Analysis

In-Depth Analysis

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

MILLIONS OF RETIREES WATCH INFLATION DATA AS PENSION TALKS NEAR
Economy and Finance Jun 12, 2026

MILLIONS OF RETIREES WATCH INFLATION DATA AS PENSION TALKS NEAR

Millions of retirees in Turkey are waiting for official inflation data due on July 3 to learn how much their pensions could increase in the second half of the year. TurkStat will announce June inflation figures on July 3, revealing the inflation rate for the first six months of 2026. The data will determine the basis for pension adjustments. The parliament previously set the minimum pension for workers and self-employed retirees at 20,000 Turkish lira ($434) as of Jan. 1, 2026. Any increase to that minimum pension level will require a new legal regulation.

Editorial Team 1 min
AKKUYU NUCLEAR PLANT CLOSER TO LAUNCH AFTER CRITICAL TEST
Economy and Finance Jun 12, 2026

AKKUYU NUCLEAR PLANT CLOSER TO LAUNCH AFTER CRITICAL TEST

Engineers at Turkey's first nuclear power plant have finished a critical test as part of preparations for the launch planned by the end of 2026, the Energy Ministry said. Technicians successfully loaded 163 simulated fuel assemblies into the reactor pressure vessel of the first unit at the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant. The operation is a major milestone in the launch of the country’s first nuclear power facility.

Editorial Team 2 min
ANKARA SENDS MIXED SIGNALS AFTER PASHINYAN ELECTION WIN
Foreign Affairs Jun 11, 2026

ANKARA SENDS MIXED SIGNALS AFTER PASHINYAN ELECTION WIN

Questions about the future of Turkey-Armenia normalization have grown after Turkish Foreign Ministry removed key wording from its statement on Armenian elections, putting pressure on Armenia rather than also pushing Azerbaijan and it took President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan four days to congratulate the Armenian prime minister on his election win.

Editorial Team 3 min
HIGH TENSION OVER CYPRUS
Security and Defense Jun 11, 2026

HIGH TENSION OVER CYPRUS

Before the government submits a bill to define Turkish zones of jurisdiction in the surrounding seas, Turkey and Greece have once again clashed off the coast of Cyprus.

Editorial Team 4 min
ECONOMIC GROWTH SLOWS AS FORECASTS REVISED DOWNWARD
Economy and Finance Jun 5, 2026

ECONOMIC GROWTH SLOWS AS FORECASTS REVISED DOWNWARD

The Turkish economy grew by 2.5% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year, lower than the 2.7% growth expected by economists. TurkStat data showed that quarter-on-quarter GDP growth remained at 0.1%. Household consumption made the largest contribution to growth with 3.4 percentage points. However, industrial production contracted. Also, the negative contribution of net foreign trade expanded.

Editorial Team 3 min
NEW ROLE, NEW DEFINITION
Foreign Affairs Jun 5, 2026

NEW ROLE, NEW DEFINITION

Tom Barrack, now appointed as special envoy to Iraq in addition to his ambassadorial role in Turkey and special envoy role in Syria, described Iraq, Syria, and Turkey as 'the strategic fulcrum upon which any enduring Middle East stability must pivot,' calling for a single, consistent point of American contact across the three nations.

Editorial Team 3 min