A Turkish court sentenced Erdogan’s rival to prison. That could backfire. Cem Tecimer and Andrew O’Donohue - December 21, 2022 If the conviction stands, Istanbul’s popular mayor couldn’t run for president in 2023. But voters sometimes rebel against efforts to subvert democracy.
What Middle East scholars really think about boycotting Israel Shibley Telhami and Marc Lynch - November 22, 2022 The latest Middle East Scholars Barometer survey explored this contentious issue — and more
What to watch for at the 2022 NATO summit James Goldgeier and Sara Moller - June 28, 2022 Putin’s invasion of Ukraine complicates discussions of the alliance’s new Strategic Concept
Is Russia headed for a return to Stalinism? Sidney Tarrow - May 15, 2022 Putin can’t reconstruct the regime that Stalin built — or save Russia from chaos
How popular is Putin, really? John Reuter, Noah Buckley, Kyle L. Marquardt, and Katerina Tertytchnaya - April 12, 2022 The image of Putin’s popularity bolsters his actual popularity, our research finds. But staged perceptions of popularity can be fragile.
It’s not just a Putin problem. ‘Personalists’ like him are behind much of the world’s bad behavior. Joseph Wright and Erica Frantz - March 1, 2022 Here’s why this style of autocracy is on the rise.
Turkey announced it would regulate warship access to the Black Sea. Does that change Russia’s strategy? Howard Eissenstat - March 1, 2022 Turkey’s diplomatic balancing act may be behind this move
Turkey’s president insists on low interest rates. That could cost him politically, this research shows. David Steinberg - January 12, 2022 As Turkey slashed interest rates last year, the value of the Turkish lira plummeted
The Belarus border crisis shows it’s getting easier to ‘weaponize’ refugees Sigrid Lupieri - November 21, 2021 Countries like Belarus are counting on E.U. governments to see refugees as a security threat
The E.U. is furious that Belarus allowed more than 4,000 migrants to cross into Europe Gerasimos Tsourapas - August 12, 2021 As countries in the global north outsource refugee management to the global south, expect more poor countries to ‘weaponize’ migration.
Many Turks say the government didn’t stop the wildfires quickly enough. Here’s the story. Sebnem Gumuscu - August 9, 2021 The Erdogan regime had sidelined an aviation association with years of experience fighting forest fires
Protesters are angry that Turkey withdrew from a women’s rights convention. Will it hurt women’s rights? Tevfik Murat Yildirim and Alper Tolga Bulut - July 7, 2021 Our research reveals that Erdoğan’s rhetoric and actions can change Turkish attitudes on gender.
Do cease-fires in Syria work? We checked the data. Sunniva Unn Hustad and Siri Aas Rustad - June 17, 2021 Our research looks at 10 years of truces in Syria.
Morocco ‘weaponized’ migration to punish Spain. That’s more common than you think. Kelly M. Greenhill - June 1, 2021 My research identified four different approaches to creating ‘weapons of mass migration’
The U.S. formally recognized the Armenian genocide. Why now, a century later? Ryan Gingeras - April 24, 2021 This move signals a shift in the U.S. relationship with Turkey
Will the pandemic spark a religious revival in the Muslim world? Tarek Masoud, Peter Mandaville, and A.Kadir Yildirim - April 1, 2021 A new survey measures economic stress and religiosity levels in five countries
Iran and Turkey have become drone powers James Rogers - January 27, 2021 Drones have become the weapon of choice around the world.
Greek and Turkish ships are playing chicken at sea. There’s already been one crash. Rachel Esplin Odell and Annelle Sheline - September 12, 2020 Here’s why international law doesn’t offer clear-cut solutions
Turkey issued new rules for social media. That may mean that media censorship wasn’t working. Max Hoffman, Andrew O’Donohue, and Alan Makovsky - July 29, 2020 More Turks have been getting their news online
Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia is a mosque again. Do Turkish citizens want Erdogan to restore the caliphate? Tarek Masoud and Aytug Sasmaz - July 23, 2020 Even if Erdogan wanted to restore the ancient caliphate, he would need public support to succeed.
What’s Vladimir Putin’s end game? Other post-Soviet autocrats give a few clues. Timothy Frye - July 2, 2020 Here’s why he will try to stay in power.
Europe has relied on Turkey to stem another migration crisis. That plan backfired. Virginie Guiraudon - March 25, 2020 This is the story behind the clashes at the Greek border
Russia and Turkey failed to mediate peace in Libya. What happens now? Tim Eaton - January 15, 2020 Will Western countries play a leading role in future talks?
