ANALYSIS
Report: "TURKEY'S RARE ELEMENTS: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES - THE BEYLİKOVA CASE", by Mustafa Enes Esen, Omer Guler, Harun Gungor and Dr. Imdat Oner, The Institute for Diplomacy and Economy
Turkey enters the rare earth sector at a moment of historically favorable external conditions: acute Western demand for non-Chinese supply chain alternatives, unprecedented willingness to deploy public capital in their support, and a geopolitical environment in which Turkey's geographic and political position gives it genuine leverage in negotiations with both Western and Chinese partners. The Beylikova deposit, if its scale and grade are confirmed through rigorous international certification, would represent a meaningful addition to global non-Chinese rare earth reserves.
The obstacles, however, are formidable and should not be minimized. The reserve remains unverified by international standards, a condition that is foundational to attracting serious investment. The processing technology required for commercial-scale refining is not domestically available, talks with China have collapsed over technology transfer terms, and Western alternatives are still developing their own capabilities. The radioactive complexity of the Beylikova ore demands environmental governance capabilities that Turkey's institutions have not previously been required to exercise, and the domestic mining sector's track record, illustrated most starkly by the preventable İliç disaster of 2024, does not provide automatic reassurance that those capabilities will be built. The economics of rare earth development, with investment timelines of fifteen or more years from proven reserve to commercial operation and a commodity market subject to price manipulation, are unforgiving of weakness.
The realistic assessment is that Turkey will not be a significant actor in global rare earth markets within a decade under any scenario. The lead times are too long, and the institutional development required is too substantial for that horizon to be achievable, regardless of the policy decisions made today. What those decisions will determine is whether Turkey is positioned to become a meaningful actor in the decade that follows.
"What’s Behind Turkey’s Regional Reset?" by Alissa Pavia and Kit Wheeldon, The National Interest
Ankara’s military approach, moreover, signals a readiness to go beyond simple diplomatic leverage over gas fields. From providing Bayktar drones to facilitating joint military exercises for the leader Erdoğan once called a coup plotter, Ankara’s strategic objectives in Libya are shifting from simply breaking its isolation to amplified projections of power.
Turkey’s shift towards pragmatism shows Ankara is capable of going beyond simple ideological alliances to embrace former rivals in pursuit of its own interests—a feat other regional powers like Egypt, Qatar, and the UAE routinely fail to achieve. After a decade of backing Islamists across the region, Turkey’s alliances today are not so dependent on an actor’s ideology. Previous rivals across the region, even those with deep historical grievances, such as Khalifa Haftar, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, are getting a second look.
POLITICS
Court Annuls 2023 CHP Congress; Police Evict Ozel's Leadership from Party HQ
A Turkish court effectively ousted main opposition leader Ozgur Ozel on May 21 by annulling the 2023 Republican People's Party (CHP) congress that elected him chairman, the appeals court ruled.
The court said the congress was invalid due to irregularities and ordered that former CHP chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu replace Ozel. It also struck down subsequent extraordinary congresses, bylaw changes and amendments to the party programme.
The CHP called the decision an "attempted coup", while Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said it had renewed Turks' faith in the rule of law.
Kilicdaroglu, reinstated as leader, urged calm and common sense and said he hoped Turkey would benefit from the move. He also changed his social media title to "chairman of the Republican People's Party."
Nationalist Movement Party leader Devlet Bahceli urged Kilicdaroglu to meet with Ozel and to consider stepping aside to find a common formula for the CHP's future, saying, "This outcome will be to the benefit of both CHP and our country."
The pro-Kurdish DEM Party called the ruling a "black stain" on Turkish democracy.
The court and the Supreme Election Council both rejected appeals filed by Ozel's leadership team. Kilicdaroglu reportedly told Ozel in a phone call on May 22 that he would take the party to a vote at the appropriate time.
Turkish authorities detained 13 delegates from the CHP after the ruling, carrying out arrests in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Sanliurfa, Kahramanmaras, Kilis and Malatya. The delegates are accused of violating Turkey's Political Parties Law, accepting bribes and laundering assets obtained from crime. Nine were arrested, and four were released under judicial supervision.
On May 24, Kilicdaroglu formally requested police deployment after party leadership and members refused to leave the building. Riot police broke through a makeshift barricade at the CHP headquarters, deploying tear gas as those inside shouted and hurled objects at the entrance. In a video message posted on X during the intervention, Ozel said: "We are under attack," and vowed to stay in the building and resist. "Even if they try to remove us from here, we will continue our march to power in the streets," he said.
Turkey Expands Presidential Oversight of Municipally Owned Companies
The government has expanded presidential control over municipally owned companies, requiring local governments and majority‑owned firms to obtain presidential approval before establishing companies or cooperatives.
