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.

It’s been over a decade since Ankara and Damascus talked. What changed? 

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
It’s been over a decade since Ankara and Damascus talked. What changed? 

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
It’s been over a decade since Ankara and Damascus talked. What changed? 

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

MENASource

Jan 23, 2023

It’s been over a decade since Ankara and Damascus talked. What changed? 

By Ömer Özkizilcik

The December 2022 meeting in Russia is the first of many that may ultimately result in a direct encounter between Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Bashar al-Assad.

Europe & Eurasia Middle East

UkraineAlert

Jan 12, 2023

The West reaps multiple benefits from backing Ukraine against Russia

By Taras Kuzio

Ukraine is often viewed as being heavily reliant on Western support but the relationship is mutually beneficial and provides the West with enhanced security along with valuable intelligence, writes Taras Kuzio.

Conflict Cybersecurity

In the News

Jan 10, 2023

Eser Özdil joins TRT World to the Turkey-Bulgaria gas interconnector
Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security

UkraineAlert

Dec 26, 2022

Eight reasons for Ukrainian optimism in 2023

By Brian Mefford

Ukrainians have experienced an incredibly traumatic year but the country enters 2023 with reason for cautious optimism that Vladimir Putin's criminal invasion can be decisively defeated, writes Brian Mefford.

European Union NATO

MENASource

Dec 23, 2022

2022: A year in the Middle East

By Nour Alhajjeh and Madeline Hart 

2022 was a year full of unprecedented protests, groundbreaking state visits, historical elections, and new challenges for the Middle East and North Africa.

Iran Iraq

Defense Journal by Atlantic Council IN TURKEY

Dec 22, 2022

Q&A with Lieutenant General (retired) Ben Hodges

Former commanding general of US Army Europe Ben Hodges shares his thoughts on the United States-Turkey defense partnership.

Conflict Europe & Eurasia

Defense Journal by Atlantic Council IN TURKEY

Dec 22, 2022

Turkey’s global military footprint in 2022

By Rich Outzen

A breakdown of Turkey's evolving global military posture and defense partnerships and their effect on US policy and interests.

Conflict Defense Policy
Diplomatic men sitting around a table in discussion

Defense Journal by Atlantic Council IN TURKEY

Dec 22, 2022

Turkey learns that hard power is a global common currency: Defense diplomacy elevates Ankara’s status on the international stage

By Ken Moriyasu

Turkey's growing assertiveness and military capabilities are providing new angles for cooperation with existing partners and unlocking new partnership opportunities.

Central Asia Conflict

Defense Journal by Atlantic Council IN TURKEY

Dec 22, 2022

Being a better ally at tough times requires a genuine and full solidarity with all allies

By Basat Öztürk

Turkey's contributions to the NATO Alliance, current and historic, warrant it solidarity and understanding from its partners.

Conflict Defense Policy

Defense Journal by Atlantic Council IN TURKEY

Dec 22, 2022

Transforming from arms importer to trendsetter: Assessing the growth of Turkey’s defense industries

By Can Kasapoglu

An overview of the development of Turkey's defense industry and how it has affected Turkey's foreign and defense policies.

Conflict Defense Industry
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Experts

Staff

Alyxandra Marine

Associate Director and Resident Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Crisis Management Defense Policy

Fellow

Daniel E. Mouton

Former Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Fellow

Mark Mowrey

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Atlantic Council Turkey Program

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Rich Outzen

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Atlantic Council Turkey Program

Arabic Central Asia

Fellow

Eser Özdil

Nonresident Fellow

Atlantic Council Turkey Program

Eastern Europe Energy Markets & Governance

Staff

Alp Ozen

Assistant Director

Atlantic Council Turkey Program

English International Organizations
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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