Structural analysis of the Arab diaspora think-tanks in Istanbul

The thesis mainly aimed at identifying the most important scientific contributions on which the Arab diaspora think tanks centers in Istanbul are based, as it is an important factor in the re-transformation of knowledge that serves their subjectivity, their societies, and their central issues for which it was founded. The study sample relied on the interview tool, which included 19 think tanks centers in Istanbul. In order to achieve the goal of the study, the researcher followed several scientific approaches, including: the descriptive, analytical, historical, and content analysis approaches with the aim of describing concepts, general vision, types, and the most important areas and programs that have the most impact and effectiveness among the Arab diaspora think tanks centers in Istanbul. The researcher traced the historical path of the development of those centers before and after the outbreak of the Arab Spring revolutions, which led to their establishment and opening, and then analyzed the content, that is, the content of the interview questions that were conducted with the Arab diaspora think tanks centers in Istanbul. In addition, this content was analyzed and interpreted scientifically and critically in light of the information taken from the interview and related previous studies. The study revealed several results, the most important of which are the following: The factors of freedom - democracy and political stability encouraged the Arab diaspora think tanks centers in Istanbul to spread knowledge of their issues in the Turkish political and social environment. On the other hand, it formed an alternative path for them by participating in the negotiation sessions between the Turkish government and the Syrian opposition, whether directly or indirectly. In addition to the previous advantages that motivate the establishment of qualitative centers that meet to some extent their needs, the Arab Diaspora think tanks centers in Istanbul faced several challenges, including: the absence of a collective will to establish a joint scientific network, the lack of sufficient financial resources, both at the establishment stage or during the implementation of routine activities beside the lack of objectivity and independence, the security challenge, the absence of scientific competencies, and other internal and external challenges that faced these centers, and required the development of sets of recommendations as are considered strategies managers of the Arab diaspora think tanks centers should adopt in order to avoid any challenge they may face in the future. Keywords: intellectual capital, brain drain, diaspora, knowledge diaspora, scientific diaspora, diaspora diplomacy, diaspora digital diplomacy, think tanks, Arab diaspora, think tanks centers, Istanbul.