June 9, 2015 | Press Release

Former Turkish Parliamentarian Joins FDD as Non-Resident Fellow

WASHINGTON — Dr. Aykan Erdemir, a former member of the Turkish Parliament from 2011 to 2015, has joined the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) as a non-resident fellow. Based in Ankara, Dr. Erdemir will focus on Turkey’s internal politics, its foreign relations, the peace process with the Kurds, and Turkey's ongoing involvement in illicit and terrorism finance.

“Aykan Erdemir brings an incredibly rich background as both a scholar and a political practitioner to FDD's coverage of the increasingly dramatic developments in Turkey,” said Eric Edelman, former U.S. ambassador to Turkey and now a senior advisor to FDD’s Turkey program. “His insights and experience will provide an invaluable perspective to understanding what is happening on the ground in this incredibly pivotal country for US national security.”

“Aykan joins FDD’s Turkey program at a fascinating time. Turkey is at a crossroads after Sunday’s election,” said Jonathan Schanzer, FDD’s vice president for research. “We will look to Aykan to provide valuable insight into the challenging political process ahead.”

“FDD was particularly impressed by the way Aykan conducted himself while serving in Turkey’s parliament, working across Turkey’s political divides to foster freedom, equality, and pluralism,” Schanzer added.

During his service in the Turkish parliament representing the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), Dr. Erdemir was a member of the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee, the EU Harmonization Committee, and the Ad Hoc Parliamentary Committee on the IT Sector and the Internet. As an outspoken defender of minority rights and religious freedoms in the Middle East, Dr. Erdemir has been at the forefront of the struggle against persecution, hate crimes, and hate speech in Turkey. He is a founding member of the International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief, and a drafter of and signatory to the Oslo Charter for Freedom of Religion or Belief (2014).

“As a scholar-cum-policymaker at the forefront of the struggle against hate, extremism, and religious persecution in Turkey and the Middle East, I am happy to join FDD in its efforts to defend democratic values,” said Dr. Erdemir.

Dr. Erdemir received his bachelor’s degree in International Relations at Bilkent University (Ankara), a master’s degree in Middle Eastern Studies and Ph.D. in Anthropology and Middle Eastern Studies from Harvard University. He also worked as a doctoral fellow at Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organizations at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and a research associate at the University of Oxford’s Center on Migration, Policy and Society (COMPAS).

Between 2004 and 2011, Dr. Erdemir was a faculty member at Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara where he also served as the Deputy Dean of the METU Graduate School of Social Sciences and graduate director of the German-Turkish Masters in Social Sciences. Dr. Erdemir’s academic research includes global migration, remittances, and transnational networks. 

“There’s no doubt that Turkey will continue to be a pivotal actor in regions of the world that are vital to U.S. interests,” said FDD senior counselor John Hannah, who also serves as a senior advisor to FDD’s Turkey program. “I’m delighted that a scholar and practitioner of Aykan’s caliber will now have the opportunity to share his deep, first-hand knowledge of Turkish politics and foreign policy with the Washington policymaking community.” 

Dr. Erdemir’s work has appeared in The Economist, Financial Times, Reuters, The Huffington Post, The Guardian, Al Jazeera, Al Monitor, Deutsche Welle, Berliner Zeitung, Jüdische Allgemeine, The Jerusalem Post, and The Times of Israel.

About FDD:

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies is a non-profit, non-partisan 501(c)3 policy institute focusing on foreign policy and national security. Founded in 2001, FDD combines policy research, democracy and counterterrorism education, strategic communications and investigative journalism in support of its mission to promote pluralism, defend democratic values and fight the ideologies that drive terrorism. Visit our website at www.defenddemocracy.org and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

Media Contact:
Kevin M. Black, Communications Associate
Office: (202) 403-2941 Cell: (203) 858-0562
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Issues:

Turkey