The Middle East Institute's Center for Turkish Studies in collaboration with the Institute of Turkish Studies present:"Regional and Domestic Challenges for an Ascendant Turkey" June 27th, 20129:00am-5:00pmNational Press Club529 14th Street, NW 13th FloorWashington, DC 20045 Conference Schedule:8:45am - 9:00am: Registration9:00am – 9:15am: WelcomeAmb. Wendy J. Chamberlin, Middle East InstituteGönül Tol, MEI’s Center for Turkish StudiesRoss Wilson, Institute of Turkish Studies 9:15am – 10:00am: Opening KeynoteSenator John McCainUnited States Senate 10:00am – 10:30am: KeynoteAmb. Namik TanAmbassador of Turkey to the United States 10:45am – 12:15pmPanel 1: Turkey's Domestic Calculus: The Kurds, the Constitution, and the Presidential System DebateYalçın Akdoğan, Member of Parliament, Justice and Development PartyRuşen Çakır, Turkish Daily VatanMichael Gunter, Tennessee Technological UniversityLevent Köker, Atilim UniversityModerator: Michael Werz, Center for American Progress 1:00pm – 1:45pm: KeynoteIbrahim KalınChief Adviser to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan 1:45pm – 3:15pmPanel 2: Turkey, the EU, and the U.S.: Evolving Partnerships Post-Arab SpringBrice de Schietere, Delegation of the European Union to the U.S.Ambassador W. Robert Pearson, IREXAmbassador Ross Wilson, Atlantic CouncilYaşar Yakış, Center for Strategic Communication, Former Minister of Foreign AffairsModerator: Sharon Wiener, Koç University 3:30pm – 5:00pmPanel 3: Turkey’s Leadership Role in an Uncertain Middle EastJoost Hiltermann, International Crisis GroupYigal Schleifer, Freelance JournalistRobin Wright, Woodrow Wilson International Center for ScholarsModerator: Abderrahim Foukara, al-Jazeera