Analysis

In-Depth Analysis

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

U.S. SANCTIONS IMPACT AIRCRAFT PROJECTS
Security and Defense Oct 2, 2025

U.S. SANCTIONS IMPACT AIRCRAFT PROJECTS

The CAATSA sanctions imposed by the U.S. for the past six years have also negatively impacted Turkey's aircraft carrier projects.Originally designed to deploy F-35Bs, the first ship named TCG Anadolu was converted into an unmanned aerial vehicle carrier when aircraft could not be procured from the U.S.

Editorial Team
TURKEY AND ITALY AGREE LANDING GEAR MAINTENANCE DEAL
Security and Defense Sep 26, 2025

TURKEY AND ITALY AGREE LANDING GEAR MAINTENANCE DEAL

Turkey and Italy signed a joint venture agreement for landing-gear maintenance, starting with T129 attack helicopters produced by Turkish Aerospace Industries, and aiming to expand capacity for military and civilian aircraft.The Military Factory and Shipyard Management Corporation of Turkey and Italy’s Magnaghi Aerospace will establish a joint maintenance center in Turkey. The Turkish side plans to extend services to civilian platforms, aiming to make Turkey a regional hub for landing gear maintenance and exports. The deal was signed during the technology and defense festival Teknofest Istanbul, on Sept. 19.

Editorial Team
COMMISSION DISCUSSES PUBLIC SUPPORT, PREPARES TO DRAFT PROPOSALS
Inside Turkey Sep 26, 2025

COMMISSION DISCUSSES PUBLIC SUPPORT, PREPARES TO DRAFT PROPOSALS

The Parliament’s National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission listened to think-tankers and pollsters to test the ground for public support for the peace process. The 12th meeting of the commission established in the wake of PKK’s decision to disband and lay down arms took it to 50 days of work completed to date. The commission is now preparing to shift to drafting proposals in October.

Editorial Team
MUCH-ANTICIPATED ERDOĞAN–TRUMP MEETING CONFIRMED
Foreign Affairs Sep 20, 2025

MUCH-ANTICIPATED ERDOĞAN–TRUMP MEETING CONFIRMED

U.S. President Donald Trump will host Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the White House on Sept. 25, shortly after both leaders attend the UN General Assembly in New York. Their talks are expected to focus on defense and trade, including Boeing aircraft sales, a major F-16 package, and the potential revival of discussions on the suspended F-35 program.

Editorial Team
HÜRJET PASSES CRITICAL TEST
Security and Defense Sep 11, 2025

HÜRJET PASSES CRITICAL TEST

Turkish Aerospace Industries’ (TAI) jet trainer aircraft Hürjet has passed another milestone in the certification process by obtaining the Design Organization Approval (DOA) and Production Organization Approval (POA) certificates, Haluk Görgün, head of Defense Industries, announced on Sept. 10.

Editorial Team
ALTIN VARAK
Word of the Week Aug 21, 2025

ALTIN VARAK

Altın varak, the Turkish expression for gold leaf, is what happens when human vanity finds its most delicate expression. The Ottomans used it with flair: laid onto Qur’an illuminations, painted into miniatures, burnished across mosque panels and palace ceilings. It was a craft in which theology, politics, and decoration were rolled into one, performed with fine brushes.

Nazlan Ertan
MAHMUT TANAL: SOUNDING THE SIREN
Portrait of the Week Apr 11, 2025

MAHMUT TANAL: SOUNDING THE SIREN

What is an ambulance for? What role does it play in our lives? An ambulance is a vehicle to transfer patients and the injured between hospitals. It also carries a team and equipment capable of providing urgent medical care. Because of the critical condition of those it transports, it moves through traffic with its sirens blaring. Very well, and who is Mahmut Tanal? What role does he play in our lives? And what does he have to do with an ambulance? Tanal is an MP from the CHP. A lawyer.

Anonymous