orsam 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

Transcription

1 orsam 2014 ANNUAL REPORT

2 orsam 2014 ANNUAL REPORT ISBN: Ankara - TURKEY 2015 Content of this report is copyrighted to. Except reasonable and partial quotation and use under the Act No. 5846, Law on Intellectual and Artistic Works, via proper citation, the content may not be used or republished without prior permission by. The views expressed in this report reflect only the opinions of its authors and do not represent the institutional opinion of.

3 CONTENT Preface ABOUT RESEARCH PROGRAMS ACTIVITIES REPORTS REVIEW OF REGIONAL AFFAIRS MIDDLE EAST ANALYSIS MIDDLE EASTERN STUDIES FOREIGN POLICY ANALYSIS INTERVIEWS ON REGIONAL AFFAIRS FIELD RESEARCH Minutes of the MEETINGS BULLETINS EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN 3

4 Preface We are pleased to release Annual Report 2014 in which you may find detailed information about the activities and publications that had carried out by Center for Middle Eastern Strategic Studies () in In 2014, the remarkable developments had emerged in the region and world politics, while had continued its activities and publications on Turkish foreign policy and the Middle East. activities and publications are met with interest by both national and foreign media, academics, politicians, bureaucrats and diplomats, and are used as reference. Middle Eastern Analysis, which has been published for over five years, started to be printed with a new format since the beginning of Middle Eastern Analysis, with its new format, sought to shed light on regional developments and to deepen our understanding of the Middle East with five issues within Middle Eastern Studies, which has contributed to the literature on the Middle East since 2009 as a refereed journal, continued to provide in-depth analysis and contributed academic literature with its two issues in The year of 2014 was a year of innovation and enriching in terms of publications. One of these innovations is Review of Regional Affairs, which began to be published in 2014 and covers indepth analyses on the current developments in the Middle East. We presented 18 Review of Regional Affairs in We began to share the interviews that had been published under Guest section on website since 2009 with a new and printed format in With 8 interviews published in 2014, Interviews on Regional Affairs continued to contribute to our ability to obtain information from primary sources and to present different views from the region. With Foreign Policy Analysis and Bulletins that were 4

5 published in website, we continued to monitor and evaluated the developments in the Middle East closely in In 2014 analysed and shared regional developments and trends through its work and activities with the public. presented and diversified its activities by organizing meetings and workshops both at home and abroad. In addition, reflected the observations and contributions obtained from field research trips conducted in the region to its publications and hence prepared detailed publications with various issue-related local perspectives. In this context, several field research projects been conducted in Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon; and the findings obtained by these field research trips were shared with the public through reports. Two out of 6 reports that published within reports titled The 2014 Elections, ISIS Operations and the Future of Iraq and The Situation Of Syrian Refugees in the Neighboring Countries: Findings, Conclusions and Recommendations - were prepared by conducting field research. It is not possible to describe all of our work here. Hence we present detailed information about our studies and publications carried out in 2014 to your consideration in the following pages. Thank you for your interest and support. President Assoc. Prof. Şaban Kardaş 5

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7 ABOUT Center for Middle Eastern Strategic Studies () was established in January 2009 to inform the general public and the foreign policy community on the Middle East. is a nonpartisan and non-profit research centre based in Ankara. aims to diversify sources of information on the Middle East and expose the Turkish academia and political circles to the perspectives of researchers from the region., by facilitating the visits of Middle Eastern statesmen, bureaucrats, academics, strategists, businessmen, journalists, and NGO representatives to Turkey, seeks to ensure their knowledge and ideas are shared with the Turkish and international community. To that end, carries out research on social, economic and political developments in the Middle East and shares these with the public., seeking to contribute towards a healthier understanding and analysis of international politics and the Middle Eastern issues, produces stimulating and policy-relevant information for the general public and decision-makers; hence aims to contribute to decision-making processes. Toward that objective, offers projections that involve alternative solutions to regional issues, as well as analyzing regional developments. In order to provide comprehensive and solutionoriented analyses, draws on cutting-edge research produced by competent researchers and intellectuals from diverse disciplines. has a strong publishing line that transmits meticulous analyses of regional developments and trends to relevant audiences. 7

