"Turkey's Growing Alignment with Pakistan Risks Friction with India" by Enes Esen, The Institute for Diplomacy and Economy
Explicitly choosing sides in a fatal conflict may offer short-term solidarity but could inflict long-term damage on Turkey's aspirations, particularly in trade, diplomacy, and multilateral forums. India, as a rising economic and political power, will play a crucial role in the future of Asia. Ankara's engagement in platforms like BRICS, or its interest in expanding ties with the Global South, would benefit from constructive ties with New Delhi.
Turkey and Pakistan will continue to share long-standing cultural bonds that naturally foster goodwill. Nonetheless, Ankara needs to calibrate its actions in a way that avoids signaling overt alignment in regional disputes.
"Trump's a boon to Erdogan's rule" by Ragip Soylu, Middle East Eye
It wasn't a coincidence that the Turkish police operation to detain and subsequently arrest Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu in March took place a day after Erdogan's first call with Trump.
There's no way Erdogan would have raised the issue during that call, but he clearly learned something valuable that day - that Trump really doesn't care about what happens in domestic Turkish politics.
While Erdogan was making sensitive moves domestically, his ever-growing charisma on the foreign policy stage - thanks to Trump - shielded him from the worst.
"Turkish Guns Are Taking Over the U.S. Market" by Naomi Cohen, Foreign Policy
"Turkey kind of occupies this niche all on their own," Iain Harrison, a marksman and editor in chief of Recoil magazine, told Foreign Policy. While Turkish manufacturers' price points compare with lower-quality guns from countries with less developed industries, "quality-wise, even despite the price, they're right up there with the European guys."
Turkish companies' success in the United States is partly due to their pivot to producing semi-automatic 9 mm pistols—a type of gun that has been linked to gun violence, which disproportionately affects poor neighborhoods.
Total Turkish firearms sales abroad are therefore unknown, but SYS and Sarsilmaz reports show that Turkish handguns have been sold to police and military forces in Pakistan, Egypt, Sudan, Iraq, and the Philippines. They have also shown up in smuggled stockpiles in embargoed countries such as Burkina Faso, Chad, and Libya, according to Interpol and U.N. reports.
While Trump may hope that tariffs will onshore foreign gun manufacturing, they may instead shift the advantage to gun makers less affected by rising costs and relocations. If that is the case, then Turkish companies will not only weather the trade war, but they may also emerge with an even wider lead.
"The End of Erdogan" by Henri J. Barkey, Foreign Affairs
The charismatic and competent Imamoglu may be a uniquely threatening rival. But in truth, Erdogan's decision to arrest Imamoglu did not create this crisis. It reflected a growing weakness. Erdogan was already confronting mounting public fatigue with his presidency. His hubris and domineering leadership style have eroded the once broad enthusiasm for his rule, making him ever more desperate to constrain a now irrepressible dissatisfaction.
Erdogan faces a dilemma: the reforms and compromises necessary to initiate such a democratization process would force him to dismantle the authoritarian state structure he has meticulously constructed. His relentless efforts to keep Imamoglu and his allies in jail suggest that this is not what he wants. But if he thwarts the peace process, he risks alienating Bahceli, whose party Erdogan needs in his coalition to sustain an electoral majority and who, at 77 years old, is eager to cement his political legacy with a historic peace accord.
"A new threat to Erdogan: Gen Z", The Economist
Mr Erdogan has always hoped to raise a new generation of pious youth. But Turkey's Gen Z is not only less religious than the country's strongman expected. It may also pose the greatest threat to his rule.
Those aged 18-29, the current adult portion of Gen Z, make up almost a quarter of the electorate. Opinion polls now say that only 11% or so of them are willing to vote for Mr Erdogan's AK party. The disaffected among Gen Z tend to blame the government's grip on Turkey's institutions for limiting their chances of getting a good education, making ends meet or seeing their votes count.
Fifth Wave of Operations Targets Istanbul Municipal Officials in Corruption Probe
Turkish authorities launched the fifth wave of operations against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) early on May 31, detaining dozens of city officials, district mayors, and municipal staff across Istanbul.
Initially, 44 people were detained, with the number of detention warrants continuing to rise. According to early reports, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has conducted the operation based on four separate investigations. In total, 47 individuals have been taken into custody.
Among those detained are the mayors of Avcilar, Buyukcekmece, and Gaziosmanpasa, as well as former CHP deputy Aykut Erdogdu.
Authorities also conducted operations in the early hours of the morning in the Seyhan and Ceyhan municipalities of Adana. The mayors of both districts are among those detained.
