Analysis

In-Depth Analysis

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

CEMİL TUGAY’S SWITCH TO THE AKP AND THE SPOUSAL FACTOR
Portrait of the Week Oct 8, 2026

CEMİL TUGAY’S SWITCH TO THE AKP AND THE SPOUSAL FACTOR

Izmir Metropolitan Mayor Cemil Tugay’s decision to join the AKP caused a major stir, bitter disappointment, and protests. After all, Izmir has long been regarded as a stronghold of left-wing politics. In fact, the city can be analyzed as “a city with center-right leanings that consistently votes for left-wing social democrats because of its opposition to the AKP.”

Anonymous 2 min
İMAMOĞLU FIGHTS FOR UNPUBLISHED BOOK
Media, Internet and Culture Sep 3, 2026

İMAMOĞLU FIGHTS FOR UNPUBLISHED BOOK

Barred from social media and unable to deliver his defense at the first hearing of the Istanbul corruption trial, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu is now challenging a court order banning the book in which he set out that defense.

Editorial Staff 2 min
POLITICAL DICTIONARY OF LAW
The Third Desk Aug 27, 2026

POLITICAL DICTIONARY OF LAW

On Aug. 10, Turkey’s parliament passed what many will call an amnesty for PKK members, on the strict condition that no one call it that. The word appears nowhere in the law, which is titled, in Turkish, the Law on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration.

Can Öztaş 4 min
RIFT INSIDE AKP SURFACES AS SOCIAL MEDIA FIGURE TARGETS PRO-GOVERNMENT MEDIA GROUP
Deep Dive Jul 2, 2026

RIFT INSIDE AKP SURFACES AS SOCIAL MEDIA FIGURE TARGETS PRO-GOVERNMENT MEDIA GROUP

A rift within the ruling AKP divulged to public view after Tamar Tanrıyar — a social media phenomenon, a Turkish-Armenian known mainly as the wife of a former celebrity journalist and the owner of a small television channel — released a video targeting pro-government Turkuvaz Media Group that owns Sabah newspaper and ATV television channel.

Editorial Staff 15 min
PARLIAMENT EXPECTED TO PASS SOCIAL MEDIA BAN FOR UNDER-15
Media, Internet and Culture May 29, 2026

PARLIAMENT EXPECTED TO PASS SOCIAL MEDIA BAN FOR UNDER-15

Parliament approved the first six articles of a landmark bill that includes a ban on children under the age of 15 from using social media platforms. Under the new rules expected to pass as a whole on April 14, social network providers will be prohibited from offering services to children who have not reached the age of 15.

Editorial Team
ORHAN PAMUK: THE LINE BETWEEN CRITICISM AND LYNCHING
Portrait of the Week May 29, 2026

ORHAN PAMUK: THE LINE BETWEEN CRITICISM AND LYNCHING

Adapted from the novel of the same name by Orhan Pamuk. “The Museum of Innocence.” A television series. With its release, months later, the public agenda shifted. Justice, legal troubles, and the deepening, ever more painful economic crisis were suddenly pushed aside. This series — along with the book of the same name and its author, Orhan Pamuk — took center stage, especially on social media.

Anonymous
RELIGIOUS REFERENCES IN BUREAUCRACY AND JUDICIARY CONTINUES FULL FLEDGED
Inside Turkey May 1, 2026

RELIGIOUS REFERENCES IN BUREAUCRACY AND JUDICIARY CONTINUES FULL FLEDGED

A district governor in Ankara has been surprisingly reassigned following his religious references, political posturing against CHP members, and social media arguments. Meanwhile, the President of the Constitutional Court addressed jurists with similar religious references while he was demanding they ensure justice through religious frameworks.

Editorial Team