Since President Obama laid out his strategy to fight the Islamic State (also known as ISIS or ISIL), all eyes have turned to Turkey, a NATO ally that borders the territory captured by the jihadist group. The rise of ISIS presents several challenges for Turkey and forces Ankara to recalibrate its regional strategy. Will Turkey change its policy vis-a-vis the Kurdistan Workers' Party's (PKK) Syrian offshoot PYD? What would be the implications of the US-led fight against ISIS for the Kurdistan Regional Government's relations with Turkey and the PKK? How will Turkey respond to these new dynamics?
The Center for Turkish Studies at The Middle East Institute and the Institute of Turkish Studies at Georgetown University are pleased to host a panel discussion on the most recent developments in the region and Turkey's response. Experts Denise Natali (National Defense University), Mutlu Civiroglu (Journalist and Kurdish affairs analyst) and Kadir Ustun (SETA Foundation), will consider these questions. Gonul Tol (Middle East Institute) will deliver opening remarks, and Sinan Ciddi (Institute of Turkish Studies) will moderate the discussion.