On March 21, from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. ET, in Washington DC, the Atlantic Council hosted a half-day conference on the future of the US-Turkish relationship under the new era.

In just a short time, the Trump administration has moved rapidly to change US policy across a wide spectrum of issues, presenting significant implications for the international system. Trump’s second term coincides with generational uncertainty and volatility marked by the conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, rising great-power competition and tensions with China, and globalization challenges. Against this global backdrop, this new administration promises to leave its mark with new approaches to transatlantic security cooperation, a vastly different vision for the future of the energy mix, and an aim to rethink and reinvent trade relationships.

Reflection is needed for what this sea change in US policy means for partners such as NATO-ally Türkiye, which finds itself at the forefront of many issues posing both challenges and opportunities for the United States.

Through a half-day conference in Washington, DC, we explored the future of the US-Turkish bilateral relationship, regional issues, and the implications of changing policy dynamics under the three pillars of defense and security, energy, and trade and business.

Speakers

Agenda

Welcoming remarks | 9:30 – 9:33 a.m.

FEATURING

Defne Arslan, Senior Director, Turkey Programs and AC in Turkey, Atlantic Council

Keynote remarks | 9:33 – 9:45 a.m.

FEATURING

Gen. James L. Jones, Executive Chairman Emeritus, Atlantic Council

Amb. Sedat Önal, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to the United States

Panel 1: Defense & security cooperation in an evolving geopolitical landscape | 9:45 – 10:35 a.m.

FEATURING

Amb. Alper Coşkun, Senior Fellow, Europe Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Can Kasapoğlu, Nonresident Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute

Rich Outzen, Nonresident Senior Fellow, Turkey Programs, Atlantic Council

 

MODERATOR

Grady Wilson, Deputy Director, Turkey Programs and AC in Turkey, Atlantic Council

Panel 2: Regional energy security in the spotlight | 10:45 – 11:35 a.m.

FEATURING

Amb. Geoffrey Pyatt, Distinguished Fellow, Global Energy Center, Atlantic Council; Former Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources

Ebru Özdemir, International Advisory Board Member, Atlantic Council & Chairperson, Limak Holding

Eser Özdil, Nonresident Fellow, Turkey Programs, Atlantic Council

 

MODERATOR

Defne Arslan, Senior Director, Turkey Programs & AC IN TURKEY, Atlantic Council

Panel 3: Transatlantic trade relations with a focus on Türkiye | 11:35 a.m. – 12:25 p.m.

FEATURING

Charles Lichfield, Deputy Director and C. Boyden Gray Senior Fellow, GeoEconomics Center, Atlantic Council

Mark Mowrey, Former Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Eurasia and the Middle East

Ayşem Sargın, Deputy Chair, AmCham Türkiye

 

MODERATOR

Jennifer Miel, Executive Director, U.S.-Türkiye Business Council, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Closing remarks | 12:25 – 12:30 p.m.

FEATURING

Ms. Defne Arslan, Senior Director, Turkey Programs and AC in Turkey, Atlantic Council

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The Atlantic Council in Turkey 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 defense.

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