Analysis

In-Depth Analysis

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

İMAMOĞLU BREAKS DOWN IN TEARS IN COURT
Inside Turkey May 8, 2026

İMAMOĞLU BREAKS DOWN IN TEARS IN COURT

The 34th day of the corruption trial targeting Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and dozens of officials linked to the CHP and Istanbul Municipality saw the mayor in tears as he questioned a defendant — soon after he declared that the allegations in the indictment were collapsing one by one.

Editorial Team
THE PEACE NEXT DOOR
The Third Desk May 7, 2026

THE PEACE NEXT DOOR

This week, Yerevan is not a distant capital at the edge of Europe’s map. Armenia has hosted the European Political Community summit at a moment when its political direction, its European ties and the regional peace process are all under scrutiny at once.

Editorial Team
TWO MOST CHALLENGING PILLARS OF PEACE PROCESS
Capital Currents May 3, 2026

TWO MOST CHALLENGING PILLARS OF PEACE PROCESS

The Terror-Free Turkey process, widely dubbed as frozen or stalled, has been revived by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s latest remarks. Erdoğan said the process, now entering its 18th month, has reached a critical juncture requiring much more delicate management: “There is a positive atmosphere. What needs to be done is clear. The process is proceeding as it should.”

Nergis Demirkaya
COURT KEEPS ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVIST BEHIND BARS
Inside Turkey May 1, 2026

COURT KEEPS ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVIST BEHIND BARS

Esra Işık, an activist from the village of İkizköy in Muğla’s Milas district who has spent years fighting to save her community's olive groves and farmland from coal mining expansion, was brought to her first court hearing on April 27 in handcuffs, escorted by gendarmerie officers from Şakran Prison in İzmir — more than 100 miles from her hometown where her case is being tried.

Editorial Team
ERDOĞAN AND BAHÇELİ MEET AS MHP UNDERGOES INTERNAL REORGANIZATION
Inside Turkey May 1, 2026

ERDOĞAN AND BAHÇELİ MEET AS MHP UNDERGOES INTERNAL REORGANIZATION

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan received MHP Chair Devlet Bahçeli at the presidential complex in Ankara on April 30 for a closed-door meeting lasting approximately one hour. It was only the second face-to-face encounter between the two coalition partners this year — their previous meeting took place on Jan. 21— and the first in over three months.

Editorial Team
TRUMP IS EXPECTED IN ANKARA
Foreign Affairs May 1, 2026

TRUMP IS EXPECTED IN ANKARA

Despite weeks of public speculation, four senior diplomats based in Ankara tell Turkey in Depth that the question of US President Donald Trump's non-attendance of the NATO summit is off the table and preparations are well underway.

Editorial Team
FIDAN LAUNCHES DIPLOMATIC PUSH AMID NEW FLOTILLA CRISIS
Foreign Affairs Apr 30, 2026

FIDAN LAUNCHES DIPLOMATIC PUSH AMID NEW FLOTILLA CRISIS

After Israeli forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters near Crete, detaining at least 20 Turkish nationals among approximately 175 activists on board, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan moved quickly on the diplomatic front, holding back-to-back calls with his Spanish and Greek counterparts.

Editorial Team