Trick, trap, treason: conspiracy theories on Turkey's internal and external enemies (2002-2022)

Derin, U. (2026)

Doctoral Thesis

Conspiracy theories (CTs) have been a deeply rooted part of political discourse in Turkey for at least a century. Although CTs exist across the world, those in Turkey have distinctive features. I examine in this PhD thesis Turkish CTs by focusing on the interplay between internal and external enemies, their recurring links to the past, and their distinctive vocabulary. While the study analyses the Erdoğan era (2002–2022), it shows that references to the same enemies from the past remain a constant pillar of conspiracy narratives in Turkey.

• Conspiracy theories
• Turkish politics
• Modern Turkish history
• Internal and external enemies
• The Erdoğan administration

• All authors: Derin, U.
• Supervisor: Zürcher, E.J.
• Co-supervisor: Yenen, A.
• Committee: Gürpınar, D.; Göçek, F.M.; Bruijn, P. de; Yeşilkağıt, K.
• Qualification: Doctor (dr.)
• Awarding Institution: Leiden University Institute for Area Studies (LIAS), Faculty of Humanities, Leiden University
• Date: 2026-01-29