Latest defection hands Erdogan’s AKP control of Turkey’s third-largest city The ruling party’s takeover of Izmir’s mayoralty is the latest example of the unraveling of the opposition parties’ historic gains in Turkey’s 2024 local elections. Turkey
Turkey's Erdogan to run for 'final' third term in 2028, adviser says If Turkey's parliament votes to move the next election up during President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s second term, he could constitutionally run for third. Turkey
Explainer What’s behind Turkey’s latest wave of arrests against opposition mayors? The operations come as Ozgur Ozel’s newly formed party gains momentum. Turkey
Top ally of Turkey’s Erdogan backs state funding for Ozel’s breakaway party Devlet Bahceli’s suggestion exposes a more nuanced position within the country’s governing alliance over the ongoing legal crackdown against Turkey’s main opposition. Turkey
Analysis Erdogan’s CHP move raises early poll prospects as Iran war bleeds Turkey’s economy By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Hopes dim amid frantic earthquake rescues, as Turkey declares state of emergency President Erdogan says there are more than 53,000 rescuers in the 10 provinces, but locals complain that some neighborhoods are abandoned as hopes run out for people trapped in the debris. Turkey
How will Turkey’s killer earthquakes impact the country’s politics? The mood of the public could very well shift against Erdogan and the AKP if their response to the earthquake is not swift. Turkey
Can Erdogan run for third term in Turkey's upcoming election? The opposition declares Erdogan’s candidacy “unconstitutional” while the Turkish president says his path to run for a third term is "clear." Turkey
Turkey's pro-Kurdish party HDP faces threat of closure after top court ruling The decision, which comes less than four months before the country’s fateful elections, raises the prospect of the pro-Kurdish party's running on other parties' tickets or as independent candidates. Turkey
Murder of former Grey Wolves leader divides Turkey’s nationalists Questions raised this week about the December shooting of Sinan Ates have placed Erdogan’s allied MHP party under the spotlight as elections loom. Turkey
Finland lifts Turkey's arms embargo, is one step closer to NATO While Finland seems one step closer to NATO membership after Helsinki’s decision to resume defense sales to Turkey, Ankara’s anger at Sweden shows no signs of abating. Turkey
Analysis The Takeaway: Turkey’s F-16 deal proves hard sell in Congress Plus, imprisoned American Siamak Namazi launches a hunger strike in Iran, and Iraq repatriates hundreds from northeast Syria's Al-Hol camp. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Erdogan picks historically charged date of May 14 for Turkey’s crucial election Turkey’s president indicates elections will be held on May 14, a symbolic date in the country's multiparty democracy and a month earlier than expected. Turkey
Al-Monitor/Premise poll: Majority in Egypt, Turkey and Tunisia on edge over food access In an exclusive poll in five countries across the Middle East and North Africa, 68% majority of the population worried about their ability to access food. By AL-MONITOR Staff
Syrian refugees in Turkey watch uneasily as Erdogan warms to Assad Syrians in Turkey are wary of losing refuge as the Turkish President eyes dialogue with Assad Turkey
Istanbul mayor charged with corruption as Turkish opposition weighs Erdogan challenger The latest move against Ekrem Imamoglu comes as Turkey’s opposition weighs which candidate would stand the best chance against Erdogan. Turkey
Will Kurds’ choice to field own candidate benefit Erdogan or Turkey’s opposition? Turkey’s major pro-Kurdish opposition party has announced it will field its own candidate in a move sure to have a profound impact on the presidential race, but in which direction? Turkey
