The 13th installment of the Foreign Policy Talks, a series of closed roundtable meetings organized by IstanPol to bring together experts, researchers, academics, and journalists to discuss current foreign policy issues, was held online on November 11, 2024. Organized in partnership with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Istanbul Office, this session focused on the future of U.S.–Türkiye relations following the reelection of Donald Trump as U.S. President.

The 2024 U.S. Presidential Elections, held amidst significant global instability, have the potential to reshape U.S.–Türkiye relations. Over the years, a range of issues has strained ties between Ankara and Washington. Key points of contention include the S-400 missile defense system, the situation in Syria and U.S. support for the YPG, and broader dynamics within the NATO alliance. Economic relations—particularly in light of U.S. sanctions on Russia—and Türkiye’s interactions with Europe remain pivotal in shaping the transatlantic partnership.

Under the moderation of Riccardo Gasco, the coordinator of our Foreign Policy Program, the session explored these questions with the participation of distinguished speakers:

• Dr. Nicholas Danforth, Non-Resident Fellow at ELIAMEP and Editor at War On The Rocks
• Defne Arslan, Senior Director at Atlantic Council in Turkey
• Alper Coşkun, Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment
• Dr. Selin Nasi, Visiting Fellow at LSE and Non-Resident Senior Fellow at EDAM