"Why Turkey Is Missing from the Negotiations on Ukraine and Iran" by Mustafa Enes Esen, The Institute for Diplomacy and Economy
Negotiations are currently underway to end the war in Ukraine and to strike a new nuclear deal with Iran. Given this proximity and high stakes for Turkey, it would seem natural for Ankara to play a role in these diplomatic efforts. Yet despite closely monitoring developments in both theaters, Turkey remains notably absent from the negotiation tables.
Over the past decade, Turkey’s most assertive foreign policy moves have been backed by hard power. Without the necessary leverage or the trust of the key players, Turkey's influence remains limited. The broader question is whether Turkey will increasingly rely on defense ties as a substitute for diplomatic influence.
"Israel's Dangerous Overreach in Syria" by Shira Efron and Danny Citrinowicz, Foreign Affairs
If Israel's leaders give in to the impulse to ramp up its incursions into Syria, they may well create a new enemy when there is currently none. And Israel will put itself even more at odds with Turkey, driving both countries toward the brink of an unnecessary new military conflict. Instead, Israel must communicate that its territorial incursions are meant to be temporary, help ease Syria's humanitarian crisis, and stop undermining Turkey's attempts to help Shara stabilize the country and stand up to Iranian influence.
"Erdogan's Bet on Trump Is Paying Off" by Alper Coşkun, The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Erdogan's bet on Trump is so far paying off. The two have spoken several times since the November U.S. election, satisfying the Turkish desire to have regular contacts. Türkiye's foreign minister has already visited Washington to follow up on these discussions—something that took fifteen months during former president Joe Biden's administration—and reports indicate that a presidential visit may be in the works.
Türkiye and the United States do not see eye to eye on every matter, and the two have lingering differences. But Erdogan and Trump are intent on developing a cooperative agenda that is mutually beneficial and empowering. What that will mean for Türkiye and its society at large in the long run, including the country's democratic trajectory and relations with Europe, may be another story.
"Europe's reluctant reset with Turkey", The Economist
For Turkey, cooperation with Europe, both in defence and in Ukraine, makes plenty of sense. Turkish companies would jump at the chance to tap into some of the hundreds of billions in defence spending the EU hopes to unlock over the next four years. Boots on the ground in Ukraine could also make for good business. Turkey is already a leading investor in Ukraine. Mr Erdogan assumes, correctly, that Turkish peacekeepers would pave the way for Turkish contractors.
Today, as concerns about refugees give way to worries about Russia, Europe has become almost fluent in Erdoganese. Turkey's membership bid remains in the deep freeze. Norms are out. Interests are in. That is good news for Ukraine and for Europe's defence—but not for Turkey's democracy.
"Turkey's People Are Resisting Autocracy. They Deserve More Than Silence", Editorial Board, The New York Times
There are no easy answers, given Turkey's strategic importance and Mr. Erdogan's grip on power. But the world's democracies are getting the balance wrong. They can do more to support Turkey's people and pressure Mr. Erdogan.
Europe does have levers to influence Mr. Erdogan: Germany is Turkey's largest trading partner, and several other Western European nations are not far behind. By speaking up, these countries can make Mr. Erdogan's life less comfortable. They can make clear that Turkey is risking cooperation on a wide range of issues that matter to it, such as trade, migration and military supplies. The rest of the world may not be able to prevent Turkey's slide toward authoritarianism and extremism. But it should certainly try.
"Erdogan Risks Overplaying His Hand" by Ozgur Ozkan, Foreign Policy
While Erdogan has taken significant steps toward consolidating authoritarian rule, Turkey does not have the economic and political structures necessary for full dictatorship. Most notably, Erdogan lacks a fully loyal coercive apparatus that can unconditionally enforce his will—particularly the military, long considered indispensable to robust autocratic regimes.
This places Turkey in a precarious limbo between competitive authoritarianism, where elections and other democratic institutions nominally exist but are undermined by systematic abuses of power, and outright dictatorship. In this transitory phase, the regime will be highly susceptible to public protest but still lack the coercive capacity needed to decisively crush it. The arrangement is inherently unstable and could backfire should Erdogan continue down this path.
CHP Chairman Ozel Visits Imamoglu in Silivri Prison Following Recent Detentions
Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Ozgur Ozel postponed his Manisa and Izmir programs following recent detentions and traveled to Silivri's Marmara Closed Prison on April 27 to meet with CHP presidential nominee and Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.