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9 Middle East Turkmens Program Middle East Turkmens Program was established in January 2011 in order to fill the need for greater information and analysis on Turkmens. Middle East Turkmens Program aims to contribute to the development of a better understanding of current conditions and problems of Turkmens living in the Middle East, and offer proposals on those subjects. Toward that end, provides reliable information and analyses for the public and the decision makers and supports the development of literature on Middle Eastern Turkmens. In 2014, 4 conferences, 2 reports, 46 Foreign Policy Anaysis, 3 Interviews, 20 Iraqi Turkmen Bulletins and 7 Review of Regional Affairs about Turkmen were introduced by. Water Research Program O RSAM Water Research Program conducts research on transboundary waters since January Water Research Program aims to provide new ideas that offer different political alternatives on trans-boundary waters issues. In this context, the program aims to support the development of literature on water studies in Turkey. 37 Hydropolitics analysis, 3 Review of Regional Affairs on water issues, and 52 weekly water bulletins were introduced by. 9

10 ACTIVITIES offers a platform where different ideas can be discussed, by hosting various groups from the Middle East. had organized 30 conferences in 2014.

11 ACTIVITIES, NESA and Yıldız Technical University Joint Workshop: The Middle East in Flux: Iraq, Syria and Turkish-American Relations, in cooperation with NESA and Yıldız Technical University, organized a workshop titled Iraq, Syria and Turkish- American Relations in a Changing World on December 2014 in İstanbul. Several Turkish, American, Iraqi and Syrian academics, researchers, officials and journalists attended the workshop. Opening remarks were made by President Assoc. Prof. Şaban Kardaş, Dr. Roger Kangas from NESA, and Prof. Nursin Atesoglu from Yildiz Technical University. Current issues in the Middle East and Turkish-American relations were discussed in the workshop that was held in five sessions. Talib Aziz Al-Hamdani (Nahrain Centre), Othman Ali (Salahaddin University), Mohammed Ali (Süleymaniye University), Latif Mohammed (Gorran Movement), Hicran Kazancı (Iraqi Turkmen Front, Representative in Turkey), Sinan Hatahet (Omran Center for Strategic Studies), Bassam Al-Kuwatli (RMTeam), Murhaf Jouejati (NESA), Oytun Orhan (), Gawdat Bahgat (NESA), Asst. Prof. Bayram Sinkaya (Yıldırım Beyazıt University, ), Prof. Tayyar Arı (Uludağ University), Asst. Prof. Emre Erşen (Marmara University) made presentations. 11

12 ACTIVITIES Panel at Uludağ University International Relations Conference Uludağ University hosted International Relations Conference on November 2014 in Bursa. At the second day of the conference on 26 November 2014, Panel entitled Turkish Foreign Policy in a Changing Middle East was held. President, Assoc. Prof. Şaban Kardaş, Advisers Assoc. Prof. Harun Öztürkler and Asst. Prof. Bayram Sinkaya, Researchers Oytun Orhan and Bilgay Duman attended the panel. Assoc. Prof. Şaban Kardaş, who was also the moderator of the panel, discussed the general parameters of Turkish foreign policy within the last 10 years. In addition, he made a presentation on the new challenges to Turkish foreign policy which had emerged with the Arab Spring and how Turkey has been responding them. Assoc. Prof. Harun Öztürkler made a presentation on the economic background of Turkey s Middle East policy. Assist. Prof. Dr. Bayram Sinkaya made a presentation titled Turkey-Iran Relations in the Changing Middle East. Researchers Oytun Orhan and Bilgay Duman respectively made presentations titled Syrian Civil War and Turkey and Turkey s Iraq Policy within the Framework of New Challenges. 12

