Contemporary Issues in World Politics

Dr. İlter Turan serves as Professor Emeritus of Political Science in the Department of International Relations at Istanbul Bilgi University, where he previously served as President from 1998 to 2001, following positions at Koç University and Istanbul University, where he chaired the International Relations Department. His academic credentials include a BA from Oberlin College, an MA from Columbia University, and a PhD from Istanbul University, establishing the foundation for his influential career in political science. His leadership in the field is exemplified through his roles as Past President of the International Political Science Association and the Turkish Political Science Association, while his scholarly impact extends through numerous publications in English and Turkish on comparative politics, Turkish politics, and foreign policy. His most recent book "Turkey's Difficult Journey to Democracy," published by Oxford University Press, reflects his expertise in Turkish democratization and political institutions. As a regular columnist for the economics daily Dünya and frequent media commentator, he continues to shape public discourse on Turkish politics and international relations. His service on various corporate and foundation boards complements his academic work, demonstrating his broad influence across sectors. Born in Istanbul in 1941, his career spans over five decades of contributions to political science scholarship and public understanding of Turkish democracy and international relations.

Dr. Mehmet Ali Tuğtan serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of International Relations at Istanbul Bilgi University since 2008, while also holding the position of Chair of Bilgi Distance Education Center (UZEM) since 2017. His academic credentials include a PhD from Boğaziçi University's Political Science program in 2007, with his dissertation focusing on Turkish-US Security Relations. His expertise spans contemporary world politics, Turkish foreign policy, and security studies, with notable publications on Turkish participation in the Korean War, terrorism, and natural disasters as security threats. As Director of UZEM, he has led significant initiatives in online education, managing the conversion of over 1,800 courses during the COVID-19 pandemic and developing innovative approaches to distance learning. His research interests include Turkish-American Relations, Contemporary World Politics, and Security Studies, and he has edited significant works including a book on Turkish involvement in the Korean War. Born in 1974, he continues to shape both international relations scholarship and digital education innovation through his dual roles at Istanbul Bilgi University.