In response, the CHP's Istanbul branch called for an emergency meeting to discuss the developments. However, party leader Ozgur Ozel announced that he would not cancel his scheduled political rallies.
In the fourth wave of operations, 25 people, including Imamoglu's Protection Manager, Mustafa Akin, and Private Secretary, Kadriye Kasapoglu, were arrested. Twenty-one people were released under judicial control conditions.
Parliamentary Speaker Election Set for June 3
Applications for the parliamentary speaker election, prompted by the end of Numan Kurtulmus' two-year term, closed on June 1. The election will take place on June 3.
The AK Party has nominated current speaker Kurtulmus for a second term. Other candidates include CHP's Artvin Deputy Ugur Bayraktutan, DEM Party's Diyarbakir Deputy Cengiz Candar, Good Party's Istanbul Deputy Cihan Pacaci, and New Path Party's Samsun Deputy Mehmet Karaman.
The election will follow a four-round system. A two-thirds majority is required in the first two rounds, followed by an absolute majority in the third. If no candidate secures the necessary votes, the top two contenders will face off in a fourth round, where the one with the most votes will be elected.
Kurtulmus is scheduled to visit the AK Party and CHP on June 1 and meet with the DEM Party, Good Party, and New Path Party parliamentary groups on June 2.
Erdogan Responds to Bahceli: "We Will Shape Our Path According to the Nation's Will"
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaking to reporters on his return flight from Azerbaijan, responded to recent remarks by MHP leader Devlet Bahceli, who had reacted to Erdogan's earlier statement that he had "no interest in being re-elected."
"I am honoured by Mr. Bahceli's words," Erdogan said. "We have entered every race by trusting only our nation. Today and tomorrow, we will listen to our nation and shape our direction based on the path they choose."
Bahceli had previously commented on Erdogan's retirement remark by saying, "A president whose concern is his homeland and nation has no right to back down from his path."
Erdogan Appoints Legal Team to Draft New Civilian Constitution
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on May 27 that he has appointed a team of 10 legal scholars to begin drafting a new constitution. Addressing local officials from his ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), Erdogan reaffirmed his commitment to replacing what he described as a "coup-era constitution" with a more democratic and civilian framework.
Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz will lead the constitutional reform commission, which will include top AK Party figures, such as the party spokesperson, parliamentary group chair, and deputy group chairs. The commission is expected to start meetings in the coming days and continue its work through the summer. Erdogan is also expected to participate in some of the sessions.
Turkey's Economy Grows 2% in Q1
Turkey's economy grew by 2 percent in the first quarter of the year, according to official data released on May 30, falling short of market expectations. The slower growth comes amid tight monetary policy and market uncertainty fueled by the arrest of Istanbul's mayor.
Quarter-on-quarter, gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 1.0% on a seasonally and calendar-adjusted basis, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK).
Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek said the disinflation process remains on track and described the overall economic performance as showing moderate growth with a balanced mix of consumption and investment.
Syria Signs $7 Billion Energy Deal with Qatari, Turkish, and US Consortium
Syria signed a $7 billion energy agreement on May 29 with a consortium of Qatari, Turkish, and American companies as part of efforts to rebuild its severely damaged power sector. Qatar's UCC Concession Investments leads the consortium, which includes Turkey's Kalyon GES Enerji Yatirimlari and Cengiz Enerji, along with Power International USA.
The deal was signed at the presidential palace in Damascus in the presence of interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and US Ambassador Thomas Barrack. The agreement aims to generate 5,000 megawatts of electricity through the construction of four combined-cycle gas turbine power plants totalling 4,000 megawatts, along with a 1,000-megawatt solar power plant in southern Syria.
Once completed, the projects are expected to supply more than 50 percent of Syria's electricity needs.
IndiGo to End Lease Deal with Turkish Airlines by August 31
IndiGo will terminate its leasing agreement with state-owned Turkish Airlines by August 31, following a decision by India's aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The deal has faced growing public scrutiny in India after Turkey voiced support for Pakistan during a recent regional conflict.
The lease, initially set to expire on May 31, received only a three-month extension from the DGCA—half of what IndiGo had requested.
Earlier this month, the Indian government also revoked the security clearance of Turkish ground services firm Celebi, citing national security concerns. Celebi has since filed a legal challenge against the decision.
