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.

How European NATO allies are stepping up, by the numbers

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
How European NATO allies are stepping up, by the numbers

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
How European NATO allies are stepping up, by the numbers

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

Dispatches

Jun 23, 2026

How European NATO allies are stepping up, by the numbers

By Kristen Taylor, Matt Trunkey

Expect NATO leadership to focus on three main issues: defense spending, defense industrial production, and aid to Ukraine.

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Dispatches

Jun 22, 2026

The Ankara summit is an opportunity for NATO to ramp up engagement with its southern neighborhood

By Jason Davidson, Matt Trunkey

The Alliance can use the upcoming summit in Turkey to advance four policies that will help it increase its security along its south.

Europe & Eurasia Maritime Security

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

Dispatches

Jun 12, 2026

Dispatch from Istanbul: Why Turkey is throwing its weight behind ‘zero waste’ ahead of COP31

By Nidhi Upadhyaya

A recent gathering in Istanbul offered a preview of Ankara's priorities ahead of the United Nations climate conference later this year.

Climate Change & Climate Action Resilience

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

Report

May 4, 2026

Powering data centers in emerging markets

By Phillip Cornell

This report examines how emerging markets are increasingly powering the next wave of data centers, with recommendations for policymakers.

Africa Artificial Intelligence

Report

Apr 22, 2026

Redefining power systems: Turkish electric-sector engagement in Africa

By Shaheer Hussam

The report examines how Turkey has become a $100B energy infrastructure player across Africa—and what that means for North American and European firms.

Africa Climate Change & Climate Action

Dispatches

Apr 20, 2026

Five ideas to make the upcoming NATO Summit in Ankara a success

By Atlantic Council experts

While the upcoming summit is unlikely to produce anything as singularly significant as 2025’s “5 percent” pledge, there are important steps the Alliance should take.

Europe & Eurasia NATO

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
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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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