Program
Europe
Türkiye and the World

Türkiye has been a key NATO ally for over 70 years and a noteworthy defense and security partner for the United States ever since, despite an often colorful bilateral relationship. Today, Turkish-U.S. relations are under strain as a result of numerous factors. This initiative aims to identify trends, challenges, and opportunities in this longstanding and important relationship, with a view to making policy recommendations that would serve the shared interests of both Türkiye and the United States.   

This project is led by Alper Coşkun.

U Council President Charles Michel (R) arrives with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan before a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the EU headquarters in Brussels on March 9, 2020.
paper
Strategic Autonomy as a Dynamic of Convergence in Türkiye-EU Relations

Türkiye’s foreign policy has been deemed by analysts as a “re-orientation” and rupture with the country’s diplomatic past.

· October 22, 2024
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is greeted by China's President Xi Jinping (R) before the G20 leaders' family photo in Hangzhou on September 4, 2016.
paper
Transatlantic Policies on China: Is There a Role for Türkiye?

Türkiye is an important transatlantic actor in Sino-Western competition. It can add value to Western efforts aimed at synchronizing policies toward a rising China. And yet, at present, Ankara’s policies on China are not harmonized with those of its partners in the West.

· October 17, 2024
Russia's President Vladimir Putin meets with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states leaders' summit in Astana on July 3, 2024.
paper
Understanding Türkiye’s Entanglement With Russia

As the transatlantic allies adapt to Europe’s new geopolitical realities, maintaining unity against Russia will be critical. Türkiye will have a pivotal role to play in this long-term effort.

In The Media
in the media
Turkey’s Role in the European Defense Pillar

Calls for a more robust European defense pillar are often strong in principle but weak in detail. At NATO’s headquarters, most would consider Turkey as integral. But on EU premises , there would be little appetite to include Ankara when conceptualizing the defense of Europe.

· July 23, 2024
Geopolitical Intelligence Services
article
Europe’s Grand Bargain for the Twenty-First Century and its Transatlantic Implications

As the United States continues to divert its energy to respond to China’s rise, the EU could start laying the foundations of a new security architecture on the European continent.

· June 27, 2024
commentary
How Washington and Ankara Can Recover From Their Latest Setback

The postponement of Erdoğan’s Washington visit may be a missed opportunity, but the NATO Summit in July offers a chance to get back on track.

· May 9, 2024
In The Media
in the media
The Shifting Balance of Power in the Black Sea

In contrast to the deadlocked land war, Ukraine’s tactics in the Black Sea have dealt Russia humiliating defeats, with Turkey emerging as the sea’s maritime power

· February 14, 2024
GIS
commentary
Can the F-16 Deal Revive the Turkish-American Partnership?

The agreement, paired with Türkiye’s ratification of Sweden’s NATO accession, is a much-needed opportunity to put the countries’ distressed relationship back on track.

· February 12, 2024
article
Can Syrian Refugees Help Improve Türkiye-U.S. Relations? Giving UNDP’s Türkiye Compact a Chance

Not only could the policy proposal create jobs in Türkiye, including for the 3.3 million Syrian refugees there, but it could also provide a much-needed boost to Türkiye-U.S. relations through enhanced bilateral trade.

· December 5, 2023
commentary
A Reflection on Türkiye’s Centennial

The country faces deep societal divisions about major aspects of its identity, with consequences for its future as an international actor and a regional power.

· November 7, 2023
article
Türkiye in the Emerging World Order

Türkiye wants to maintain strategic independence by working with Russia and China even as it sustains its ties to the West.

In The Media
in the media
Turkey’s Role in a Fracturing Middle East

An interview detailing the nuances of Turkey’s foreign policy

· October 27, 2023
Geopolitical Intelligence Services