The amendment was enacted through an omnibus law published in the Official Gazette on May 22. It covers local administrations, their affiliated agencies, municipal unions, companies they established and companies in which those bodies directly or indirectly own more than 50 percent of the capital, alone or together.
Under the amendment, approvals will be required for establishing companies and cooperatives, making capital contributions to existing or future firms, acquiring shares, and becoming a shareholder, partner or cooperative member.
Turkey Detains Scores in Nationwide Raids on Municipal Officials and Firms
In Istanbul, the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office ordered the detention of 58 individuals linked to Bogazici Tesis Yonetim Hizmetleri A.S., a subsidiary of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. Police took 57 suspects into custody during simultaneous operations in Istanbul, Adana, Bursa, Diyarbakir, Konya, and Yalova. The suspects are accused of "bid-rigging" and other tender irregularities as part of organized criminal activity, the prosecutors said. A court later ordered the arrest of 25 of those detained, while the remaining individuals were released under judicial supervision.
In a separate operation in Eskisehir, Ankara and Adana, police detained 25 people in an investigation into Eskisehir’s Tepebasi Municipality, which is also run by the Republican People’s Party (CHP). Prosecutors said the suspects allegedly used fake bids, misleading documents and invoices for services that were not provided or were overbilled, causing public losses. The court ordered the arrest of 15 of the 25 people referred to the courthouse.
Separately, the Denizli Chief Public Prosecutor's Office said 12 of 13 people detained in an investigation into bribery and bid rigging at the Merkezefendi Municipality were arrested.
MHP Leader Proposes Two Commissions to Oversee Turkey-PKK Peace Process
Devlet Bahceli, leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), proposed two new commissions to oversee Turkey's peace process with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).
He said one commission should be formed in parliament with members from all political parties to monitor the process, while a second body would be led by the vice president and include relevant ministries and the National Intelligence Organization (MIT).
Bahceli said the second body would coordinate state institutions, manage the process, inform the public and counter what he described as possible "black propaganda." He also proposed creating a coordination center within the executive commission.
ECONOMY
Court Annulment Halts Turkey Market, Knocks BIST 100 6%
Trading on Turkey's stock market was halted, and government bonds fell sharply on May 21 after a court annulled the Republican People's Party congress in 2023 at which its chairman, Ozgur Ozel, was elected. The ruling fuelled a 6% drop in the BIST 100 equity index, triggering a market-wide circuit breaker.
The court decision coincided with Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek's attendance at an investor event in London alongside Turkish central bank governor Fatih Karahan.
Turkey Offloads Almost All US Treasuries in March
Turkey offloaded almost all of its US Treasuries in March as it stepped up efforts to defend the lira amid intense economic pressure from soaring energy costs, Bloomberg-compiled estimates based on official US data showed.
The amount of Treasuries held by Turkey fell to $1.8 billion by the end of March, down from $16 billion the previous month, according to estimates. The figure includes securities held by the central bank and other Turkish entities, including companies.
Turkish markets were pitched into more turmoil on May 21 after a court removed the leader of the main opposition party. State lenders sold about $6 billion that day to defend the lira, traders familiar with the transactions said. Foreign‑exchange sales eased later in the session after an initial heavy bout of selling, they added.
Turkey Central Bank Lowers Reserve Requirements for Loans
Turkey's Central Bank said on May 23 it lowered reserve requirements for certain loans to support a tight monetary policy stance and strengthen macro financial stability.
In a statement, the bank said it had introduced changes to the reserve requirements applied to consumers and enterprises in light of developments in loan growth.
HUMAN RIGHTS
CHP Report Documents Widespread Rights Violations in Turkey in March 2026
A monthly human rights report released by Sezgin Tanrıkulu, deputy chair of Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), recorded extensive rights violations in March 2026. According to the report, 207 people died in incidents linked to official negligence, prison deaths, refugee deaths, femicides and workplace fatalities. It also documented 193 cases of torture or ill-treatment, including abuses in prisons.
The report highlighted mounting pressure on freedom of expression and assembly, noting investigations against 181 people over expressions of opinion, 156 online access-blocking decisions, and legal action against journalists. It also raised fair trial concerns in the case against detained Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and 400 co-defendants, citing restrictions on journalists, lawyers and observers during the hearings. In addition, 375 people were reportedly detained and 61 arrested in connection with demonstrations and public events during the month.
Turkey Blocks over 1,700 Social Media Accounts Linked to Gulen Movement
Turkish authorities have restricted access to 1,731 social media accounts allegedly linked to the Gulen movement following a digital monitoring operation, Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran said in a post on X.
