By John Daly (vol. 6, no. 23 of the Turkey Analyst)

While the Islamist ideology of Turkey’s ruling party makes it unlikely that the relations between Turkey and Israel can be restored in a way that fulfills the expectations of the United States, there are also some signs that suggest that something of a working relation between Jerusalem and Ankara, based on mutual economic interests, can still be established. Trade can potentially serve as an ice-breaker between the two nations.

By Kemal Kaya (vo. 6, no. 21 of the Turkey Analyst)

Petro-politics fuels the evolving relationship between Ankara, Erbil and Baghdad. At the heart of the new oil game in Mesopotamia is the question of how the oil from the territory of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is going to be transported to the world markets. Turkey’s strategic position – and its economy – is set to be strengthened as it taps into the oil riches of Iraqi Kurdistan and as it realizes its ambition to be a major regional oil hub.

by Ben Welch (vol. 6 no. 11 of the Turkey Analyst)

The changing shape of the Turkish business community, typified in part by the astonishing rise of Turkey’s small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) to national and international prominence, is a significant feature of the new environment which now plays a part in shaping political and economic decision making in Turkey. As the economic successes of the last decade remain a key element of the political narrative of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), and with the government seeking to guarantee and strengthen its core vote, it can be predicted that the influence of this distinct group of business interests is going to become more pronounced over time.