Turan Research Center

DC-based non-partisan research program hosted at the Yorktown Institute focusing on the Turkic and Persian worlds in the historic Turan region and beyond.

[Turan Research Center @TuranCenter]

Our new website is live!

Explore our latest analysis, browse topics from security to critical minerals, watch our videos and explainers, subscribe to our weekly newsletter, and request interviews with our researchers.

Discover more: https://t.co/ZdgNhiNLs4

#Geopolitics #CentralAsia

[Bruce Pannier @BrucePannier]

How Erdogan's Turkey Switches Between Islamism and Realpolitik https://t.co/hWexr6IXyu via @YouTube

[Turan Research Center @TuranCenter]

Erdogan's Turkey has repeatedly shifted between Islamist ideology and realpolitik, confronting regional powers before turning to diplomatic reconciliation.

Can Erdogan pull off another foreign policy reset?

Watch: https://t.co/lzUbZOqo6F

Analysis by @epsteinjos:
https://t.co/202ZvRJDHC

[Turan Research Center @TuranCenter]

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are seeking to capitalize on US-China AI competition without choosing sides. But can they turn great-power rivalry into lasting economic gains while competing for investment and facing mounting water constraints?

In his latest analysis, @emilavdaliani, Research Fellow at the Turan Research Center, examines the region’s AI ambitions.

Read more: https://t.co/TRLzr2Ftyj

[Turan Research Center @TuranCenter]

On November 5, the Turan Research Center, in cooperation with Ilia State University’s G. Tsereteli Institute of Oriental Studies, hosted a workshop in Tbilisi on U.S.–South Caucasus Relations Against the Backdrop of the War in Iran.

The discussion featured Joseph Epstein @epsteinjos, Professor Giorgi Sanikidze, and Professor Zeev Khanin of Bar-Ilan University, and was moderated by Turan Research Center Research Fellow Bako Kheladze @bako_kheladze.

[Turan Research Center @TuranCenter]

Could the Caucasus become Iran's next Strait of Hormuz?

Iranian commentators are raising the possibility of targeting the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline, a vital energy route for Azerbaijan, Turkey, Israel, and Europe.

How serious is Tehran's threat, and what's at stake?

🎥 Watch: https://t.co/vZkdVccmKc

Based on analysis by TRC Research Fellows @bako_kheladze and @hehsani71.

Full analysis: https://t.co/Nf0AcHjKdl

[Turan Research Center @TuranCenter]

Russia is tightening its grip on Abkhazia and South Ossetia, shifting from patronage to direct administration as its influence across the South Caucasus declines.
Aleksandre Davitashvili examines how Moscow is turning Georgia’s occupied territories into its last secure foothold in the region and a potential anchor for an alternative transit corridor. Read the full analysis: https://t.co/6KqSdxCSlM

[Joseph Epstein @epsteinjos]

Iranian analysts close to the IRGC now call the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline “Hormuz 2.0.” It carries nearly half of Israel’s oil and Kazakhstan’s main route around Russia. In @Newsweek, I explain why Washington should harden it before Tehran tests it.

https://t.co/K08XRkfbSK

[Turan Research Center @TuranCenter]

Turkey and Azerbaijan call themselves “one nation, two states.” But their alliance is facing growing tensions.

Why is Azerbaijan defying Erdogan?

In an exclusive interview, @BrucePannier speaks with political analyst @AHajizade about the growing rift.

🎥 Watch: https://t.co/7VyO3zNX8S

[Turan Research Center @TuranCenter]

Iran may be preparing to turn the South Caucasus into a second energy chokepoint. With the Strait of Hormuz disrupted, the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline and the region’s east–west corridors offer Tehran new sources of leverage.
Our Research Fellows @bako_kheladze and @hehsani71 examine the risks and what the West can do to deter escalation.
Read the full analysis: https://t.co/Nf0AcHjKdl

[Turan Research Center @TuranCenter]

What makes a country a real middle power?

Military strength? Economic independence? The ability to challenge superpowers?

From Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan to Canada and Poland, we examine who holds genuine geopolitical leverage.

Based on @epsteinjos analysis in Newsweek: https://t.co/VuMdi9JLmg

🎥 Watch: https://t.co/FTbFTRFPFf

#Geopolitics #MiddlePowers #TuranResearchCenter

[Turan Research Center @TuranCenter]

Turkey’s rift with Azerbaijan exposes the growing cost of balancing Islamist politics with strategic interests. Our Director @epsteinjos examines what the crisis reveals about Erdogan’s foreign policy and Turkey’s regional leadership.
Read more: https://t.co/PZvTPAg5os

[Bruce Pannier @BrucePannier]

Why Central Asia Stays Silent as Russia Recruits Its Citizens for War
https://t.co/dO0hN1TiK2

[Joseph Epstein @epsteinjos]

Azerbaijan is Turkey’s closest ally and one of Israel’s closest partners. In 2025, it hosted the talks that gave Ankara and Jerusalem a deconfliction line over Syria. When the two decide to make up, Baku is the likeliest broker. My latest for @TheNatlInterest:

https://t.co/e717igkwxn

[Turan Research Center @TuranCenter]

Russia is recruiting thousands of Central Asians into its war against Ukraine.

Some join for money or citizenship. Others say they were deceived, threatened or coerced.

Yet their governments have largely avoided publicly confronting Moscow over it.

Why?

Our new video is based on an analysis by journalist Grigorii Pyrlik for Turan Research Center.

Full Analysis: https://t.co/TaKkBWWasA

[Turan Research Center @TuranCenter]

Kyrgyzstan is looking west. Deeper ties with Georgia and Azerbaijan could help Bishkek diversify trade routes and gain access to European markets via the Middle Corridor.

Our Research Fellow @emilavdaliani examines the opportunities—and limits—of Kyrgyzstan’s growing engagement with the South Caucasus.

Read more: https://t.co/wVnYweyqaW

#CentralAsia #MiddleCorridor

[Turan Research Center @TuranCenter]

Iran’s southern blockade is pushing it deeper into Russia’s orbit. The Caspian corridor can help keep Iran fed, but it cannot replace the imports its economy needs—and gives Moscow greater leverage over Tehran.

@NikitaSmagin examines why Iran’s northern lifeline comes at a strategic cost.

Read more: https://t.co/ys1UBmvnHt

[Turan Research Center @TuranCenter]

Why is a girl’s headscarf becoming a question of national security across the Turkic world?

Azerbaijan has tightened school dress rules. Kazakhstan has constitutionalized secular education. Uzbekistan is opening more space for religion while holding the line in schools. Kyrgyzstan allows the hijab in classrooms.

FULL VIDEO: https://t.co/PI92Z4pxtg

Our new video examines where secular states draw the line — and why Turkey and Iran are part of the argument.

Based on analysis by Joseph Epstein, Director of Turan Research Center: https://t.co/qVQHoBSFJi

#Hijab #CentralAsia #Azerbaijan #Kazakhstan #Uzbekistan #Secularism

[Turan Research Center @TuranCenter]

Why do personality cults keep resurfacing across the post-Soviet world — while some countries dismantle them?

Our new video examines Turkmenistan, Chechnya, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.

The video is based on an analysis by Ozodlik, the Uzbek Service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. The Uzbek footage and interviews with Alisher Taksanov and Jahongir Muhammad also come from @ozodlik.

Watch Now: https://t.co/RjOQHZ1QUk

#CentralAsia #Uzbekistan #Turkmenistan #Kazakhstan #PostSoviet #Politics