To kick off the new year, Özgür Ünlühisarcıklı, the US German Marshall Fund’s managing director of south and wider Europe as well as regional director for Turkey, joined Turkey recap editor Diego Cupolo to discuss Turkey’s foreign policy in 2026.

The talk starts with Turkey-Venezuela relations in the aftermath of the US capture of Venezuelan Pres. Nicolás Maduro, and then moves counterclockwise around the globe, covering Ankara’s interests in North Africa, the Middle East, Eurasia, Europe and the US.

Throughout, Turkish concerns and objectives are outlined in multiple conflicts, regions and nations, including Libya, the Israel-Gaza war, Somalia, Syria, Iraq, Iran, the Caucasus, the Ukraine-Russia war and more.

Referenced in this talk:

Turkey’s policy towards Libya: a year of major shifts (OSW)

Pro-Palestine march draws over half a million people to Istanbul’s Galata Bridge on New Year’s Day (AA)

One step forward, one step back – a year of the Turkish–Kurdish peace process (OSW)

The Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Process and the Role of Turkey (SUITS)

US envoy hopes F-35 talks with Türkiye yield ‘breakthrough’ in coming months (AA)

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Diego Cupolo, Editor-in-chief

Emily Rice Johnson, Deputy editor

Ceren Bayar, Parliament correspondent

Yıldız Yazıcıoğlu, Parliament correspondent

Günsu Durak, Stüdyo recap editor

Demet Şöhret, Social media and content manager

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