Analysis

In-Depth Analysis

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

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Inside Turkey Sep 17, 2026

CRACKDOWN HAND IN HAND WITH 'FAMILY SAFE' OPERATION FOR OBSCENITY

After years of demonizing rhetoric against LGBTQ+ people, Turkish authorities launched a nationwide operation named 'My Family Is Safe,' detaining hundreds of people from civil society. The crackdown continued with arrests and access bans targeting dissidents, media outlets and civil society organizations' X accounts, widening to include broader opposition voices who spoke out against the operations. The main charge in the investigation was 'obscenity.'

Editorial Staff 4 min

Inside Turkey Sep 17, 2026

A 'VALLEY OF THE WOLVES' CONNECTION

An investigation into the death of Turkish intelligence official Kaşif Kozinoğlu also reached into one of the country’s most watched television series, 'Valley of the Wolves.”

Editorial Staff 3 min

Inside Turkey Sep 17, 2026

ERDOĞAN REMARKS CAUSE ELECTION RUMORS BUT IT REMAINS UNLIKELY

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s remarks during a meeting in his hometown of Rize sparked debate over an early election, though officials quickly downplayed the likelihood of an imminent vote.

Editorial Staff 2 min

Foreign Affairs Sep 17, 2026

ARMENIA TO HOLD INDEPENDENCE DAY RECEPTION AFTER A DECADE

Armenia will host its 35th Independence Day reception in Istanbul on Oct. 14. The event marks a rare diplomatic event in Turkey as the two neighbors work to normalize long-strained ties.

Editorial Staff 1 min

Media, Internet and Culture Sep 17, 2026

CONTROVERSIAL MAYOR’S HUSBAND GETS TOGG DEAL, COURT BLOCKS REPORTS

A Turkish court has imposed a blackout on news reports concerning a lucrative deal involving the husband of controversial Aydın Mayor Özlem Çerçioğlu, citing 'national security and public order.'

Editorial Staff 1 min

Economy and Finance Sep 17, 2026

FUND CRISIS HAMMERS MARKETS, SPARKS INTERVENTION

The central bank and other regulator bodies stepped in to stabilize financial markets after alleged market manipulation, fraud and fund mismanagement sparked a major equity sell-off and corporate defaults.

Tugrul Çam 5 min

Portrait of the Week Sep 17, 2026

ZÜLFÜ LİVANELİ'S WISE DECISION

Zülfü Livaneli made a clear decision this week. The musician and novelist put an end to the playing of his celebrated composition at opposition rallies protesting the operations that have targeted Ekrem İmamoğlu — and subsequently numerous other mayors and municipal officials — since March 19, 2025.

Anonymous 2 min

Portrait of the Week Sep 10, 2026

IZMIR: A CITY WITH NO PARTY, AND CEMİL TUGAY

Cemil Tugay has been mayor of the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality since 2024. When he resigned from the CHP, he said he would join the new party Özgür Özel was forming. Özel said similar things. But around the same time, reports surfaced that Tugay’s communications with Özel were breaking down.

Anonymous 2 min

Media, Internet and Culture Sep 10, 2026

JOURNALIST AMONG NINE DETAINED AS KOZINOĞLU DEATH CASE REOPENS

Turkish prosecutors have detained nine more people, including journalist Selahattin Günday, as part of a reopened investigation into the 2011 prison death of former National Intelligence Organization (MİT) official Kaşif Kozinoğlu.

Editorial Staff 2 min

Media, Internet and Culture Sep 10, 2026

BAN FOR ACADEMICS ON ONLINE MONETIZATION

The Higher Education Council (YÖK) has effectively barred academics at public universities from monetizing content on YouTube and digital platforms, classifying online revenue as commercial trade, which is illegal for civil servants.

Editorial Staff 1 min

Inside Turkey Sep 10, 2026

AFTER BACKING HIS REMARKS AT COURT, DAVUTOĞLU INVITES ERDOĞAN

For the first time in Turkish history, a former prime minister, Ahmet Davutoğlu, was summoned for criticizing the president and then he invited President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to his son’s wedding ceremony.

Editorial Staff 1 min

Economy and Finance Sep 10, 2026

TREASON THEN, TARGET NOW: GOVERNMENT REVIVES BRIDGE PRIVATIZATION

The government has put the lucrative Bosphorus bridges and major state highways back on sale 14 years after cancelling a similar tender. The move comes as medium-term plans include significantly higher privatization revenue in the coming years.

Editorial Staff 3 min