Kemal Kirişci
Brookings
Washington, DC, United States
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Past articles by Kemal:
Election fever and the downward spiral between Turkey and Europe: Could reviving the migration deal be a way out?
EU-Turkey relations have gotten ugly. Many in Turkey are now concerned that the antagonistic climate will help the adoption of the constitutional changes, thereby further undermining an already damaged and fragile democracy. → Read More
Why is Turkey’s Davutoğlu getting skewered by his own party for the EU migrant deal?
It was not President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, but rather Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu and his team, who negotiated the migrant deal with the European Union. Now Davutoğlu may be resigning. → Read More
How to manage the human consequences of Syria’s chaos
Half of Syria’s population is now either an internally displaced person (IDP) or a refugee, and the international community is still struggling to respond to the humanitarian catastrophe. Elizabeth Ferris and Kemal Kirisci propose a New Global Approach for Syria in a new book—the approach would bring together the governments of refugee-hosting countries, the U.N. and other intergovernmental… → Read More
Turkey’s downward spiral and the scuffles at Erdoğan’s Brookings speech
On March 31, Brookings hosted the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who delivered a speech on “Global Challenges and Turkey’s Goals for the Year 2023.” Brookings extended its hospitality to Erdoğan, and because he was an invited guest went to considerable lengths to accommodate his massive entourage and treat him with respect. But his security detail abused Brookings's hospitality. → Read More
The silver lining to the EU-Turkey migration deal
The deal reached between the European Union and Turkey last week to stem the flow of migrants into Europe has been met with considerable criticism. But could there be a silver lining to this problematic deal? And is there a way it could simultaneously benefit the EU, Turkish democracy, and (most importantly) the interests of the Syrian refugees? → Read More
Turkey and the international liberal order: What happened?
Turkish democracy has recently taken a few big knocks recently. It is no wonder that Turkey is increasingly called an “illiberal democracy” at best. → Read More
Turkey's Syria challenge
Ankara can't win against Moscow. Instead of focusing on its relations with Russia, it should continue to prioritize alleviating the suffering in Syria and helping refugees. Such an endeavor would earn Turkey international goodwill and influence. → Read More
Why we need to save Schengen from the anti-immigrant populists
Fortifying borders, a new rallying cry of right-wing populist leaders across the EU, may well cut down the number of migrants that reach the EU. But it would also deal a severe blow to the European economy. → Read More
Why cooperating on the Syrian refugee challenge is in everyone’s interest
This week’s attack in Istanbul is the fourth ISIS-related attack on Turkish soil in less than a year. Compounding Turkey’s manifold security problem is the ongoing stress of the refugee crisis. Support for refugees must be redoubled—Turkish-EU cooperation on the Syrian refugee issue is something that is in the shared interests of both parties, as well as the United States and of course the… → Read More
New year, new leaf? What to watch in Turkey in 2016
Turkey today looks dramatically different than it did a decade ago. What developments are likely to further change Turkey's outlook in 2016? → Read More
The great game that never ends: China and Russia fight over Kazakhstan
Chinese overtures to thinly populated but vast Central Asian countries, part of its "One Belt, One Road" initiative, raise deep Russian insecurities over its traditional grip on the region. Nowhere is this more evident than in Kazakhstan. → Read More
How the EU and Turkey can work together on refugees
After many weeks of negotiations, the European Union and Turkey finally adopted a plan to stem the flow of Syrian and other refugees and irregular migrants to Europe. The EU pledged to give Turkey 3 billion euros to assist refugees in Turkey, grant visa-free travel for Turkish nationals starting in October 2016, and begin a “re-energized” accession process into the EU. In return, Turkey must… → Read More
Clash of the Titans brings down a Russian jet
Turkey's downing of a Russian jet on the Syrian border on Tuesday has sparked a debate over whether this incident could lead to a full-fledged military confrontation between the two countries. During the Cold War, Turkey and Russia faced off across the frontline of the NATO-Soviet Bloc border, and today they find themselves once again on different sides of the frontlines in Syria, where both… → Read More
Erdoğan's victory isn’t a win for Turkish democracy
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s gamble—holding what he called “a re-run election”—has paid off handsomely: The ruling AKP can now form a one-party government. Many voters apparently perceived his party as a stabilizer of sorts. But for those who worry about polarization in Turkey and the increasingly authoritarian tendencies of its government, the country is slipping deeper into trouble. → Read More
Turkey’s "re-run" elections, explained
This Sunday, Turkey will go to the polls for the second time in six months in what President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has dubbed a “re-run election.” Whatever scenario materializes, the challenges facing Turkey are growing by the day. → Read More
What the new Turkey-EU cooperation really means for Syrian refugees
Last week, EU leaders adopted an action plan that aims to stem the flow of Syrian refugees and irregular migrants, primarily by increasing cooperation with Turkey. What are the politics behind this agreement? And, will this new effort benefit the Syrian refugees? → Read More
What the new Turkey-EU cooperation really means for Syrian refugees
Last week, EU leaders adopted an action plan that aims to stem the flow of Syrian refugees and irregular migrants, primarily by increasing cooperation with Turkey. What are the politics behind this agreement? And, will this new effort benefit the Syrian refugees? → Read More
What the new Turkey-EU cooperation really means for Syrian refugees
Last week, EU leaders adopted an action plan that aims to stem the flow of Syrian refugees and irregular migrants, primarily by increasing cooperation with Turkey. What are the politics behind this agreement? And, will this new effort benefit the Syrian refugees? → Read More
What the new Turkey-EU cooperation really means for Syrian refugees
Last week, EU leaders adopted an action plan that aims to stem the flow of Syrian refugees and irregular migrants, primarily by increasing cooperation with Turkey. What are the politics behind this agreement? And, will this new effort benefit the Syrian refugees? → Read More
What the Ankara bombing means for Turkish politics and the West
The explosion in Ankara is symptomatic of the deep polarization in Turkey. It will serious ramifications for the upcoming election, scheduled for November 1. In the meantime, the instability in Turkey is a red flag for the Western leaders, who have—or should have—a stake in protecting Turkey from the deepening chaos of its neighborhood. → Read More