Gönül Tol
@gonultol.bsky.social
Director of Middle East Institute's Turkish Program / Author of Erdoğan’s War: A Strongman’s Struggle at Home and in Syria.
EU commissioner Marta Kos’s visit to Turkey—and her warm rhetoric about Turkey’s growing importance and the EU’s need to deepen ties—has had the intended effect. In Ankar, it’s being hailed as the start of a new chapter in Turkey–EU relations. But that reading is far too optimistic. 1/4
February 8, 2026 at 3:28 PM
EU commissioner Marta Kos’s visit to Turkey—and her warm rhetoric about Turkey’s growing importance and the EU’s need to deepen ties—has had the intended effect. In Ankar, it’s being hailed as the start of a new chapter in Turkey–EU relations. But that reading is far too optimistic. 1/4
Trump’s fixation on the Kennedy Center echoes Erdogan’s obsession with the Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM) — a modernist landmark and a symbol of the secular republic founded by Atatürk.
In 2008, Erdoğan shut the AKM under the pretext of “renovation” and what followed was a ++
In 2008, Erdoğan shut the AKM under the pretext of “renovation” and what followed was a ++
Breaking news: President Trump said that the Kennedy Center could temporarily close for roughly two years to undergo construction.
https://wapo.st/49VsdCk
https://wapo.st/49VsdCk
February 2, 2026 at 3:06 PM
Trump’s fixation on the Kennedy Center echoes Erdogan’s obsession with the Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM) — a modernist landmark and a symbol of the secular republic founded by Atatürk.
In 2008, Erdoğan shut the AKM under the pretext of “renovation” and what followed was a ++
In 2008, Erdoğan shut the AKM under the pretext of “renovation” and what followed was a ++
Reposted by Gönül Tol
📌Trump Orta Doğu'da Türkiye'yi dışlıyor mu?
📌Suriye'de Amerikan diplomasisi ile askeriyesi karşı karşıya mı geldi?
📌Trump İran'ı vurma emri verir mi?
Gönül Tol @gonultol.bsky.social ile konuşuyoruz.
Abone olmayı unutmayın!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRJ-...
📌Suriye'de Amerikan diplomasisi ile askeriyesi karşı karşıya mı geldi?
📌Trump İran'ı vurma emri verir mi?
Gönül Tol @gonultol.bsky.social ile konuşuyoruz.
Abone olmayı unutmayın!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRJ-...
Trump İran'ı vurur mu, Orta Doğu'dan ne istiyor? Gönül Tol ile konuşuyoruz.
YouTube video by Hediye Levent
www.youtube.com
January 29, 2026 at 12:52 PM
📌Trump Orta Doğu'da Türkiye'yi dışlıyor mu?
📌Suriye'de Amerikan diplomasisi ile askeriyesi karşı karşıya mı geldi?
📌Trump İran'ı vurma emri verir mi?
Gönül Tol @gonultol.bsky.social ile konuşuyoruz.
Abone olmayı unutmayın!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRJ-...
📌Suriye'de Amerikan diplomasisi ile askeriyesi karşı karşıya mı geldi?
📌Trump İran'ı vurma emri verir mi?
Gönül Tol @gonultol.bsky.social ile konuşuyoruz.
Abone olmayı unutmayın!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRJ-...
Reposted by Gönül Tol
🧵 New piece: What Syria’s fast-moving map changes mean for Turkey’s PKK push—and the Turkey–Israel rivalry inside Syria.
1/ Post-Assad Syria posed Ankara two immediate problems: Kurdish autonomy along Turkey’s border + Israeli actions Ankara saw as undercutting its goals. (1)
1/ Post-Assad Syria posed Ankara two immediate problems: Kurdish autonomy along Turkey’s border + Israeli actions Ankara saw as undercutting its goals. (1)
January 27, 2026 at 5:51 PM
🧵 New piece: What Syria’s fast-moving map changes mean for Turkey’s PKK push—and the Turkey–Israel rivalry inside Syria.
1/ Post-Assad Syria posed Ankara two immediate problems: Kurdish autonomy along Turkey’s border + Israeli actions Ankara saw as undercutting its goals. (1)
1/ Post-Assad Syria posed Ankara two immediate problems: Kurdish autonomy along Turkey’s border + Israeli actions Ankara saw as undercutting its goals. (1)
Reposted by Gönül Tol
Ankara’s double win: Kurds, Israel, and the new Syria mei.edu/publication/...
By @gonultol.bsky.social #Syria #Turkey #Kurds #Israel
By @gonultol.bsky.social #Syria #Turkey #Kurds #Israel
January 28, 2026 at 6:25 AM
Ankara’s double win: Kurds, Israel, and the new Syria mei.edu/publication/...