2020 is the year to worry about nuclear weapons Malfrid Braut-Hegghammer - January 5, 2020 The confrontation between the United States and Iran is just the beginning
Most Turks support the Syrian invasion. Here’s why. Tolga Sinmazdemir, Thomas Zeitzoff, and Anna Getmansky - October 24, 2019 New polls suggest that Turkish citizens have turned against Syrian refugees
Can the U.S. protect its nuclear weapons in Turkey? Todd Sechser and Matthew Fuhrmann - October 18, 2019 Here’s the backstory — and the downside of removing this nuclear cache.
Trump doesn’t want to be ‘responsible for destroying the Turkish economy.’ Good grief. Henry Farrell and Abraham Newman - October 16, 2019 That’s a nice little economy you have there. It would be a shame if something happened to it.
Now that Trump has abandoned the Kurds, will other countries ever trust the U.S.? Marina E. Henke - October 16, 2019 Alliances are based on trust, not just U.S. assistance
Here’s how pop culture woke Turkey’s disillusioned opposition on Friday Lisel Hintz - September 10, 2019 How rap is shaping protest in Turkey.
What Turkey’s purchase of a Russian air defense system means for the U.S. and NATO Jennifer Spindel - July 22, 2019 The alliance is far from thrilled about Turkey’s closer ties with Russia
Turkey’s ruling party is splintering. Here’s why. Yunus Orhan and John Reuter - July 18, 2019 Defections could be a bigger threat to Erdogan’s rule than the recent election losses
Why did Turkey buy Russian — not Western — missile defense systems? Selim Sazak - July 16, 2019 Here’s what you should know about the continued delivery of the missile defense system to the NATO member state.
In Turkey, the latest elections had over 80 percent voter turnout. Here’s why. Sebnem Gumuscu - June 28, 2019 Elections are hardly free or fair in Turkey. So why do voters keep turning up in high numbers?
Five lessons from the latest elections in Turkey Howard Eissenstat - June 25, 2019 The full repercussions of Sunday’s election may take years to fully understand, but some lessons are already clear.
Syrian refugees have become pawns in their host nations’ politics Gerasimos Tsourapas - June 14, 2019 Certain states are using their position to secure unearned external income — refugee rent.
Electoral irregularities benefited Turkey’s ruling party, not the opposition Abdullah Aydogan - May 10, 2019 Here’s what it means for next month’s election rerun in İstanbul.
Will Turkey’s president accept the country’s election results? Murat Somer - April 17, 2019 Opposition parties won local elections — but Erdogan is demanding ballot recounts.
Erdogan’s setback in Turkey’s local elections may not hurt him that much. This is why. Abdullah Aydogan - April 8, 2019 Ruling parties routinely bounce back from a poor showing.
Trump declared a controversial state of emergency. That can erode democracy. Bryan Rooney and Anna Lührmann - March 10, 2019 Countries with states of emergency are 60 percent more likely to see democracy erode.
Hungary’s democracy just got a failing grade Daniel Kelemen - February 7, 2019 This week, the Washington-based think tank Freedom House published its
Democracy is under threat in Hungary, Venezuela and Turkey. Could the U.S. be next? Stephan Haggard and Robert Kaufman - December 6, 2018 [caption id="attachment_81053" align="aligncenter" width="960"] President Trump talks with reporters on
Does the Russia-Turkey deal on Idlib signal a new era of relations in the Middle East? Peter Henne - October 5, 2018 [caption id="attachment_78547" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, left,
Will Turkey’s currency crisis hurt Erdogan? Here’s what a new poll shows. David Steinberg - August 23, 2018 [caption id="attachment_76996" align="aligncenter" width="960"] People walk past a currency exchange
Why the results of Turkey’s election are surprising Abdullah Aydogan - July 31, 2018 [caption id="attachment_76190" align="aligncenter" width="960"] On June 25, the day after
Are ‘global cities’ an antidote to populism and nationalism? Istanbul offers some hope. Fisher Onar - July 19, 2018 [caption id="attachment_75823" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Istanbul is a bustling, diverse city,
How authoritarian regimes use migration to exert ‘soft power’ in foreign policy Gerasimos Tsourapas - July 6, 2018 [caption id="attachment_75407" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has
Why Turkey’s human rights violations won’t end up in court Filiz Kahraman - June 12, 2018 [caption id="attachment_74381" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A Turkish police officer watches a
How a hashtag and memes are uniting Turkey’s opposition Lisel Hintz - May 11, 2018 [caption id="attachment_73201" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Turkish protesters shout anti-government slogans during
Turkey’s president will win the country’s snap elections. Here’s why they still matter. Howard Eissenstat - April 20, 2018 [caption id="attachment_72500" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is an
Why Recep Erdogan is calling Turkish students ‘terrorists’ Lisel Hintz - April 12, 2018 [caption id="attachment_72082" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan makes
How Turkey’s outreach to its diaspora is inflaming tensions with Europe Ayca Arkilic - March 26, 2018 [caption id="attachment_71379" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on
