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.

Slavin: Key US Allies Israel and Turkey Face Tough Challenges

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

Slavin: Key US Allies Israel and Turkey Face Tough Challenges

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

Slavin: Key US Allies Israel and Turkey Face Tough Challenges

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

Oct 13, 2015

Slavin: Key US Allies Israel and Turkey Face Tough Challenges

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin writes for Voice of America on the new violence facing US allies Israel and Turkey:

Israel Turkey

In the News

Oct 13, 2015

Stein on Upcoming Elections in Turkey

By Aaron Stein

Agence France-Presse quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Aaron Stein on how the deadly bombing in Ankara has raised tensions in advance of the upcoming elections in Turkey in November:

Turkey
Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly meeting in Stavanger, Oct. 12, 2015

NATOSource

Oct 12, 2015

Secretary General: NATO Needs ‘Strong Forces’ to Prevent War

By Jens Stoltenberg, NATO

NATO’s deterrence is significant and it is real. If Turkey needs NATO’s help, NATO will be there.

Cybersecurity NATO

In the News

Oct 11, 2015

Ricciardone on Turkish Media

By Francis J. Ricciardone

Today’s Zaman quotes Vice President and Rafik Hariri Center Director Francis J. Ricciardone on the arrest of media personnel and deteriorating press freedom in Turkey:

Turkey

In the News

Oct 9, 2015

Stein on Increased US Presence in Turkey

By Aaron Stein

BuzzFeed News quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Aaron Stein on reports that the United States is increasing its presence at Incirlik airbase in Turkey ahead of an offensive against the ISIS stronghold in Raqqa, Syria:

Syria Turkey

MENASource

Oct 8, 2015

The Incirlik Expansion and the US-Turkish Strategy to Fight ISIS

By Aaron Stein

After nine months of negotiations, the United States and Turkey reached an agreement to open Turkish airbases for strike missions against the Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL) in late July 2015. Since then, the United States has stationed six F-16s at Incirlik and search and rescue aircraft at Diyarbakir airbase.

Syria Turkey

In the News

Oct 8, 2015

Horrell on Russia’s Message for NATO

By Steven Horrell

USNI News quotes Brent Scowcroft Center US Navy Senior Fellow Steven Horrell on Russia’s message for the United States, Turkey, and NATO with its strikes in Syria:

Russia Turkey

In the News

Oct 8, 2015

Stein on Russia’s Message for Turkey

By Aaron Stein

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty quotes Rafik Hariri Center Nonresident Fellow Aaron Stein on Russia’s message to Turkey with its incursions into Turkish airspace:

Russia Syria
Meeting of the North Atlantic Council, July 28, 2015

NATOSource

Oct 5, 2015

Allies Respond to Russia’s Violations of Turkish and NATO Airspace

By NATO

The North Atlantic Council met today to hold consultations on the potential implications of the recent dangerous military actions of the Russian Federation in and around Syria.

NATO Russia

NATOSource

Oct 5, 2015

Turkey: Russian Fighter Jet Violated Our Airspace

By Turkish Foreign Ministry

A fighter aircraft belonging to the Russian Federation violated Turkish airspace at 12:08 on 3 October 2015 south of the Yayladağı/Hatay region.

NATO Russia
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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

Online Event Tue, April 7, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

US-Turkish defense relations and the upcoming NATO Summit
Defense Industry Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia Geopolitics & Energy Security