While Turkey is on its way to consolidating the shift to a presidential system of government, the country is facing a number of domestic and foreign policy challenges. Domestically, the economic crisis is a major threat to stability. As Turkey headed for important local elections on March 31, the economy has officially entered its first recession in a decade after years of sustained growth. At the regional level, conflict and instability have greatly affected the country, its Middle Eastern policy and alignments as well as relations with old allies and new partners. How is Turkey facing these different challenges and crises? What are the prospects for the economy? What role for Ankara in the future of Syria and in regional stabilisation? How will relations with both the United States and Russia evolve?
