Sinan Ciddi

Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C., United States

Journalist at Foundation for Defense of Democracies

Associate Professor, Security Studies @USMC_CSC | Non-Resident Senior Fellow on Turkey @FDD | Adjunct Professor @georgetownsfs

Articles

Erdogan, the Neo-Ottoman: Turkish Without the Delight

1 week ago | fdd.org | Clifford May |Sinan Ciddi

If you were to visit Turkey years ago, it might’ve felt both Middle Eastern and European. It was Muslim and secular. It was, more or less, free and democratic. Host Cliff May says the food was great, too. Now? Well, he’s told the food is still great. To explain what has happened and what is happening in Turkey, Cliff is joined by his FDD colleague Sinan Ciddi. About SinanSinan is also an Associate Professor of National Security Studies at the Marine Corps University in Quantico.
What are Erdogan's goals in Syria?

2 weeks ago | fdd.org | Zachary Berman |Sinan Ciddi

What are Erdogan’s goals in Syria?
FAQ: Is Turkey the Next Nuclear Proliferant State?

3 weeks ago | anixneuseis.gr | Sinan Ciddi

Ankara appears to be taking quiet but deliberate steps toward producing enriched uranium fuel, which has dual purposes in fueling nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons. In October 2024, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and National Intelligence Chief Ibrahim Kalin visited Niger, securing a provisional mining agreement with the country’s junta government.
In Turkey April 2 declared a day of economic boycott

3 weeks ago | globalvoices.org | Arzu Geybullayeva |Sinan Ciddi |Meghan Bodette |Oiwan Lam |Arzu Geybulla

An opposition-led boycott in Turkey started on March 19, the day Istanbul's mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was detained. That night, the leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party Özgür Özel told the crowd who gathered outside the Istanbul municipality headquarters to boycott pro-government media channels and a list of companies affiliated with the government on the grounds that the television channels did not cover the large scale demonstrations.
Why Trump should not give in to Erdogan on F-35s and sanctions

3 weeks ago | fdd.org | Zachary Berman |Sinan Ciddi

March 28, 2025 | The Greek Current Why Trump should not give in to Erdogan on F-35s and sanctions
Hamas and Turkey: Partners in Terror

3 weeks ago | fdd.org | Jonathan Schanzer |Sinan Ciddi |Melissa Sacks

Turkey’s History of Hamas SupportThousands of people rallied at Istanbul’s iconic Galata Bridge on New Year’s Day 2025 in support of the Palestinian cause and to protest Israel. Bilal Erdogan, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s son, was among its speakers. Bilal spoke of the “martyrs” of Palestine, including Yahya Sinwar, the architect of the October 7, 2023, slaughter of 1,200 Israelis. This is, by now, barely newsworthy given Ankara’s long track record of pro-Hamas rhetoric.
In Turkey, a controversial law on cybersecurity is widely seen as yet another censorship tool

4 weeks ago | globalvoices.org | Arzu Geybullayeva |Sinan Ciddi |Meghan Bodette |Saoussen Ben Cheikh |Arzu Geybulla

Turkey's new cybersecurity law, enacted on March 13, 2025, has sparked heated debate about its impact on digital rights, freedom of speech, media freedom, and access to information from the moment the bill was introduced in the parliament on January 10, 2025. Many Turkish experts, civil society groups, and international observers saw the law as a potential tool to restrict independent reporting and stifle dissent.
Turkey’s Kurdish peace talks: A genuine effort or Erdoğan’s power play?

4 weeks ago | globalvoices.org | Sinan Ciddi |Meghan Bodette |Arzu Geybullayeva |Saoussen Ben Cheikh

After nearly half a century of fighting, Turkey’s Kurdish rebels are ready to bring their insurgency to an end. If Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan takes talks seriously, this could benefit not just Turks and Kurds, but also Washington’s position in the region. But if Erdoğan and his government simply instrumentalize the promise of peace as a regional power grab, the challenges in U.S.-Turkey relations will only grow.
Turkey’s readmission to the F-35 program must come with a cost

4 weeks ago | fdd.org | Reagan Easter |Jonathan Schanzer |Sinan Ciddi

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is seeking forgiveness. Last week, he asked President Trump to re-admit Turkey to the fifth generation stealth F-35 fighter jet program, from which it was booted in 2019 after acquiring a Russian air defense system that poses a significant cyber threat to NATO. But Trump would be ill-advised to accede to Erdogan’s request.
Turkey’s readmission to the F-35 program must come with a cost

4 weeks ago | thehill.com | Jonathan Schanzer |Sinan Ciddi

Last week, he asked President Trump to re-admit Turkey to the fifth generation stealth F-35 fighter jet program, from which it was booted in 2019 after acquiring a Russian air defense system that poses a significant cyber threat to NATO. But Trump would be ill-advised to accede to Erdogan’s request. Turkey was kicked out of the F-35 program because it acquired the Russian manufactured S-400 air defense system, despite clear warnings from Washington and other NATO allies.