Turkish authorities also detained 24 people, including seven public officials, in coordinated raids across 11 provinces over alleged ties to the Gulen movement, police and prosecutors said. The operations were carried out by counterterrorism police under the direction of prosecutors in the capital Ankara, with simultaneous raids in cities including Istanbul, Izmir and Gaziantep.
FOREIGN POLICY
Turkey, Germany Discuss Deeper Ties and Regional Security
The foreign ministers of Turkey and Germany met in Berlin on May 18 for the third session of a revived strategic dialogue to deepen bilateral cooperation and address regional security challenges.
Johann Wadephul, speaking at a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, said Turkey could be influential in helping end the wars in Ukraine and Iran and urged Ankara to strengthen strategic ties with the European Union. "Turkey has the potential to exert considerable influence on these troubled regions, not only because of its geographical proximity, but also because of its great political and economic importance," he said.
Fidan said the two countries would continue to deepen cooperation in areas such as the defence industry, economy, energy and connectivity through concrete projects and mutual investments.
He added that they also discussed preparations for the NATO summit in Ankara, European security, developments related to the Russia‑Ukraine war, the conflict between Iran and the US and Israel, and the situation in Gaza.
Germany to Deploy Patriot System in Turkey for Six Months
The Turkish Defence Ministry announced on May 20 that Germany would send it a Patriot missile defence system for a six-month deployment from June to replace a system deployed as part of NATO measures in southeast Turkey to bolster air defences amid the war in Iran.
"In addition to the Spanish Patriot air defence system currently deployed in our country, one of the two additional Patriot systems deployed by NATO will be replaced by a German system," the ministry said in a statement. "This replacement is planned to be completed in June, and the system is expected to remain operational for approximately six months," it added.
Erdogan, Macron negotiate SAMP/T air-defence co-production deal
Turkish President Erdogan and French President Emmanuel Macron are negotiating a major air-defence deal that could clear the way for Turkey to buy and co-produce the French‑Italian SAMP/T Mamba missile defence system, Intelligence Online reported on May 18.
The possible agreement is expected to be discussed ahead of the NATO summit in July in Ankara, the report said, adding that plans to co-produce the SAMP/T surface‑to‑air system in Turkey are "taking shape" after years of delays in Ankara's efforts to secure a European air and missile defence system.
Turkey Convoy Makes First Transit to Iraq via Syria in over 15 Years
A convoy of trucks carrying Turkish goods travelled from Turkey to Iraq via Syria on May 18, marking the first such transit bypassing the Kurdistan Region in more than 15 years, The National Context reported.
The vehicles entered Syria through the Tal Abyad crossing, which reopened last week, before continuing toward Rabia in Iraq's Mosul province, which was also recently reopened.
The movement appears to be part of a broader Turkey-Syria-Iraq connectivity corridor that may include the Nusaybin-Qamishli route once that crossing reopens in the coming months, the report said.
Turkey aims to complete Somalia deep-sea drilling in six to nine months
Turkish President Erdogan said on May 22 that Ankara aims to complete its first overseas deep-sea oil exploration off the coast of Somalia within six to nine months.
Speaking at the second Istanbul Natural Resources Summit, Erdogan called the operation "Turkey's first deep-sea exploration drilling mission abroad" and said that, if climate and weather conditions permit, the drilling should be completed within 6 to 9 months.
He framed the initiative as a humanitarian and stabilising effort for Somalia, saying: "We hope to deliver the long-awaited good news by the brotherly Somali people, who have struggled for many years with instability and famine."
Armenia Says Rail Link via Georgia to Turkey Open
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on May 24 that a rail link with Turkey via Georgia has been opened to facilitate imports and exports.
"Pleased to announce that following the Azerbaijani railway, the Turkish railway via Georgia, is now open for Armenian export and import," Pashinyan wrote on X, referring to the Akhalkalaki-Kars railway route.
He said the new corridor gives Armenia access to the European Union through Georgia and Turkey, and added that the opening of the Armenia-Turkey railway, the Armenia-Azerbaijan railway and, via Nakhchivan, the Armenia-Iran railway is expected in the near future.
Turkey Criticises Greece Over Pontic Remembrance
Turkish Foreign Ministry criticised Greek officials and public events marking what Athens officially describes as Pontic Greek Genocide Remembrance Day, accusing Greece of using history for political purposes.
The statement followed Greece's formal establishment of May 19 as the Day of Remembrance of the Genocide of the Greeks of Pontus.
The ministry said Greece had promoted "Pontus" allegations through legislation adopted in 1994 and had incorporated them into school curricula. It added the claims "lack any legal foundation" and accused Athens of using them to deflect attention from its conduct during the Greco‑Turkish War of 1919 to 1922.
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