The Defense Journal by Atlantic Council in Turkey is a publication covering the latest developments in the United States-Turkey defense relationship and analysis on the full spectrum of defense and security issues affecting the United States, Turkey and the region. Featured experts include current and former policymakers, thought leaders and journalists.

The journal aims to be an independent platform with first class expertise on timely topics of interest to enhance dialogue and understanding between Turkish and American defense communities.

“The complexity of the US-Turkey relationship is only exceeded by its significance. The Defense Journal by Atlantic Council IN TURKEY breaks down the opportunities, challenges, and regional developments driving bilateral as well as regional relations.”

Frederick Kempe, President and CEO, Atlantic Council

Strategic transactions and bilateral defense ties have formed the backbone of the US-Turkey alliance for decades. Yet, we have fallen short of developing a thorough defense affairs dialogue between the two nations’ strategic communities. This Defense Journal aims to meet the pressing need for expert, contextually-grounded information on strategic and defense issues of common interest in Washington, Ankara, and areas affected by the relationship between the two. The conflict in Ukraine has illustrated that these two powerful allies can influence regional crises in a strategically complementary manner when carefully coordinated—while the conflict in Syria has demonstrated how misalignment can harm the interests of both. Unfolding geopolitical turbulence in contemporary international affairs, coupled with various flashpoints mushrooming around the globe, necessitate a viable US-Turkey accord more than ever. Hereby, we aim to augment the intellectual foundations and deepen collective understanding of a viable convergence between these two important NATO allies.

From Rich Outzen & Can Kasapoglu, Defense Journal by Atlantic Council IN TURKEY Co-editors

Honorary advisory board

The Defense Journal by Atlantic Council IN TURKEY‘s honorary advisory board provides vision and direction for the journal. We are honored to have Atlantic Council board directors Gen. Wesley K. Clark, former commander of US European Command; Amb. Paula J. Dobriansky, former Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs; Gen. James L. Jones, former national security advisor to the President of the United States; Franklin D. Kramer, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs; Lt. Gen. Douglas E. Lute, former US Ambassador to NATO; and Dov S. Zakheim, former Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) and Chief Financial Officer for the Department of Defense.

The Atlantic Council IN TURKEY, which is in charge of the Turkey program, aims to promote and strengthen transatlantic engagement with the region by providing a high-level forum and pursuing programming to address the most important issues on energy, economics, security, and migration.

Content

Defense Journal by Atlantic Council IN TURKEY

Dec 3, 2024

Uğur Tarçın, Retired Lieutenant General

Dr. Tarçın graduated from the Turkish Military Academy in 1981, the Army Aviation School in 1985, and the War College in 1994. He holds two master’s degrees in War Studies and Organizational Management and is an alumnus of the U.S. Army Management College (1995). Throughout his NATO career, he served in Italy, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Belgium, […]

Defense Journal by Atlantic Council IN TURKEY

Dec 3, 2024

NATO in an evolving geopolitical landscape

By Atlantic Council Turkey Programs

The fourth issue of the Defense Journal by Atlantic Council IN TURKEY explores the future of NATO in the context of changing transatlantic relations and regional security issues.

Conflict Defense Industry

Defense Journal by Atlantic Council IN TURKEY

Dec 3, 2024

The “other” US election and what it means for transatlantic security

By Rich Outzen

US allies and partners have better grounds to expect continued US leadership— and alliance commitment—than is commonly appreciated.

Elections Europe & Eurasia

Defense Journal by Atlantic Council IN TURKEY

Dec 3, 2024

Political-military lessons for a NATO-Russia conflict

By Can Kasapoglu

NATO should learn these three lessons from the Ukraine-Russia conflict to win a potential NATO-Russia war.

Conflict Defense Policy

Defense Journal by Atlantic Council IN TURKEY

Dec 3, 2024

How prepared is NATO?

By Richard D. Hooker, Jr.

Is NATO ready to respond to a possible expansion of Russian aggression to assure Europe's safety?

Central Europe Conflict

Defense Journal by Atlantic Council IN TURKEY

Dec 3, 2024

NATO exercises: The guarantee of Alliance security and test of readiness

By Uğur Tarçın

To ensure regional security, NATO must continue enhancing its capabilities and remain as a combat-ready force.

Central Europe Conflict

Defense Journal by Atlantic Council IN TURKEY

Dec 3, 2024

How NATO learns and adapts to modern warfare

By General Chris Badia

One of the main strengths of NATO is it's ability to continuously develop and improve based on the lessons learned by the complexities of modern conflicts.

Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity

Defense Journal by Atlantic Council IN TURKEY

Dec 3, 2024

Pacing scenarios

By Rich Outzen

Here are some scenarios that NATO should be prepared for against the possibility of a generational conflict with Russia.

Central Europe Conflict

Defense Journal by Atlantic Council IN TURKEY

Jun 24, 2024

Drones and more: Turkish defense cooperation trends in the air

By Can Kasapoglu

As Turkey's defense industry and technology rapidly develops, Ankara faces big questions over who to partner with and how to present itself to the world.

Defense Industry Drones

Defense Journal by Atlantic Council IN TURKEY

Jun 24, 2024

Sweden’s NATO accession: A twenty-month square dance

By Rich Outzen

Despite concerns over Erdogan's personal ties to Putin, Turkey's slow approval of Sweden's ascension to NATO was rooted in very real issues.

Defense Industry Europe & Eurasia