New GAPs Publication Uncovers the Hidden Politics of Turkey-Afghanistan Return Diplomacy

A new article by GAPs coordinators Dr. Zeynep Şahin-Mencütek (BICC), Soner Barthoma (Uppsala University), and project partner Hidayet Sıddıkoğlu (BILIM Afghanistan) sheds light on the normally elusive realm of return diplomacy between Turkey and Afghanistan. Published in International Migration with the title "Return Diplomacy between Turkey and Afghanistan: Governing Returns through Religious and Humanitarian Networks," the article analyzes how the two governments apply historical ties, religious affiliation, and humanitarian stories to regulate return migration.

Far from being an easy policy process, the article reveals a mixture of official negotiations and unofficial bargaining—occasionally out of sight. While Turkish authorities want to control return flows in line with domestic political agendas, Afghan actors like the Taliban seek to become legitimate and be supported by international actors through cooperation.

The result is a precarious partnership of diplomacy and symbolism with little transparency and high stakes for the migrants caught in the middle. This timely book offers a rare look into the evolving strategies states use to control return migration—and the politics of power behind them.

Inside GAPs