13 ACTIVITIES, IPM-Sabancı University- Stiftung Mercator Initiative, ABKAD AND TOBB ETU JOINT SYMPOSIUM: BEYOND CHAPTERS-THE FUTURE OF TURKEY IN EUROPE in cooperation with IPM-Sabancı University-Stiftung Mercator Initiative, ABKAD and TOBB ETU organized a conference entitled Beyond Chapters The Future of Turkey in Europe. The conference took place on 18 November 2014 in Ankara. The speakers discussed Turkey- EU relations, blockages during the negotiation process and solutions for the Turkey s accession to the European Union (EU). President Assoc. Prof. Şaban Kardaş, also moderator of the confereance, Dr. Tuğrul Arat, Professor of International Relations at TOBB ETU, Fuat Keyman Director of İstanbul Policy Center and Professor of International Relations at Sabancı University, Hannes Swoboda, former member of the European Parliament and Mercator-IPM Senior Fellow at İstanbul Policy Center, and AK Party Siirt Deputy and co-chair of Turkey- EU Joint Parliamentary Committee, Afif Demirkıran made presentations. In the conference, where the speakers evaluated Turkey- EU relations, the importance of Turkey-EU relations, Turkey s possible contributions to the EU, the current state of Turkey-EU relations, and suggestions for the future of Turkey-EU relations were discussed. 13

14 ACTIVITIES IRI AND JOINT Young Leadership Academy: Power of Transformation in Turkish Politics: Youth youth training program which includes youth branches of various parties. The main aim of leadership academy is to contribute to the development and enrichment of political language and politicmaking process by giving seminars on the topics such as political participation and communication, campaign process, efficient use of media in politics. The first workshop of Young Leadership Academy Program, which has conducted by International Republican Institute Turkey (IRI) and, was held with the theme of Power of Transformation in Turkish Politics: Youth on 8-9 November and November 2014 at Ankara Park Hotel. Young Leadership Academy, program held by IRI for several years, has occupied a pride place in Turkey, because it is the first and one At the first conference of Young Leadership Academy, the participants took seminars on organization of the party members, political communication strategies, media and politics relations in Turkey, surveys and their effects on voting behavior, policy development process, policy advocacy and political discourse of political parties. At the end of the academy, the young participants received program certificates. 14

15 ACTIVITIES, TOBB ETU and Austrian Embassy JOINT CONFERENCE: WHICH EFFECTS WILL THE NEW GOVERNMENT IN IRAQ HAVE ON THE FUTURE OF THE ISIS IN IRAQ AND BEYOND? in coordination with Department of International Relations TOBB ETU, and Austrian Embassy held conference entitled Which Effects Will The New Government in Iraq Have on The Future of The ISIS in Iraq and Beyond?. Diplomatic officials, media representatives, academics, bureaucrats and students attended the conference where Gudrun Harrer was speaker. Dr. Gudrun Harrer, in speech, analysed fundamental state organization which was formed after US occupation in Iraq and Iraq s reconstruction process as well as, analyzing how this process had produced ISIS with details. Harrer, by saying that ISIS is an ideological and practical result of the US invasion in Iraq, stated that gaps in post-invasion Iraq by USA led to the strengthening of ISIS. Then, she highlighted deepening impact of sectarianism and drew attention to the fact that sides, which excluded from politics or could not be part of political process, have used sectarian identities as a mask to be effective in politics, which also deepen polarization and division in Iraq. The conference was ended following the Q&A Session. 15

16 ACTIVITIES, SAM AND TOBB ETU Joint Conference: Regional Security and Cooperation Perspectives in the Black Sea in the aftermath of Recent Developments in Ukraine Kılıç, Director of AVİM (Center for Eurasian Studies) and Assoc. Prof. Emre Erşen from Marmara University. President Assoc. Prof. Şaban Kardaş, moderated the conference, which was initiated by the introductory speech of Assoc. Prof. Haldun Yalçınkaya, Chair of TOBB ETU Department of International Relations., Center for Strategic Research (SAM) and TOBB ETU have organized a conference on 30 October 2014 entitled Regional Security and Cooperation Perspectives in the Black Sea in the aftermath of Recent Developments in Ukraine. The speakers in the conference were the Ukrainian Ambassador to Turkey, H.E. Mr. Sergiy Korsunsky, Ambassador (Rtd.) Mr. Alev H.E. Mr. Korsunsky, taking floor after the introductory speech, evaluated Russia s involvement in the Ukraine crisis within the context of altering the international security infrastructure in Russia s immediate neighborhood and NATO presence in the region. Alev Kılıç stressed Turkey s appraoch to Ukraine crisis. Assoc. Prof. Emre Erşen assessed the geopolitical implications of the Ukraine crisis for world politics and Turkey. 16

