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March 12, 2026
12:00 pm
EVENT: Between Ally and Adversary: Turkey’s Strategic Calculus in the Iran War
As the war involving Iran reshapes the strategic landscape of the Middle East, Turkey finds itself navigating one of the most complex geopolitical dilemmas in its modern history. Sharing a long border with Iran and balancing its role as a NATO member with its regional ambitions, Ankara is attempting to manage the fallout of a conflict that could dramatically alter the balance of power across the region. Turkish leaders have condemned U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran while simultaneously warning Tehran against expanding the conflict, reflecting a delicate strategy of hedging between competing interests.
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Jonathan Schanzer
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Craig Singleton
China Program Senior Director and Senior Fellow
Behnam Ben Taleblu
Iran Program Senior Director and Senior Fellow
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RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery
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Overnight Brief: May 19, 2026
Read Full BriefToday In Issues:
FDD Research & Analysis
- "Trump plays a dangerous game, bargaining with Taiwan’s defense," The Washington Post
- "Turkey’s Missile Ambitions Should Alarm Europe and the United States," Real Clear Defense
- "The Humanitarian Aid Machine Cannot Be Bamboozled by Gaza," Townhall
- "US, Nigerian forces kill senior Islamic State leader," FDD's Long War Journal
- "Netanyahu pushes for US military aid drawdown" FDD's Long War Journal
- "Hamas commander Izz al Din al Haddad targeted in Israeli airstrike," FDD's Long War Journal
- "Reported U.S. Intelligence Notes Threat From Cuba’s Russian and Iranian Drone Stockpile," FDD Flash Brief
The Must-Reads
- Hamas said to appoint Mohammed Odeh to replace terror group’s slain leader in Gaza
- ICC plans to seek arrest warrant for Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich - report
- Trump says he’s called off an attack on Iran to give talks more time
- Iran says peace proposal includes reparations for war damage, US troop withdrawal
- Islamic regime launches Persian Gulf Strait Authority, ships reportedly start paying tolls
- US extends sanctions waiver on Russian oil to aid vulnerable countries
- Russia conducts major nuclear drills
- Turkey has potential to influence Ukraine, Iran wars, German minister says
- Middle East Forum’s Amine Ayoub: Hezbollah is using the ‘ceasefire’ to produce more drones for war against Israel
- Greenland says US talks make progress but island is not for sale
- Cuba warns US military action would cause 'bloodbath' after drone report
- WSJ’s Gerald Baker: Trump, Taiwan and the ‘Thucydides Trap’