Turkey's central government budget shifted to a surplus of TL 114.2 billion ($2.4 billion) in June 2026, driven by a 66% revenue increase to $32.1 billion and a 72% surge in tax collections, reversing a deficit from the same month in 2025. Expenditures rose 12.6% to $29.7 billion. The primary balance showed a $6.7 billion surplus. For the first half of 2026, the budget deficit narrowed to $20 billion from $20.8 billion in the same period of 2025, with tax revenues increasing 38.7% to $140.7 billion, reflecting improved fiscal performance amid ongoing economic adjustments.

The Ahbap charity, founded by singer Haluk Levent, has been under investigation for alleged financial crimes including fraud and money laundering related to earthquake donations. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek publicly defended the probe, stating that civil society organizations must operate transparently and remain subject to legal oversight, and rejecting attempts to influence courts through social media or political pressure. He announced the arrest of 14 suspects, including Levent, and that 25 suspects were referred to court on charges including establishing a criminal organization, aggravated fraud, and laundering proceeds of crime. Financial crime investigators examined banking records, MASAK reports, and surveillance findings, alleging that suspects conducted transactions inconsistent with declared income, transferred large sums among themselves, lost money through betting, and carried out multiple property transfers.

Foreign real estate investment in Turkey increased 28.3% year-on-year in March–May 2026, totaling $590 million, as the outbreak of war in the Middle East drove non-resident buyers to Turkish property. Turkish nationals' overseas purchases dropped 26% to $517 million, especially in Dubai and Greece, due to the conflict and bilateral tensions. Investors from Russia, the Gulf, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan led the inflow.

Türkiye has introduced a new package of investment incentives for nuclear power plant investments, including exemptions from stamp duty and VAT, VAT refunds on construction work, and reduced thin capitalization rates for loans. The amendments, added to an omnibus bill by ruling AK Party lawmakers, are effective until 2045 with possible extension to 2050. The incentives aim to support the construction of two additional nuclear plants beyond the Akkuyu plant in Mersin, as part of Türkiye's goal to reach 20,000 MW of installed nuclear capacity by 2050. The new articles, introduced in Parliament's Planning and Budget Commission, specify that the reduced thin capitalization rate is 25% for loans from independent lenders, down from the standard 50%.

Turkish police have launched legal action against two foreign tourists, I.F. (32) and V.F. (36), for reading the Bible aloud in the visitor section of Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in Istanbul on July 14, 2026. The suspects face charges of inciting hatred and hostility and have been transferred to migration authorities. The incident highlights ongoing tensions over the religious and cultural status of the UNESCO World Heritage site, which was converted from a museum to a mosque in 2020.

Turkish authorities detained six suspects in a second wave of an investigation into bribery and extortion at Istanbul's Beykoz Municipality, linked to former Mayor Alaattin Köseler. The suspects include businesspeople, a municipal council member, and former employees. The operation was based on evidence collected during the investigation, statements from complainants, and testimony under remorse provisions. Two suspects remain at large. The probe is part of a broader crackdown on municipal corruption, with dozens of mayors from the main opposition CHP arrested in recent years over zoning and tender irregularities.

Turkish nuclear technology company Nuclean and Canadian investment firm Portland Holdings signed an MoU to support the development of Türkiye's nuclear energy ecosystem, focusing on next-generation nuclear technologies and small modular reactors (SMRs). The agreement, supported by the Nuclear Industry Association of Türkiye (NIATR), covers human resource development, technological collaboration, industrial participation, and potential investment opportunities. The signing ceremony was attended by NIATR President Alikaan Çiftçi and Portland Holdings COO Rogerio Tippe. Board member Koray Tuncer stated the agreement would pave the way for new collaborations between Türkiye and Canada. Portland Holdings chair Michael Lee-Chin noted Türkiye's clear commitment to nuclear energy as part of its long-term energy security and industrial strategy. The MoU comes amid recent high-level Turkish-Canadian contacts, including on-site inspections of Canadian nuclear technology. This partnership aims to strengthen Türkiye's nuclear energy vision and energy transition goals, leveraging Canada's advanced nuclear ecosystem and Türkiye's growing nuclear ambitions.

Montenegro will end its visa-free regime for Russian citizens starting October 1, aligning with EU Schengen standards ahead of potential EU accession. Restrictions will also apply to citizens of Turkey, China, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Belarus. The move is expected to disrupt Montenegro's tourism sector, as Russia is a major source of visitors. The EU is also discussing broader sanctions, including visa restrictions on Russian combatants.