17 ACTIVITIES Panel at II. Middle Eastern Congress on Politics and Society by Sakarya University: Turkish Foreign Policy in a Changing Middle East Sakarya University Center for Middle Eastern Studies held 2 nd Middle Eastern Congress on Politics and Society, on October 2014, in Sakarya. Among the congress speakers, there were wellknown social scientists working on the Middle East such as Bobby Salman Sayyid, Richard Falk, Fawas Gerges, Omar Ashour, Thomas Pierret, Khalil Al-Anani, Michael Lüders, Kudret Bülbül, Kayhan Bargezar, Burhanettin Duran, Mesut Özcan, Ali Resul Usul and Jotiar Mahmood. At the third day of the Congress on 16 October 2014, Panel titled Turkish Foreign Policy in a Changing Middle East was held. President, Assoc. Prof. Şaban Kardaş, Advisers Assoc. Prof. Harun Öztürkler and Assist. Prof. Dr. Bayram Sinkaya, Researchers Oytun Orhan and Bilgay Duman attended the panel. Kardaş, the moderator of the panel, discussed the general parameters of Turkish foreign policy within the last 10 years. The presentations were the economic background of Turkey s Middle East policy by Harun Öztürkler; Turkey-Iran Relations in the Changing Middle East by Bayram Sinkaya; Syrian Civil War and Turkey by Oytun Orhan and Turkey s Iraq Policy within the Framework of New Challenges by Bilgay Duman. 17

18 ACTIVITIES, JAPANESE EMBASSY AND SAM JOINT SYMPOSIUM: JAPAN AND TURKEY: WHERE DID WE COME FROM? WHERE ARE WE GOING? On the occasion of the 90 th Anniversary of the Diplomatic Relations between Japan and Turkey, in cooperation with Japanese Embassy and SAM organized a joint symposium entitled Japan and Turkey: Where Did We Come From? Where Are We Going? on September The symposium began with the openning speeches of Yutaka Yokoi, Amb. of Japan and Numan Kurtulmuş, Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey. At the two-days symposium, presentations were made by President of International University of Japan H.E Amb. Prof. Shinichi Kitaoka, Director of Diplomacy Academy Assoc. Prof. Mesut Özcan, (Ret) Prof. Noboru Yamaguchi (National Defense Academy of Japan), Prof. Selçuk Çolakoğlu (Yıldırım Beyazıt University), Prof. Masanori Naito (Doshisha University), Assist. Prof. Bahadır Pehlivantürk (TOBB ETU), Research Fellow Dr. Korei Imai (Japan Society to Promote Science); Amb. of Japan Embassy Yutaka Yokoi, Undersecretary of Ministry of Culture and Tourism Prof. Ahmet Haluk Dursun, President of Japanese Institute of Anatolian Archaeology Dr. Sachihiro Omura, Composer Yoshiyuki Kozu, Prof. Katsumi Tanabe; Dr. Erdal Küçükyalçın (Boğaziçi University), Prof. Nurettin Demir (Hacettepe University), and Prof. Tooru Hayasi. 18

19 ACTIVITIES AND THE WOODROW WILSON INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR SCHOLARS JOINT PANEL: TURKEY, IRAQ AND KURDISTAN REGIONAL GOVERNMENT in collaboration with the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars organized a panel entitled Turkey, Iraq and Kurdistan Regional Government on 25 August 2014 in Washington D.C.. The panel analyzed the most recent developments in the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), future of Iraq after the ISIS threat and perspective of Turkey on recent events. The panel began with opening speeches made by Christian F. Osterman, Director of the History and Public Policy Program (HAPP) and Prof. Ali Resul Usul, SAM President. The panel consisted of three speakers: Bülent Aras, Global Fellow Chairman at the Wilson Center, President Assoc. Prof. Şaban Kardaş, and President of the Middle East Research Institute based in Erbil Dlawer Ala Aldeen. Ala Aldeen, first speaker, addressed Erbil- Baghdad relations in his presentation; Assoc. Prof. Şaban Kardaş assessed the current positions and foreign policies of Turkey. The last speaker of the panel, Bulent Aras focused on the situation of Turkmens in Iraq, which has always been one of the most salient issues of Turkey s foreign policy in Iraq. 19

