ANALYSIS
"Will Israel's war on Iran end Turkey's peace with the PKK?" by Mehmet Alaca, Amwaj.media
While paused, the conflict between Israel and Iran threatens to derail Turkey's efforts to achieve peace with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a longstanding process that has recently seen significant advancements. A widening war in the region, particularly centered on Iran, could force the PKK to reposition itself away from its decision to dissolve, potentially leveraging new power vacuums and thus shelving the fragile and momentous negotiations with Ankara.
Limiting Iran's regional influence would likely compel the PKK to remain at the negotiating table with Ankara. However, a complete state collapse in Iran could embolden the group to seek regional dominance, possibly with Israeli support. Thus, the fact that the PKK's Syrian offshoot has not disarmed but instead reached an agreement with Damascus, and PJAK appears poised for armed resistance in Iran, highlight that Ankara faces an ongoing risk for as long as its negotiation process with the PKK remains suspended.
"Axis of unease: Why Europeans should try to manage a Turkey-Israel rivalry" by Aslı Aydıntaşbaş, The European Council on Foreign Relations
Europeans should engage with Turkey on nuclear diplomacy and convince Tehran to come back to the negotiating table; but also help manage the negative consequences of the growing rivalry between Turkey and Israel across the region, including in Syria and Iraq. This will help reduce the potentially destabilising consequences of a new regional fault line between Turkey and Israel, and allow Turkey to devote at least some of its industrial and military capabilities away from the Middle East and towards partnering with other NATO allies for the defence of Europe.
"Turkey's economic woes catch up with Erdoğan" by John Paul Rathbone, Financial Times
Turkey's economic doldrums have drained Erdoğan's popular support, jeopardising his plans to remain in power, his geopolitical aspirations for the country, and ongoing peace talks with Kurdish militants that had been at war with the Turkish state for over 40 years. According to most polls, Erdoğan would lose handily to İmamoğlu if an election — currently scheduled for 2028 — were held tomorrow.
Harder economic times have meanwhile led to periodic rumours that Erdoğan might abandon the reform programme and even fire Şimşek and the central bank's new governor, Fatih Karahan, a former New York Federal Reserve economist. If that happened Turkish markets would be in meltdown, economists say.
POLITICS
AK Party Election Official Says Court Cannot Annul CHP's 2023 Leadership Vote
A senior representative of Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) at the top election authority has said that a court has no legal grounds to annul the Republican People's Party's (CHP) 2023 leadership election, Nefes daily reported.
Recep Ozel, who represents the AK Party at the Supreme Election Council (YSK), warned that any civil court attempt to invalidate a YSK-certified leadership vote would "upend the entire system" and breach constitutional rules on election law. The court's next hearing is set for June 30, although a ruling may not be issued that day.
Kilicdaroglu Sparks Rift in CHP with Remarks on Possible Return Amid Court Row
Kemal Kilicdaroglu, former leader of Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), has drawn backlash from within the party after suggesting he could reclaim the top post if a court annuls last year's leadership congress that elected his successor, Ozgur Ozel.
According to a columnist for pro-CHP Halk TV, Kilicdaroglu told visitors on June 23 that he would not allow the party to fall into the hands of a court-appointed trustee if Ankara's 3rd Civil Court of First Instance rules on June 30 to invalidate Ozel's election. "Would I leave the party to a trustee? Of course not," he said, adding he would meet with Ozel after the court decision.
In response, CHP Chairman Ozel warned, "No one who was not elected at the congress can lead the CHP. Our 81 provincial chairs and mayors are against this. We must not fall into the ruling party's trap."
On June 26, Kilicdaroglu said he would reject an "absolute nullity" ruling invalidating the congress, arguing that refusing to accept leadership could risk a trustee appointment. "Would it be better if a trustee came?" he asked, warning critics he did not want to be blamed for a trustee's arrival.
