Turkey is a longtime NATO ally, yet it increasingly aligns itself with anti-Western forces—from cozying up to Iran to providing political support for Hamas. Under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey has become an unpredictable and assertive player in the Middle East, raising urgent questions about its strategic direction and alliances.

In this episode, Aviva Klompas speaks with Dr. Jonathan Schanzer, a leading expert on Turkey, political Islam, and regional geopolitics. Together, they explore Erdogan’s ambitions, the evolving U.S.-Turkey relationship, Ankara’s ties with Hamas and Tehran, and what all of this means for Israel, the West, and the balance of power in the region.

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Guest Bio:

Dr. Jonathan Schanzer is Executive Director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, where he oversees the organization’s research and policy work. A former terrorism finance analyst at the U.S. Treasury, Jonathan has tracked and disrupted funding networks for groups like Hamas and al-Qaeda. He’s authored several books on the Middle East, including Gaza Conflict 2021, State of Failure, and Hamas vs. Fatah. A frequent congressional witness and media commentator, his analysis appears regularly in major outlets including CNN, Fox News, and the BBC.