SHANGAI-LA
Erdoğan meets Putin in Bishkek, 'privileged partner' praised anew, Akkuyu's first reactor nears go-time, more nuclear deals in view.
Analysis
In-Depth Analysis
Smart, independent reporting on Turkey's politics, economy and foreign affairs.
SYRIA PROJECTS MAP INCLUDING GOLAN HEIGHTS OVER AIRBASE ISRAEL STRUCK
Syria's Defense Ministry used drones to project a map of Syria — including the Golan Heights — into the sky above Abu Duhur Military Airbase, a facility in the Idlib countryside that Israel has struck many times.
UKRAINE-RUSSIA WAR COULD COST TURKEY $20 BILLION IN THREE MONTHS
Maritime trade in the Black Sea has come to a near halt due to Russian and Ukrainian strikes, creating a major economic threat for Turkey, according to a shipping executive.
OSMAN KAVALA’S UNENDING TORMENT
Osman Kavala will turn 70 next year. He has been in prison for nine years. During those nine years, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled three times that his detention and conviction violated his rights and called for his “immediate release.” Most recently, just three days ago, the ECHR once again called on Turkey to “release him.”
FIDAN MEETS TRIPOLI AND BENGHAZI LEADERS ALIKE
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan traveled to Libya on Aug. 11 and 12, visiting both Tripoli and Benghazi, in what appears to be the first time a Turkish foreign minister has made a simultaneous visit to meet competing sides in the Libyan conflict.
ETIMESGUT VOTE MARKS FIRST CHP-PEOPLE'S ALLIANCE COOPERATION
The first cooperation between members of the CHP and the People's Alliance took place in Ankara's Etimesgut municipal elections.
NOT A FILM, ALL TOO REAL: ERDAL BEŞİKÇİOĞLU ARRESTED TOO
Erdal Beşikçioğlu, mayor of Etimesgut, a satellite town of the capital, has been arrested. The charge against him is much the same as those leveled at other CHP mayors: 'Forming a criminal organization for the purpose of corruption.'
TURKEY CALLS FOR BLACK SEA SECURITY AFTER SHIP STRIKES
Turkey urged Russia and Ukraine to safeguard civilian navigation in the Black Sea after Turkish-owned cargo ships were hit by drones. Ankara refrained from blaming either side for the attack, instead calling on both warring parties to immediately ensure maritime security, on Aug. 4.
UN CHIEF'S CYPRUS TRIP ENDS WITHOUT DATE
UN Secretary-General António Guterres' July 27-29 visit to Cyprus produced no concrete resolution plan or new timetable. Ankara welcomed efforts with caution and Deputy Foreign Minister Mehmet Kemal Bozay headed to Northern Cyprus after the talks.
THE ISLAND EVERYONE NEEDS AND NO ONE SOLVES
António Guterres will arrive in Cyprus at the end of July, carrying another possibility of peace to an island familiar with such visits. Cyprus diplomacy sometimes resembles Buñuel’s The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie. The guests assemble, the table is laid, and dinner is indefinitely postponed.
INTEREST SWALLOWS TURKEY'S BUDGET
Turkey spent 5.5 times more on interest payments than on public investment in the first half of the year, as debt servicing became the single largest item in a budget that ran a deficit of nearly 1 trillion liras.
FIRST OUSTED, NOW OUT: ÖZEL FOUNDS RIVAL TO CHP
Özgür Özel, who in a historic decision was removed by court order from the party leadership to which he had been elected four times, announced his decision to establish a new party.