Former CHP leaders Altan Oymen, Hikmet Cetin, and Murat Karayalcin issued a joint statement on June 27 urging Kilicdaroglu to firmly support Ozel and reject any judicial intervention in the party's affairs.
Responding to Kilicdaroglu's recent remarks, Imamoglu expressed deep disappointment, saying, "I feel profoundly betrayed. I cannot accept these words; they have deeply hurt me and left me feeling indescribably upset."
In a detailed written statement, Imamoglu noted that Kilicdaroglu had previously opposed rallies and demonstrations supporting him and others facing politically motivated prosecutions. "Mr. Kemal [Kilicdaroglu] was my closest ally in this struggle. That's why his latest statements have devastated me," Imamoglu said.
Columnist Saygi Ozturk later reported that Kilicdaroglu dismissed concerns about party backlash if he accepts an annulment ruling, quoting him as saying, "What will the organization's reaction be? They will react for two or three days. Wherever the chairman is, that's where the headquarters is."
Ozel Criticizes EU for Failing to Pressure Erdogan
Speaking at a preparatory meeting of the Party of European Socialists (PES) on June 26 ahead of the EU leaders' summit in Brussels, CHP Chairman Ozgur Ozel said, "It would be inaccurate to say Erdogan is even feeling 10 percent of the pressure he should be under from the EU and the international community."
Ozel cautioned that the West's leniency toward Erdogan has emboldened him to tighten his grip at home, particularly by launching politically motivated court cases and arrests against the CHP.
"Unfortunately, European leaders continue to treat Erdogan as irreplaceable and are sending him that message. He exploits this perception domestically, fueling the belief that the world has no alternative to Erdogan," Ozel said.
Responding to Ozel's remarks during his meeting with farmers, President Erdogan accused him of ignoring the nation's needs and relying on foreign backing.
"Neither the nation nor the farmer is on their agenda," Erdogan said. "The sadder part is this: the party chairman who boasts of being a supporter of the National Forces goes abroad begging for democracy from foreign politicians, standing hand in hand with them, pleading for them to pressure us."
Judge Removed from Imamoglu Case After Citing Presumption of Innocence Breach
A new development has emerged in the trial of Istanbul Mayor and former CHP presidential candidate Ekrem Imamoglu over alleged irregularities during his term as Beylikduzu mayor.
According to reporter Alican Uludag, after the prosecutor failed to present an opinion for four consecutive hearings—most recently on April 11—the judge in Büyükçekmece noted in the court record that the presumption of innocence had been violated.
Following this, the Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSK) issued a decree on June 20 reassigning the judge from the Imamoglu case to the Diyarbakir Courthouse.
Erdogan Signals New Meeting with Pro-Kurdish Party
Speaking to journalists at the NATO Summit, President Erdogan said, "We have no problems with our Kurdish citizens living in the region. Things are going very well, and they have strong representation in Parliament."
Erdogan noted that he had previously met with Pervin Hanim and the late Sirri Bey, adding, "They requested another meeting. We will have another meeting soon."
Parliament Speaker Holds Talks with Party Leaders on Planned Kurdish Issue Commission
Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş met with the group deputy chairpersons of political parties on June 24 to discuss the formation of a commission aimed at addressing the Kurdish issue. The 2.5-hour meeting took place in Parliament, but no statements were made by the parties afterwards.
Kurtulmuş also held talks with former parliament speakers to exchange views on the legislature's upcoming agenda and the ongoing process related to resolving the Kurdish issue.
Bahceli Returns to Parliament Group Meeting After Five Months
MHP Chairman Devlet Bahceli spoke at his party's group meeting for the first time in five months, with the last meeting held on January 28. In the roughly half-hour address, Bahceli focused largely on foreign policy, declaring that Israel "must be stopped" immediately.
Turning to domestic politics, Bahceli criticized the CHP, saying, "The CHP's hesitant stance in the face of recent developments is alarming. The place the CHP has positioned itself is not where the Turkish nation stands. The direction the CHP is looking is not where Turkiye is headed. The opposition's backbone is rotten and broken."
