European Institute for Studies on
the Middle East and North Africa

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In this episode, EISMENA speaks with Jean Marcou (Professor Emeritus at Sciences Po Grenoble / Université Grenoble Alpes; associate researcher at the French Institute of Anatolian Studies and the Mediterranean Foundation for Strategic Studies – FMES) about Turkey’s current strategic positioning. From Syria and the Kurdish question to Turkey–Israel relations and Ankara’s role in the Russia–Ukraine war, this discussion offers a clear, long-term perspective on Turkey’s regional priorities and constraints.

Chapters:

00:00:00 — Intro & episode overview

00:00:40 — Turkey’s position in Syria: strategy and stakes

00:02:56 — The “Syrian turnaround” & stabilization challenges

00:06:22 — Turkey’s regional leverage: economy and Arab partners

00:08:48 — Northern Syria: military operations & the Syrian Kurdish issue

00:10:25 — The Kurdish question in Turkey: process, reforms, limits

00:16:07 — Erdoğan on multiple fronts: Syria, Israel–Palestine, Europe

00:17:26 — Turkey–Israel relations: tensions, interests, and Syria

00:22:59 — Deconfliction in Syria, the U.S. factor & shifting balances

00:24:35 — Turkey in the Russia–Ukraine war: Black Sea & mediation

00:28:18 — Closing

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