Turbulent Times: Turkey’s Tenuous Relationship with the West

“Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has recently been back in the news with the exposure of the Saudi Arabian murder of journalist Jamal Kashoggi. This is occurring against the background of democratic regression, rise of religious nationalism and growing economic woes in Turkey, all under his stewardship of the country. Once lauded as a model for democratic transformation and economic success, the growing tensions with the United States and Europe raise significant questions about the future of the Turkish relationship and its role in the greater Middle East. What is the likely relationship of Turkey with the EU? What is the country’s role as a current member of NATO, especially as Turkey appears to get closer to Russia? What is to become of the Syrian refugee situation in which Turkey is so critically involved? In this special program, Kemal Kirisci will describe Turkey’s historic and future role, the challenges the country faces, and its potential to advance.”