Analysis

In-Depth Analysis

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

THE WEIGHT OF SOVEREIGNTY
The Third Desk Oct 30, 2026

THE WEIGHT OF SOVEREIGNTY

On Jan. 20, 1921, as the War of Independence was still being fought, the Grand National Assembly adopted a Constitution whose first article began: Sovereignty belongs unconditionally to the nation (Hâkimiyet bilâ kaydü şart milletindir). On Oct. 29, 1923, the assembly added another sentence to that same article: The form of government of the Turkish state is the Republic (Türkiye Devletinin şekl-i hükûmeti Cumhuriyettir).

Can Öztaş 4 min
COP31 AND THE STORY OF TWO INVITATIONS
The Third Desk Oct 22, 2026

COP31 AND THE STORY OF TWO INVITATIONS

Next month Antalya hosts COP31, Nov. 9-20. Ankara has sent two invitations to Cyprus: one, through the conference organizers, to the president of the Republic of Cyprus, and one, from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, to the president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Can Öztaş 4 min
ERDOĞAN CALLS ALIYEV TO EASE TENSIONS AS BAKU BARS 31 TURKS
Foreign Affairs Oct 22, 2026

ERDOĞAN CALLS ALIYEV TO EASE TENSIONS AS BAKU BARS 31 TURKS

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a telephone call with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in an effort to defuse a sharpening diplomatic rift between the historic allies, even as Baku escalated its stance by barring dozens of Turkish figures and initiating criminal proceedings against online critics.

Editorial Staff 3 min
FUND SCANDAL PAYOUTS BEGIN AS MSCI FREEZE DEEPENS MARKET TURMOIL
Economy and Finance Oct 15, 2026

FUND SCANDAL PAYOUTS BEGIN AS MSCI FREEZE DEEPENS MARKET TURMOIL

For nearly half a million retail investors caught in Turkey’s worst financial storm in years, compensation has finally begun to flow. But the first cash distributions came as the fallout spread beyond Turkey’s borders: global index provider MSCI froze index changes for Turkish equities on Oct. 15 and warned of a possible downgrade, while prosecutors broadened their probes and lawmakers scrambled to pass emergency legislation.

Tugrul Çam 6 min
MORFOZ ON STAGE
Security and Defense Oct 15, 2026

MORFOZ ON STAGE

Turkish defense industry companies continued testing its newly developed products, such as Morfoz and Gökalp.

Editorial Team 2 min
ANKARA WAITS ON P5 SIGNAL BEFORE NOMINATING SİNİRLİOĞLU
Foreign Affairs Oct 8, 2026

ANKARA WAITS ON P5 SIGNAL BEFORE NOMINATING SİNİRLİOĞLU

Ankara may nominate Feridun Sinirlioğlu for UN secretary-general, a Turkish official told Turkey in Depth, but the move hinges on a tentatively expected color-coded straw poll expected next week: if a permanent member signals a veto against frontrunner Rebeca Grynspan, Turkey is likely to propose its candidate.

Editorial Staff 3 min
THE MAN INSIDE THE COAT
The Third Desk Sep 24, 2026

THE MAN INSIDE THE COAT

Nasreddin Hoca, the wise and witty Turkish folk hero, once arrived at a dinner in his ordinary clothes and discovered that nobody thought him worth much attention. He went home, put on his finest fur coat and returned. This time he was welcomed warmly, seated at the table and offered the best food. So Hoca began dipping the sleeve of his coat into the dishes.

Can Öztaş 4 min