Analysis

In-Depth Analysis

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

DEM PUSHES RULING ALLIANCE TO PASS PEACE PROCESS FRAMEWORK LAW BEFORE RECESS
Inside Turkey Jul 17, 2026

DEM PUSHES RULING ALLIANCE TO PASS PEACE PROCESS FRAMEWORK LAW BEFORE RECESS

The DEM Party is intensifying pressure on the AKP/MHP ruling alliance to pass the framework law underpinning Turkey's Kurdish peace process before parliament enters for its summer recess — even as the party struggles to extract details of the draft from the AKP. The push has produced a flurry of contacts. İmralı Delegation members Pervin Buldan and Mithat Sancar, together with Faik Özgür Erol, met AKP Deputy Chair Efkan Ala and AKP Group Chair Abdullah Güler on July 15, and MHP Chair Devlet Bahçeli at his office in parliament the following day. Asked about the talks, Buldan declined to elaborate: 'We will not give information on the content.'

Editorial Staff 5 min
TEN YEARS ON, JULY 15 IS STILL AN OPEN FILE
Inside Turkey Jul 14, 2026

TEN YEARS ON, JULY 15 IS STILL AN OPEN FILE

Ten years after tanks rolled onto the Bosphorus Bridge and F-16s bombed parliament, Turkey marks the anniversary of the failed July 15 coup attempt with a holiday named 'Democracy and National Unity Day' — in a country more polarized, less democratic and no closer to answering the fundamental questions of that night than it was a decade ago.

Editorial Staff 16 min
KURTULMUŞ: DISARMAMENT LAW TO PASS BEFORE END OF SUMMER
Inside Turkey Jul 9, 2026

KURTULMUŞ: DISARMAMENT LAW TO PASS BEFORE END OF SUMMER

Legislation designed to ensure the surrender of thousands of armed Kurdish militants will be passed before the end of the summer as the government tries to push the high-tension disarmament process over the line, according to remarks from Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş.

Editorial Staff 4 min
TURKEY COURTS IRAQ AND SYRIA AT CRITICAL MOMENT FOR PEACE PROCESS
Foreign Affairs Jul 3, 2026

TURKEY COURTS IRAQ AND SYRIA AT CRITICAL MOMENT FOR PEACE PROCESS

Turkey made simultaneous overtures to Iraq and Syria at a critical moment for the peace process, as the government prepares to submit the bill to parliament before the summer recess. National Intelligence Organization (MİT) chief İbrahim Kalın completed a three-day tour of Iraq while Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi held security talks in Damascus.

Editorial Staff 3 min
PEACE PROCESS AWAITS THE LAW, THE LAW AWAITS ANSWERS
Inside Turkey Jul 3, 2026

PEACE PROCESS AWAITS THE LAW, THE LAW AWAITS ANSWERS

The peace process, dubbed the Terror-Free Turkey, now awaits the 'framework law,' expected to be submitted before parliament goes into its summer recess. There appears to be no consensus, however, on the bill's exact timing, scope and the conditions on the ground. While the process remains in the waiting room, the Interior Ministry took a concrete step, lifting thousands of search points and checkpoints in the terror-affected region. The pro-Kurdish DEM Party, through all its spokespeople, is asking 'what the law is waiting for.' But reading between the lines of AKP and DEM Party statements reveals disagreements at the draft stage.

Editorial Staff 4 min
AKP QUIETLY STRIPS JUDICIAL PACKAGE OF CONTESTED CLAUSES
Inside Turkey Jun 26, 2026

AKP QUIETLY STRIPS JUDICIAL PACKAGE OF CONTESTED CLAUSES

The ruling AKP submitted the omnibus bill known as the 12th Judicial Package to parliament. The draft law aims to increase judicial efficiency. However, the AKP group stripped the document of numerous highly debated articles originally proposed by the Justice Ministry.

Editorial Staff 2 min
NİMET ÖZDEMİR: THE MP WHO NEVER WEARS OUT A PARTY BADGE
Portrait of the Week Jun 25, 2026

NİMET ÖZDEMİR: THE MP WHO NEVER WEARS OUT A PARTY BADGE

As the countdown to early or on-schedule elections picks up pace, transfers of lawmakers and mayors are happening at an astonishing pace. Among them, Istanbul MP Nimet Özdemir stands out. Özdemir won her parliamentary seat for the first time in 2023 — under the İYİ Party banner.

Anonymous 2 min
AKP QUIETLY STRIPS JUDICIAL PACKAGE OF CONTESTED CLAUSES
Inside Turkey Jun 25, 2026

AKP QUIETLY STRIPS JUDICIAL PACKAGE OF CONTESTED CLAUSES

The ruling AKP submitted the omnibus bill known as the 12th Judicial Package to parliament. The draft law aims to increase judicial efficiency. However, the AKP group stripped the document of numerous highly debated articles originally proposed by the Justice Ministry.

Editorial Staff 2 min
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