20 ACTIVITIES The Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA) s Visit to Senior Researcher of the JIME Center- IEEJ (the Institute of Energy Economics) Akiko Yoshioka, Research Fellow of Japan Society for the Promotionof Science (JSPS) Kohei Imai and Research Fellow of the Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA) Mari Nukii. A delegation from The Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA) visited on 19 August Japanese delegation was composed of Prof. Eiji Nagasawa from University of Tokyo, Executive Director of Eurasia Consultant Ltd Manabu Shimizu, Assistant Director of JIME Center-IEEJ (the Institute of Energy Economic) and Senior Research Fellow Shuji Hosaka, At the meeting, the relationship between Turkey and Japan was discussed as well as recent developments in the Middle East. In addition, both countries perspectives on the current events in the Middle East were evaluated. At the meeting, ISIS threatwas discussed. Turkmen, Yezidi and other minorities situation after invasion of Mosul by ISIS were also discussed and both sides exchanged ideas. The meeting ended with question and answers. 20

21 ACTIVITIES WORKSHOP ON THE FUTURE OF IRAQI POLITICS AFTER 2014 ELECTIONS organized a workshop on 13 June 2014, entitled The Future of Iraqi Politics After 2014 Elections. In the workshop, there were academics and experts both from Iraq and Turkey. In addition, there were 60 participants from press, diplomatic circles, public institutions and think tanks. President Assoc. Prof. Şaban Kardaş (Moderator), Board of Trustees of Communication and Media Commission Salem Maskhour, Baghdad University Faculty of Political Science Firas Cokrkis, academic member of Cankaya University Mahir Nakip, and, academic member of Selahattin University Osman Ali attended the 1 st Session titled The Evaluation of the Election Results and the Performance of the Political Parties. Salem Maskhour (Moderator), academic member of Baghdad University Faculty of Political Science Asaad Al-Rubai, President of Hivar El-Fikir Institute Ali Abdulemir, President of Institue for Research and Development Kurdistan Saro Qadir, and academic member of Cork University Serdar Aziz attended the 2 nd Session titled The New Equation in the Iraqi Politics, Search for a New Government after the Elections and the Kurdish Domestic Politics. 21

22 ACTIVITIES -IAI JOINT MEETING: TURKISH POLICY TOWARD THE SYRIAN CRISIS AND THE IMPACT OF REFUGEES in coordination with the Italian research institute of Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI) organized a meeting in Rome entitled Turkish Policy toward the Syrian Crisis and the Impact of Refugees on 6 June In the meeting, a study, which was produced as a result of six months of intensive research, conducted by with support from Konrad Adenauer Stiftung titled The Situation of Syrian Refugees In the Neighbouring Countries: Findings, Conclusions, and Recommendations, was introduced. Diplomats, Italian press representatives, researchers as well as Turkish authorities and press attended to meeting. The meeting began with a speech given by President Assoc. Prof. Şaban Kardaş. Kardaş s speech discussed Turkish policies toward the Syrian crisis. OR- SAM Researcher Oytun Orhan, presented the findings from OR- SAM s report entitled The Status of Syrian Refugees in Neighbouring Countries. Orhan specifically gave information about the project and shared its conclusions. SETA s Foreign Policy Program Coordinator Ufuk Ulutaş explained the Turkish policy towards the Syrian refugees. 22

