Analysis

In-Depth Analysis

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

FATİH ALTAYLI CONVICTED OF THREATENING PRESIDENT ERDOĞAN, SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS
Media, Internet and Culture Nov 26, 2025

FATİH ALTAYLI CONVICTED OF THREATENING PRESIDENT ERDOĞAN, SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS

A Turkish court has handed a four-year prison sentence to journalist Fatih Altaylı after he was convicted of threatening President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Altaylı, known for his popular YouTube programs, denies the charges and plans to appeal, after prosecutors accused him of physically threatening the president based on remarks he made on his channel. He was arrested on June 22 and appeared before the judge for the second time at this week’s hearing. He was sentenced to four years and two months in prison for threatening the president. The court ruled that judicial control would be insufficient and ordered that his detention continue. Altaylı threw the notes and files in his hand after hearing the decision and left the courtroom.

Editorial Team
WEDDING DRAWS TOGETHER OPPONENTS ACROSS POLITICS
Media, Internet and Culture Nov 21, 2025

WEDDING DRAWS TOGETHER OPPONENTS ACROSS POLITICS

A wedding portrayed the complexity and the changing dynamics of political relations in Turkish politics. Veteran politician Mehmet Sevigen, who was expelled from the CHP in 2021 and appears on TV screens as a sharp commentator against the CHP under Özgür Özel, managed to unite a range of opponents at his son’s wedding.

Editorial Team
ARM WRESTLING WITH AUSTRALIA ENDS WITH ANTALYA HOSTING NEXT COP
Foreign Affairs Nov 21, 2025

ARM WRESTLING WITH AUSTRALIA ENDS WITH ANTALYA HOSTING NEXT COP

Months of competition between Turkey and Australia has come to an end, as Turkey became next year’s host of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31). Australia will chair the summit, while discussions will focus on the Pacific, according to the compromise reached on Nov. 19, hours before the end of this year's summit in Brazil.

Editorial Team
DEMİRTAŞ: “NO ONE SPEAKS FOR ME”
Inside Turkey Nov 21, 2025

DEMİRTAŞ: “NO ONE SPEAKS FOR ME”

Jailed former HDP co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş rejected remarks by former Parliament Speaker Bülent Arınç suggesting Demirtaş wished to meet President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and tell him he held no resentment. After a visit to Edirne Prison, Arınç said Demirtaş wanted to tell Erdoğan, “I hold no grudge against you.” Demirtaş responded with a handwritten note, saying he never expressed such a thought. “What troubles me most is being associated with words and ideas I never hinted at,” he wrote.

Editorial Team
MORE CONTRADICTIONS SURFACE IN ISTANBUL INDICTMENT
Inside Turkey Nov 21, 2025

MORE CONTRADICTIONS SURFACE IN ISTANBUL INDICTMENT

Inconsistencies continue to emerge in the Istanbul Municipality indictment, fuelling CHP attacks on the charge sheet and the notification to the Court of Cassation that there may be grounds to close the main opposition party.

Editorial Team