About the author

Engin Yüksel is an Associate Fellow with the Clingendael Institute. His research focuses on the strategic development, nature and impact of Turkish foreign policy in the Middle East, in particular in relation to Syria, Iraq, Iran and the Gulf Countries. His work is part of Clingendael's Levant research program on the role of hybrid coercive organisations in processes of state development. 

Photo credits

Turkish Army units and Free Syrian Army forces conduct joint operations in northwest Syria (Afrin) in January 2018
© Sözcü (a Turkish online and print media outlet)