How flawed constitutions undermine democracy Victor Menaldo and Michael Albertus - February 26, 2018 [caption id="attachment_69689" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A replica of the Liberty Bell stands
Turkey is getting more authoritarian. Here’s why funding nongovernmental organizations won’t help democracy. Bilge Yabanci - December 21, 2017 [caption id="attachment_67467" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A protester holds a placard during
What the Iran sanctions case in New York means for Turkey and Erdogan Kadir Yildirim - December 2, 2017 [caption id="attachment_66835" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Front pages of Turkish newspapers with
What went wrong for Mugabe? Most aging dictators don’t get toppled by coups. Erica Frantz and Andrea Kendall-Taylor - November 22, 2017 [caption id="attachment_66568" align="aligncenter" width="960"] People gather outside Harare's airport to
The odds of a military coup in Venezuela are going up. But coups can sometimes lead to democracy Ozan Varol - November 15, 2017 [caption id="attachment_66271" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A man holds the new 100,000-bolivar
What the Qatar crisis shows about the Middle East Gregory Gause - June 27, 2017 [caption id="attachment_60415" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A man walks past the Qatar
China is trying to pull Middle East countries into its version of NATO Jonathan Fulton - June 21, 2017 [caption id="attachment_60134" align="aligncenter" width="960"] The daily flag-lowering ceremony at sunset
Duterte has put part of the Philippines under martial law. Here’s how dangerous that can be. Jessica Trisko Darden and Christopher Fariss - June 14, 2017 [caption id="attachment_59804" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Filipino residents walk past an armored
Trump isn’t a huge fan of NATO. But his complaints are off target. James Goldgeier - May 24, 2017 Although there was relief in Europe when President Trump declared last
What kind of deal is Trump making with Saudi Arabia? Marc Lynch - May 22, 2017 The optics of Donald Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia, where
A Zambian opposition leader was arrested, but there are deeper cracks in the country’s democracy Michael Wahman - May 18, 2017 [caption id="attachment_58505" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Zambian opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema waves
So is the wave of populist nationalism finished? Hardly. Pippa Norris - May 17, 2017 [caption id="attachment_58471" align="alignleft" width="960"] French presidential candidate for the far-right
Turkish President Erdogan arrives in D.C. tomorrow. Here’s what to watch for. Howard Eissenstat - May 15, 2017 There is a lot on the line for both Turkey
Turkish referendum rallies in Europe made headlines. Did they affect election results? Tugba Bozcaga and Fotini Christia - May 6, 2017 [caption id="attachment_57912" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A Turkish electoral official shows a
Here’s what Peru can teach Turkey about presidential power grabs Orçun Selçuk and Astrid Arrarás - May 2, 2017 [caption id="attachment_57637" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at
Could Trump set off a constitutional crisis? Here’s what we can learn from Latin America. Gretchen Helmke - April 25, 2017 [caption id="attachment_57263" align="aligncenter" width="960"] The White House as seen from
How Erdogan won more power but lost legitimacy in Turkey’s constitutional referendum Kadir Yildirim - April 20, 2017 [caption id="attachment_57004" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivers
Turkey’s President Erdogan has gone to extremes to win Sunday’s referendum. Here’s why. Melina Dunham and Lisel Hintz - April 14, 2017 [caption id="attachment_56822" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses his supporters
This explains why Venezuelans reelect leaders who dismantle democracy Milan Svolik - April 10, 2017 [caption id="attachment_56612" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A man throws a molotov cocktail
Before going nuclear, Republicans and Democrats might consider these four lessons from polarized democracies Jennifer McCoy - April 3, 2017 [caption id="attachment_56315" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A demonstrator throws stones at riot
Turkey’s Kurdish conflict has surged again. Here is why. Mustafa Gurbuz - March 21, 2017 [caption id="attachment_55581" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Police arrest anti-government protesters on Nov. 4,
The Dutch pushed back against Geert Wilders’s ‘Patriotic Spring.’ Here’s what you need to know. Matthew Bergman - March 16, 2017 In the Netherlands, the conservative, pro-market People's Party for Freedom
Courts can be undermined in these 3 ways. This is how to protect them. Tom Clark and Jeffrey Staton - February 27, 2017 [caption id="attachment_49518" align="aligncenter" width="960"] The U.S. Supreme Court. (Win McNamee/Getty
Where are coups most likely to occur in 2017? Michael Ward and Andreas Beger - January 31, 2017 [caption id="attachment_43902" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Supporters of Tukish President Tayyip Erdogan
