NEWS

The TÜBİTAK 1001-funded TRSİDİPLOM project has developed a comparative dataset covering 215 cyber diplomacy events across 25 countries. Initial findings reveal distinct institutional approaches to cyber diplomacy, highlighting the roles of foreign ministries and technical cybersecurity agencies.

How do states protect their interests in cyberspace through diplomacy? Are foreign ministries or specialized cybersecurity institutions taking the lead? And what can Türkiye learn from international experience?

These questions are at the heart of TRSİDİPLOM, a research project led by Professor Salih Bıçakcı and supported by TÜBİTAK's 1001 Scientific and Technological Research Projects Support Programme. Professor Çiğdem Üstün of Istanbul Nişantaşı University is also a member of the research team.

During its first year, the project examined cyber diplomacy practices between 2000 and 2026, analyzing cooperation agreements, joint exercises, negotiations and sanctions.

Two Distinct Institutional Approaches to Cyber Diplomacy

Initial findings indicate that countries adopt different institutional models for conducting cyber diplomacy.

In Australia, Germany and Japan, foreign ministries play a leading role. In Singapore and Israel, specialized technical cybersecurity agencies take a more prominent position.

These differences raise an important question for Türkiye: How can diplomatic experience and technical expertise be most effectively integrated into a coherent cyber diplomacy framework?

Building a Comparative Dataset Across 25 Countries

The research team has developed a comparative dataset of 215 cyber diplomacy events and completed the first version of a digital dashboard enabling country-by-country and year-by-year comparisons.

International partnerships have also been visualized through network graphs, providing new ways to examine patterns of cooperation and institutional engagement.

In the next phase, the team plans to deepen its country analyses and work toward making the project's conceptual map accessible through its website.

Bringing Research into International Academic Dialogue

The project's research has contributed to international discussions through a paper presented at the European Workshops in International Studies (EWIS 2026), held in İzmir, as well as participation in a United Nations stakeholder dialogue on cybersecurity.

The team also shares developments through its bilingual Cyber Diplomacy Desk series (https://www.linkedin.com/company/trsidiplom/) , making research insights accessible to wider academic and public audiences.

Towards a Cyber Diplomacy Model for Türkiye

The ultimate objective of TRSİDİPLOM is to propose a cyber diplomacy model aligned with Türkiye's strategic priorities.

The proposed framework will consider institutional responsibilities, interagency coordination and the contribution of technical expertise to foreign policy.

By bringing together international relations and cybersecurity research, the project contributes to a deeper understanding of diplomacy in an increasingly interconnected digital environment.