Event

This seminar will present new research on the structures and decision-making processes of Turkish foreign policy under the presidential system. We will discuss Turkey`s strategy and tactical moves in Syria within the framework of balancing between its own interests and the interests of Russia and the US. Pertaining to the Syrian refugee situation as seen from the Turkish perspective, we ask: what are the policies adopted by the Turkish government to prevent new flows of refugees coming out of Syria? How does Turkey seek to integrate and/or return Syrian refugees already residing in Turkey?

Program:

• Opening remarks Siri Neset
• Structures and decision-making processes of Turkish foreign policy, Mustafa Aydin and Siri Neset
• Syria: the Turkish strategy - a balancing act, Metin Gurcan
• Syrian refugees: The Turkish perspective, Hasret Dikici Bilgin
• Q/A panel discussion with Mustafa Aydin, Metin Gurcan, Hasret Dikici Bilgin, Siri Neset and Arne Strand.
• Discussant is Kjetil Selvik, Senior Research Fellow at NUPI
• Concluding remarks by Arne Strand

After the seminar there will be served a light lunch. The event is co-hosted by NUPI, Christian Michelsen Institute and the Norwegian Centre for Humanitarian Studies.

Hasret Dikici Bilgin is an Assoc. Prof. and Vice Chair of the Department of International Relations Science at Istanbul Bilgi University. Her research focuses on political institutions (specifically pro-Islamist parties), elections in the Middle East and political elites in Europe.  Broad research portfolio on domestic politics in Turkey on issues such as elections and political party positions and policies.

Metin Gurcan (Episteme, Turkey) is a political scientist and former soldier served with the Turkish Special Forces. His research focuses on perceptions about the changing nature of warfare, terrorism, Turkish civil-military relations, military history and Turkish foreign policy. Gurcan is a columnist for Al Monitor writing about security related issues.

Mustafa Aydin is Professor of International Relations at the Kadir Has University and the President of the International Relations Council of Turkey. His research focuses on international politics, foreign policy analysis, geopolitics, Turkey-Russia relations, security issues related to Central Asia, Caucasus, the Black Sea and the Middle East, as well as Turkish foreign and security policies.

Kjetil Selvik is Senior Researcher in NUPI’s Research Group on Peace, Conflict and Development. He holds a PhD in political science from Sciences Po in Paris and works on struggles over states and regimes in the Middle East.

Siri Neset is a political psychologist at Christian Michelsen Insitute focusing on rhetoric, perceptions, foreign policy decision-making, and the links between political ideology, power and violence. Has since 2011 focused on Turkish foreign and domestic politics.

Arne Strand is the Director of the U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre at Christian Michelsen Institute. He is a Political Scientist focusing on peace, conflict, aid, Turkey and Afghanistan.

Participants

Siri Neset

Political psychologist, Christian Michelsen Insitute (CMI)

Mustafa Aydin

Professor, Kadir Has University and President, International Relations Council of Turkey

Metin Gurcan

Episteme, Turkey

Hasret Dikici Bilgin

Assoc. Prof. and Vice Chair, Department of International Relations Science, Istanbul Bilgi University

Arne Strand

Director, U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre, Christian Michelsens Institutt (CMI)

Kjetil Selvik

Former employee