A Green Light for Authoritarianism: How the Trump Administration Fuels Global Autocracy ArticleSeptember 19, 2025 A Green Light for Authoritarianism: How the Trump Administration Fuels Global Autocracy When U.S. support retreats, autocrats escalate their attacks, leaving democratic institutions vulnerable. This creates a global environment where authoritarianism can thrive. Sep 19, 2025 Dan Herman, Robert Benson
The Authoritarian Playbook in Action: What Global Cases Tell Us About Trump’s 2025 Military Deployments ArticleAugust 12, 2025 The Authoritarian Playbook in Action: What Global Cases Tell Us About Trump’s 2025 Military Deployments The cases of Canada, South Korea, and Turkey illustrate a dangerous escalatory pattern: When elected leaders rely on the military to resolve domestic challenges, they often accelerate democratic backsliding. Aug 12, 2025 Dan Herman, Robert Benson, Vishal Gogusetti
Democracy on the Line: Global Lessons on Countering Authoritarianism Past EventJuly 15, 2025 Democracy on the Line: Global Lessons on Countering Authoritarianism Join the Center for American Progress for a critical conversation on what it takes to defend democracy. Online via Zoom Jul 15, 2025
America’s Role in the World: The Value of Leadership and Alliance Past EventJune 5, 2025 America’s Role in the World: The Value of Leadership and Alliance Join us for a conversation with Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) as part of CAP’s “What’s Next: Conversations on the Path Forward” series. Center for American Progress and online via Zoom Jun 5, 2025
How State Capture and Corruption Harms Citizens: Lessons From Abroad ArticleApril 15, 2025 How State Capture and Corruption Harms Citizens: Lessons From Abroad Examples from abroad serve as prescient warnings that corruption and state capture erode services, impoverish societies, and compromise public safety. Apr 15, 2025 Robert Benson
How Democracies Defend Themselves Against Authoritarianism ReportApril 9, 2025 How Democracies Defend Themselves Against Authoritarianism Democracies facing authoritarian threats from within have found ways to push back by strengthening institutions, reinforcing democratic norms, and building popular resistance against encroaching autocracy. Understanding these strategies is vital to learning how to fight back. Apr 9, 2025 Robert Benson
Congressional Response to Trump’s National Security Chaos Past EventMarch 12, 2025 Congressional Response to Trump’s National Security Chaos Congress must pick up the leadership mantle amid grave global and domestic uncertainty. Center for American Progress and online Mar 12, 2025
The Dangers of Project 2025: Global Lessons in Authoritarianism ArticleOctober 9, 2024 The Dangers of Project 2025: Global Lessons in Authoritarianism Far-right policies such as the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 threaten American democracy by mirroring authoritarian tactics seen in Hungary, Turkey, and beyond. Oct 9, 2024 Allison McManus, Robert Benson, Robert Benson, 1 More Dan Herman
Erdoğan’s Reelection Illustrates the Bleak Future of Turkish Democracy ArticleMay 31, 2023 Erdoğan’s Reelection Illustrates the Bleak Future of Turkish Democracy Turkey saw unprecedented political mobilization, partly because going to the ballot box offered one of the last opportunities to make one’s voice heard. But little changed. May 31, 2023 Michael Werz
Opportunities and Challenges in the Eastern Mediterranean: Examining U.S. Interests and Regional Cooperation TestimonyMay 2, 2022 Opportunities and Challenges in the Eastern Mediterranean: Examining U.S. Interests and Regional Cooperation Alan Makovsky, senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, provided testimony on March 31, 2022, before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on the United States’ involvement in the Eastern Mediterranean amid Russia’s war in Ukraine. May 2, 2022 Alan Makovsky
Northern Syria Security Dynamics and the Refugee Crisis ReportMay 26, 2021 Northern Syria Security Dynamics and the Refugee Crisis Ensuring stability in northern Syria will require international engagement that balances humanitarian concerns with the moral hazard created by Turkey’s occupation. May 26, 2021 Max Hoffman, Alan Makovsky