Muharrem Ince Announces Return to CHP: "We Will Win by Uniting"
Muharrem Ince, chairman of the Homeland Party, said he returned to the Republican People's Party (CHP), which he left in 2021, in a social media post declaring, "We will win by uniting."
Ince's announcement included a message from jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who welcomed his return: "Welcome, dear Chairman Ince. You stood by us during the toughest times. Your decision to return to the CHP at this critical moment is very valuable."
CHP Chairman Ozgur Ozel also announced Ince's rejoining during the party group meeting, formally welcoming him back into the party ranks.
ECONOMY
Turkey Expected to Skip Mid-Year Minimum Wage Hike Despite Soaring Living Costs
Turkey's government is preparing to forgo a mid-year increase in the minimum wage, despite political calls to ease the burden of the rising cost of living, Bloomberg reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The move would likely appeal to investors, who view limits on wage hikes as a sign of Turkey's commitment to tackling stubbornly high inflation.
Although policymakers reportedly agree on skipping the raise, the final decision rests with President Erdogan, according to the sources, who asked not to be named, as no final outcome has been decided yet.
Turkey Plans Crypto Limits to Curb Money Laundering from Illegal Betting and Fraud
Turkey is moving to prevent the laundering of criminal proceeds from illegal betting and fraud through cryptocurrency transactions, Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek announced on June 24.
Posting on X, Simsek shared a report from the state-run Anadolu Agency, saying new rules will introduce transfer limits and mandatory waiting periods for crypto withdrawals. "Administrative, legal, and financial sanctions will be imposed on non-compliant platforms," he said.
Under the plan, stablecoin transfers will be capped at $3,000 per day and $50,000 per month.
CHP MP Warns of Rising SME Debt and Surge in Compositions
CHP Nigde Deputy Omer Fethi Gurer drew attention to the sharp rise in debt burdens and the growing number of SMEs seeking compositions to avoid bankruptcy, saying, "In the first five months of 2025, 2,235 companies applied for composition agreements. This clearly exposes the shortcomings of the government's economic policies."
Gurer stressed that SMEs are facing severe payment difficulties and an increased risk of insolvency. "As of 2025, SME debt has climbed to 5 trillion 33 billion 7 million liras, with an increase of 201 billion 499 million liras in just the past month. Additionally, 7,175 more SMEs came under close watch last month, bringing the total to 288,529," he said.
Libya's NOC, Turkey's TPAO Sign Deal to Explore Offshore Areas
Libya's National Oil Company (NOC) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Turkish state oil company TPAO to conduct geological and geophysical studies in four offshore areas, the NOC announced on June 25.
The agreement, signed in Istanbul by executives from both companies, includes plans for a two-dimensional seismic survey covering 10,000 kilometers, with data processing to be completed within nine months, NOC said in a statement.
HUMAN RIGHTS
European Rapporteurs Warn Turkey Reached a Tipping Point on Rule of Law
Lord David Blencathra of the UK and Stefan Schennach of Austria, who visited Ankara and Istanbul from June 10 to 13, expressed alarm over Turkey's continued use of pretrial detention against political opponents and the replacement of elected opposition mayors with government-appointed trustees.
In a statement issued on June 23, the rapporteurs said they were "dismayed" by these practices, warning that Turkey's entire rule of law is at risk. "We are not only seriously concerned about human rights abuses, but also about the fact that the entire rule of law is under threat," they said. "Executing Strasbourg Court judgments is not optional: it is a legal obligation."
Their visit included meetings with Turkish deputy ministers of justice and interior, Constitutional Court and Supreme Court of Appeals judges, the chief public prosecutor, members of Turkey's PACE delegation, and the country's ombudsman. They also visited Silivri and Kandira prisons, where they met with jailed Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, civil society leader Osman Kavala, and former HDP co-chair Figen Yuksekdag.