By @gonultol.bsky.social #Syria #Turkey #Kurds #Israel
By @gonultol.bsky.social #Syria #Turkey #Kurds #Israel
Reposted by Gönül Tol
Good on Syria, and the balance between Turkish and Israeli influence.
🧵 New piece: What Syria’s fast-moving map changes mean for Turkey’s PKK push—and the Turkey–Israel rivalry inside Syria.
1/ Post-Assad Syria posed Ankara two immediate problems: Kurdish autonomy along Turkey’s border + Israeli actions Ankara saw as undercutting its goals. (1)
1/ Post-Assad Syria posed Ankara two immediate problems: Kurdish autonomy along Turkey’s border + Israeli actions Ankara saw as undercutting its goals. (1)
January 27, 2026 at 6:21 PM
Good on Syria, and the balance between Turkish and Israeli influence.
🧵 New piece: What Syria’s fast-moving map changes mean for Turkey’s PKK push—and the Turkey–Israel rivalry inside Syria.
1/ Post-Assad Syria posed Ankara two immediate problems: Kurdish autonomy along Turkey’s border + Israeli actions Ankara saw as undercutting its goals. (1)
1/ Post-Assad Syria posed Ankara two immediate problems: Kurdish autonomy along Turkey’s border + Israeli actions Ankara saw as undercutting its goals. (1)
January 27, 2026 at 5:51 PM
🧵 New piece: What Syria’s fast-moving map changes mean for Turkey’s PKK push—and the Turkey–Israel rivalry inside Syria.
1/ Post-Assad Syria posed Ankara two immediate problems: Kurdish autonomy along Turkey’s border + Israeli actions Ankara saw as undercutting its goals. (1)
1/ Post-Assad Syria posed Ankara two immediate problems: Kurdish autonomy along Turkey’s border + Israeli actions Ankara saw as undercutting its goals. (1)
Since the United States began airdropping weapons to Syrian militias fighting ISIS in Kobane in 2014, American officials have repeatedly insisted that the partnership was “transactional and temporary.” Two actors never accepted that claim: Turkey and the Kurds. 1/4
January 19, 2026 at 3:58 PM
Since the United States began airdropping weapons to Syrian militias fighting ISIS in Kobane in 2014, American officials have repeatedly insisted that the partnership was “transactional and temporary.” Two actors never accepted that claim: Turkey and the Kurds. 1/4
New reports that Ankara is mediating between Hezbollah and Damascus have sparked a fresh debate: is Turkey emerging as Hezbollah’s new partner? Several experts—including me—weighed in. Read the full debate 👇 amwaj.media/en/debate/de...
Debate: Will Hezbollah have a new partner in Turkey? | Amwaj.media
The war in Gaza, Hezbollah's setbacks in Lebanon and the fall of former president Bashar Al-Assad in Syria have all diminished Iran's strategic depth in the Levant. What was once the core of Tehran's ...
amwaj.media
January 17, 2026 at 2:40 PM
New reports that Ankara is mediating between Hezbollah and Damascus have sparked a fresh debate: is Turkey emerging as Hezbollah’s new partner? Several experts—including me—weighed in. Read the full debate 👇 amwaj.media/en/debate/de...
There’s been growing debate over Turkey’s interest in joining the Saudi–Pakistan defense pact and its apparent alignment with Saudi Arabia in the Saudi–UAE rift over Yemen. My latest piece steps into that debate and addresses the core questions driving it. (1/6)
January 17, 2026 at 2:38 PM
There’s been growing debate over Turkey’s interest in joining the Saudi–Pakistan defense pact and its apparent alignment with Saudi Arabia in the Saudi–UAE rift over Yemen. My latest piece steps into that debate and addresses the core questions driving it. (1/6)
Reposted by Gönül Tol
For the latest episode of Rethinking Democracy, I spoke with two leading Iran experts, Alex Vatanka and Nader Habibi, about what may lie ahead for Iran’s rulers—and for the millions of Iranians pushing back against them. You can listen to the conversation here. mei.edu/podcast/can-...
Can Iran’s Regime Survive This? - Middle East Institute
mei.edu
January 13, 2026 at 9:40 PM
For the latest episode of Rethinking Democracy, I spoke with two leading Iran experts, Alex Vatanka and Nader Habibi, about what may lie ahead for Iran’s rulers—and for the millions of Iranians pushing back against them. You can listen to the conversation here. mei.edu/podcast/can-...