Flashpoints in U.S.-Turkey Relations in 2021 ReportJanuary 19, 2021 Flashpoints in U.S.-Turkey Relations in 2021 Turkey’s pursuit of strategic autonomy should be met with firm transactionalism by the Biden administration, and while this stance is unlikely to change President Erdoğan’s unilateral approach, it could help preserve certain institutional ties. Jan 19, 2021 Max Hoffman
The Turkish Diaspora in Europe ReportDecember 10, 2020 The Turkish Diaspora in Europe Polling shows that members of Europe’s Turkish and Turkish-Kurdish diaspora value their separate identity; nevertheless, they welcome the opportunities and freedom of life in Europe, even in the face of lingering discrimination. Dec 10, 2020 Max Hoffman, Alan Makovsky, Michael Werz
The First 100 Days: Toward a More Sustainable and Values-Based National Security Approach ReportOctober 19, 2020 The First 100 Days: Toward a More Sustainable and Values-Based National Security Approach An actionable plan for the next administration’s progressive national security agenda. Oct 19, 2020 CAP National Security and International Policy Department
Interactive: The First 100 Days InteractiveOctober 19, 2020 Interactive: The First 100 Days This interactive database features nearly 250 recommendations that the next administration can advance, adopt, and implement within the first 100 days to set the country on a path toward a more progressive national security approach. Oct 19, 2020 CAP National Security and International Policy Department
Turkey’s President Erdoğan Is Losing Ground at Home ReportAugust 24, 2020 Turkey’s President Erdoğan Is Losing Ground at Home Generational change and shifting attitudes in conservative Turkey could bring fragmentation of the dominant right-wing bloc and, potentially, a new political alignment—prospects that will continue to shape President Erdoğan’s actions at home and abroad. Aug 24, 2020 Max Hoffman
Turkey’s Changing Media Landscape ReportJune 10, 2020 Turkey’s Changing Media Landscape Government censorship is rapidly reshaping how Turks get their news, with major implications for Turkish foreign policy, political polarization, and Erdoğan’s rule. Jun 10, 2020 Andrew O’Donohue, Max Hoffman, Alan Makovsky
Turkish Conservatives’ Loyalty to Erdoğan and Views on Potential Successors ArticleDecember 5, 2019 Turkish Conservatives’ Loyalty to Erdoğan and Views on Potential Successors While President Erdoğan’s support is not boundless, no potential successor currently appears able to hold together the diverse conservative constituency that dominates Turkish politics. Dec 5, 2019 Max Hoffman
Trump’s Syria Shambles ReportOctober 24, 2019 Trump’s Syria Shambles President Trump’s withdrawal from Syria has thrown the region into chaos, shattered American credibility, and uncovered deep problems with U.S. policy toward Turkey. Oct 24, 2019 Max Hoffman
The State of the Turkish-Kurdish Conflict ReportAugust 12, 2019 The State of the Turkish-Kurdish Conflict The benefits of rapprochement between the Turkish government and Kurdish militants are clear, but hopes for an easing of tensions rest on shaky political ground. Aug 12, 2019 Max Hoffman
Responding to Turkey’s Purchase of Russia’s S-400 Missile System ReportMarch 21, 2019 Responding to Turkey’s Purchase of Russia’s S-400 Missile System If Ankara moves forward with the purchase of Russia’s air defense system, the United States should begin downgrading security ties with Turkey. Mar 21, 2019 Max Hoffman
Turkey’s Refugee Dilemma ReportMarch 13, 2019 Turkey’s Refugee Dilemma Despite Turkish leaders’ frequent insistence that Syrian refugees will return home, privately, they seem to be preparing for the likelihood that most will remain permanently. Mar 13, 2019 Alan Makovsky
A Snapshot of Turkish Public Opinion Toward the European Union ReportSeptember 27, 2018 A Snapshot of Turkish Public Opinion Toward the European Union Turkish public opinion is hostile toward the European Union and may limit the potential of Ankara’s recent attempts to reset relations with the Euro bloc. Sep 27, 2018 Max Hoffman
