Brief Analysis
From October 7 to the Gaza Ceasefire: A Changed Middle East Awaits the Trump Administration
Important strategic changes abound in the region, but policymakers should take care not to underestimate the persistence of old challenges or the potential emergence of new threats.
Jan 31, 2025
◆
  • Neomi Neumann
Articles & Testimony
In Syria, America Should Be Ruthlessly Focused on the Islamic State
With the U.S. military presence on a potentially short timetable, officials should prioritize policies that ensure the continued security of Islamic State detention facilities, such as brokering local ceasefire agreements and alleviating Turkish concerns.
Jan 17, 2025
◆
  • Joseph Votel
  • Elizabeth Dent
The Syria Breakdown Series Title Card
Video
Articles & Testimony
The Syria Breakdown, Episode Three: Turkey Turns an Enemy into an Ally
In this episode of the Institute’s Syria Breakdown series, Turkey analyst Soner Cagaptay traces the revolutionary transformation of Ankara's relationship with Damascus from heated enemies to the closest of allies.
Jan 14, 2025
◆
  • Soner Cagaptay
◆ The Syria Breakdown
Map showing areas of control in post-Assad Syria.
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Supporting the SDF in Post-Assad Syria
To preserve its only reliable and capable partner in the fight against the Islamic State, the United States must help the SDF deter HTS and fend off Turkey-backed militias.
Dec 13, 2024
◆
  • Ido Levy
President Donald Trump speaks about Syria
Articles & Testimony
Trump Can’t Sit This One Out
Despite his latest tweets about staying out of the Syria crisis, Trump has a history of working with Turkey on these issues and has several carrots to offer HTS as well.
Dec 11, 2024
◆
  • Soner Cagaptay
Brief Analysis
Syria Is the First Major Aftershock of October 7—With More to Come?
From stability in Jordan to the future of Kurdish autonomy, Lebanese sovereignty, and Iranian nuclear proliferation, officials must prepare quickly to prevent or manage—and in some cases even encourage—further shocks in the Middle East.
Dec 11, 2024
◆
  • Zohar Palti
People watch the September 10, 2024 debate between presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris - source: Reuters
Video
Brief Analysis
U.S. Election 2024: Views from the Middle East
A panel of distinguished journalists from across the Middle East discuss regional perspectives on the second Trump administration’s potential approach to critical issues of war and peace.
Nov 12, 2024
◆
  • David Horovitz
  • Barcin Yinanc
  • Nadim Koteich
  • Robert Satloff
Iraqi flag
Brief Analysis
Turkey Wants to Stitch Iraq and Syria Back Together (Part 2)
Ankara’s push for “soft recentralization” in Iraq will likely include more intensive efforts to establish the Development Road and prioritize Baghdad’s interests, though without abandoning the Kurdistan Region.
Oct 8, 2024
◆
  • Soner Cagaptay
Security forces the Iraqi-Syrian border, after it has been reopened for trade and travel, in Al Qaim, Iraq in 2019 - source: Reuters
Brief Analysis
Turkey Wants to Stitch Iraq and Syria Back Together (Part 1)
Having observed two decades of instability across its southern borders and anticipating U.S. withdrawals, Ankara is planning steps to end the volatility, including potentially wide-ranging agreements with the Assad regime.
Oct 8, 2024
◆
  • Soner Cagaptay
A Chevron gas platform in the Mediterranean Sea's Aphrodite gas field off the coast of Cyprus - source: Chevron
Brief Analysis
East Med Politics May Further Delay Cyprus Gas
The island has objected to Chevron’s export proposals with Egypt and might look for other partners.
Sep 5, 2024
◆
  • Simon Henderson
Turkey-Syria border wall
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
A New Era for Turkish-Syrian Ties?
The path towards reconciliation between Ankara and Damascus faces numerous obstacles, linked to a history of mistrust and significant gaps in major contentious issues.
Aug 16, 2024
◆
  • Omar al-Radad
View of Afrin, Syria from the south
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Clashes in Northern Syria: The Triumph of Interests Over the Language of "Brotherhood"?
With no prospects for a political solution to the Syrian crisis, the Turkish government's insistence on maintaining its previous policies in northern Syria and its usurpation of the Syrian people's decision-making warns of dire consequences for an already fragile relationship.
Aug 9, 2024
◆
  • Salahuddin Hawa
Turkish
Brief Analysis
Israel-Turkey Relations Nearing a Rupture
Even with U.S. intercession, the assassination of a Hamas leader in Tehran could harden Ankara’s stance against Israel and spur a fatal cycle of diplomatic and economic retaliation.
Aug 9, 2024
◆
  • Soner Cagaptay
Secretary Blinken meets with Turkish FM Fidan
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
How a Defunct U.S. Initiative from 2004 Continues to Fuel Anti-Americanism in Turkey
In Turkey, Washington’s perceived unilateral interventionist policies and its support for authoritarian regimes has created the conditions for conspiracy theories such as BOP.
Jul 11, 2024
◆
  • Hasim Tekines
Turkish President Erdogan and Iraqi Prime Minister al-Sudani meet in Baghdad in April 2024 - source: Reuters
Brief Analysis
The Iraq-Turkey Reset
From water rights to PKK violence, a recent summit seemed to remove several long-festering thorns from the bilateral relationship, creating potential challenges and benefits alike for U.S. interests in Iraq and beyond.
May 29, 2024
◆
  • Soner Cagaptay
  • Selin Uysal
  • Bilal Wahab
Turkish
Brief Analysis
Will Turkey Cut Ties with Israel?
Although the latest rift is more than rhetorical, Ankara is unlikely to sever ties completely—unless Israel blocks it from participating in Gaza’s reconstruction.
May 8, 2024
◆
  • Soner Cagaptay
CHP rally, Istanbul
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Rise and Fall of the AKP’s Islamist Appeal in Türkiye
Türkiye’s latest elections have allowed the YRP to demonstrate success in certain areas of President Erdogan’s traditional, pious base in Türkiye, emphasizing the waning power of Erdogan’s political message after his shift away from ideologically guided politics.
Apr 22, 2024
◆
  • Mustafa Gül

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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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Featured experts

Soner Cagaptay
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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