FDD Events Podcast FDD Morning Brief | feat. Sinan Ciddi (Jun. 6)
Jun 6, 2025
Sinan Ciddi, Director of FDD's Turkey Program, shares his insights on Turkey's complex internal challenges and its evolving international role. He discusses the political turmoil in Turkey, including the implications of opposition figure imprisonments and authoritarian tactics by Erdogan. The conversation also touches on Turkey's shifting relationship with Israel and the geopolitical significance of recent defense developments, like potential F-35 sales, highlighting the intricate dynamics shaping the Middle East.
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Turkey's Neo-Ottoman Ambition
- Turkey aims to replace Iran as a Sunni regional hegemon in the Middle East.
- Erdogan's forces now hold significant military and political influence in Syria supporting allied militias.
Israel-Turkey Syrian Standoff
- Israel and Turkey maintain a tense but managed military standoff in Syria using Azerbaijan as a mediator.
- Both sides established a deconfliction mechanism to avoid direct conflict despite continued distrust.
Erdogan Cracks Down Domestically
- Erdogan jailed opposition leader Ekrem Imamoglu to suppress political challenge.
- The opposition protests have diminished due to lack of clear goals amid continued economic hardship.