This new issue brief by Atlantic Council Senior Fellow Dr. Aaron Stein explores the challenges facing the United States and Europe as Turkish politicians use foreign policy as a tool for populist political gain.
To better understand the relationship between Turkish policy-making and public opinion, the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center worked with Metropoll, a Turkey-based independent polling firm, to gauge public opinion about the country’s relationship with its neighbors and allies.
Specifically, the poll asked respondents about NATO’s importance for Turkish security, the European Union accession process, and which European country is Turkey’s closest ally, in order to understand how Turkish citizens view these three interrelated issues and how this may impact governmental policy-making.
This issue brief is divided into four sections: detailing the findings of the opinion poll; how those findings have impacted and will continue to impact Turkish decision-making; the role the economy plays in helping to shape Turkish policy; and the implications of the results for the United States.
Fri, Nov 16, 2018
Turkish policy in Syria: Divining intent and options for the United States
Turkey was once the main sponsor of the Syrian opposition’s effort to topple Bashar al Assad. However, beginning in late 2016, Turkish policy has shifted following the Russian defeat of Turkish backed proxies in Aleppo. This change in policy sparked a reassessment of Turkish strategy away from the overthrow of the regime and towards close cooperation with Russia and competition with the United States.
MENASource by Aaron Stein
Fri, Oct 26, 2018
War games in Syria: a lesson in futility
The conflict in Syria is not comparable to global thermonuclear war, or tic-tac-toe. However, the ultimate point of Joshua’s game with himself is to learn a critical lesson: futility.
SyriaSource by Aaron Stein
Wed, Dec 19, 2018
Turkey’s energy nexus: Discoveries and developments
As the fastest growing energy market in the OECD over the past decade and a country dependent on imports for almost all of its hydrocarbon demand, Turkey’s energy sector carries regional implications. Securing a reliable and affordable source of energy, through diversification and increased domestic production, has formed the cornerstone of Turkey’s energy policy.
Report by Atlantic Council IN TURKEY