Turkey

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.

Busch quoted in Haberturk on Turkey’s exposure to Trump’s reciprocal tariffs

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
Busch quoted in Haberturk on Turkey’s exposure to Trump’s reciprocal tariffs

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
Busch quoted in Haberturk on Turkey’s exposure to Trump’s reciprocal tariffs

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

In the News

Feb 14, 2025

Busch quoted in Haberturk on Turkey’s exposure to Trump’s reciprocal tariffs

Read the full article here

Economy & Business Trade and tariffs

In the News

Feb 1, 2025

Pınar Dost contributed to a piece for Amwaj.media, on why Saudi-Turkish collaboration in Syria is more likely than a clash.
Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

TURKEYSource

Jan 24, 2025

There’s a path forward for Turkey-Greece cooperation—but it requires a dose of realism

By Harry Tzimitras

For a successful Turkey-Greece partnership, both sides need to actively seize the opportunities of cooperation.

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

Report

Jan 23, 2025

From rivalry to cooperation: The geopolitical implications of Egypt-Turkey rapprochement

By Karim Mezran, Valeria Talbot, Mona Sukkarieh, Alia Brahimi, Nebahat Tanriverdi, Federico Donelli, Abderahman Salaheldin

Turkey and Egypt’s recent rapprochement comes after years of tension.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Jan 18, 2025

Why Saudi Arabia is so keen on the Turkish KAAN

By Ali Bakir

With Saudi Arabia previously keen on acquiring F-35 fighter jets from the United States, what has steered Riyadh toward Turkish technology?

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Issue Brief

Jan 17, 2025

Syria’s energy sector and its impact on stability and regional developments

By Brenda Shaffer

An analysis of Syria’s energy resources and infrastructure, and outlook on the future of Syrian energy production and trade.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

In the News

Jan 16, 2025

Shaffer quoted by BBC on Turkey’s role in Syria’s reconstruction

By Brenda Shaffer

Middle East Security & Defense

MENASource

Jan 13, 2025

Turkey’s Syria and Libya strategies add up to a Mediterranean power play

By Emadeddin Badi and Abdullah al-Jabassini 

By aligning its strategies in Libya and Syria, Turkey seeks to consolidate influence and amplify its leverage across both theaters.

Defense Policy Drones

In the News

Jan 12, 2025

Pınar Dost spoke to Alberto Magnani from Il Sole 24 Ore on Syria and Turkiye-Israel relations in light of the developments in Syria.
Conflict Middle East

In the News

Jan 9, 2025

Pınar Dost contributed to a piece by eKathimerini on Turkish foreign policy and Syria
Conflict Crisis Management
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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

Staff

Kiran Baez

Program Assistant

Atlantic Council Turkey Program

Central Asia Geopolitics & Energy Security

Fellow

Michael Bociurkiw

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Ukraine International Organizations

Fellow

Matthew Bryza

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Atlantic Council Turkey Program

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia
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Events

Public Event Fri, July 17, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

The NATO Summit and the future of US-Turkish defense relations
Europe & Eurasia Middle East NATO NATO Partnerships