For the latest episode of Rethinking Democracy, I spoke with two leading Iran experts, Alex Vatanka and Nader Habibi, about what may lie ahead for Iran’s rulers—and for the millions of Iranians pushing back against them. You can listen to the conversation here. mei.edu/podcast/can-...
Can Iran’s Regime Survive This? - Middle East Institute
mei.edu
January 13, 2026 at 9:40 PM
For the latest episode of Rethinking Democracy, I spoke with two leading Iran experts, Alex Vatanka and Nader Habibi, about what may lie ahead for Iran’s rulers—and for the millions of Iranians pushing back against them. You can listen to the conversation here. mei.edu/podcast/can-...
Turkey and Saudi Arabia just held their first high-level naval coordination talks in Ankara—a small but telling sign of how much their defense relationship has warmed up. The meeting points to a growing focus on working together at sea, especially in the Red Sea,++
January 13, 2026 at 9:40 PM
Turkey and Saudi Arabia just held their first high-level naval coordination talks in Ankara—a small but telling sign of how much their defense relationship has warmed up. The meeting points to a growing focus on working together at sea, especially in the Red Sea,++
Erdoğan spent years criticizing Obama administration for its slow response to July 15 coup attempt, even citing that delay as evidence of US involvement. It remains to be seen how fast he will condemn the capture of his close friend Maduro by his other good friend,Trump. So far, no word from Ankara.
Cumhurbaşkanı Erdoğan, ABD’nin Venezuela’ya yaptığı saldırının sıcak saatlerinde İstanbul’da bir programa katıldı.
Ancak Erdoğan burada yaptığı konuşmada saldırıya değinmedi https://www.evrensel...
Ancak Erdoğan burada yaptığı konuşmada saldırıya değinmedi https://www.evrensel...
Erdoğan, ABD’nin Venezuela saldırısına sessiz
Cumhurbaşkanı Tayyip Erdoğan, İstanbul Kongre Merkezi'nde, 2025 yılı ihracat rakamlarının açıklanması programına katılarak açıklamalarda bulundu.
Erdoğan, ABD'nin Venezuela'ya saldırması ve Devlet Başkanı Nicolas Maduro'yu kaçırmasına ilişkin yorum yapmadı.
Erdoğan, ekonominin tüm alanlarında belirlenen hedeflerin küresel gelişmelerden bağımsız ele alınamayacağını belirterek, bu süreçte küresel ölçekteki her gelişmenin Türkiye’yi etkilediğini ifade etti.
Küresel ekonomide belirsizliklerin, tıkanıklıkların ve artan rekabetin Türkiye’ye yansımaları olduğunu söyleyen Erdoğan, Türkiye’nin küresel gündemi en fazla meşgul eden olayların merkezinde yer alan bir coğrafyada bulunduğunu kaydetti.
Erdoğan’dan “Yüzünü Ankara’ya dönen kazanacak” mesajı
Erdoğan, “Fevri çıkışlar, afaki söylemler, kibirli açıklamalar eninde sonunda gerçeğin duvarına toslamış, Türkiye’nin vazgeçilmezliği defalarca kanıtlanmıştır. Türkiye’yi yanına alan kazanacak, karşısına alan kaybedecektir. Yüzünü Ankara’ya dönen kazanacak, kıblesini şaşıranlar, kısa vadeli düşünenler, emperyalistlere lejyoner yazılanlar ise kaybedecektir” şeklinde konuştu.
Erdoğan, ihracat rakamlarına ilişkin, “2025 yılının 3'üncü çeyreğinde yüzde 3,7 oranında büyüme kaydeden ekonomimiz, tam 21 çeyrektir kesintisiz büyümeyi sürdürüyor. 2024 yılında 1 trilyon 260 milyar dolar olan ekonomimizi, 2025 yılı 3'üncü çeyreğinde 1 trilyon 538 milyar dolara taşıyarak yeni bir rekor daha kırdık” dedi. Erdoğan konuşmasında CHP’li belediyelere yüklendi “Tüm bunları; belediyeleri arpalığa çevirenleri yargıdan kurtarmak için milli markaları boykot çağrısı yapan, sokaklarımızı terörize eden, yurt dışında ülkemizi kötüleyen ve maalesef tek amacı Türk ekonomisine zarar vermek olan muhalefetin sorumsuzluklarına rağmen başardık” ifadelerini kullandı.
Erdoğan, aralık ayında 26,4 milyar dolarla aylık bazda ihracat rekoru kırıldığını söyledi, “Önceki yıla kıyasla yüzde 4,5 artan mal ihracatımız toplam 273,4 milyar dolara ulaştı” dedi.
