Turkish Domestic Politics: Analysis and forecast on all relevant developments and insight about Turkish politics with its repercussions in its neighboring countries
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s visit to Türkiye is significant in terms of Türkiye re-establishing relations with Arab administrations, with which it had almost severed ties during the Arab Spring. It is also the latest example of sharp turns in ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) foreign policy. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who hosted
Karl Marx had a poignant and apt observation: “History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce.” The incident on September 2 in Konak Square, Izmir, where a plainclothes American soldier was attacked once again brought this saying to mind. The footage that gained quite a traction on social media showed an attacker throwing a
I wonder if it’s appropriate to describe the conspicuously close relationship between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli, as a “bromance.” This was on full display during the 953rd-anniversary celebrations of the Malazgirt Victory on August 26 in Ahlat, much to the chagrin of their opponents. Perhaps “strategic alliance” would be a
Just before Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s participation in the informal ‘Gymnich’ meeting of European Union Foreign Ministers on August 29, EU Commission Vice President and High Representative Josep Borrell finally revealed the Union’s common thought towards Türkiye. Borrell’s message before the meeting, to which Türkiye was invited for the first time after a 5-year interval,
Discussions about Türkiye-Iran relations often begin by emphasizing that the borders between the two countries have remained unchanged since the 1639 Treaty of Zuhab. This enduring stability is symbolic of the deep historical ties, political stability, and respect for the status quo despite centuries of fluctuating relations. Beyond the Sunni-Shia divide, these long-standing ties have
President Tayyip Erdogan delivered a speech on August 24th at the Aksaz Naval Base in Marmaris, vowing to further strengthen Turkey’s navy and army. The impressive TCG Anadolu, Turkey’s first amphibious assault ship, served as a backdrop. Anadolu had just returned to Aksaz after participating in a joint military exercise with the United States in
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reaffirmed Ankara’s commitment to bolstering Türkiye’s military forces at the commissioning ceremony of the country’s first submarine built under the €2.06 Billion “New Type Submarine Project.” In an event which marked the commissioning of the Piri Reis Submarine on Aug. 24 in Muğla, Erdoğan said “We are fully aware that
In recent weeks, Türkiye has entered a tumultous period marked by a series of interrelated internal and external developments. These events, although seemingly unrelated at first glance, when considered together, paint a picture of a country teetering on the edge of significant economic and political instability. The atmosphere is charged, open to provocations, and reminiscent
I first heard the phrase “Two states, one nation” from Abulfaz Elchibey. It was early 1992, just after Azerbaijan had declared independence from the Soviet Union. Elchibey was still officially banned from politics, but my colleagues Semih İdiz, Aziz Utkan, and I managed to interview him in a basement belonging to the Popular Front in
Türkiye and Iraq signed a “Memorandum of Understanding on Combating Terrorism” on August 15. On the 40th anniversary of PKK militants launching an armed struggle against Türkiye with raids on Eruh and Şemdinli from Iraqi territory, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein signed this symbolically significant agreement. However, this agreement, which