TWO FACES OF THE PROCESS: DISARMAMENT, YES. DEMOCRATIZATION, NOT YET
Two years into the PKK’s disarmament process, fears of stalling have resurfaced. DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan put it plainly: “The pace of the process has slowed.”
Analysis
In-Depth Analysis
Smart, independent reporting on Turkey's politics, economy and foreign affairs.
PACE: 'REPRESSION IS THE OPPOSITE OF FAMILY PROTECTION'
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted a resolution on Oct. 1 condemning what it called a coordinated campaign against LGBTQ+ people and rights defenders in Turkey.
TURKISH AEROSPACE PASSES TWO MILESTONES
TA began delivery of T625 Gökbey helicopters to the police, while also completing the first flight of the serial produced Hürjet jet trainer.
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.
NATO, U.S. SAY TURKEY WAS TARGET; ANKARA HOLDS BACK
The intended target of the ballistic missile launched from Iran and intercepted on Turkish airspace on March 4 remains disputed. While Turkey said the missile was heading toward the eastern Mediterranean, NATO said the target was Turkey, and U.S. officials pointed to the location, Incirlik Air Base. Iran, however, denied that Turkey was the intended target.
CHP FACES INTENSIFYING CRACKDOWN DESPITE LEGAL REPRIEVE
The CHP has received a brief reprieve from ongoing legal turmoil as a lawsuit seeking to annul its 38th Ordinary Congress—held on November 4–5, 2023—was postponed to Oct. 24. The delay offers the party a short breathing space. Now it is preparing for a new extraordinary congress on Sept. 21 that might address some of the legal challenges it faces. But the crackdown against CHP municipalities is pressing on. In the latest development, Bayrampaşa Mayor Hasan Mutlu became the 12th CHP mayor arrested in Istanbul—and the 18th nationwide—since the crackdown began in October 2024.
WHILE ABDULLAH ÖCALAN IS STILL ALIVE
The pace of the Kurdish peace process, and the model it will follow have now become intertwined with Abdullah Öcalan's lifespan.
NATO CONDEMNS IRAN AFTER MISSILE INTERCEPTED OVER TURKISH AIRSPACE
NATO promptly reacted by condemning Iran after a missile targeted the Turkish border, saying: “We condemn Iran’s targeting of Türkiye. NATO stands firmly with all Allies, including Türkiye.'
STEEL DOME TO COUNTER THREATS FROM SPACE
Roketsan, which develops and manufactures missile systems for Turkey's multi-layered air defense system project Steel Dome, announced that it will also begin work soon to neutralize threats from space.
TURKEY DOES NOT DIVULGE IDENTITY OF DRONE
The Turkish Air Force shot down a drone that entered Turkish airspace from the Black Sea on Dec. 15 but Ankara refused to identify it, although all indications point to Russia.
CENTRAL BANK SLOWS PACE OF RATE CUTS
The Central Bank eased interest rates more cautiously at its latest meeting, following a sharper-than-expected rise in inflation in September.
SPACE BUDGET INCREASED, FIRST MOON LANDING POSTPONED
Funding for space research was increased from 5 billion lira to 8.7 billion lira, but Turkey's first lunar landing project was postponed for another year, according to the 2026 budget bill submitted to Parliament.