*Originally recorded February 26, 2021*
Dr. Chris Kilford
President, Canadian International Council, Victoria

Abstract: 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 economy suffers. 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.

Speaker's Bio: Chris Kilford is a member of the national board of the Canadian International Council (CIC) and President of the CIC Victoria branch. He holds a PhD in history from Queen’s University with a focus on civil-military relations in the developing world. Chris is also a Fellow with the Queen’s Centre for International and Defence Policy and a sessional professor with the Canadian Forces College where he teaches online courses focused on geopolitical issues. Chris enjoyed a 36-year career in the Canadian Armed Forces. He commanded 4th Air Defence Regiment from 1999-2001 followed by various positions in the Department of National Defence including Acting Director Future Security Analysis and Military Liaison Officer with the Senate Committee on National Security and Defence. From July 2009 until July 2010, he deployed to Canada’s Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan as the Deputy Military Attaché. On his return to Canada, he commenced Turkish language training before heading to Canada’s Embassy in Ankara, Turkey as the Canadian Defence Attaché with cross accreditation to Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkmenistan from July 2011 until July 2014. Chris retired from the Canadian Armed Forces in September 2014. Since retiring from the military Chris has become a recognized expert on Turkish foreign policy and Middle Eastern political issues. His book chapters, articles and opinion pieces on Canadian defence and foreign policy issues, plus Turkish and Middle Eastern matters, have appeared in numerous Canadian and international publications. In addition, he has spoken internationally on Turkish and Middle Eastern foreign policy issues on many occasions and conducted numerous television and radio interviews covering similar subjects.