The New Turkey
Murat Yeşiltaş

Murat Yeşiltaş

Dr. Yeşiltaş is a Professor of International Relations at Sakarya University. He is currently working on the following research projects: The Rise of Kurdish Geopolitical Space, Border Security in the Middle East and The New Regional Security Project in the Middle East (NRSP).
Turkey's Counter-Terrorism Strategy and Operation Claw

Turkey's Counter-Terrorism Strategy and Operation Claw

June 20, 2019
Turkey's recent military operation, Operation Claw, is a continuation of Turkey's counter-terrorism strategy of maintaining active military presence and fight on the field. The operation has three objectives.
The S-400 Deadlock Between Turkey and the US

The S-400 Deadlock Between Turkey and the US

April 23, 2019
Geopolitics 101 says that Turkey and the U.S. have to agree, one way or another, over the issue of S-400s. It seems likely that Turkey will receive the S-400s as promised, yet the issue will be solved with the U.S.        
Turkish Foreign and Security Policy at the Crossroad

Turkish Foreign and Security Policy at the Crossroad

April 6, 2019
What Turkey needs to do in the post-local election period is to redraw its foreign policy priorities from a very pragmatic and practical way, refocus its reformist agenda in foreign policy, and obtain a balanced strategy.  
US Policy Towards Syria A Tangled Mess of Bilateral Negotiations

US Policy Towards Syria: A Tangled Mess of Bilateral Negotiations

February 23, 2019
Conditions in Northern Syria may force Turkey to follow "first act then deal" option.
What was Offered to Ankara in Moscow

What was Offered to Ankara in Moscow?

January 26, 2019
Maintaining a negotiation process with Russia or the U.S. will not provide Turkey with ultimate solutions to its security needs, but create time pressure on Ankara to act unilaterally. Therefore, to eliminate the PKK in Syria, Ankara has no choice but to take matters in hand.
Turkey's Options for a Safe Zone in Syria

Turkey's Options for a Safe Zone in Syria

January 18, 2019
In the long run, in case of a full U.S. withdrawal, it is not sustainable for the YPG to maintain their military presence among the majority of the Arab population.
Turkey Can Help the US Exit from Syria

Turkey Can Help the US Exit from Syria

January 12, 2019
Although the withdrawal remains unclear, the road-map for Turkey is clear. Firstly, as President Erdoğan proposed in his piece, Turkey propose a stabilization force to clean, hold and build the entire region in the eastern part of the river.
Turkey's Syria Strategy after the US Withdrawal

Turkey's Syria Strategy after the US Withdrawal

December 27, 2018
Trump’s decision brought many opportunities to repair especially the U.S.’s wrong strategy of working with a terrorist organization to fight against another terrorist organization, but at the same time triggered a new rivalry between the regional actors in Syria.
What is Turkey's Military Agenda in Northern Syria

What is Turkey's Military Agenda in Northern Syria?

December 14, 2018
Turkey’s strategic objective is clear: to de-territorialize the YPG/PYD alongside its Syrian border, fix relations with the U.S. in Syria and recalibrate its military presence.
Making Sense of Turkey s New Counter-Terrorism Strategy

Making Sense of Turkey’s New Counter-Terrorism Strategy

November 23, 2018
Turkey is revolutionizing its counter-terrorism strategy not only against the PKK in Turkey but also against other terrorist organizations in Syria and Iraq. The new face of terrorism and changing dynamics in the Middle East are likely to push Turkey to revolutionize its military affairs in the near future.