In blow to party head Kılıçdaroğlu, Özgür Çelik wins İstanbul CHP Leadership
Özgür Çelik, the current party chairman of İstanbul’s Bahçelievler district, has been elected to serve as the Republican People’s Party (CHP) chairman for İstanbul at large. Çelik’s election as the party’s head in Turkey’s biggest city was seen as a major blow to party leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who had supported Çelik’s opponent Cemal Canpolat. As Turkey’s […]
US Shoots down Turkish drone over Syria
In a significant and unprecedented incident, a US Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft intercepted and downed a Turkish Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) over Syrian airspace on October 5th. This marks the first deliberate act of shooting down an aircraft operated by another NATO member state by the United States. The Pentagon promptly confirmed the […]
Terrorist attack reveals infighting in the Turkish Government
Following the bombing in central Ankara claimed by the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) on Sunday afternoon (October 1), a feud between current Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya and his predecessor Süleyman Soylu has become more visible as opposition party leaders extend their support to Yerlikaya in the aftermath of the attack. Sunday’s attack in Ankara resulted in the deaths of […]
Turkey attacks PKK targets in northern Iraq following Sunday bombing in Ankara
A suicide bombing attack carried out in central Ankara on Sunday afternoon (October 1) claimed by the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) resulted in retaliatory attacks Sunday evening by the Turkish Armed Forces targeting PKK bases in northern Iraq. The bombing, which took place just outside the Ministry of Interior in central Ankara, had been intended […]
Menendez indictment raises F-16 optimism in Ankara, although major hurdles remain
Last week’s indictment of US Democratic Senator Bob Menendez on corruption charges has raised optimism that the long-delayed sale of F-16 fighter jets to Ankara may finally take place. Menendez has long been Congress’ most prominent anti-Turkey voice, and the Senator’s role as the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee had given Menendez significant […]
Istanbul Governorship clarifies confusing circular that suggested ban on alcohol consumption in public spaces
A circular released by the Istanbul Governorship earlier this month (August 17) suggested that alcohol consumption would be banned in public spaces due allegedly to disorderly conduct by intoxicated individuals. In a follow-up statement, the governorship clarified the earlier circular, saying that there would be no new ban in place. Instead, the circular had been […]
Turkey’s housing crisis: Prices are highest globally, tensions between tenants and landlords increasing
According to a report by Euronews, Turkey is currently experiencing the most significant increase in housing prices among 56 countries analyzed by the real estate consultancy firm Knight Frank. Housing costs in Turkey surged by 133% compared to the same period in 2022. In an interview with Medyascope, Attorney Ali Güvenç Kiraz commented, “Of course, […]
Economist Daron Acemoğlu’s take on the Turkish Central Bank’s interest rate hike: “Challenging days ahead for Turkey”
Last Thursday, the Turkish Central Bank made a significant move, raising its policy rate from 17.5% to 25% in an effort to combat Turkey’s persistent inflation problem. Economist and author Daron Acemoğlu applauded this decision but added a cautionary note, stating, “It’s a step in the right direction, but it remains uncertain if it will […]
Key opposition coalition partner indicates electoral alliance will not reunite heading into 2024 local elections
Meral Akşener, leader of the conservative-nationalist İYİ Party, made a major speech on Saturday (August 26) in which she lamented the opposition’s loss in Turkey’s general elections in May. The speech followed an extended period of silence from Akşener in the post-election period, during which Turkey’s political discourse has been dominated by various voices attempting […]
Turkish central bank raises interest rates to 25%
Turkey’s central bank (TCMB) announced Thursday afternoon (August 24) an interest rate hike from 17.5% to 25%. The announcement was made following a meeting by the Monetary Policy Committee (PPK). The increase was the third under the tenure of central bank president Hafize Gaye Erkan, who took office in June. The first increase following Turkey’s […]
Seven months after February 6 tremors, problems in Hatay province resemble area’s early days post-quake
Nearly seven months since the major earthquakes in southeastern Turkey on February 6, 2023, the Hatay province continues to struggle with major problems such as housing and shelter, access to health care and education, and access to transportation. The region remains under a cloud of dust due to the large piles of rubble that have yet to […]
The Great Exodus 6: “We have seen that another life is possible”
A significant number of the people interviewed for this series had spent time abroad on different occasions before, but had always returned to Turkey at some point, often eagerly. This time, things seem different. Perhaps due to their expectations of what lies ahead in Turkey’s current outlook, many have emigrated without plans to return. Işık, an […]