Erdoğan’ın paylaştığı verilere göre ihracatta 57,8 milyar dolar ile İstanbul birinci, 35,1 milyar dolar ile Kocaeli ikinci, 23,6 milyar dolar ile İzmir üçüncü, 20 milyar dolar ile Bursa dördüncü, 2 milyar dolar ile Tekirdağ beşinci oldu.
Erdoğan, 2026 yılı ihracat hedefini açıkladı
Erdoğan “2026 yılı için hedefimiz; 282 milyar dolar mal ihracatı, 128 milyar dolar hizmetler ihracatı olmak üzere toplam 410 milyar dolar ihracattır” dedi.
www.evrensel.net
January 3, 2026 at 2:24 PM
Erdoğan spent years criticizing Obama administration for its slow response to July 15 coup attempt, even citing that delay as evidence of US involvement. It remains to be seen how fast he will condemn the capture of his close friend Maduro by his other good friend,Trump. So far, no word from Ankara.
2025 was a bleak year for democracy and freedoms in Turkey. With the arrest of Erdoğan’s top rival, Ekrem İmamoğlu, Ankara took a decisive step toward hollowing out the ballot box. Record numbers of arrests and detentions of Erdoğan’s critics pushed attacks on freedom of expression to new highs,++
December 31, 2025 at 3:09 AM
2025 was a bleak year for democracy and freedoms in Turkey. With the arrest of Erdoğan’s top rival, Ekrem İmamoğlu, Ankara took a decisive step toward hollowing out the ballot box. Record numbers of arrests and detentions of Erdoğan’s critics pushed attacks on freedom of expression to new highs,++
Reposted by Gönül Tol
Are welfare states bankrupting Europe—or saving its democracy?
In ForeignPolicy, Omer Taspinar argues that strong welfare states aren’t the source of Europe’s democratic crisis—they’re one of the few tools left to stop populism and authoritarianism. foreignpolicy.com/2025/12/12/e...
In ForeignPolicy, Omer Taspinar argues that strong welfare states aren’t the source of Europe’s democratic crisis—they’re one of the few tools left to stop populism and authoritarianism. foreignpolicy.com/2025/12/12/e...
The Welfare State Saved Capitalism. Now It Can Save European Democracy.
A growing skepticism of social spending risks undermining a post-war pillar of Europe’s stability.
foreignpolicy.com
December 12, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Are welfare states bankrupting Europe—or saving its democracy?
In ForeignPolicy, Omer Taspinar argues that strong welfare states aren’t the source of Europe’s democratic crisis—they’re one of the few tools left to stop populism and authoritarianism. foreignpolicy.com/2025/12/12/e...
In ForeignPolicy, Omer Taspinar argues that strong welfare states aren’t the source of Europe’s democratic crisis—they’re one of the few tools left to stop populism and authoritarianism. foreignpolicy.com/2025/12/12/e...
Reposted by Gönül Tol
Ömer Taşpınar yazdı: Refah devleti kapitalizmi kurtardı, şimdi de Batı demokrasisini kurtarabilir
Ömer Taşpınar yazdı: Refah devleti kapitalizmi kurtardı, şimdi de Batı demokrasisini kurtarabilir
Ömer Taşpınar, Avrupa’da refah devletine yönelik artan eleştirilerin demokrasi için nasıl bir risk oluşturduğunu tarihsel ve güncel örneklerle ele aldı.
medyascope.tv
December 15, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Ömer Taşpınar yazdı: Refah devleti kapitalizmi kurtardı, şimdi de Batı demokrasisini kurtarabilir
Are welfare states bankrupting Europe—or saving its democracy?
In ForeignPolicy, Omer Taspinar argues that strong welfare states aren’t the source of Europe’s democratic crisis—they’re one of the few tools left to stop populism and authoritarianism. foreignpolicy.com/2025/12/12/e...
In ForeignPolicy, Omer Taspinar argues that strong welfare states aren’t the source of Europe’s democratic crisis—they’re one of the few tools left to stop populism and authoritarianism. foreignpolicy.com/2025/12/12/e...
The Welfare State Saved Capitalism. Now It Can Save European Democracy.
A growing skepticism of social spending risks undermining a post-war pillar of Europe’s stability.
foreignpolicy.com
December 12, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Are welfare states bankrupting Europe—or saving its democracy?
In ForeignPolicy, Omer Taspinar argues that strong welfare states aren’t the source of Europe’s democratic crisis—they’re one of the few tools left to stop populism and authoritarianism. foreignpolicy.com/2025/12/12/e...
In ForeignPolicy, Omer Taspinar argues that strong welfare states aren’t the source of Europe’s democratic crisis—they’re one of the few tools left to stop populism and authoritarianism. foreignpolicy.com/2025/12/12/e...
