Turkey

Turkey is a longstanding NATO ally and member of the transatlantic community, strategically occupying the alliance’s southeastern flank. As an important ally in a turbulent region, Turkey has a crucial role to play in tackling many of the world’s most pressing challenges such as the war in Syria and relations between the West and Russia. Turkey is also a valuable partner for Washington on energy cooperation, business, regional relations, and migration.

The Middle East’s shifting balance of power favors Turkey and Israel

Report Sep 13, 2024

A sea of opportunities: Exploring cooperation between Turkey and the West in the Black Sea

By Atlantic Council Turkey Programs

In the political sphere, the interests of Turkey and the West in the Black Sea largely overlap.
Defense Industry Defense Technologies
The Middle East’s shifting balance of power favors Turkey and Israel

TURKEYSource Aug 28, 2024

Turkey wants to end the war in Ukraine—and might have a formula to do it

By Rich Outzen

Turkey would play a role in a cease-fire and post-war arrangement, drawing on a history of balance and deterrence in the Black Sea region.
Conflict Europe & Eurasia
The Middle East’s shifting balance of power favors Turkey and Israel

Issue Brief Jul 8, 2024

Turkey’s emerging and disruptive technologies capacity and NATO: Defense policy, prospects, and limitations

By Can Kasapoğlu and Sine Özkaraşahin

An issue brief exploring Turkey’s defense technological ecosystem and leveraging its capabilities for the benefit of NATO.
Defense Industry Defense Policy

Programs

The Atlantic Council IN TURKEY, which is in charge of the Turkey program, 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 migration.

EXPLORE THE PROGRAM

Content

Inflection Points Today

Dec 21, 2024

The Middle East’s shifting balance of power favors Turkey and Israel

By Frederick Kempe

Syria’s future is uncertain after the fall of the Assad regime, but already it’s clear that two neighboring countries are big winners.

Conflict Israel

In the News

Dec 10, 2024

Rich Outzen joins TRT World’s Strait Talk to discuss the developments in Middle East
Conflict Middle East

TURKEYSource

Dec 6, 2024

What the US-Turkey relationship will look like during Trump 2.0

By Rich Outzen

The second Trump term presents new opportunities and risks for US-Turkey relations.

Elections Middle East

In the News

Dec 4, 2024

Rich Outzen joins The iPaper to discuss Turkey’s role in Syria
Conflict Middle East

Defense Journal by Atlantic Council IN TURKEY

Dec 3, 2024

NATO in an evolving geopolitical landscape

By Atlantic Council Turkey Programs

The fourth issue of the Defense Journal by Atlantic Council IN TURKEY explores the future of NATO in the context of changing transatlantic relations and regional security issues.

Conflict Defense Industry

Defense Journal by Atlantic Council IN TURKEY

Dec 3, 2024

The “other” US election and what it means for transatlantic security

By Rich Outzen

US allies and partners have better grounds to expect continued US leadership— and alliance commitment—than is commonly appreciated.

Elections Europe & Eurasia

Defense Journal by Atlantic Council IN TURKEY

Dec 3, 2024

Political-military lessons for a NATO-Russia conflict

By Can Kasapoglu

NATO should learn these three lessons from the Ukraine-Russia conflict to win a potential NATO-Russia war.

Conflict Defense Policy

Defense Journal by Atlantic Council IN TURKEY

Dec 3, 2024

How prepared is NATO?

By Richard D. Hooker, Jr.

Is NATO ready to respond to a possible expansion of Russian aggression to assure Europe's safety?

Central Europe Conflict

Defense Journal by Atlantic Council IN TURKEY

Dec 3, 2024

NATO exercises: The guarantee of Alliance security and test of readiness

By Uğur Tarçın

To ensure regional security, NATO must continue enhancing its capabilities and remain as a combat-ready force.

Central Europe Conflict

Defense Journal by Atlantic Council IN TURKEY

Dec 3, 2024

How NATO learns and adapts to modern warfare

By General Chris Badia

One of the main strengths of NATO is it's ability to continuously develop and improve based on the lessons learned by the complexities of modern conflicts.

Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity
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Experts

Fellow

Elliot Ackerman

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Defense Policy

Expert

Defne Arslan

Senior Director

Atlantic Council Turkey Program

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

Executive Leadership Intensive participant

Ilker Baburoglu

CEO, MedTrade Energy & Commodities

Millennium Leadership Program

Africa Economy & Business

Fellow

Michael Bociurkiw

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Ukraine International Organizations

Fellow

Lesley Chavkin

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative GeoEconomics Center

Africa Economy & Business

Fellow

Jonathan R. Cohen

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Greece Iraq
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Events

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

Navigating a new era in Syria: Strategic opportunities for the US and Turkey
Conflict Defense Policy Iraq Middle East