Report request: I am an art student at the University of Maryland, majoring in cinema and theater. I am interested in how Turkish television series are used as a tool for Turkish soft power and cultural influence.
I'd like a report on how Turkish soap operas, dramas, and other television series are used by the Turkish government to exert influence on other countries in which they are viewed. Specifically, I want to understand how these shows are used to alter the views of people in other countries about Turkey, its people, and its culture.

Assessment questions and gold answers:
question_text: What regions did Turkish TV series dominate before expanding to South America?
gold_answers: The Indian subcontinent
question_text: What regions did Turkish TV series dominate before expanding to South America?
gold_answers: Middle East
question_text: What regions did Turkish TV series dominate before expanding to South America?
gold_answers: Caucasus
question_text: What regions did Turkish TV series dominate before expanding to South America?
gold_answers: Central Asia
question_text: What regions did Turkish TV series dominate before expanding to South America?
gold_answers: Balkans
question_text: Which countries in South America are highlighted as major consumers of Turkish TV series?
gold_answers: Chile
question_text: Which countries in South America are highlighted as major consumers of Turkish TV series?
gold_answers: Argentina
question_text: Which countries in South America are highlighted as major consumers of Turkish TV series?
gold_answers: Mexico
question_text: How have Turkish TV series been utilized by Turkey in recent years?
gold_answers: A form of soft power
question_text: Besides attracting tourists, what other role do Turkish TV series play in advancing Turkey's cultural goals?
gold_answers: Promoting Turkish language
question_text: Approximately how many viewers have Turkish TV series amassed worldwide?
gold_answers: Over 700 million
question_text: Which Turkish TV series has approximately 500 million viewers, making it the most-watched series globally?
gold_answers: 'Hareem Sultan'
question_text: What is the primary focus of Turkish TV series intended for international audiences?
gold_answers: attract tourists
question_text: What aspect of domestic Turkish productions do international Turkish series refrain from portraying?
gold_answers: avoiding the sadness common in local productions.
question_text: How does Turkey aim to exert a positive influence in foreign markets through its TV series?
gold_answers: highlighting positive aspects of Turkey
question_text: What are Turkish TV series expected to promote?
gold_answers: Turkish culture
question_text: What are Turkish TV series expected to promote?
gold_answers: Turkish language
question_text: What are Turkish TV series expected to promote?
gold_answers: Turkish diplomacy
question_text: Q. What is the Turkish government's motivation for investing in the production of these series?
gold_answers: advancing cultural
political goals
question_text: Besides attracting tourists, what other role do Turkish TV series play in advancing Turkey's cultural goals?
gold_answers: promoting Turkish  art
promoting Turkish culture
question_text: Besides attracting tourists, what other role do Turkish TV series play in advancing Turkey's cultural goals?
gold_answers: promoting cultural exchanges
Enhancing diplomatic ties