Roundtable with Prof. Mustafa Kibaroğlu,
Chair of the Department of Political Science and International Relations at MEF University
December 12, 2016

On December 12, 2016, GRF member Prof. Mustafa Kibaroğlu, Chair of the Department of Political Science and International Relations at MEF University, addressed GRF members at the inaugural meeting of the Security Roundtable Meeting Series. During his speech entitled “Turkey’s Security in the Face of Increasing Nuclear Proliferation and Risks,” Prof. Kibaroğlu underlined the factors that affect countries’ calculations and decisions regarding nuclear proliferation, such as national security and deterrence, the desire to become an established regional power, economies of scale related to military and nuclear expenditures, and bureaucratic/academic support. Additionally, Prof. Kibaroğlu elaborated on the external factors that influenced Turkey’s decision not to acquire nuclear weapons, such as its NATO membership, the EU negotiations, and the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Upon discussing Turkey’s options under the changing international context, Prof. Kibaroğlu answered the participants’ questions on regional security within the nuclear context, peaceful uses of atomic energy, and the future of existing global mechanisms regarding nuclear power.