In a statement after the visit, Ozel said he and Imamoglu held substantive discussions on Turkey's future strategy. He also dismissed rumors of any deal for Imamoglu's release. "Not even Ekrem Imamoglu himself can withdraw his candidacy at this time. Our candidate remains Ekrem Imamoglu," Ozel said.
Turkish Authorities Detain 47, Including Senior Istanbul Officials, in Crackdown Linked to Mayor Imamoglu
Turkish authorities detained 47 people on April 26, including senior officials from Istanbul's opposition-run municipality, in a crackdown operation related to the jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.
Police carried out dawn raids across Istanbul, Ankara, and Tekirdag, targeting individuals connected to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. Detention warrants were issued for 53 people, with operations focusing on senior staff closely linked to Imamoglu's administration. Among the detained were high-ranking city officials, including deputy secretaries-general, department heads, executives from the city water utility ISKI, and Cevdet Kaya, the brother of Imamoglu's wife, Dilek Imamoglu.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office stated that the detainees are suspected of forming and leading a criminal organization, rigging public tenders, bribery, and aggravated fraud.
Imamoglu condemned the operation through a statement shared on social media, calling it an attempt to "fill empty files with lies and slander," and accused the government of turning the judiciary into a political weapon.
Bahceli Rejects Early Election Rumors
Devlet Bahceli, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's far-right ally, denied on April 22 claims that he could push for early elections, calling the speculation "a lie and clamor" aimed at undermining his party.
"Those who attempt to drag our party into a debate with the lie and clamor of early elections, and those rotten minds trying to read intentions with their tiny intellects are wasting their efforts," Bahceli said in a written statement. "Elections will be held on schedule, and there will be no compromise," he added.
DEM Party Delegation Meets with Justice Minister Tunc to Discuss Prison Conditions
The postponed meeting between the DEM Party delegation and Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc, delayed last week due to Sureyya Onder's heart condition, took place on April 24 and lasted approximately two hours.
After the meeting, DEM Party member Gulistan Kilic Kocyigit stated that they conveyed to the Minister that Ocalan's prison conditions are their top concern. "We believe there may be developments on this issue in the near future," Kocyigit added.
DEM Party member Sezai Temelli described the meeting as positive and said discussions would continue. Temelli noted that they addressed several prison-related concerns, including the treatment of sick prisoners, the execution arrangement, the decisions of the Administration and Observation Board (IGK), the Forensic Medicine Institution (ATK), and the disciplinary boards.
Temelli added that they submitted a detailed list of sick prisoners to Minister Tunc during the meeting.
DEM Party Delegation Visits Ocalan for Fourth Time on Imrali Island
A delegation from the pro-Kurdish People's Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) held a fourth meeting with imprisoned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan on Imrali Island on April 21 to discuss peace process following a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The delegation included Pervin Buldan, an MP from the People's Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), and Ocalan's lawyer, Faik Ozgur Erol.
Central Government Debt Rises to 10.27 Trillion Lira by End of March
Turkey's central government debt stock climbed to 10.27 trillion Turkish lira (around $268 billion) by the end of March, up from 9.26 trillion lira ($242 billion) at the close of 2024, according to data released by the Treasury and Finance Ministry.
Of the total debt, 4.7 trillion lira (approximately $122 billion) was denominated in local currency, while 5.6 trillion lira (about $145 billion) was held in foreign currencies. Domestic debt reached 5.75 trillion lira ($149 billion), while external debt totaled 4.52 trillion lira ($118 billion). The ministry also reported that the average maturity was 3.2 years for domestic debt and 6.6 years for external debt.
A breakdown by financial instruments showed that government bonds accounted for 5.62 trillion lira ($146 billion), and international bonds made up 3.45 trillion lira ($90 billion).
IMF Raises Turkey's 2025 Growth Forecast to 2.7 Percent
The IMF has slightly raised its 2025 growth forecast for Turkey from 2.6 percent to 2.7 percent in its latest Spring Global Economic Outlook Report.
The organization also projects Turkey's inflation to hit 35.9 percent in 2025 and ease to 22.8 percent in 2026.
Finance Minister Simsek Meets US Treasury Secretary in Washington
On the margins of the G20, IMF, and World Bank Spring Meetings, Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek met with US Treasury Secretary Bessent in Washington. According to a statement from the Ministry of Treasury and Finance, Central Bank Governor Fatih Karahan also attended the meeting.
