Beykoz University hosted a panel titled “Syria. The Day After” on December 26, 2024 to discuss the Syrian issue, one of the most important international crises of the 21st century: The Day After" to discuss one of the most important international crises of the 21st century. Academics and experts discussed the regional repercussions and solutions to international crises.
The panel was moderated by Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kasım Han, Vice Rector and Faculty Member of Social Sciences, and the speakers were Assoc. Prof. Ahmet Salih Bıçakçı from Kadir Has University, Assoc. Prof. Behlül Özkan from Özyeğin University and Prof. Dr. Mehmet Ali Tuğtan from Bilgi University. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Ali Tuğtan from Bilgi University.
The first speaker of the panel, Assoc. Prof. Ahmet Salih Bıçakçı drew attention to the strategic importance of Syria in the Middle East and discussed the effects of the Arab Spring on the sectarian and ethnic balances in the region. He also evaluated how radical groups in Syria have created a global mobilization and the possible future effects of this mobilization.
Assoc. Prof. Behlül Özkan emphasized that Turkey-Syria relations should be analyzed from a historical perspective. He emphasized the strategic importance of the border shared by the two countries and elaborated on the current repercussions of past problems and the risks Turkey may face in these relations.
Finally, Assist. Prof. Mehmet Ali Tuğtan stated that Syria is the intersection point of the strategic interests of international actors. He analyzed Turkey's role in the Middle East in the context of its NATO alliance in relation to the influence of great powers such as the US, China and Russia in the region. Tuğtan also offered suggestions on how Turkey's refugee problem and its military presence in the region can be combined with conjunctural advantages.
The moderator of the panel, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kasım Han, pointed out the depth of the speeches and said, "Turkey needs to be very careful in its Syria policy in the coming period. The restrained approach of our Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan gives hope at this point." Addressing the students, he emphasized that participation in such events is an important step for future professional success.
We would like to thank our invited speakers, all students and academicians who participated in the event.
This content was updated on 10/02/2025.