About Mehmet Emin Cengiz

Mehmet Emin Cengiz is a Research Fellow at the Istanbul-based international think tank Al Sharq Strategic Research, focusing on Syria, Turkey, and the wider Middle East. After receiving his B.A. from the Sociology Department at Ege University in 2016, Cengiz completed his master’s degree at the Department of Sociology and Anthropology of the Middle East at Marmara University in 2020. During his B.A., he also participated in the Erasmus+ Program and studied at Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf as an international exchange student in Germany. Cengiz’s pieces regarding Turkish foreign policy, the Syrian war, and non-state armed actors have appeared in national and international media outlets and think tanks. His research interests are the Syrian conflict, non-state armed actors, Turkish foreign policy, volunteer foreign fighters, and regional Kurdish politics.
19 Apr, 2021

Decoding the Intra-Kurdish Dialogue in Syria

Mehmet Emin Cengiz | 19 April 2021

The intra-Kurdish unity talks between the PYD and the KNC seem to be at an impasse. The unity negotiations, which are undoubtedly the product of times of crisis in Kurdish politics in Syria, started in April 2020, and two rounds of negotiations have already passed. Nevertheless, face-to-face negotiations between the sides stalled months ago, and the third round of talks could not be initiated despite various attempts and US mediation. Moreover, many obstacles lie ahead of the success of the unity talks.

Decoding the Intra-Kurdish Dialogue in Syria2022-04-19T14:05:16+03:00
28 Oct, 2020

The Transformation Struggle of the PYD: Localization Tendency as a Method of Gaining Legitimacy?
Oct 28, 2020

Mehmet Emin Cengiz | 28 October 2020 | TR

The Democratic Union Party (PYD) has emerged as one of the biggest beneficiaries in the Syrian war, triggered by the Arab Spring. Since its inception in 2003 until 2011, the party had not found the chance of being a significant actor in the Syrian political theatre. However, the Syrian war eruption and the rise of ISIS opened a new chapter for the PYD and its military wing, the People’s Protection Units (YPG).

The Transformation Struggle of the PYD: Localization Tendency as a Method of Gaining Legitimacy?
Oct 28, 20202022-05-12T17:08:07+03:00
1 Sep, 2020

The Eastern Mediterranean: A Severe Conflict Scene for Geopolitical Rivalry

Mehmet Emin Cengiz | 01 September 2020 | TR | AR

The emerging security and energy equation in the Eastern Mediterranean has been increasingly becoming a decisive dynamic for the MENA region. The growing disputes and competition over maritime zone boundaries due to the lucrative [...]

The Eastern Mediterranean: A Severe Conflict Scene for Geopolitical Rivalry2020-11-06T16:26:38+03:00
20 Jun, 2020

Thorny Challenges for the PYD-led Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria
Jun 20, 2020

Mehmet Emin Cengiz Bedir Mulla Rashid | 20 June 2020 | TR | AR

The PYD-led Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) has been facing various thorny challenges in different realms ever since the launch of Operation Peace Spring.

Thorny Challenges for the PYD-led Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria
Jun 20, 20202022-05-26T19:22:33+03:00
1 Jun, 2020

The Three Pillars of Turkey’s Syria Policy in the Face of Covid-19

Mehmet Emin Cengiz | 01 June 2020

The Three Pillars of Turkey's Syria Policy in the Face of Covid-19 The Covid-19 pandemic may change many things in international affairs, but thus far, it has failed to alter the conflict dynamics in Syria. Even [...]

The Three Pillars of Turkey’s Syria Policy in the Face of Covid-192022-05-27T13:14:33+03:00
5 Apr, 2020

The COVID-19 Pandemic And Its Possible Repercussions On MENA Regional Politics

Mehmet Emin Cengiz | 05 April 2020 | TR | AR

The emergence and rapid spread of the coronavirus on a global scale will have long-lasting effects on both global political and economic dynamics in the coming months

The COVID-19 Pandemic And Its Possible Repercussions On MENA Regional Politics2020-12-31T13:02:11+03:00
16 Jan, 2020

The Assassination of Qasem Soleimani and its Implications for Regional Politics

Mehmet Emin Cengiz | 16 January 2020 | TR | AR

The pace of recent events in Iran and Iraq has been perplexing to both regional and international political actors. Both countries have been suffering waves of protests for months.

The Assassination of Qasem Soleimani and its Implications for Regional Politics2022-06-15T16:06:18+03:00
2 Sep, 2019

The Trajectory of Turkish-Western Relations after S-400s

Mehmet Emin Cengiz | 02 September 2019

Turkey’s recent decision to purchase Russian-made S-400 long-range air defense missile systems has reignited heated debates concerning the country’s role and reliability in NATO and Western alliances. The United States and other NATO countries have [...]

The Trajectory of Turkish-Western Relations after S-400s2019-09-02T17:03:48+03:00
26 Aug, 2019

Turkish-US Deal on the Safe Zone: A Multi-Sided Opportunity in Syria

Mehmet Emin Cengiz | 26 August 2019 | TR

After months of deadlock, Turkey and the US have finally reached an agreement on the establishment of a safe zone in Northern Syria, an issue which has been on the agenda of the Turkish [...]

Turkish-US Deal on the Safe Zone: A Multi-Sided Opportunity in Syria2020-08-09T14:38:13+03:00
9 Apr, 2019

The Phenomenon of YPG Transnational Fighters in Syria

Sinan Hatahet Mehmet Emin Cengiz Bedir Mulla Rashid | 09 April 2019 | TR | AR

Even though foreign fighters are an age-old phenomenon, they have once again come to the fore with the outbreak of the war in Syria. The battlefield has attracted thousands of foreign volunteers who have joined

The Phenomenon of YPG Transnational Fighters in Syria2020-08-15T11:31:46+03:00

ABOUT AL SHARQ RESEARCH

Al Sharq Strategic Research is a think tank that looks to undertake impartial, rigorous research to promote the ideals of democratic participation, an informed citizenry, multi-stakeholder dialogue and social justice.

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