What is Turkey up to in the Middle East?

The AJC Transatlantic Institute, in partnership with the German Marshall Fund of the United States, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, and MEPs Jordi Solé and Josep-Maria Terricabras hosted an event in the European Parliament entitled "What is Turkey up to in the Middle East?".

Turkey, a regional actor and a mid-size power, tries to project influence in the Middle East through religious and cultural affinities, and increasingly, through the use of military power and proxies. While Turkey is part of the Astana Process together with Russia and Iran, its end goal in Syria is in conflict with that of Russia and Iran. Conflicting strategies of the United States and Turkey are contributing to the ongoing escalation of tension between the two allies. Despite disagreements, Turkey and the European Union have managed to sustain their cooperation on refugees and on counterterrorism. What is Turkey's role in Syria, particularly in the implementation of the Idlib agreement? How does Turkey project its interests in relations with key actors, including Russia, Iran, NATO, the United States, and Europe? Does Turkey's regional role bear any windows of opportunity for European interests?

Opening remarks

MEP Jordi Solé, Group of the Green/ European Free Alliance, European Parliament

Michael Sieveking, Deputy Director, AJC Transatlantic Institute

Speakers

Amberin Zaman, Public Policy Fellow, Wilson Center

Ahmet K. Han, Professor, Altınbas University

Özgür Ünlühisarcıklı, Director of the Ankara Office, The German Marshall Fund of the United States

Moderator

Kristina Kausch, Senior Resident Fellow, The German Marshall Fund of the United States

Closing remarks 

Sabina Wölkner, Head of the Multinational Development Policy Dialogue, Konrad Adenauer Stiftung

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