Atlantic Council Turkey 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.

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About the program

Featured event

Public Event Thu, March 5, 2026 • 9:30 am ET

Navigating a new era in Syria: Strategic opportunities for the US and Turkey

A discussion on pathways toward regional stability, cooperation, and economic opportunities in Syria for the US, Turkey and the region.
Conflict Defense Policy Iraq Middle East

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Get exclusive Atlantic Council Turkey Program updates, events, and publications.

Defense Journal

The Defense Journal by Atlantic Council Turkey Program provides independent expert analysis regarding the full spectrum of defense issues involving primarily the United States and Turkey as well as the region, covering strategic, geopolitical, political-military, operational-technical, and defense technological and industrial affairs.

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Atlantic Council Turkey Program

Report Mar 11, 2026

Navigating change: US-Turkish defense relations in 2026

By Atlantic Council Turkey Program

The sixth issue of the Defense Journal by Atlantic Council Turkey Program, takes up several of the regional, military-technical, and policy issues in US-Turkish relations.
Conflict Europe & Eurasia
Atlantic Council Turkey Program

Report Jun 2, 2025

Transatlantic relations and a region in flux

By Atlantic Council Turkey Program

The fifth issue of the Defense Journal by Atlantic Council IN TURKEY assesses key dynamics as we enter a new era.
Central Asia Conflict

TURKEYSource

TURKEYSource provides analysis and insight on Turkey and related developments with coverage from Turkish, regional, and international experts. This blog offers timely news and commentary on key issues related to transatlantic relations, energy, business, security, and key players.

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Atlantic Council Turkey Program

TURKEYSource Dec 19, 2025

How NATO and its partners should respond to Russia’s militarization of the wider Black Sea region

As Russia continues to destabilize and militarize the Black Sea region, helping bolster regional security will require a concerted focus.

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Atlantic Council Turkey Program

TURKEYSource Dec 2, 2025

Any peace deal that empowers Russia is a direct security threat to Turkey

By Yevgeniya Gaber

As US talks with Russia and Ukraine intensify, Turkey must reassert regional leadership and help secure a sustainable peace in Ukraine and in the Black Sea.
Conflict Europe & Eurasia
Atlantic Council Turkey Program

TURKEYSource Nov 18, 2025

Two revealing Washington visits will set the course for Syria’s future

By Rich Outzen

Syria is a key foreign policy priority for Trump, with Ahmed al-Sharaa and Turkey now playing an inevitable role in how the US approaches the country.
Conflict Politics & Diplomacy

Recent events

Public Event Thu, March 5, 2026 • 9:30 am ET

Navigating a new era in Syria: Strategic opportunities for the US and Turkey

A discussion on pathways toward regional stability, cooperation, and economic opportunities in Syria for the US, Turkey and the region.
Conflict Defense Policy Iraq Middle East
Public Event Tue, February 17, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

Turkey’s evolving role in a new global geopolitical and security order

The Atlantic Council’s Turkey Program hosts a discussion on how Turkey’s foreign policy and transatlantic engagement are evolving in a changing regional and global order.
Conflict Europe & Eurasia Iran Iraq
View All events

In-depth research & reports

From energy relations to issues related to Syrian refugees in Turkey, the Atlantic Council Turkey Program’s in-depth research serves to enlighten transatlantic policymakers and business leaders on issues about Turkey.

Issue Brief

Mar 3, 2026

Turkey’s gas diversification strategy and rising share of LNG

By Eser Özdil

An analysis of Turkey's LNG diversification strategy from 2016 to 2025 and the geopolitical implications of Turkey’s emergence as a gas exporter to Europe.

Energy Markets & Governance Geopolitics & Energy Security

Issue Brief

Nov 19, 2025

Why Ankara’s rising power in the Sahel could benefit the West

By Alp Ozen, Haley Nelson

Turkey offers a rare channel in the Sahel that the West could use to recalibrate its approach to the region.

Africa Energy & Environment
all in-depth research

Featured documentary

Do Seagulls Migrate?
An Atlantic Council documentary

As the Syrian civil war marks a decade of destruction and displacement, millions of refugees are forced to endure harrowing journeys and create new lives from scratch. Do Seagulls Migrate?, the Atlantic Council’s first ever documentary, chronicles the lives of four Syrian women who fled their war-torn homes to seek survival, prosperity, and a new life in Turkey. Do Seagulls Migrate? reveals the refugee experience first-hand as Reem, Khloud, Inam, and Reem M. share their emotional journeys, forge new experiences, care for their families, and build new careers.

