THE SEARCH FOR A HERO-SAVIOR, AND HALUK LEVENT
Haluk Levent is a musician who rose to fame in the early 1990s, performing what is known as Anatolian Rock.
Analysis
In-Depth Analysis
Smart, independent reporting on Turkey's politics, economy and foreign affairs.
ECONOMISTS DEBATE INTEREST RATE AS CENTRAL BANK PREPARES FOR JULY DECISION
Most market participants expect the central bank to keep the policy rate unchanged at 37% when it meets on July 23, but pressure is building for a cut and some experts are calling for a wholesale shift in monetary policy.
COMPLIMENTS THAT CHILL ANKARA: TRUMP ON BRUNSON AND IRAN
Paying an official visit to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan ahead of the NATO Summit and signaling movement on the F-35 and the Kaan's F110 engines, US President Donald Trump also touched on two subjects that sent a chill through Ankara: the release of American Pastor Andrew Brunson, and Turkey's stance in the US-Israeli war against Iran. Meant as praise, both stories cut deeper than they flattered.
COURT ENDS FIRST İMAMOĞLU TRIAL SESSION WITHOUT HIS DEFENSE
The four-month-long first session of the Istanbul Municipality trial ended on July 8 without the testimony of its main defendant: Ekrem İmamoğlu, the jailed Istanbul mayor and ousted CHP administration's presidential candidate, who is accused of being the leader of an alleged criminal organization.
AS NATO SUMMIT KICKS OFF IN ANKARA, İMAMOĞLU BARRED FROM HIS TRIAL AND DETENTION OF JOURNALISTS CONTINUE
In the latest hearing of the Istanbul Municipality corruption trial on July 7, jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was not brought to the courtroom, and detentions of dissident journalists continued in Istanbul while the capital Ankara began hosting the NATO Summit.
AKP LAWMAKERS PRESS MINISTER ŞİMŞEK FOR PENSION REFORM
During the AKP’s 33rd Consultation and Assessment meeting in Sapanca, lawmakers criticized Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek over soaring living costs and low retirement pensions.
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.
TRUMP-ERDOĞAN BROMANCE DEEPER THIS TIME AROUND
Bilateral ties with the United States have seen many ups and downs. Currently, the Turkish-US relationship is going through one of those up periods, according to a high-level Turkish official.
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.
COURT LIFTS PENSION RESTRICTIONS FOR ISTANBUL MUNICIPALITY DEFENDANTS
Hundreds of defendants in the Istanbul Municipality trial can collect pensions, easing the financial strain many have suffered since the start of pretrial detentions in March 2025.
MASSIVE ARREST WAVE HITS ANKARA AHEAD OF NATO SUMMIT
More than 200 people were detained in police raids ahead of the upcoming NATO summit scheduled for July 7-8 in Ankara. Following the sweeping operations launched by the Ankara police on June 23, courts have already ordered the formal arrest of 103 individuals out of 129 referred to the judiciary.
TOP BUSINESS GROUP URGES ECONOMIC SHIFT, STAYS MUM ON DEMOCRACY AND RULE OF LAW
The top business association, TÜSİAD, urged the government to focus on development over mere economic growth. The meeting of the group’s High Advisory Council saw Chair Ömer Aras, who was detained last year after criticism over democracy and the rule of law, carefully avoid those topics this time around.