Kemal Kirisci

Jun 18, 2024 | brookings.edu | Kemal Kirisci

The war in Ukraine has elevated the Black Sea’s geopolitical significance, generating rich analyses advocating greater NATO-U.S. engagement with the region. There have been calls for the development of a NATO Black Sea strategy and the deployment of standing naval forces.

Feb 29, 2024 | brookings.edu | Kemal Kirisci |Sophie Roehse

Following the United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP28, in Dubai in December 2023, two of our Brookings colleagues, Samantha Gross and Landry Signé, pointed out that the international community is failing to mobilize the resources to help countries improve their resilience to climate change. This is particularly pertinent as people in the worst affected communities are increasingly compelled to migrate in search of safety and stability.

Nov 17, 2023 | brookings.edu | Kemal Kirisci

The centenary celebrations of the founding of the Turkish republic last month betrayed an unending contestation between two visions of Turkey: one based on the founding values of the republic that emphasizes the secularism intimately associated with the legacy of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and a religiously conservative authoritarian one represented by the current president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Sep 25, 2023 | justsecurity.org | Kemal Kirisci

One consequence of the Turkish elections last May in which Recep Tayyip Erdoğan emerged triumphant is that it is likely to accelerate the exodus of young people and educated professionals. The trends already have been apparent in recent years, and they are spurred by more than just collapsing living standards, deteriorating public services (especially education), and the erosion of meritocracy. It is now increasingly driven by a loss of hope of having any say over the country’s future.

May 23, 2023 | freeturkishpress.com | Kemal Kirisci |Berk Esen

It is highly likely that Erdoğan will prevail next Sunday. Neither the dire state of the economy nor his responsibility for the extent of the damage caused by the Feb. 6 earthquake and his government’s failed rescue-and-relief assistance seemed to matter. Instead, his divisive, negative, and identity-driven politics carried the day against his opponent’s call for a more democratic and accountable Turkey.