Asli Aydintasbas

Istanbul

Asli Aydintasbas is a former journalist from Turkey and a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington D.C.
Latest from Asli Aydintasbas

How the Biden administration sealed the Sweden deal with Erdogan

It wasn't cheap, and it wasn't easy. But the required horse-trading was worth it.

July 10, 2023

The West needs to get used to a transactional relationship with Turkey

Erdogan won the recent elections by promising to make Turkey self-reliant — and less aligned with the West. The Biden administration must still work with him.

June 8, 2023

Erdogan won Turkey’s election. But this is not the end of the story.

On Sunday, a slim majority of voters chose populism over liberal democracy. But Erdogan must remember that the country is growing dissatisfied with him.

May 29, 2023

If Erdogan is defeated, the West must help Turkey succeed

An economically revitalized Turkey could become a critical partner for a West trying to lessen its supply-chain dependencies on China.

May 8, 2023

Turkey’s opposition has a chance to beat Erdogan. It won’t be easy.

The president's opponents face many hurdles on the path back to power.

March 12, 2023

Turkey’s earthquake death toll might be more than just a natural disaster

Past earthquakes have shown that shoddy construction compounds the damage caused by nature.

February 6, 2023

Erdogan may have just made the biggest mistake of his political career

With elections approaching next year, Turkey's strongman is going for broke.

December 19, 2022

Turkey and Armenia just gave the world a welcome bit of good news

The two countries have taken a first step toward solving one of the world's most intractable conflicts.

October 7, 2022

Why is Erdogan suddenly making nice to his enemies?

Ankara has been quietly sending envoys to regional capitals, offering to normalize relations with former foes.

August 26, 2022

The grain deal highlights the tricky Erdogan-Putin relationship

Their relationship calls for both competition and comradery, and often comes at the expense of Western influence.

July 22, 2022