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PARLIAMENTARY PEACE COMMISSION HITS DELAY
Deep Dive May 29, 2026

PARLIAMENTARY PEACE COMMISSION HITS DELAY

Hopeful for the disarmament of the PKK after the ceremonial burning of arms, the Turkish government is observing developments on the ground while efforts to establish a commission in the parliament look set to drag into next week. Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş visited MHP and CHP chairs, but the commission’s structure and name were not finalized. Now, he is expected to meet once again with the parliamentary group deputy chairs. The meeting, initially planned for July 25 is expected to be postponed to July 28 at the earliest. After the framework is set, commission members will be appointed. While the head of Turkish intelligence, İbrahim Kalın, toured all the party groups in the parliament, the media tracked a tempest in a teapot after MHP Chair Devlet Bahçeli confirmed reports that he proposed appointing two vice presidents—one Kurdish and one Alevi.

Editorial Team
FROM FIRE TO LEGAL FRAMEWORK: PARLIAMENT BEGINS PEACE PROCESS TALKS
Deep Dive May 29, 2026

FROM FIRE TO LEGAL FRAMEWORK: PARLIAMENT BEGINS PEACE PROCESS TALKS

In a symbolic act seen by many as the first step toward a “terror-free Turkey,” a 30-member group affiliated with the PKK ceremonially burned their weapons and gear in front of a fire sacred to Kurds, initiating a process expected to proceed through mutual steps. In response, Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş invited political party representatives to a July 18 meeting to discuss forming a parliamentary commission tasked with drafting the legal framework for this new peace initiative.

Editorial Team
KURDISH PROCESS AWAITS NEWROZ
Inside Turkey Mar 12, 2026

KURDISH PROCESS AWAITS NEWROZ

After the completion of the Parliamentary Commission report on the Kurdish peace process, legal steps are expected to accelerate after the Ramadan holiday, which ends on March 22 and overlaps with Newroz, the spring festival seen as a symbol of Kurdish identity.

Editorial Team
SANCAR ARMED USV ENTERS SERVICE
Security and Defense Feb 26, 2026

SANCAR ARMED USV ENTERS SERVICE

The armed unmanned naval vehicle Sancar, jointly developed by Havelsan and Yonca Shipyard, was commissioned into the Navy at a ceremony attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Feb. 24.

Editorial Team
REPORT IS COMPLETE, ALL EYES NOW ON LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR
Deep Dive Feb 20, 2026

REPORT IS COMPLETE, ALL EYES NOW ON LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR

The parliamentary commission established to prepare a roadmap for resolving the Kurdish issue, in line with the PKK’s decision to dissolve, has completed its six-and-a-half months of work. Attention has now shifted to how the ruling parties will time the legislative steps. The report falls short of defining the Kurdish issue or calling for education in Kurdish, but instead stresses the brotherhood between Turks and Kurds. Now questions remain about the timing of the legislative process. The first legislative steps are expected toward the summer rather than Newroz, and it is unclear whether all the legislative steps addressed in the report will be completed this year.

Editorial Team
‘MADE IN EUROPE’ PROPOSAL: BAD NEWS AND GOOD NEWS FOR TURKEY
Economy and Finance Jan 22, 2026

‘MADE IN EUROPE’ PROPOSAL: BAD NEWS AND GOOD NEWS FOR TURKEY

The EU’s draft “Made in Europe” proposal to support European producers of green technology excludes Turkey from “Europe” but allows the European Commission to determine which non-EU countries can be included in the scheme on a sectoral basis. The Turkish business community is alarmed at the new rules aimed at strengthening European manufacturing against rising competition from China and the U.S., Turkey in Depth learned. Fearing this would create a new hurdle in Turkey’s trade with the EU, business leaders have been lobbying in Brussels, urging officials to consider Turkey as part of Europe. Turkey in Depth has learned that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sent a letter to President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen regarding the decision.

Editorial Team
WHY TURKEY IS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE-INCOME TRAP
Guest Voices Jan 22, 2026

WHY TURKEY IS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE-INCOME TRAP

At the turn of the year, a familiar ritual repeats itself in Turkey. Gyms raise their membership fees. Tradespeople adjust their prices. Real estate agents pocket higher commissions by systematically pushing up sale prices. Hardly anyone objects. Hardly anyone asks what added value is being offered. Price hikes are taken for granted — not because products have improved, but because inflation exists.

Guest Voices
2026 OPENS WITH UNCERTAINTY OVER KURDISH PEACE PROCESS
Inside Turkey Jan 2, 2026

2026 OPENS WITH UNCERTAINTY OVER KURDISH PEACE PROCESS

With the start of 2026, the future of the peace initiative on the Kurdish issue remains uncertain. The mandate of the National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission, which includes representatives from all parliamentary parties except the İYİ Party, was extended by two months, and the commission has once again delayed finalizing its report, now expected in January.

Editorial Team