UNICEF Report: Adolescent Suicide Rates in Turkey Soar 80%, Country Ranks Near Bottom in Child Well-Being
Adolescent suicide rates in Turkey surged by 80 percent between 2018 and 2022, marking one of the sharpest increases worldwide, according to a new UNICEF report. The findings place Turkey near the bottom of global rankings for child well-being.
The data evaluated 43 EU and OECD countries, but only 36 were ranked due to incomplete data. Turkey placed 35th overall, scoring among the lowest in all three key areas: mental health, physical health, and skills development.
The report also highlights a steep drop in life satisfaction among Turkish adolescents. Only 57 percent of 15-year-olds in Turkey report high life satisfaction—the lowest score among all countries surveyed.
New Judiciary Package Expands Home Sentencing for Ill and Elderly
The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) submitted its long-awaited 10th Judiciary Package to the Parliament on May 29. The 30-article package introduces significant reforms to Turkey's penal system.
After around 15 hours of discussion, the package was approved by the parliamentary committee on May 31 and is expected to be debated in the General Assembly in the coming week.
One key reform allows execution judges to grant home sentencing for prisoners who are unable to care for themselves due to illness or disability—provided they are not considered a serious danger to public safety.
The package also extends the period of home sentencing for women, children, and those over 65 from one year to three years. The duration is expected to increase further with advancing age.
Germany Steps Up Rejections and Deportations of Turkish Asylum Seekers
Turkey has consistently ranked among the top three countries whose citizens seek asylum in Germany. However, it now leads the list of countries whose nationals are being deported. In 2022, 515 Turkish citizens were sent back. That number doubled in 2024, reaching 1,087. During the first quarter of this year alone, Germany deported 6,151 people—502 of them to Turkey, making it the most targeted country for deportations.
Lawyer Dundar Kelloglu, a board member of a German NGO assisting asylum seekers, said rejection and withdrawal decisions for Turkish applicants have increased sharply over the last 4–5 months. He attributed this trend to a deliberate "deterrence" strategy aimed at discouraging more people in Turkey from applying for asylum in Germany.
Kelloglu added that after Germany stopped asylum approvals for Syrians connected to the Assad regime, legal and administrative capacity has been redirected to handle the rising number of Turkish applications.
13 Arrested in Probe Targeting Dessert Chain Accused of Financing Gulen Movement
A Turkish court on May 30 ordered the arrest of 13 people previously detained in an investigation involving Antiochia Kunefe, a well-known dessert chain accused of financing the Gulen movement.
The arrests came after coordinated police raids on May 26 across five provinces, during which 33 people were detained. The operation was led by the Izmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in cooperation with the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK).
New Operations Target "Kral Doner" and "Maydonoz Doner" Over Alleged Gulen Movement Links
On May 27, Turkish authorities launched an operation targeting "Kral Doner," a business reportedly established by the same partners behind "Maydonoz Doner," which had previously been placed under trustee control as part of an earlier investigation.
The latest raids took place in Samsun, Istanbul, and Ankara. Authorities allege that the businesses were linked to the Gulen movement and involved in suspicious financial activities. Twenty-four people were detained, including police officers, soldiers, teachers, prosecutors, and a retired religious official. Five of the suspects were arrested after being referred to court, while the remaining individuals were released.
Separately, on May 29, an operation was conducted against "Maydonoz Doner" branches in Bolu as part of an ongoing investigation. Six people—five in Bolu and one in Samsun—were detained. All six were released after giving statements to the prosecutor's office.
Top Court Rules Rights Violation in MIT Abduction and Torture Case
Turkey's Constitutional Court (AYM) has ruled that the rights of a man abducted by Turkey's National Intelligence Organization (MIT) in 2017 from Kazakhstan and tortured in a container in Ankara for 108 days were violated. This marks the court's third rights violation ruling related to torture cases involving individuals dismissed by decree laws.
The court unanimously ordered the state to pay the victim 190,000 Turkish lira in non-pecuniary damages, citing serious state negligence and failure to investigate the torture claims properly.
The top court also criticized the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office for failing to carry out a timely and thorough investigation. It ordered a renewed and deeper inquiry into the torture allegations.
Turkey Blocks Access to 454 Grup Yorum Videos on YouTube
Turkish authorities have blocked 454 videos by the protest folk band Grup Yorum on YouTube, citing concerns over national security and public order. The videos, hosted across 56 channels and viewed over 205 million times, are now inaccessible in Turkey under the country's Internet Law.
Grup Yorum, known for its politically charged lyrics and criticism of the government, has faced consistent censorship. Its concerts have been banned since 2016, and members have frequently been detained. The band's official YouTube channel is also no longer accessible in Turkey.
