Erdoğan and the US Congress

US Senator Bob Menendez (Left) and Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, with a Turkish F-16 in the back (illustration). Photos credit: Kyle Mazza via Reuters Connect, IMAGO/Björn Trotzki via Reuters Connect, REUTERS/Murad Sezer

No one can truly predict what the next five years of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will mean for Turkey, the Middle East, the NATO alliance and Russia. The recent JST articles by Turkey experts indicate a wide range of views.  >> Window on Washington: Read more from Dov S. Zakheim Although his electoral victory in May […]

Turkey-Israel Relations on the Upswing

Photo credit: REUTERS/Umit Bektas, Freepik

The JST asked three prominent Israeli foreign affairs commentators about Turkey-Israel relations after the Turkish elections. Act with CautionBy Amos Yadlin Warming up to Israel and reviving bilateral relations have been part of Erdoğan’s broader détente policy in the region. The Turkish economy’s dependence on Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with the channels now reopened […]

Turkey: The Mood After the Elections and How the US Might Respond

Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Istanbul, Turkey, May 2023. Photo credit: REUTERS/Hannah McKay

The JST asked four seasoned observers of Turkey, three being former practitioners of US foreign policy and one a celebrated writer with several books on Turkey, for their views of the country in the immediate aftermath of its May elections. The Mood in Turkey Stable, but Existing Fractures are WideningBy Hugh Pope Turkey’s presidential and […]

“The Kiss of Biden” and Foreign Policy in Erdoğan’s Re-Election

Photo credit: EYEPRESS via Reuters Connect

Pity Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. The Turkish opposition candidate faced an impossible challenge: running for president with American lipstick on his cheek.    Call it the kiss of Biden. In 2020, when Joe Biden was a candidate for president, he told the editorial board of the New York Times that he favored working with “elements of the Turkish […]

Four Reflections on Turkey After the Elections

Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan addresses supporters following his victory in the second round of elections at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, May 28. Photo credit: REUTERS/Umit Bektas

The JST asked four experts on Turkey from journalism, academia and government service for their thoughts on “whither Turkey” in the immediate aftermath of the May 28 elections.   In Turkey, “It’s not the economy, stupid”Alan Makovsky The run-off elections of May 28 ended with Erdoğan winning roughly 52% of the vote, essentially as was expected […]

Turkey’s Hinge Election

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan (Right), Leader of Republican People's Party (CHP) Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu (Left). Photos credit: via REUTERS, REUTERS

In 2023, Turkey will hold a hinge election. An opposition victory would mean a more democratic, pro-Western Turkey—and a Turkey that keeps its distance from Islamist groups. An Erdoğan victory would solidify his hold on the nation and most likely mean diminished freedoms and continued Turkish efforts to balance East and West, as well as […]