The statement highlighted the emphasis on lifting current restrictions between the two countries to boost cooperation in the defense industry. It also noted that the meeting addressed lifting sanctions on Syria, establishing a ceasefire in Ukraine, and Turkey's potential contributions toward achieving peace.
US Treasury Secretary Bessent urged Turkish Finance Minister Simsek to take stronger measures against the abuse of Turkey's financial system by US-designated Russian actors and terrorist organizations, according to a statement from the US Treasury Department. The statement also noted that Bessent and Simsek discussed the United States' ongoing maximum-pressure campaign against Iran and its proxies.
Turkey Aims to Secure $41 Billion in Project Financing, Simsek Says
Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek said Turkey expects to secure around $41 billion in long-term, low-cost financing over the next three years following meetings with major international institutions in Washington.
The funds will support green and digital transformation, disaster resilience, infrastructure, and inclusive growth projects, Simsek added.
Bad Credit Card Loans Soar 241% to 77.4 Billion Lira
As of March, Turkey's outstanding credit card debt exceeded 2 trillion lira for the first time, with the total number of credit cards in circulation reaching 132.3 million. Non-installment transactions accounted for the largest share of spending.
Data from the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK) for the week of April 11 showed that non-installment transactions accounted for 1.3223 trillion lira of individual credit card debt, while installment purchases made up 622.9 billion lira.
Banks classified 77.405 billion lira of credit card debt as non-performing—up from 22.651 billion lira a year earlier—marking a 241 percent surge in bad credit card loans.
Turkey Plans to Expand Energy Exploration Near Northern Cyprus and Libya
Turkey is preparing to expand its energy exploration efforts to waters off the coast of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC), Muhammet Fatih Ayyildiz, head of research and development at the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) said on April 22.
Ayyildiz stated that offshore activities near northern Cyprus are expected to begin soon as part of Turkey's broader strategy to secure energy resources. "We are planning to start activities soon in the KKTC and off the coast of Libya," he said.
Over 1.5 Million Buildings in Istanbul Deemed Structurally at Risk Following Earthquake
The 6.2-magnitude quake, centered in the Marmara Sea near Silivri, shook Istanbul and nearby provinces on April 23, causing mass evacuations, widespread panic, and renewed concerns about the city's vulnerability to a major seismic disaster.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reported no fatalities but said 151 people were injured, most of them while trying to escape buildings in panic.
Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum announced on April 24 that the government received 1,399 building damage reports from residents in Istanbul as well as in Bursa, Balikesir, Tekirdag, and Yalova.
Kurum also stressed the urgent need for action, revealing that Istanbul alone houses 1.5 million buildings considered seismically unsafe, with 30 percent in need of immediate reconstruction.
DEM Party Deputy Kacmaz Sayyigit Criticizes Rising Deaths in Turkish Prisons
In a speech to parliament on April 23, Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM) deputy Gulcan Kacmaz Sayyigit criticized the increasing number of inmate deaths in Turkish prisons.
Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc reported that 709 inmates died in the first 11 months of 2024.
"Prisons have virtually turned into death houses. The health of many ill inmates has deteriorated beyond recovery and continues to worsen. Every year, dozens of families receive news of their loved ones' deaths," said Sayyigit.
She also held Turkey's Council of Forensic Medicine (ATK) responsible for contributing to the high death toll.
Former Teacher Barred from Driving School Bus After 2016 Dismissal
A former teacher dismissed under a government decree following Turkey's failed 2016 coup attempt has been banned from working as a school bus driver.
Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu, a member of parliament, shared a government letter on social media ordering the removal of Burhan Çelebi, a former teacher, from his job as a school bus driver in the town of Manavgat, Antalya province. The letter cited his previous dismissal from public service as justification for the decision.
Lawyers Detained in Istanbul Municipality Probe Released Under Judicial Supervision
On April 24, a court issued a detention order for Yigit Gokcehan Kocoglu, attorney to Mehmet Pehlivan—counsel for the jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.
Earlier that morning, police also detained Serkan Gunel, lawyer for Murat Ongun (chairman of Municipality Media Inc.), and Kazim Yigit Akalin, counsel to fugitive suspect Emrah Bagdatli in the corruption investigation.
After appearing before the judge, three lawyers were released under judicial supervision with an international travel ban.
Police Use Excessive Force During Protest in Ankara Over Imamoglu's Arrest
Police in Ankara detained at least 30 people on April 25, including students, a journalist, and a lawyer, during a protest against the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.