Kurdish Commander Says Direct Talks Ongoing with Turkey, Open to Meeting Erdogan
The commander of Kurdish-led forces in northeast Syria, Mazloum Abdi, said on May 30 that his group maintains direct communication with Turkey and is open to improving relations - even expressing willingness to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Speaking to regional broadcaster Shams TV, Abdi revealed: "We have direct ties, direct channels of communication with Turkey, as well as through mediators, and we hope that these ties are developed."
He also noted that a temporary truce had ended recent clashes over the past two months and expressed hope that the ceasefire could become permanent.
Russia Proposes June 2 Istanbul Talks with Ukraine, But Kyiv Demands Clear Agenda
Russia has proposed holding a second round of peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on June 2, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced. He said the Russian delegation, led by Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky, will be in Istanbul and ready to negotiate. Peskov noted a list of conditions for a potential temporary truce is being developed but added that the details of the memorandum would not be made public.
However, Ukraine has insisted it will not attend without first reviewing Russia's formal peace proposals. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha emphasized that Kyiv needs to see concrete terms before sending a delegation. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy echoed this stance on May 30, following talks in Kyiv with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
"For a meeting to be meaningful, its agenda must be clear and properly prepared," Zelenskiy wrote on X. He accused Russia of undermining the talks by failing to present a written proposal.
Turkish President Erdogan stressed the importance of both sides sending strong delegations to Istanbul, suggesting that a future leaders' summit could support the peace process.
Fidan also told reporters in Kyiv that the next step after the Istanbul talks would be to attempt organizing a meeting between Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
Zelenskyy announced on June 1 that Ukraine will send a delegation to the second round of peace talks. The delegation will be led by Ukraine's Defense Minister, Rustem Umerov.
Putin, Turkish FM Discuss Ukraine War and Post-Istanbul Peace Efforts in Moscow
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met in Moscow on May 26 to discuss recent initiatives aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, as well as bilateral economic and energy issues, according to a Turkish Foreign Ministry source.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also met with Russia's lead negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, on the same day and with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, on May 27.
The Turkish source stated that the discussions focused on recent diplomatic initiatives aimed at halting the conflict and on the progress made since the negotiations were held in Istanbul. Russian sources have identified Turkey, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman as potential venues for renewed peace talks.
The two sides also discussed bilateral issues, including economic and energy cooperation, according to the Turkish source.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Lavrov, Fidan said he sought Putin's support for resolving ongoing negotiations between Russian energy giant Gazprom and Turkey's state pipeline operator Botas—an indirect reference to Turkey's gas payment arrangements with Russia.
EU Approves €150 Billion Defense Fund Including Turkey in Joint Projects
The European Union Council has approved a €150 billion defence fund under the new "Safety for Europe" (SAFE) initiative, which includes participation from member states as well as candidate countries, such as Turkey. The plan aims to strengthen the EU's defense capacity against potential threats, particularly from Russia.
The SAFE initiative will provide financial support to EU countries that are willing to invest in priority areas of defence industry production. Candidate countries, including Turkey, will also be eligible to participate in joint supply projects under the plan.
EU Rapporteur Visits Jailed Istanbul Mayor, Declares "Turkey's EU Future Begins in Silivri"
Nacho Sanchez Amor, the European Parliament's rapporteur on Turkey, visited imprisoned Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on May 30 at Marmara Prison in Silivri. He expressed strong support, stating, "Turkey has hope and a future in the European Union, and that future begins here in Silivri."
Speaking to reporters after the visit, Amor thanked Turkish authorities for allowing the meeting, admitting it had not been easy to arrange. He said he felt a duty to represent other European politicians who were unable to visit detained opposition figures in Turkey.
"I found Mr. Imamoglu in excellent condition, both mentally and emotionally. He continues his fight," Amor remarked.
Earlier in the day, Amor also met with Istanbul's acting mayor, Nuri Aslan, at city hall in Sarachane. He expressed confidence that Imamoglu will return to his position and continue his political work.
EU Sanctions Turkey-Backed Syrian Militias Over Rights Abuses
On May 28, the European Union imposed sanctions on four Syrian armed groups — the Sultan Suleiman Shah Brigade, Hamza Division, Sultan Murad Division, and their leaders — citing serious human rights violations.
InstituteDe analyst Enes Esen said these armed groups operate in northern Syria with strong military and intelligence ties to Ankara. He added that the EU's decision is likely to be met with displeasure from the Turkish government.
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