From Tripoli to Baku, and several points in-between, Turkey finds itself today on the front-lines of many regional conflicts. Meanwhile, on the home front, alleged followers of Turkish Islamic cleric Fetullah Gülen, who Turkey blames for the 2016 attempted military coup, continue to be arrested, the threat of renewed attacks by the Kurdish PKK lingers and the Turkish Lira slides.  How will Turkey’s Middle East end-game play out? Join us for a tour-de-force discussion that will include insights gleaned from the speakers last visit to Ankara and Istanbul in November 2019, and his recent research and upcoming book chapters on Canada-Turkey relations and Canada's strategic engagement in the Middle East and North Africa.

Chris Kilford 

President
Canadian International Council,
Victoria Branch

Dr. Chris Kilford served as Canada’s military attaché in Ankara, Turkey from 2011-2014 with cross-accreditation to Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkmenistan. He also served in Afghanistan from July 2009 to July 2010 as the deputy military attaché and is a former Commanding Officer of 4th Air Defence Regiment. Since retiring from the military in 2014, he has continued to keep a close eye on the region and become a respected commentator on historical and contemporary events.  He holds a PhD in history from Queen’s University, is a graduate of the Advanced Military Studies Course and the National Security Program (equivalency granted). He is also a member of the Canadian International Council National Board and President of the Victoria branch.