TRT World Research Centre

TRT World Research Centre Established in 2017, TRT World Research Centre conducts in-depth analysis of current affairs.

TRT World Research Centre is a non-profit, research and policy institute based in Istanbul, Turkey. Our Vision is to promote equality – the inalienable rights of all peoples, celebrate socio-cultural diversity encourage sustainable development, environmentalism, work for global good governance and economic justice. Our mission is to conduct top-quality, in-depth research, while being cognizant of

the context in which learning and sharing takes place, then offer solid policy recommendations, both locally and globally.

Türkiye in Focus | The Malazgirt Victory is being commemorated 954 years later as one of the key symbolic pillars of Tür...
29/08/2025

Türkiye in Focus | The Malazgirt Victory is being commemorated 954 years later as one of the key symbolic pillars of Türkiye’s national harmony. On this occasion, President Erdoğan delivered significant messages marking the anniversary. Meanwhile, in this week’s Türkiye in Focus, Ferhat Polat examined the noteworthy visit of intelligence chief İbrahim Kalın to eastern Libya. And in İstanbul, TEKNOFEST has kicked off under its new theme, “Blue Homeland.” Here are some highlights from the week:

Malazgirt’s Victory: A Millennium-Old Legacy Illuminating Today

"This year’s speech also gains further meaning when compared to last year’s political landscape. When Erdoğan emphasised Turkish-Kurdish-Arab unity at Malazgirt in 2024, MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli had not yet delivered his groundbreaking speeches that helped shape the “Terror-Free Türkiye” agenda. This sequence of events demonstrates that the process cannot be reduced, as some analysts suggest, to a Bahçeli-driven initiative imposed on the AK Party. Rather, it reflects a deeper and more continuous state policy that has been unfolding over time."

Türkiye’s Intelligence Chief Kalın Visits Eastern Libya

"Against this backdrop, İbrahim Kalın’s meeting with Haftar sends a constructive signal that rival factions, long in conflict for over a decade, could potentially be inching toward consensus, with Türkiye maintaining its efforts to guide both sides toward a political resolution of the divisions that have endured since Muammar Gaddafi’s fall."

TEKNOFEST Blue Homeland Kicks Off

"TEKNOFEST activities consistently attract strong interest among young people in Türkiye, and Blue Homeland is no exception. By exposing participants to cutting-edge defence technologies, the event aims to inspire a new generation of innovators who will contribute to high–value–added technological products. In this sense, TEKNOFEST Blue Homeland is more than a showcase; it is an incubator for youth engagement, creativity, and national capacity-building in strategic sectors."

Read the full newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/kb5zt2ff

Analysis | The June 2025 war exposed ’s airpower crisis. 30% of its fleet was wiped out, command-and-control shattered....
29/08/2025

Analysis | The June 2025 war exposed ’s airpower crisis. 30% of its fleet was wiped out, command-and-control shattered.
Now turns to ’s J-10Cs and war drills to close the gap.
But can jets bought abroad really solve a broken system at home?
Read more: https://tinyurl.com/6pbdnn84

Türkiye in Focus | As the Terror-Free Türkiye initiative advances through the work of a broad-based parliamentary commis...
22/08/2025

Türkiye in Focus | As the Terror-Free Türkiye initiative advances through the work of a broad-based parliamentary commission, nationalist opposition parties are seeking to exploit the sensitivities of this process. Meanwhile, internal crises within the main opposition party once again came to the surface as several mayors resigned and defected to the AK Party. Another notable development is the rising success of a domestic social media platform. Here are some highlights from this week’s Türkiye in Focus:

Where Do Opposition Nationalist Parties Stand in the Terror-Free Türkiye Process?

"Their rhetoric has been sharp and confrontational, and some surveys suggest that such appeals, though limited in scope, have resonated with a segment of voters. This situation indicates that while their influence remains marginal, their disruptive potential cannot be dismissed entirely. Even so, three major constraints weaken these parties’ chances of shaping the broader trajectory. "

Aydın Mayor’s Defection to the AK Party is Another Sign of the CHP’s Internal Crisis

"In this environment, CHP leader Özgür Özel has sought to project strength through sharp rhetoric, but the loss of high-profile mayors—combined with defections and internal splits surfacing in courtrooms—has cast doubt on his ability to maintain unity within the party."

Türkiye’s Social Media Platform Next Sosyal Surpasses 1 Million Users

"The recent launch of Türkiye’s homegrown social media platform Next Sosyal (NSosyal), developed by Baykar and the T3 Foundation, has quickly gained momentum, surpassing one million users in a short time. "

Read the full newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/3et9fc8u

Analysis I The U.S.-brokered Corridor is more than an infrastructure deal. By granting 99-year rights over a strip o...
22/08/2025

Analysis I The U.S.-brokered Corridor is more than an infrastructure deal. By granting 99-year rights over a strip of land, it redraws South geopolitics. Russia is weakened, China is constrained, & gain, and faces deepening isolation. Read more: https://tinyurl.com/4736vryy

Policy Outlook I The Türkiye–Libya Maritime Agreement demonstrates how strategic partnerships and legal frameworks can o...
21/08/2025

Policy Outlook I The Türkiye–Libya Maritime Agreement demonstrates how strategic partnerships and legal frameworks can overcome political fragmentation and regional rivalries while fostering greater cooperation for regional stability.

Ferhat Polat and İhsan Faruk Kılavuz wrote: https://tinyurl.com/musjw3em

Wondering what's really shaping Türkiye this week? In each week, Türkiye in Focus brings you the key developments, exper...
12/08/2025

Wondering what's really shaping Türkiye this week?

