The Orient Brief

Trump and Erdoğan: A new Middle East alliance

In this episode of The Orient Brief, host Ahmetcan Uzlaşık talks with foreign policy expert Yusuf Can to explore how Donald Trump’s relationship with Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is reshaping Türkiye’s role in the Middle East. From shifting alliances to controversial arrests, what does Trump’s influence mean for Türkiye’s political future and regional dynamics? Dive into the hidden power moves behind the headlines.

Disappearing lakes: Why Türkiye’s wetlands are vanishing?

In this episode of The Orient Brief, host Ahmetcan Uzlaşık investigates the alarming disappearance of Türkiye’s lakes and wetlands. Over the past 60 years, more than 180 lakes have dried up, threatening biodiversity, water security, and local livelihoods. Wetlands expert Burçin Yaraşlı joins the conversation to explain how mismanagement, over-irrigation, and industrial pressure-alongside climate change-are accelerating this environmental collapse. Can Türkiye still save its lakes, or are we witnessing an irreversible loss? Tune in for a deep dive into one of Türkiye’s most urgent ecological crises.

Turkey’s housing crisis: Why has shelter become a privilege?

In this episode of The Orient Brief, host Ahmetcan Uzlaşık explores why access to housing in Turkey has become a growing crisis. With skyrocketing prices and soaring rents, home ownership is slipping out of reach for millions. What turned a basic human right into an unattainable dream? Economist Dr. Tansel Güçlü joins the conversation to break down the root causes—from economic inequality to housing turning into an investment tool—and discusses what must change to restore the right to shelter. Tune in for an in-depth look at Turkey’s housing emergency and where hope for solutions may lie.

Femicides in Turkey: A crisis ignored

Despite growing protests, femicide remains a deep-rooted crisis in Turkey. In this episode of The Orient Brief, host Ahmetcan Uzlaşık speaks with feminist sociologist Dr. Özlem Altıok to explore the systemic failures, societal norms, and political factors that enable gender-based violence.

Turkey’s brain drain: Talent loss or a gateway to transformation?

In this episode of The Orient Brief, host Ahmetcan Uzlaşık tackles Turkey’s growing brain drain phenomenon. Why are thousands of skilled professionals and graduates leaving the country? What drives this exodus—economic instability, political uncertainty, or lack of opportunities? Drawing on the Turkey’s Brain Drain Report by Toplum Çalışmaları Enstitüsü, [https://www.toplum.org.tr/]this episode unpacks the implications of this talent migration for Turkey’s future. With expert insights from researcher İbrahim Yağmur Uzunırmak, we explore whether brain drain is merely a loss—or a chance to foster transformation. Tune in to discover how Turkey could turn this challenge into an opportunity.