How a constitutional amendment could end Turkey’s republic Yüksel Sezgin - January 24, 2017 [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses
Is there still hope for Turkish democracy? Marc Lynch and Kadir Yildirim - December 8, 2016 [caption id="attachment_50791" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan salutes
Do Africans still want democracy? This new report gives a qualified yes. Robert Mattes and Michael Bratton - November 25, 2016 [caption id="attachment_50077" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A member of the Economic Freedom
NATO members are supposed to be democratic. What happens when Turkey isn’t? Michael Poznansky and Keith Carter - October 13, 2016 [caption id="attachment_47719" align="aligncenter" width="960"] President Obama shakes hands with Turkish
Why it’s good for dictators to have dictator friends Oisín Tansey, Kevin Koehler, and Alexander Schmotz - September 15, 2016 [caption id="attachment_46240" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, welcomes
Populist leaders undermine democracy in these 4 ways. Would a President Trump? Saskia Ruth, Paul Kenny, and Kirk Hawkins - August 18, 2016 [caption id="attachment_45312" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Donald Trump speaks during a campaign
Why some people think Trump may be a ‘Siberian candidate’ Scott Radnitz - August 11, 2016 [caption id="attachment_45200" align="aligncenter" width="960"] People walk past a mural on
What makes governments resistant to coups? Transparency with voters. James Hollyer, James Vreeland, and Peter Rosendorff - August 5, 2016 [caption id="attachment_44942" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A child waves a Turkish flag
Will Turkey’s coup attempt prompt others nearby? Jonathan Powell and Curtis Bell - July 30, 2016 [caption id="attachment_44724" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Riot police secure a police station
How do you forecast a coup? Don’t forget on-the-ground sources. Richard Gowan - July 26, 2016 [caption id="attachment_44462" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Supporters of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Turkey’s coup attempt was unusual, but not for the reasons you might expect Jonathan Powell and Curtis Bell - July 22, 2016 [caption id="attachment_44191" align="aligncenter" width="960"] An armed police officer stands guard
The dark side of the popular mobilization that stopped Turkey’s coup Lisel Hintz - July 21, 2016 [caption id="attachment_44239" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Protesters hold Turkish flags during a
How Erdogan may exploit Turkey’s failed coup Kadir Yildirim - July 20, 2016 [caption id="attachment_44111" align="aligncenter" width="960"] People shout slogans and hold Turkish
Why there are so many conspiracy theories about the Turkish coup Kimberly Guiler and Kristin Fabbe - July 19, 2016 [caption id="attachment_44063" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sits
Tweeting Turkey, or how social media may have fundamentally changed the future of coups Joshua Tucker - July 19, 2016 [caption id="attachment_43902" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip
Why the Turkish military still attempts coups Michael Kenwick - July 18, 2016 [caption id="attachment_43949" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip
How Erdogan’s anti-democratic government made Turkey ripe for unrest Yüksel Sezgin - July 16, 2016 [caption id="attachment_43908" align="aligncenter" width="960"] People protesting against the coup wave
How violence helped both Erdogan and his Kurdish opponents in Turkey’s elections Cem Emrence and Aysegul Aydin - June 3, 2016 [caption id="attachment_41574" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A fire burns as a left-wing
Things are heating up in eastern Ukraine. Here are three reasons why. Samuel Ramani - May 30, 2016 [caption id="attachment_41239" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Members of a volunteer battalion and
The real refugee crisis is in the Middle East, not Europe Rawan Arar, Lisel Hintz, and Kelsey Norman - May 14, 2016 [caption id="attachment_40540" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Syrian refugees await approval to enter
Why Turkey’s authoritarian descent shakes up democratic theory Jason Brownlee - March 23, 2016 [caption id="attachment_37754" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivers
Were there irregularities in Turkey’s 2015 elections? We used this new forensic toolkit to check. Walter Mebane, Ken Kollman, and Allen Hicken - February 15, 2016 [caption id="attachment_35645" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Supporters cheer Turkish President Recep Tayyip
Why Turkey’s government is threatening academic freedom Kadir Yildirim - January 17, 2016 [caption id="attachment_34480" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses
What will it take to get Europeans to welcome Syrian refugees? Here’s part of the answer. Egor Lazarev and Kunaal Sharma - November 4, 2015 [caption id="attachment_31713" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Syrian refugees pass time in Aksaray
The heinous consequences of Turkey’s polarization Lisel Hintz - October 15, 2015 [caption id="attachment_30678" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Police in Diyarbakir, Turkey, on October