Analysis

In-Depth Analysis

Smart, independent reporting on Turkey's politics, economy and foreign affairs.

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Deciphering Turkish Diplomacy Oct 30, 2026

ALIYEV DOUBLES DOWN AS ANKARA REMAINS OVERLY CONCILIATORY

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, declined President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s invitation to attend the summit of the Organization of Turkic States, scheduled for the day after Turkey’s Republic Day, marking one of the biggest crises in the two countries' close relationship. Despite Ankara’s visible steps to defuse the recent tension, his refusal to come on a date carrying symbolic importance for Turkey attests to the changing dynamics in the relationship since the military victory over Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020.

Barçın Yinanç 5 min

Inside Turkey Oct 22, 2026

İMAMOĞLU: “IF YOUR RIVALS ARE IN PRISON, YOU CANNOT BE LEGITIMATE”

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu completed his four-day defense in the second session of his trial, directly targeting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in testimony after more than 600 days behind bars.

Editorial Staff 9 min

Inside Turkey Oct 22, 2026

NAME DISPUTE OVER, PROVINCIAL CONGRESSES WILL TEST YENİ PARTY’S PROMISES

The Constitutional Court ended discussions about the Yeni Party’s name, but headquarters-backed candidates keep winning in the districts and provinces despite the promises to end the old CHP habit of central control.

Editorial Staff 3 min

Security and Defense Oct 15, 2026

MORFOZ ON STAGE

Turkish defense industry companies continued testing its newly developed products, such as Morfoz and Gökalp.

Editorial Team 2 min

Media, Internet and Culture Oct 8, 2026

CALLS FOR CONSTITUTIONAL COURT TO OVERTURN INTERNET BLOCKS

Scores of journalists, activists, and politicians gathered outside the Constitutional Court Oct. 7 to protest censorship of social media accounts.

Editorial Staff 2 min

Portrait of the Week Oct 8, 2026

CEMİL TUGAY’S SWITCH TO THE AKP AND THE SPOUSAL FACTOR

Izmir Metropolitan Mayor Cemil Tugay’s decision to join the AKP caused a major stir, bitter disappointment, and protests. After all, Izmir has long been regarded as a stronghold of left-wing politics. In fact, the city can be analyzed as “a city with center-right leanings that consistently votes for left-wing social democrats because of its opposition to the AKP.”

Anonymous 2 min

Inside Turkey Oct 1, 2026

JAILED ATALAY STARTS HUNGER STRIKE AS OPPOSITION PROTESTS ERDOĞAN AT PARLIAMENT'S OPENING

Can Atalay, stripped of his parliamentary seat and held in prison since 2022, began a hunger strike as parliament reconvened on Oct. 1, while the main opposition Yeni Party walked out when President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan took the floor during the opening speech.

Editorial Staff 3 min

Inside Turkey Oct 1, 2026

ISTANBUL MUNICIPALITY TRIAL: INFORMANT TESTIMONY RUNS ON HEARSAY, ONLY FOUR RELEASED

The court released four defendants, while informants who testified under effective remorse provisions refused to answer most questions from defense lawyers during cross-examination, claiming their previous testimonies were based on hearsay.

Editorial Staff 9 min

Inside Turkey Oct 1, 2026

COURT KEEPS İMAMOĞLU BEHIND BARS IN POLITICAL ESPIONAGE TRIAL

An Istanbul court ordered the continued detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, campaign director Necati Özkan, journalist Merdan Yanardağ, and businessperson Hüseyin Gün during the latest hearing in their political espionage trial.

Editorial Staff 4 min

Inside Turkey Oct 1, 2026

RETIRED POLICE OFFICER DIES BY SUICIDE AT PENSIONERS' PROTEST IN ANKARA

Ali Şekeroğlu, 60, took his own life outside the Constitutional Court while demanding a pay raise for retirees on Sept. 25. Şekeroğlu died by suicide with his own weapon.

Editorial Staff 1 min

Foreign Affairs Oct 1, 2026

A HARDER RACE THIS TIME FOR ANKARA'S PERENNIAL DIPLOMAT

OSCE Secretary General Feridun Sinirlioğlu is testing the waters with the Security Council's permanent members for the post of UN secretary-general, although the regional rotation favors a candidate from the Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC).

Editorial Staff 3 min

Portrait of the Week Oct 1, 2026

MONEY, SECOND-GENERATION AKP POLITICIANS, AND FATMA BETÜL SAYAN KAYA

Fatma Betül Sayan Kaya is a politician who has figured prominently in the latest investment fund scandal. She and her husband made staggering sums from funds in a very short time.

Anonymous 3 min