23 ACTIVITIES AND Center for Strategic Studies-University of Jordan (CSS) JOINT WORKSHOP: Exchanges on the Middle East and Center for Strategic Studies-University of Jordan (CSS) organized a workshop entitled Exchanges on the Middle East: Turkey-Jordan Relations within the Changing Regional Environment on 26 May 2014, in Amman. The workshop was supported by Prime Ministry s Office of Public Diplomacy, and Foreign Ministry s Center For Strategic Studies (SAM). Turkish delegation included Turkish Ambassador to Jordan H.E. Sedat Önal, SAM Chairman Prof. Ali Resül Usul, Chairman of Diplomacy Academy at Turkish MFA Assoc. Prof. Mesut Özcan, President Assoc. Prof. Şaban Kardaş, as well as other Turkish academics and experts. During the first session, the participants exchanged opinions on regional developments in terms of the role of international actors and conflict resolution mechanisms. In the second session, the participants discussed, with the support of qualitative and quantitative data, the two countries policies towards the Syrian crisis, specifically as regards the refugee flows. The current stand of the economic, political and cultural dimensions in Turkey- Jordan bilateral relations were assessed with a future-oriented vision in the last session. 23

24 ACTIVITIES, MIDDLE EAST INSTITUTE, MIGRATION POLICY INSTITUTE JOINT CONFERENCE: SYRIANS ON THE EDGE: THE STATUS OF REFUGEES IN NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES presented its report entitled The Status of Syrian Refugees in Neighboring Countries: Findings, Outcomes, and Suggestions on 20 May 2014, in Washington D.C.. The meeting was organized in cooperation with Washington s research center Middle East Institute and was held in the Migration Policy Institute. Participants in the meeting included American officials, academics, researchers, reporters, as well as Turkish authorities and press living in Washington. President Assoc. Prof. Şaban Kardaş, and researcher, Oytun Orhan, gave information about the project that they conducted and shared the results with the listeners. Peri-Khan Aqrawi-Whitcomb, a researcher from the Middle East Research Institute (MERI) based in Erbil, shared information stating that the majority of the Syrian refugees in Iraq came from a Kurdish origin. After the remarks of Peri-Khan Aqrawi- Whitcomb, Faysal Itani, resident fellow in the Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East at the Atlantic Council, gave a speech about the conditions of refugees in Lebanon. 24

25 ACTIVITIES Forum for the Support of the Palestinian People, in cooperation with TOBB ETU and the United Nations, held a panel entitled Forum for the Support of the Palestinian People on 14 May After the opening speeches made by Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, Mr. Abdou Salam Diallo, President Assoc. Prof. Şaban Kardaş and Assist. Prof. Dr. Serdar Palabıyık from TOBB ETU, the panel continued with the presentation of Palestinian experts on Jerusalem. Mr. Fady Khoury, attorney of Land and Planning Rights Unit, which is an organ of The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel (Adalah), and Mr. Mohammad Shtayyeh, Palestinian Economic Council for Research and Development as well as a senior adviser to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in negotiations with Israel, mentioned about issues ensued from Jerusalem Master Plan and property rights and criticized the Israeli settlement plans in East Jerusalem in their speeches. They also evaluated the impacts of these developments on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. In the last part of the panel speakers answered questions from the audience. After the panel, the 2005 Oscar-nominated Omar film was screened. 25

26 ACTIVITIES, Türkmenelİ Cooperation and Cultural Foundation, TİKA, Turkish Historical Society Joint Symposium: Reflections from Middle Eastern Turkmen On 6-7 May 2014,, in cooperation with Türkmeneli Cooperation and Cultural Foundation, Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) and Turkish Historical Society organized a symposium entitled Middle Eastern Turkmen. At the Symposium many domestic and foreign speakers gave enlightening information and discussed many topics about Iraqi, Syrian, Lebanese and Palestinian Turkmen. In the Symposium, there were academics and experts from Turkey as well as a total of ten Turkmen speakers from abroad, namely four from Iraq, three from Syria, two from Lebanon and one from Palestine. They made presentations and shared their observations from the field with Turkish public at the Middle Eastern Turkmen Symposium. The Middle Eastern Turkmen Symposium was remarkable given the level of participation from the region, as well as in terms of the interest of public officials. President Abdullah Gül and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu could not attend the symposium but sent messages to the Symposium. In addition, opening speech of the Deputy Prime Minister Emrullah İşler was read to the participants. 26

