Analysis Erdogan’s CHP move raises early poll prospects as Iran war bleeds Turkey’s economy A court move targeting Turkey’s main opposition party, combined with mounting economic pressure linked to the Iran conflict, is raising expectations of an early vote that could extend President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s rule. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Turkish court ousts CHP leadership amid opposition crackdown The ruling marks a major escalation in the legal crackdown on the CHP, which has already been hit by the imprisonment of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, its presidential candidate. Turkey
Trump envoy Barrack’s embrace of 'strong leaders' sparks fury in Turkey Turkish opposition members say envoy Tom Barrack’s remarks praising “strong leaders” and monarchies undermine Turkey’s democratic tradition and embolden President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey
Analysis How the Iran war is giving Turkey's Erdogan a big boost Opinion polls show Turks turning to Erdogan as a steady hand during the war, even as the country's finances remain fragile. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Analysis In Turkey, is Bilal Erdogan preparing to replace his father? By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis Eyeing Turkey, Netanyahu boosts Greece, Cyprus ties ahead of US visit By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Ankara unfolds Hagia Sophia card against COVID-19 crisis Erdogan’s government has signaled it could consider turning the Hagia Sophia Museum into a mosque as part of religious messages aimed at keeping its voter base intact under the strain of economic turmoil, made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. Turkey
Could baby-faced rival of Erdogan be 'remedy' for Turkey's problems? Can Ali Babacan, Turkey's former deputy premier, be a beacon of hope for the center-right? Turkey
Turkish state seizes foundation linked to Erdogan political rival State authorities have taken over a second institution linked to former Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, who resigned last year from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling party to form his own. Turkey
Former Erdogan ally establishes new party in Turkey Following months of speculation, former Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu is establishing a new party to challenge President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s hold on center-right voters. Turkey
Domestic politics, Idlib sway timing of Turkey’s Syrian operation Erdogan’s latest campaign in Syria may be justified as an effort to fight terrorism, but his immediate objectives include stopping the unraveling within his party, fracturing the opposition bloc and creating space inside Syria for a possible new wave of refugees from Idlib. Syria
Is Turkish presidential system helping cause fall in AKP membership? Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s realized goal for Turkey to have an executive presidency may be fast becoming his worst mistake: His party is losing members at the top and from the base and former colleagues are challenging him directly. Can Erdogan survive his party’s decay? Turkey
Political earthquake in Turkey: A regime running amok? Three elected Kurdish mayors were removed from their posts in a move further endangering what remains of Turkey's democracy. Syria
Has Turkey’s policy on Syrian refugees started to backfire? The Syrian refugee question is set to pose a major political headache for Erdogan in the coming period. Syria
Opposition aims to curb Erdogan’s powers after election rout The government’s debacle in local polls in Istanbul and most of Turkey’s other big cities has set the stage for a new power struggle in which the opposition appears bent on trimming Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s powers. The president, in turn, seeks to debilitate the newly elected opposition mayors. Turkey
Opposition retakes Istanbul mayor's office to find powers shrinking As Istanbul’s new Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu retakes office after beating the ruling party's candidate a second time, reports are emerging that his powers and those of other Turkish mayors are already being whittled down. Turkey
Ankara’s economic tasks grow tougher after election rout Reeling from a crushing defeat in a critical election rerun, Turkey’s government faces an uphill track in efforts to fix the economy, littered with major political risks, both at home and abroad. Turkey
Why Erdogan’s historic Istanbul defeat is irreparable The government’s defeat in Istanbul's mayoral election is nothing less than a historic watershed, for Erdogan lacks the means to remedy the factors behind this outcome, mainly the economic crisis bruising the country. Turkey