Do Seagulls Migrate? has been selected for screening at four film festivals: Prague International Film Festival 2021, 10th Antakya International Film Festival, Germany International Film Festival 2023, Nice International Film Festival 2023, and the 7th Golden Tree International Documentary Film Festival.

Learn more

Related content

Mon, November 8, 2021 • 5:30 pm ET

Premiere of Do Seagulls Migrate?

Read about the official premiere of Do Seagulls Migrate?, hosted at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

Watch now

Experts

Fellow

Mark Mowrey

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Atlantic Council Turkey Program

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Staff

Kiran Baez

Program Assistant

Atlantic Council Turkey Program

Central Asia Geopolitics & Energy Security

Expert

Defne Arslan

Senior Director

Atlantic Council Turkey Program

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Fellow

Matthew Bryza

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Atlantic Council Turkey Program

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Pınar Dost

Nonresident Fellow

Atlantic Council Turkey Program

English French

Fellow

Arnold C. Dupuy

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Atlantic Council Turkey Program

Turkey Energy & Environment
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Content

In the News

Feb 20, 2018

Arslan Quoted in NewEurope on Russia’s Turkish Stream

By Defne Sadiklar-Arslan

Read the full article here

Turkey

In the News

Feb 3, 2018

Arslan in Ekathimerini: A New Perspective to Turkey-EU Relations

By Defne Arslan

Read the full article here

Turkey

New Atlanticist

Dec 15, 2017

Turkey Takes Important Steps Toward its Renewable Energy Future

By Grady Wilson

Twin billion dollar tenders in 2017 showcase Turkey’s renewable energy potential In 2017 Turkey has made tremendous strides in the development of its renewable energy sector, notably the allocation of over two billion dollars for the production of wind and solar energy. These sources of funding, or tenders, are part of Ankara’s ambitious plans for […]

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

New Atlanticist

Apr 28, 2017

Atlantic Council’s Istanbul Summit Affirms Transatlantic Engagement

Speakers at the Atlantic Council’s Istanbul Summit on April 27 emphasized the importance of strengthening transatlantic bonds to the Middle East with the goal of jointly addressing challenges and harnessing opportunities. “We all need each other, and we are strong when we can work together, and pull in the same direction, and address the many […]

Energy & Environment Turkey

Press Release

Nov 23, 2016

Atlantic Council Global Energy Center Expands Scope, Announces New Staffing Changes

By Atlantic Council

The Atlantic Council today announced several staffing changes within the Global Energy Center, designed to leverage the center’s expanding work and integrate it with the Council’s flagship events in the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Poland.   

New Atlanticist

Nov 10, 2016

In Trump, Turkey Sees Hope for a New Era with the United States

By Pinar Dost-Niyego and Grady Wilson

Donald Trump’s electoral victory has been welcomed in pro-government circles in Turkey. This is not surprising when one takes into account the US president-elect’s past comments on Turkey and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Following the attempted coup in Turkey in July, Trump, in an interview with the New York Times, described Erdoğan as a […]

Turkey

Press Release

Oct 5, 2016

The World Energy Council and the Atlantic Council Join Forces to Discuss Crucial Energy Issues Next Week

By Atlantic Council

The Atlantic Council will hold two panel discussions at the World Energy Congress, one of the most comprehensive gatherings on the global energy scene, to highlight diverse perspectives on crucial energy issues.

Event Recap

Jun 9, 2016

Post Iran Nuclear Deal: Policy and Trade Implications

By Grady Wilson

While not much has changed for American investors, the Iran Nuclear Deal has brought about major shifts in international trade, particularity, but not exclusively, in the oil and gas sectors. Richard Nephew joined the Atlantic Council’s Turkey office on June 9, 2016, to discuss the obstacles facing Iran as the Islamic Republic reenters the global […]

Energy & Environment Iran

Eastern Mediterranean Perspectives

Mar 18, 2016

The Cyprus Settlement and Eastern Mediterranean Hydrocarbon Export Scenarios

By Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center

The Cyprus Settlement and Eastern Mediterranean Hydrocarbon Export Scenarios

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Dec 9, 2015

Arslan on Turkey-Russia Energy Relations

By Defne Arslan

Sabah quotes Atlantic Council Energy & Economic Summit Director Defne Arslan on how the tensions between Turkey and Russia are also affecting energy relations between two countries: Read the full article here.

Energy & Environment Russia
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