The AKP has dominated Turkish politics since coming into power in 2002 and its foreign policies have often deviated from the established policy lines of previous Turkish governments.

Given the radical changes in its region, Professor William Hale of the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) will address the question: “Turkey and the Middle East: Time for a Reset?” in a public lecture being organised by the Centre for Policy and Research on Turkey (Research Turkey) at SOAS on the evening of Tue.15 March.

In his talk, Professor Hale will share with us his analysis of Turkey’s policies towards the Middle East in the last decade and analyse whether the time of a paradigm shift has come.

The event will be chaired by journalist Jonathan Fryer. It is free and open to public, but seats are limited and pre-event registration is needed. See below for details.

About Prof. William Hale

William Hale is an Emeritus Professor in the Department of Politics and International Relations of SOAS, having retired as Professor of Politics from there in 2006. His main interests are the modern politics and international relations of Turkey.

Before joining the Department in 1989 he was Lecturer, then Senior Lecturer, in Politics of the Middle East in the Department of Politics, University of Durham (1967-89).

Since retiring from SOAS he has served as Visiting Professor, in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Sabancı University, Istanbul (2007-9), in the Department of Politics, University of Otago, New Zealand (2010) and in the Department of International Relations, Koç University Istanbul (2010-13).

His recent publications include Turkey, the United States and Iraq (Saqi Books, for London Middle East Institute, 2006), Islamism, Democracy and Liberalism in Turkey, The Case of the AKP (co-authored with Ergun Özbudun, Routledge, 2011) and Turkish Foreign Policy since 1774 (Routledge, 2012).

About Jonathan Fryer

Jonathan Fryer (born 5 June 1950) is a British writer, broadcaster, lecturer and Liberal Democrat politician. He was the LibDem candidate for the constituency of Poplar and Limehouse in the 2010 General Election. As Chairman of the London Liberal Democrats, he has supervised the HQ’s move to Brixton, and streamlined its operation.

Event details

Lecture: Turkey and the Middle East: Time for a Reset?

Date: Tuesday 15 March 2016

Start time: 7.15pm to 8.45pm

Duration: 108 minutes

Venue address:  Room B104, Brunei Gallery, SOAS, , University of London, Thornhaugh St, Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG

Admission: Free – but pre-event registration is required.

Tickets: eventbrite.co.uk/public-lecture-turkey-and-the-middle-east-time-for-a-reset

 

Main photo: Prof. William Hale (left), Research Turkey logo, and Jonathan Fryer (right)