Atlantic Council Turkey Program Commentary & Analysis

Working with experts specialized on a diverse range of fields, the Atlantic Council in Turkey delivers analysis and commentary on issues related to transatlantic relations, energy, business and migration on Turkey from Turkey.

All timely commentary & analysis

TURKEYSource

Aug 11, 2026

Turkey wants a bigger role in NATO. Its defense industry will be key.

By Alp Ozen

With the NATO Summit in Ankara behind it, Turkey’s defense sector now faces the challenge of turning political momentum into action—from defense-industrial cooperation to diplomatic initiatives and NATO capability development.

Defense Industry Defense Technologies

TURKEYSource

Jul 27, 2026

From grain to drones, the Ukraine-Turkey free trade agreement marks a milestone in bilateral cooperation

By Yevgeniya Gaber

The ratification of the Ukraine-Turkey free trade agreement signals a deepening strategic partnership spanning trade, defense, reconstruction, and European integration.

Economy & Business Russia

TURKEYSource

Jul 24, 2026

Turning to Azerbaijani gas and US LNG, Turkey seeks to break its reliance on Russian energy

By İlker Sezer

Turkeyʼs multifaceted approach to diversifying its gas supplies away from Russia, including by buying from the US and Azerbaijan, may finally be paying off.

Energy & Environment European Union

TURKEYSource

Jul 23, 2026

A NATO ally holds the key to Europe’s drone wall, and it isn’t Washington

By Tolga Demiryol

Europe's drone wall aspirations are constrained by industrial capacity. Turkey may be the NATO ally that can close the gap.

Defense Policy Defense Technologies

TURKEYSource

Jun 22, 2026

Turkey has survived the energy crisis. It still needs a more deliberate economic strategy.

By Charles Lichfield

The recent Iran conflict has exposed the enduring vulnerabilities of Turkey's economic strategy.

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

TURKEYSource

May 20, 2026

The future of European nuclear deterrence—and Turkey’s role in it

By Mehmet Fatih Ceylan and Ece Şolendil

With US guarantees in doubt, Europe is moving toward its own nuclear deterrent. Can it succeed—and what role should Turkey play?

European Union Nuclear Deterrence

TURKEYSource

Apr 14, 2026

Zelenskyy’s Middle East and Turkey tour reveals a new regional order in the making

By Yevgeniya Gaber

Seizing momentum in the Middle East, Ukraine is leveraging battlefield innovation and its partnership with Turkey to translate wartime experience into geopolitical influence.

Defense Technologies Security & Defense

TURKEYSource

Mar 31, 2026

Could Turkey help mediate an end to the Iran war?

By Matthew Bryza

As US President Donald Trump searches for a way to exit the US-Israeli war against Iran, Turkey could be a useful mediator between the warring parties.

Conflict Iran

TURKEYSource

Mar 26, 2026

What Iran’s attacks on Turkey reveal about NATO’s future

By Ali Mammadov

Turkey’s recent missile incidents reveal something important about NATO’s future and what the Alliance will need to do to maintain its credibility.

Conflict Europe & Eurasia

TURKEYSource

Mar 18, 2026

The unspoken yet growing synergy in Turkey–Spain relations

By Riccardo Gasco & Samuele C. Abrami

Spanish-Turkish defense cooperation could help normalize Turkey as a security actor within the Euro-Atlantic perimeter.

Europe & Eurasia NATO