As the Syrian President meets with President Trump today, one of the most consequential issues for Syria’s future stability is the ongoing negotiation between Damascus and the Syrian Kurds. In last week’s MEI podcast, I argued that a sustainable solution requires all sides to ++
November 10, 2025 at 6:08 PM
As the Syrian President meets with President Trump today, one of the most consequential issues for Syria’s future stability is the ongoing negotiation between Damascus and the Syrian Kurds. In last week’s MEI podcast, I argued that a sustainable solution requires all sides to ++
Reposted by Gönül Tol
"Erdoğan Forever?" with @gonultol.bsky.social, Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj. [3/5]
www.mei.edu/multimedia/p...
www.mei.edu/multimedia/p...
Erdogan Forever?
www.mei.edu
November 9, 2025 at 6:32 AM
"Erdoğan Forever?" with @gonultol.bsky.social, Alistair Taylor and Matthew Czekaj. [3/5]
www.mei.edu/multimedia/p...
www.mei.edu/multimedia/p...
Reposted by Gönül Tol
If you are at all interested in Turkey, I urge you to listen to this lengthy conversation with @gonultol.bsky.social
It is probably the best thing I have heard on Turkey in at least the past six months.
It is probably the best thing I have heard on Turkey in at least the past six months.
Even better was her long discussion for MEI on Turkey. Well worth your hour to listen.
It is an incredibly rich discussion
www.mei.edu/multimedia/p...
It is an incredibly rich discussion
www.mei.edu/multimedia/p...
Erdogan Forever?
www.mei.edu
November 7, 2025 at 8:26 PM
If you are at all interested in Turkey, I urge you to listen to this lengthy conversation with @gonultol.bsky.social
It is probably the best thing I have heard on Turkey in at least the past six months.
It is probably the best thing I have heard on Turkey in at least the past six months.
Reposted by Gönül Tol
@gonultol.bsky.social had a fantastic one-two punch in terms of public discussions of Turkey this week.
Here is her NYT piece:
"Mr. Erdogan will find it difficult to consolidate his rule — no matter how much cover he gets from the West."
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/o...
Here is her NYT piece:
"Mr. Erdogan will find it difficult to consolidate his rule — no matter how much cover he gets from the West."
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/o...
Opinion | The Indispensable Erdogan
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:59 PM
@gonultol.bsky.social had a fantastic one-two punch in terms of public discussions of Turkey this week.
Here is her NYT piece:
"Mr. Erdogan will find it difficult to consolidate his rule — no matter how much cover he gets from the West."
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/o...
Here is her NYT piece:
"Mr. Erdogan will find it difficult to consolidate his rule — no matter how much cover he gets from the West."
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/o...
Reposted by Gönül Tol
A good reminder from @gonultol.bsky.social that you can write about the West's willingness to accommodate Erdogan without actually endorsing the West's willingness to accommodate Erdogan
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/o...
Opinion | The Indispensable Erdogan
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:43 PM
A good reminder from @gonultol.bsky.social that you can write about the West's willingness to accommodate Erdogan without actually endorsing the West's willingness to accommodate Erdogan
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/o...
Another grim day for the rule of law in Turkey. Journalists are now being summoned for questioning simply for sharing posts in support of Erdoğan’s jailed rival, Ekrem İmamoğlu.
I’m sharing my New York Times piece, which argues that the West’s eagerness to do business with Erdoğan—
I’m sharing my New York Times piece, which argues that the West’s eagerness to do business with Erdoğan—
November 6, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Another grim day for the rule of law in Turkey. Journalists are now being summoned for questioning simply for sharing posts in support of Erdoğan’s jailed rival, Ekrem İmamoğlu.
I’m sharing my New York Times piece, which argues that the West’s eagerness to do business with Erdoğan—
I’m sharing my New York Times piece, which argues that the West’s eagerness to do business with Erdoğan—
Reposted by Gönül Tol
This is not just a piece about #Turkey, but what happens when capitals embrace an autocrat b/c 1) they don't believe the country he rules can ever be true democracy 2) the autocrat advances their agenda @gonultol.bsky.social on how #Erdogan rules at home from
abroad
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/o...
abroad
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/o...
Opinion | The Indispensable Erdogan
www.nytimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:10 PM
This is not just a piece about #Turkey, but what happens when capitals embrace an autocrat b/c 1) they don't believe the country he rules can ever be true democracy 2) the autocrat advances their agenda @gonultol.bsky.social on how #Erdogan rules at home from
abroad
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/o...
abroad
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/o...