A Nation Must Think Before it Acts
From Life Itself: Turkey, Istanbul, and a Neighborhood in the Age of Erdoğan
A nation must think before it acts.
VENUE:FPRI
From Life Itself: Turkey, Istanbul, and a Neighborhood in the Age of Erdoğan
May 05, 2026 | 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm | National Security Program
About the Event
Nick Danforth, deputy editor at Foreign Policy sits down with author Suzy Hansen to discuss her latest book, From Life Itself: Turkey, Istanbul, and a Neighborhood in the Age of Erdoğan.
In her first book since the Pulitzer Prize-finalist Notes on a Foreign Country, Suzy Hansen returns with From Life Itself, a deeply reported, intimate portrait of Istanbul’s Karagümrük neighborhood. Hansen spent over a decade in Turkey, embedding herself in this working-class community as it faced the frontlines of the 21st century’s greatest disruptions: the Syrian refugee crisis, domestic political coups, and a shift toward authoritarianism. By focusing on the lives of local residents and their Muhtar, Hansen weaves a powerful narrative that shows how global forces, from climate change to technological shifts, reshape the very fabric of "home".
Books will be available for purchase at the event.
FPRI is happy to provide this event free of charge thanks to the generous support of our members, partners, and event attendees. If you are not currently a member, the suggested donation is $50.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our events coordinator, Christine Datesman at cdatesman@fpri.org
Venue
FPRI
123 S. Broad St, Suite 1920
Philadelphia. PA. US. 19109
Speakers
Suzy Hansen - Suzy Hansen lived in Istanbul for more than a decade, where she was a contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine and many other publications.
Your Support Makes Our Work Possible
Become a member today and connect with FPRI’s community of experts and supporters.