In each week, Türkiye in Focus brings you the key developments, expert perspectives, and context from Türkiye.

Join our free weekly newsletter to learn more about the latest developments in Türkiye: https://turkiyeinfocus.substack.com

Türkiye in Focus | While Türkiye showcased its new defence technologies last week, the countdown continues for the reali...
01/08/2025

Türkiye in Focus | While Türkiye showcased its new defence technologies last week, the countdown continues for the realisation of Türkiye's expectations regarding Syria. Mehmet Kılıç discussed Ankara's strategy on Syria's territorial integrity and, specifically, the future of northern Syria with expert Ömer Özkızılcık (). In domestic politics, the commission tasked with laying the legal groundwork for the "terror-free Türkiye" process has begun its work, with notable parliamentary representation. Here are some highlights from this week’s Türkiye in Focus:

How Will Türkiye Confront the YPG/SDF and Balance Diplomacy in Its Syria Strategy? Interview with Ömer Özkızılcık

"To be clear, Türkiye can eradicate the territorial control of the SDF and PKK in Syria militarily, but this will not mean that the PKK, as an organisation, will be eliminated entirely. It will be crushed and weakened significantly. However, it is in Türkiye’s interest to reach a peaceful resolution and achieve a political victory, rather than a purely military one."

CHP Decides to Join the National Unity and Solidarity Commission

President Erdoğan also publicly voiced the importance of the main opposition’s involvement, stating, “We hope to resolve this issue permanently through solidarity between the government and the opposition, and we reiterate our call for cooperation.” The CHP’s inclusion in this process marks a significant moment, especially in terms of ensuring broader societal representation and political legitimacy.

Türkiye Unveils Newly Developed Indigenous Defence Technologies

The unveiling of such weapons carries symbolic and political significance, especially in the current climate of volatility in the Middle East, where Israeli policies continue to exacerbate instability. These military advancements reinforce Türkiye’s aim to build a credible deterrence capability and project strategic autonomy in a region marked by uncertainty.

Read the full newsletter: tinyurl.com/h5rmwe85

Türkiye in Focus | Investigations into some exam attendants in connection with the high school entrance exam have been p...
25/07/2025

Türkiye in Focus | Investigations into some exam attendants in connection with the high school entrance exam have been politicised, fueling political polarization by certain politicians and media figures. Last week, President Erdoğan visited Northern Cyprus to attend the Peace and Freedom Day celebrations of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Meanwhile, the EU announced a decision to ease visa procedures for Turkish citizens. Here are some highlights from this week’s Türkiye in Focus:

High School Exam Allegations Stir Controversy Amid Political Polarisation

Accusations were made, directly or indirectly, that the strong performance of these schools might be linked to leaked questions. In response, the Ministry of Education launched an investigation, confirming that certain exam observers had breached protocol by leaking questions during the exam. However, the Ministry emphasised that this did not compromise the overall fairness or integrity of the exam, and disciplinary action was initiated against 29 personnel.

Erdoğan in Northern Cyprus to Commemorate Peace and Freedom Day

Türkiye has remained a steadfast ally of the TRNC, actively working to counteract this isolation by supporting infrastructure development, education, healthcare, and diplomatic engagement. Beyond economic and technical assistance, Türkiye has also advocated for the TRNC’s voice to be heard on international platforms. Each year on July 20, Türkiye reinforces this support through high-level official visits, emphasising the historical and strategic bond between the two states.

EU Visa Easing: A Step Towards Strengthening Türkiye-EU Relations

Analysts suggest that this development should not be viewed merely as an administrative improvement but also as a potential sign of thaw in political relations. Despite periods of political friction and diverging agendas, Türkiye and the European Union remain vital partners in terms of economy, strategy, and social relations.

Read the full newsletter: tinyurl.com/3cvev94k

Analysis | In the map of Gulf connectivity, Türkiye-Iraq Development Road stands as a lifeline for the Gulf countries, w...
25/07/2025

Analysis | In the map of Gulf connectivity, Türkiye-Iraq Development Road stands as a lifeline for the Gulf countries, which want to realise their economic visions in the light of their geopolitical calculations. Burak Elmalı wrote: tinyurl.com/bdh3y6f4

Analysis I Today’s digital environment—especially social media—simultaneously fosters unprecedented awareness of global ...
23/07/2025

Analysis I Today’s digital environment—especially social media—simultaneously fosters unprecedented awareness of global issues and risks isolating individuals within algorithmic echo chambers. For democratic systems to remain resilient, the silent majority must reclaim the political stage from radical minorities that normalise extremism. Murat Selvi wrote: tinyurl.com/5n6jnvvk

Analysis I The 12-day Israel-Iran war in June 2025 wasn’t just about missiles and airstrikes—it exposed a covert world o...
21/07/2025

Analysis I The 12-day Israel-Iran war in June 2025 wasn’t just about missiles and airstrikes—it exposed a covert world of espionage, digital warfare, and diplomatic fallout. India has found itself unexpectedly entangled. Mehmet Kılıç wrote: tinyurl.com/ybh2yv87

Analysis | The recent escalation in Syria signals Israel’s shift from deterrence to a destabilisation-driven strategy of...
18/07/2025

Analysis | The recent escalation in Syria signals Israel’s shift from deterrence to a destabilisation-driven strategy of full-spectrum control, tied, in part, to Netanyahu’s bid for political survival amid political crisis. Burak Elmalı wrote:tinyurl.com/2m9cst4x

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