What Turkey’s Political Changes Mean for U.S.-Turkish Relations ReportJuly 31, 2018 What Turkey’s Political Changes Mean for U.S.-Turkish Relations The United States should take a harder line with Turkey and begin to prepare for the potential implications of Erdoğan’s aggressive nationalism. Jul 31, 2018 Max Hoffman, Alan Makovsky, Michael Werz
Erdoğan Not Assured of First-Round Victory ArticleJune 14, 2018 Erdoğan Not Assured of First-Round Victory A major new poll ahead of Turkish elections shows sharp divisions among Turks about the president’s tenure and the vulnerability of Erdoğan and the government on the economy. Jun 14, 2018 John Halpin, Max Hoffman, Alan Makovsky, 1 More Michael Werz
Turkey, a Nation Stuck in Politicized, Primordial Worldviews ArticleFebruary 20, 2018 Turkey, a Nation Stuck in Politicized, Primordial Worldviews Turkish politics is dominated by amorphous questions of identity, rather than tangible questions of public policy. Feb 20, 2018 Günter Seufert
How New Is Turkey’s ‘New Nationalism’? ArticleFebruary 14, 2018 How New Is Turkey’s ‘New Nationalism’? President Erdoğan has clearly expanded the place of Islam in Turkish society, but today's Turkish nationalism has deep historical roots. Feb 14, 2018 Howard Eissenstat
Turkey’s ‘New Nationalism’ Amid Shifting Politics ReportFebruary 11, 2018 Turkey’s ‘New Nationalism’ Amid Shifting Politics Security threats and populist leadership have left Turkey in a defensive crouch and driven the emergence of a new, conservative nationalism. Feb 11, 2018 Max Hoffman, Michael Werz, John Halpin
Is Turkey Experiencing a New Nationalism? ReportFebruary 11, 2018 Is Turkey Experiencing a New Nationalism? A new CAP study finds broad consensus among Turks about the dimensions of Turkish national identity and the nation's relationship to the rest of the world. Feb 11, 2018 John Halpin, Michael Werz, Alan Makovsky, 1 More Max Hoffman
Potential Turkish Military Move on Afrin Risks Wider War ArticleJanuary 19, 2018 Potential Turkish Military Move on Afrin Risks Wider War A Turkish military move on Syrian Kurdish forces in Afrin could spark fighting between Kurdish and Turkish-backed forces across northern Syria, with disastrous ramifications for all parties. Jan 19, 2018 Max Hoffman
Turkey’s Parliament ReportDecember 19, 2017 Turkey’s Parliament There may be some room for meaningful parliamentary action under the vastly expanded executive power of the new Turkish presidential system. Dec 19, 2017 Alan Makovsky
The European Union and Turkey in 2017: Move On or Apart? ReportJuly 24, 2017 The European Union and Turkey in 2017: Move On or Apart? It is time for the EU to take a hard-line approach when it comes to human rights and democracy within Turkey and, at the same time, more strongly emphasize continued engagement. Jul 24, 2017 Michael Werz
Trends in Turkish Civil Society ReportJuly 10, 2017 Trends in Turkish Civil Society Despite tremendous government pressure, Turkey’s vibrant civil society has the potential to help the country confront deep political and social problems. Jul 10, 2017 Center for American Progress, the Istanbul Policy Center, the Istituto Affari Internazionali
Trump’s Conflicts of Interest in Turkey ArticleJune 14, 2017 Trump’s Conflicts of Interest in Turkey Trump’s national security adviser may have pushed to delay a key military offensive against the Islamic State because it would upset Turkey, without revealing that he was on Turkey’s payroll throughout the campaign. Jun 14, 2017 John Norris, Carolyn Kenney
Trump’s First 100 Days in the Middle East ReportApril 26, 2017 Trump’s First 100 Days in the Middle East While President Trump has so far largely held off on his most reckless policy ideas, his first 100 days show both surprising continuity and troubling shifts that could undercut U.S. interests. Apr 26, 2017 Daniel Benaim
Erdoğan’s Proposal for an Empowered Presidency ReportMarch 22, 2017 Erdoğan’s Proposal for an Empowered Presidency Turks will vote April 16 in a referendum on proposed constitutional amendments that would greatly enhance the power of the presidency and reinforce Turkey’s democratic decline. Mar 22, 2017 Alan Makovsky