In this episode, Alisiya Ivanova is joined by Ömer Özkızılcık, Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council's Syria Project. They talk about the rise of Turkish power in the Middle East, the roots of the rivalry with Israel, Ankara’s policy towards post-Assad Syria, Türkiye's balancing act between NATO and Russia, and what a more multipolar order means for regional security.
(00:00) Introduction
(01:15) Ömer's path to becoming an analyst
(02:23) What challenges and opportunities does the current security system present for Türkiye?
(06:22) Have Türkiye's top perceived threats changed in recent years?
(08:50) The roots of Türkiye's rivalry with Israel
(13:15) Is there a path forward with Israel?
(17:07) How do Türkiye's neighbours perceive its growing defence budget?
(21:50) The promise of the Mecca Pact and its role for Syria
(27:13) The US role in the Middle East after Trump
(30:38) How does Ankara see its position in NATO?
(31:18) How would Ankara approach a NATO–Russia war?
(35:42) A future security order shaped by middle powers
(39:54) Conclusion
Alicia IvanovaHost