Turkey Jails 25 Journalists in First Quarter of 2025 Amid Crackdown on Media
The Turkish government intensified its crackdown on the press in early 2025, jailing 25 journalists and launching dozens of prosecutions, according to a new report by Expression Interrupted, a press freedom watchdog.
The report said 157 journalists stood trial in 90 separate cases during the first three months of the year. Of the 32 cases concluded, 19 ended in convictions, while 14 resulted in acquittals. In total, 28 journalists received prison sentences amounting to 41 years, 1 month, and 12 days, along with fines totaling 8,850 lira (about $270).
The most common charges included "membership in a terrorist organization" (27 cases) and "dissemination of terrorist propaganda" (21 cases).
Turkey's Media Regulator Hits Three Opposition TV Channels with Bans and Fines
Turkey's media watchdog, the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTUK), has issued broadcasting bans and fines against three opposition-aligned TV stations.
RTUK board member Tuncay Keser announced that Halk TV received a 10-day broadcast suspension and a fine equal to 3 percent of its previous month's revenue for allegedly inciting hatred and hostility. Sözcü TV and TELE1 were each fined 3 percent of their monthly revenue. Keser, who opposed the sanctions, described the fines as "a blow to press freedom."
Turkey Detains 184 Soldiers and Police Officers Over Alleged Gulen Ties
Turkish police detained 184 soldiers and police officers in a major operation targeting suspects accused of links to the Gulen movement.
In coordinated raids across Istanbul, Izmir, and 41 other provinces, police apprehended 163 of 176 people sought under warrants issued by the Istanbul and Izmir chief public prosecutors.
Among the suspects were 174 active-duty military personnel, including colonels, lieutenant colonels, majors, captains, lieutenants, and noncommissioned officers. Of the 95 soldiers who appeared before a judge, 65 were arrested and jailed, two were placed under house arrest, and 28 were released on probation.
Separately, police detained 21 suspects—including 13 active-duty officers and six former police officers—in 14 provinces as part of another investigation led by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. The court ordered the arrest of 11 suspects, 10 of whom are active police personnel.
Police Detain 361 in Nationwide Crackdown on Gulen Movement
Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on June 27 that 361 people were detained in nationwide raids over the past two weeks as part of an intensified crackdown on the Gulen movement.
The arrests took place across 46 provinces, including Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. Yerlikaya said on X that some detainees were accused of involvement in the movement's "current structure," including its alleged secret military wing, financial network, and educational activities.
32 Arrested in New Operation Against "Maydonoz Doner" Over Alleged Gulen Links
Turkish police detained 60 suspects on June 24 in a new wave of operations targeting Maydonoz Doner, a popular fast-food chain previously placed under government control for alleged ties to the Gulen movement.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office said raids were carried out in eight provinces, including Istanbul, Izmir, Bursa, and Eskisehir, as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged financial support for the Gulen network.
32 of the 42 suspects brought before a judge were arrested, while 10 were released on probation.
Turkish Court Jails Border Guards for Torturing Syrian Migrants to Death
A Turkish court has sentenced four border guards, including station commanders, to two life terms each for torturing two Syrian migrants to death along the Syrian border in 2023. The victims, Abdurrezzak Kastal and Abdulsettar Elhaccar, were among eight Syrians detained near the Syrian border.
The abuse took place at a gendarmerie station in Reyhanli, Hatay, where nine migrants were brutally tortured for hours. One victim was buried in the station's scrapyard, and the other was dumped outside a deportation center.
Authorities filed charges against 22 soldiers, and four, including station commanders, received two life sentences each.
FOREIGN POLICY
Germany Signals Green Light for Eurofighter Jet Sale to Turkey
Germany's new government is no longer blocking the planned sale of Eurofighter Typhoon jets to Turkey, clearing the way for a deal that political tensions had stalled, the German daily Handelsblatt reported.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz's administration is expected to take a more permissive stance on arms exports, a shift from the previous coalition's approach. Sources in the German government and defense industry told Handelsblatt that the export deal could soon be approved.
