Interview: Erdogan, the Referendum, and Turkey’s Future

by Derek Davison On April 16, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and (most of) his Justice and Development Party (AKP) won a narrow victory, with a 51.4 percent majority, in a national referendum on changing Turkey’s constitution. That result was… Continue Reading

Does Fighting in Hasakah Signal a Diplomatic Realignment on Syria?

by Derek Davison Last week, open warfare broke out in the northeastern Syrian city of Hasakah between militia forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government and forces affiliated with the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG). Street-level clashes between the… Continue Reading

Implications of Istanbul Bombing for Turkey, Erdogan

by Derek Davison Last week’s suicide bombing in Istanbul’s Sultanahmet district was the fourth bombing on Turkish soil since last June linked to the Islamic State (ISIS or IS). However, unlike the three previous bombings, this attack was not directed… Continue Reading

Turkey’s Elections: Great for Democracy, Dangerous for Peace

by Henry Johnson The outcome of Turkey’s general election surprised many by putting an end to the AKP’s 13-year winning streak. The consequences of this historic election for the country’s “Kurdish problem” may come as an even greater surprise, and… Continue Reading

Why Turkey’s Election Matters for Syria

by Derek Davison Voters in Turkey went to the polls for parliamentary elections on June 7 and handed the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) a decisive defeat. While AKP remains the largest party in the Turkish parliament, the party… Continue Reading