A graduate of the Faculty of Law at Ankara University (1995), Altunkaynak served as Founding President of the Law and Change Association between 2013 and 2015 and as Secretary-General of the Ankara Association for Political and Economic Research between 2013 and 2015, and has been a member of the Supervisory Board of the Türkiye Maarif Foundation since 2016. Samir Altunkaynak has practised as an independent lawyer in Ankara for more than 28 years at Altunkaynak Law Office, which Altunkaynak founded. Altunkaynak’s articles and views are published regularly by various national and international media outlets.
Analysis
When the Umayyads of Damascus fell, Abd al-Rahman of the dynasty made his way, in an adventure worthy of the cinema, from Damascus to the Maghreb and from there by ship to al-Andalus, then divided among various tribes and powers. There he re-established the Umayyad state of al-Andalus, enabling the Umayyads to survive for several more centuries…
Samir Altunkaynak
Interview
The Arab lands.. Tom Barrack, US Ambassador in Ankara and Special Envoy for Syria: “There is no such thing as the Middle East; there are tribes and villages.” Yes, much as we may dislike them, these mocking words, which contain a good deal of truth, say a great deal.
Samir Altunkaynak
Analysis
After the ceasefire agreement adopted in January 2025, Muslims and the international community took action to halt Israeli attacks and to open the door to humanitarian aid for Gaza. As humanitarian aid convoys moved from Egypt towards Gaza, Israeli forces began a limited withdrawal from residential areas…
Samir Altunkaynak
Analysis
From Türkiye’s perspective, it can be said that Israel’s potential to pose a direct military threat to Türkiye on its own is weak. Türkiye’s geographical size, its population and the military technology it possesses, as well as its military alliances and geopolitical depth, cause Israel to refrain from…
Samir Altunkaynak
Analysis
Since 7 October, President Erdoğan had repeatedly drawn attention to Israeli expansionism and the threat of a regional war. Israel’s cyber attack on Lebanese Hezbollah on 17-18 September is being read as an open declaration of war. The President’s warning that Israel wanted to spread the war across the region…
Samir Altunkaynak
Analysis
On 21 July, following intense criticism, President Biden announced his withdrawal from the election to be held on 5 November. Biden stated that he had withdrawn his presidential candidacy of his own free will. As Biden’s withdrawal is a rare event in American history, it has also raised many questions with regard to electoral law…
Samir Altunkaynak
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