RAND Research Topic: Turkey

The Turkish Chimera

Mar 23, 2011

The Turkish model—with its emphasis on secularism and democracy—has obvious appeal in a region burdened by corrupt, autocratic, incompetent, and inefficient governments. But Turkey's historical experience and political evolution differ in important ways from Arab countries', writes F. Stephen Larrabee.

The US Midterm Elections and US-Turkish Relations

Nov 22, 2010

Some Turkish commentators have written off Obama as a lame duck and advised the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan government to begin reconsidering relations in the post-election period. However, foreign policy played virtually no role in the election, writes F. Stephen Larrabee.

Building on Greek-Turkish Detente

May 13, 2010

Greece's high defense spending has contributed to its economic woes. Improvement in relations with Turkey could enable Greece to cut defense spending and make it easier to rescue an economy on the brink of bankruptcy, write F. Stephen Larrabee and Charles Ries.

Improved U.S.-Turkish Relations Are Vital to Better Security in the Persian Gulf and Middle East

Feb 3, 2010

The United States can take a major step in improving the security environment in the Middle East and Persian Gulf by giving new impetus to revitalizing its security partnership with Turkey.

Troubled Partnership: U.S.-Turkish Relations in an Era of Global Geopolitical Change

Feb 2, 2010

The United States can take a major step in improving the security environment in the Middle East and Persian Gulf by giving new impetus to revitalizing its security partnership with Turkey, which plays a critical role in four areas of increasing strategic importance to the U.S.

The Fall of the Wall: A World Restored?

Nov 8, 2009

When the Berlin Wall fell 20 years ago, those raised in the shadow of possible nuclear holocaust felt disbelief, followed by relief and hope that the end of the Cold War would bring lasting peace, and the end of conflict. And in Europe, at least, it mostly did – but not everywhere, writes Christopher S. Chivvis.

Timeline to Withdraw U.S. Troops from Iraq Is Feasible, but Combat Forces Are Needed for Elections

Jul 27, 2009

The U.S. military can meet President Obama's timeline - one of three alternatives that are compared - for the drawdown of troops from Iraq, but sufficient combat force must remain to ensure a peaceful January 2010 election. Slower drawdowns are recommended for the regions most at risk of post-withdrawal conflict.

Occupying Iraq: A History of the Coalition Provisional Authority and How It Failed to Secure Iraq

May 10, 2009

The American engagement in Iraq has been looked at from many perspectives, from planning to invasion and the long ensuing occupation. The activities of the Coalition Provisional Authority and its administrator, L. Paul Bremer, are recounted in this study through interviews with policymakers, former officials' memoirs, journalists' accounts, and the nearly 100,000 never-before-released CPA documents.

Leaving the Nest

Apr 16, 2009

In the wake of President Obama's recent European trip, hopes for a rejuvenation of transatlantic security cooperation continue to rise. This means resolving some old problems and avoiding new pitfalls, writes Christopher S. Chivvis.

Obama's Turkish Dilemma

Apr 5, 2009

President Obama's visit to Ankara this week highlights Turkey's growing strategic importance to the United States - and a high stakes dilemma for the President and for U.S. strategic interests, writes F. Stephen Larrabee.

Turkey's Second Chance

Aug 24, 2008

The recent decision by the Turkish Constitutional Court not to close the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) helped Turkey - and especially Prime Minister Tayyip Recep Erdogan - narrowly dodge a dangerous political bullet, writes F. Stephen Larrabee.

Flexibility and Sensitivity to Local Concerns Are Crucial to Long-Term U.S. Security Relationships with Iraq and Afghanistan

Aug 1, 2008

The United States is heavily invested – diplomatically, economically, and militarily – in Iraq and Afghanistan. Based on this, the United States must clarify its long-term intentions to Iraq, Afghanistan, and the surrounding regions.

U.S. Should Rethink "War On Terrorism" Strategy to Deal with Resurgent Al Qaida

Jul 29, 2008

Current U.S. strategy against terrorist organization al Qaida has not been successful at limiting the group's capabilities. Since Sept. 11, 2001, al Qaida has been involved in more terrorist attacks than ever before, spanning an increasingly broader range of targets.

Turkey's Broadening Crisis

Jul 25, 2008

Turkey is facing a domestic political crisis that not only threatens the country's internal stability but could weaken its ties to the West and exacerbate instability in the Middle East, writes F. Stephen Larrabee.

U.S. Has Long-Term Economic, Political Options to Help Make Iran More Democratic

Jul 10, 2008

The United States should pursue a mixed strategy toward Iran, using a variety of means to promote favorable social developments within the country and at the same time exploiting vulnerabilities in the nation's political, economic and demographic conditions.

European Forces Play Growing Role in Nation-Building, Peacekeeping Operations Worldwide

Jul 8, 2008

Over the past few years, the European Union has demonstrated the capacity to deploy and employ armed force outside its borders in support of broader common policy objectives, creating a new player in nation-building operations.

The Rise of Political Islam in Turkey: The Nation’s Role in Western Security Efforts

Jun 23, 2008

While Muslim-majority Turkey may be the linchpin to promoting liberal Islam worldwide, relationships between the nation’s secular government and religious forces have shifted in the past decade, with implications for the future of Islam in the region and the world.

U.S. Leads the World in Science and Technology With Help of Foreign Scientists

Jun 12, 2008

An inflow of foreign students in the sciences -- as well as scientists and engineers from overseas -- has helped the United States build and maintain its worldwide lead in science and technology.

Turkey as a U.S. Security Partner

Apr 10, 2008

Turkey has long been an important ally, but Ankara is increasingly behaving more independently and assertively in ways that must factor into future U.S. planning for the region.

Perspectives on the Current Political Climate in the Middle East and Policy Implications

Mar 31, 2008

Experts convened at a conference in Switzerland to discuss the Middle East, an arena of prime strategic importance for U.S., European, and global security. Panel discussions focused on determining the political and ideological forces and related geopolitical and regional dynamics that affect stability in the region.