Turkish President Erdogan's recent meeting with Chancellor Merz at the NATO Leaders' Summit in The Hague is seen as boosting the momentum for the Eurofighter sale.
Turkey Backs NATO's New 5% Defence Spending Goal
Turkey supports NATO's decision to raise its defence spending target to 5% of GDP by 2035 and is already surpassing the previous 2% benchmark, a Turkish defence ministry source said on June 26, noting that Ankara will prioritise air defence investments.
The source added that Turkey has met all NATO capability targets and continues to invest in its defence industry and research. Plans include expanding the national "Steel Dome" project to build a layered air defence network across the country.
NATO allies agreed on June 25 to increase their collective spending goal, citing the long-term threat from Russia and the need to boost civil and military resilience. The alliance will hold its next summit in Turkey in 2026.
Erdogan Pushes for Fighter Jet, Defense Deals in Talks with World Leaders at NATO Summit
President Erdogan met with leaders from the US, France, Germany, and other countries during the NATO leaders' summit in The Hague on June 25, discussing issues including Gaza, Israel-Iran tensions, trade, and defense cooperation.
In talks with US President Donald Trump, Erdogan requested approval for Turkey to procure and assemble GE Aerospace's F110 and F404 engines, which power US-made jets and are intended for Turkey's Kaan and Hurjet aircraft projects. At a press conference, Erdogan said, "We paid 1.3 to 1.4 billion dollars for the F-35, and we saw that Mr. Trump has good intentions regarding the purchase."
Reuters also reported that President Erdogan said Turkey remains committed to acquiring F-35 fighter jets from the United States and has expressed its wish to rejoin the program it was removed from due to its purchase of Russian defense systems. "We discussed the issue with Mr. Trump, and technical-level talks have started. God willing, we will make progress," he said.
In a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, Erdogan sought to ease Macron's opposition to the joint production of a European-made missile defense system.
Erdogan also asked German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to approve the sale of Eurofighter jets and requested spare parts for Leopard tanks, German-made submarines, and other weapons systems.
EU Ambassador Calls Turkey's Lack of Visa-Free Travel "Shameful"
Head of the EU Delegation to Turkey, Ambassador Thomas Hans Ossowski, emphasized the need to restart visa liberalization negotiations with Turkey, calling the current process "unsustainable."
Ossowski highlighted that Turkey remains the only official EU candidate country without visa-free travel rights. "It is shameful that a NATO ally and strategic partner faces such discrimination."
Speaking to Turkish journalists in Brussels ahead of his appointment as Germany's permanent representative to the EU in July, Ossowski said, "We want to restart this process. We expect technical talks to begin in September."
UK Names Turkey a Key Partner in 2025 National Security Strategy
The United Kingdom has designated Turkey as a key partner in its 2025 national security strategy, highlighting the country's critical role in protecting British security interests.
Titled "National Security Strategy 2025: Security for the British People in a Dangerous World", the document underscores Turkey's strategic location at the crossroads of the Black Sea, the Caucasus, the Middle East, and Africa. It describes Turkey as essential to the UK's security interests across Europe and NATO's flanks, and it emphasizes strong military cooperation and defense industry collaboration.
Belgian Customs Seize Cocaine on Istanbul-Operated Tanker
Belgian customs seized hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from the MT Scot Bremen, a Malta-flagged tanker run by Istanbul-based Scot Tankers, at Zeebrugge port, Belgian media reported on June 23.
The ship's captain discovered five crew members trying to hide suspicious packages on June 22 and alerted authorities. Customs officers later found the cocaine on board.
Scot Tankers, owned by Turkish maritime businessman Muzaffer Ozgur Ebcim, stated that neither the captain nor the company is under suspicion. "Both police and prosecutors recognized the captain's cooperation and initiative," the company noted. Scot Tankers emphasized its zero-tolerance policy toward drug offences and said it has already taken steps to replace the detained crew members.
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