Turkish authorities have ordered the arrest of nearly 1,000 people with alleged ties to the Gülen movement, days before the tenth anniversary of the failed 2016 military coup. Justice Minister Akin Gürlek and Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi described the operation as a major purge targeting a 'treacherous network' threatening the state. The crackdown continues the pattern of mass arrests and dismissals that followed the coup attempt, which President Erdoğan used to consolidate power.

Background: Turkish authorities have been conducting ongoing operations against the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ), detaining 24 suspects across 11 provinces in May 2026. Today, on July 13, 2026, Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi and Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced a massive nationwide operation across all 81 provinces targeting 968 suspected FETÖ members, ahead of the 10th anniversary of the 2016 coup attempt. The provinces with the largest number of suspects are Ankara, Izmir, and Istanbul. The ministers stated that since 2013, proceedings have been initiated against 720,338 people, with 127,102 convicted, and that 1,065 operations were carried out in the first half of 2026, resulting in 2,451 detentions. Investigations and trials are ongoing for another 83,404 suspects.

Background: The 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara was previously confirmed for July 7-8, with agenda items including alliance solidarity, defense industrial cooperation, Middle East security, and Black Sea security. Turkey positioned itself as a mediator and key ally amid transatlantic tensions. Today's development: After the summit, President Erdoğan praised the successful hosting of the NATO summit in Ankara on July 7-8, stating it increased Turkey's international visibility and showcased its state tradition. He noted positive responses from all leaders, including US President Donald Trump, and highlighted the summit's media attention. A detailed analysis published after the summit described Turkey as a key player in 'NATO 3.0', leveraging its strategic position on the Black Sea, defense-industrial capabilities, and regional influence in Syria, Libya, and the Middle East. The analysis noted that Trump signaled possible F-35 sales and sanctions relief, reflecting a shift in US-Turkish relations despite ongoing tensions over Russia, Israel, and democratic backsliding. The summit also featured a Defence Industry Forum where billions of dollars in deals were announced, and Turkey's role as a central partner in NATO's defense-industrial ecosystem was emphasized.

The Turkish navy frigate TCG Istanbul, carrying Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu, visited the Syrian port of Latakia on July 13, 2026, marking the first such visit since the collapse of the Assad regime in 2024. The visit signals deepening military and diplomatic ties between Turkey and the new Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa, following a comprehensive security agreement signed in 2025 and recent high-level meetings, including a meeting between Syrian President al-Sharaa and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara during a NATO summit. The event also highlights Turkey's strategic interests in the Eastern Mediterranean, particularly regarding maritime borders and hydrocarbon resources.

Turkish singer and Ahbap Association chair Haluk Levent was detained as part of an investigation into money laundering and financial irregularities, including allegations that donations collected for victims of the February 2023 earthquakes were misused. Prosecutors claim approximately TL 120 million flowed from the association to personal accounts, and that Levent placed large bets. The Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) is also examining transactions. The case involves 20 suspects and has drawn significant public attention due to the charity's role in disaster relief.

Background: Turkey and Iraq had been negotiating a 12-month deal to resume oil exports through the Iraq-Turkey pipeline after a 2.5-year shutdown due to an arbitration dispute. The Paris Court of Appeal has now upheld the 2023 ICC arbitration award, confirming Turkey must pay Iraq approximately $1.5 billion for unauthorized oil exports from the Kurdistan Region via the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline between 2014 and 2018. The ruling is final. The article argues that the real opportunity lies in using ongoing negotiations and a second arbitration case to build a broader energy partnership encompassing the Development Road Project and natural gas trade.

Turkish authorities detained 25 suspects in a sweeping operation linked to the investigation into the 2009 helicopter crash that killed former Grand Unity Party leader Muhsin Yazıcıoğlu. The probe, transferred to Ankara, alleges premeditated murder and ties to the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ). Evidence suggests suspects may have removed devices from the wreckage and hindered rescue efforts.

The Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT) conducted a cyber operation against the encrypted messaging application ByLock, gaining access to its servers in Lithuania in December 2015. The operation uncovered the internal communication network and organizational hierarchy of the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ), yielding data on over 215,000 users, 17 million messages, and 4.7 million emails. This evidence became central to thousands of terrorism-related prosecutions following the July 2016 coup attempt.