The Defense Journal by Atlantic Council Turkey Program 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.

Reports

Notable remarks

“The complexity of the US-Turkey relationship is only exceeded by its significance. The Defense Journal by Atlantic Council Turkey Program 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 Turkey Program‘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.

Explore the program

Within the Atlantic Council’s longstanding commitment to strengthening the transatlantic relationship, the Atlantic Council Turkey Program conducts research, provides thought leadership, and offers a platform for strategic dialogue between the US, Turkey, and NATO allies to address the region’s toughest challenges and explore opportunities, including in the fields of energy, business & trade, technology, defense, and security.

Content

Report

Jul 1, 2026

How NATO is facing mounting cybersecurity challenges

By G. Alexander Crowther

NATO's cyber defenses boast strong policy and training, but uneven capabilities and rising state threats will continue to pose major challenges.

Cybersecurity Defense Technologies

Report

Jul 1, 2026

Alliance evolving: The Ankara summit and NATO readiness

By Atlantic Council Turkey Program

As allies gather in Ankara for the 2026 NATO Summit, the seventh issue of the Defense Journal examines the issues at the forefront of the allied agenda.

Defense Policy Defense Technologies

Report

Jul 1, 2026

Fighting a land war in the digital age: How armies must reinvent themselves—or be destroyed by those that do

By Yavuz Türkgenci

Armies that fight the next war with last century's doctrine will lose it. AI targeting, drone swarms, and algorithmic command have already arrived on the battlefield.

Conflict Defense Industry

Report

Jul 1, 2026

US-Turkish relations: Impact on NATO and the Middle East

By Rich Outzen

As Europe warms to Turkey and US influence shifts, the US–Turkey relationship has become crucial to shaping NATO's strength and Middle East security.

Europe & Eurasia Middle East

Report

Jul 1, 2026

Q&A with Senator Jeanne Shaheen

By Atlantic Council Turkey Program

Ranking Senator Shaheen on NATO's value, Turkey's role in the Alliance, and why political division is the greatest threat to Western security.

Conflict Defense Policy

Report

Jul 1, 2026

Q&A with Lieutenant General Max A. L. T. Nielsen, commandant of the NATO Defense College

By Atlantic Council Turkey Program

An interview covering resilience, deterrence, airpower, and preparation for an era of multi-domain competition.

Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia

Report

Jul 1, 2026

From cloud to kill zone: How Ukraine rewired naval warfare for the age of algorithmic warfare

By Can Kasapoğlu

Ukraine's Black Sea naval drone campaign shows how AI, cloud tech, and autonomous systems are rewriting the rules of modern maritime warfare.

Defense Technologies Maritime Security

Report

Jul 1, 2026

The Atlantic Alliance in the air

By Tod D. Wolters and Phillip Stewart

Though work remains to be done, NATO's air readiness is growing, backed by F-35s, integrated missile defense, joint pilot training, and space capabilities.

Artificial Intelligence Defense Policy

Report

Mar 11, 2026

Is Syria on the right path?

By Asaad Sam Hanna

In the year since the ouster of the Assad regime in December 2024, Syria has undergone a massive transformation. How has this played out so far?

Middle East Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding

Report

Mar 11, 2026

Ankara and Washington can build on recent groundwork to improve relations and stability

By Murat Yeşiltaş

The US-Turkey relationship can progress not only through crisis-producing issues but also through crisis-preventing areas of agreement.

Europe & Eurasia Middle East