Police declared the March from Konur Street to the Justice Ministry unlawful and blocked the demonstrators, later using force to disperse the gathering. Video footage shared online showed police violently restraining protesters and using disproportionate force.
Among those detained were lawyer Ekin Ozturk Yilmaz, a member of the Progressive Lawyers' Association (ÇHD), and Havva Gumuskaya, a reporter for the left-wing BirGun newspaper. Reporter Gumuskaya was later released from the police station.
Turkey Meets NATO Defense Spending Targets but Sees Decline in Alliance Share
Turkey has finally met NATO's key defense spending targets, according to the NATO Secretary General's 2024 Annual Report, but its share of the alliance's total defense expenditure has declined.
The report's annex on defense expenditures shows that Turkey's defense spending rose from 1.45 percent of GDP in 2014 to an estimated 2.09 percent in 2024. Additionally, 31.8 percent of its 2024 defense budget was allocated to major equipment, exceeding NATO's 20 percent target.
Despite exceeding the NATO guideline of spending 2 percent of GDP on defense, Turkey's share of total NATO defense expenditure—measured at current prices—fell from 2.4 percent in 2014 to 1.9 percent in 2024, as several other Allies, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe, raised their defense budgets at a faster pace.
Defense Minister Guler Outlines Conditions for PKK Disarmament and Comments on Eurofighter jet sales
Speaking at a reception celebrating April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day and the 105th anniversary of the opening of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Defense Minister Guler answered questions from the press.
Responding to a question about the PKK laying down arms, Guler stated, "They must dissolve, surrender their weapons, and turn themselves in. These are the three conditions. They will be told where to surrender. If they follow these instructions, they will be welcomed."
When asked about Germany's reported veto of the Eurofighter jet sales to Turkey, Guler emphasized, "Everything is moving exactly as it started and as we planned. Our negotiations are with England, not Germany."
Germany Says No Final Decision Yet on Eurofighter Sale to Turkey
A German government spokesman told Turkey's state-run Anadolu news agency on April 24 that no final decision has been made regarding the sale of Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Turkey, despite reports suggesting Berlin had blocked the deal due to political tensions.
Tim-Niklas Wentzel, a spokesman for the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, stated that the current caretaker government would defer the decision to the incoming coalition set to take office next month.
The Ministry of Economy, which oversees arms export licenses, also informed BBC Turkish that any significant decisions on defense exports will be taken by the incoming coalition government.
Erdogan Meets Council of Europe Secretary General in Ankara
President Erdogan held a closed-door meeting with Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset on April 22 at the presidential palace in Ankara.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Communications Director Fahrettin Altun, and Chief Foreign Policy and Security Adviser Akif Çağatay Kılıç also attended the meeting.
According to sources from the Turkish Foreign Ministry, Fidan and Berset discussed bilateral cooperation, and Fidan expressed support for Berset's efforts to foster inclusive, consensus-based dialogue among member states.
Hamas Seeks Turkey's Help to Promote New Gaza Ceasefire Proposal
Hamas has asked Turkey to help promote a new ceasefire proposal for the Gaza Strip and to relay its terms to the administration of US President Donald Trump, according to a special report by the London-based Asharq Al-Awsat daily published on April 22.
Two Hamas sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the group is pushing for a "comprehensive deal" and hopes Ankara can leverage its ties with Washington to help convey the offer.
The proposed ceasefire calls for the release of all Israeli hostages in exchange for an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners, a complete halt to fighting, and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
Turkey and Russia Hold Deputy Minister-Level Talks on Middle East in Istanbul
Turkey and Russia held consultations on April 25 in Istanbul at the deputy foreign minister level, diplomatic sources said. Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yilmaz and his Russian counterpart Mikhail Bogdanov represented their respective countries during the talks.
The two sides had a comprehensive exchange of views on regional issues, with a particular focus on developments in Syria and Palestine, the sources added.
Russia Delivers Dossier to Turkey Alleging Ukrainian Attacks on Energy Infrastructure
Russia has delivered a diplomatic dossier to Ankara that it says contains "evidence" of Ukrainian strikes on energy facilities connected to Turkey, sources told Middle East Eye.
Submitted earlier this month by Russian officials, the dossier reportedly includes maps and other materials tracking alleged attacks on the TurkStream pipeline and related infrastructure on Russian territory.
Turkish authorities have not issued a public response, but an informed source confirmed that they have thoroughly reviewed the document.
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