27 ACTIVITIES KIRIKKALE UNIVERSITY I. INTERNATIONAL MIDDLE EAST SYMPOSIUM: CONTINUITY AND CHANGE IN THE MIDDLE EAST Kırıkkale University organized a symposium with the theme Continuity and Change in the Middle East on 7-9 May Several intellectuals and scholars from different countries and experiences attended the symposium and discussed issues as well as rich historical background of the Middle East. At the session entitled International Relations and Middle East held at the second day of the symposium on 8 May 2014, President Assoc. Prof. Şaban Kardaş, and researchers Oytun Orhan and Bilgay Duman made presentations. Assoc. Prof. Şaban Kardaş, who was also the moderator of the session, discussed the general parameters of Turkish foreign policy in the last 10 years and explained the challenges that Arab Spring had introduced as well as Turkey s responses to them. researchers Oytun Orhan and Bilgay Duman addressed the dynamics which had shaped Turkey s foreign policies towards Syria and Iraq. 27

28 ACTIVITIES LEBANON TURKMENS VISIT TO A delegation which is composed of Lebanon Turkmens and chaired by Hussein Mohamad- Secretary General of the Tripoli and Dinniye Lebanon Turkoman League visited Turkey in order to contact with some institutes. Delegation is composed of Hussein Mohamad- Secretary General of the Tripoli and Dinniye Lebanon Turkmen League; Moustafa Khoder, Mayor of Kvashra; Hodor Abbas, Secretary General of the Lebanon Turkmenn League; Khaled el Assaad from Kvashra; Rami Khadad, Mayor of Aydamoun; Moustapha İbrahim, Deputy Mayor of Aydamoun; Nabih Youssef Alhajj, Headman of the Aydamoun; Mohamad Terkmeni, Turkmen of the Tripoli- Dimniye; Ali Ghorli, Deputy Mayor of Beqaa-Duris and Jomaa El Melhem from Beqaa. At the visit, the importance of the cooperation between Turkey and Lebanon Turkmens were stated and views were been exchanged about the situation of the Lebanon Turkmens. 28

29 ACTIVITIES AND TEHRAN UNIVERSITY JOINT SYMPOSIUM: Examining Regional Transformation: Turkish View A delegation of Turkish academics led by President Assoc. Prof. Şaban Kardaş paid a visit to Iranian universities and research institutions on April Allameh Tabataba i University, Tehran University Caucasus Studies Institute, Tehran University Department of History, Institute for Middle East Strategic Studies, Institute for Political and International Studies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Institute for Iranian Contemporary Historical Studies, Tehran University World Studies Faculty and Institute of Iran and Eurasian Studies were among the universities and institutions that were visited. Turkish and Iranian foreign policies were discussed in the meetings. A conference was organized for Turkish delegation in the Faculty of Law and Political Science at Tehran University, in cooperation with the Eurasian Studies Research Group and Caucasus Studies Institute of Tehran University. The conference, entitled as Examining Regional Transformation: Turkish View, was moderated by Dr. Farhad Ataei, faculty member in International Relations. Assoc. Prof. Şaban Kardaş, SDE Vice-President Assoc. Prof. Mehmet Şahin, Asst. Prof. Bayram Sinkaya and Dr. İnanç Atılgan made presentations. 29

30 ACTIVITIES LAUNCHING WORKSHOP OF THE REPORT THE SITUATION OF SYRIAN REFUGEES IN THE NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES: FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS On 24 April 2014, launched its report, entitled The Situation of Syrian Refugees In the Neighboring Countries: Findings, Conclusions and Recommendations, which was based on the field research, conducted with the support of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. Approximately 70 participants including the press, diplomatic representatives, faculty members from various universities and researchers from think tanks took part in the meeting. Dr. Fuat Oktay, the President of the Prime Ministry s Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), attended the meeting as the keynote speaker. In addition, Walid Alkhatib from Center for Strategic Studies of University of Jordan; Dr. Othman Ali from Selahaddin University in Erbil and Asst. Prof. Fulya Memişoğlu made presentations on the situation of Syrian refugees in Jordan, Iraq and Turkey and their impacts on these counties. The meeting started with the opening speeches of President Assoc. Prof. Şaban Kardaş and the President of Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Dr. Colin Dürkop. AFAD President Dr. Fuat Oktay described the general situation of the Syrian refugees in Turkey. Researcher Oytun Orhan shared the basic data about the Syrian refugees. 30