Turkey's politics tighten under Erdogan as flotilla detainees recount abuse in Israeli jails
A participant in the Turkey-launched Global Sumud Flotilla published a detailed account of 52 hours in Israeli detention, alleging beatings, stun grenades and a stabbing and saying detainees who "looked Turkish or Arab" were held longest. At home, analysts likened President Erdogan's consolidation -- marked by the jailing of Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu since March 19 -- to the 1997 "post-modern coup," as the central bank lifted its 2026 inflation target to 24 percent. Voters in six localities across Tokat, Gumushane and Nevsehir cast ballots in a vote read as a gauge ahead of 2028.
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tr90Flotilla activist details 52 hours on an Israeli prison ship, alleging beatings, stun grenades and a stabbing at Ashdod
A participant in the Global Sumud Flotilla -- the fleet of more than 50 boats that left Marmaris, Turkiye, on May 14 to challenge Israel's naval blockade of Gaza -- has published a first-person account of 52 hours held aboard the Nahshon, one of two Israeli landing craft converted into floating prisons after naval forces intercepted the convoy near Cyprus on May 18 and detained 428 activists from more than 45 countries. He alleges repeated beatings, Taser use, stun grenades and a "torture container" in which detainees who "looked Turkish or Arab" were held longest, and says a guard at the port of Ashdod thrust a folding knife at his abdomen, cutting his hand in a 4cm wound that went untreated. The account, part of a series of abuse allegations by released detainees, says the injury has since been documented by medical staff in Athens and will feature in legal proceedings.
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Flotilla activist details 52 hours on an Israeli prison ship, alleging beatings, stun grenades and a stabbing at Ashdod
A participant in the Global Sumud Flotilla -- the fleet of more than 50 boats that left Marmaris, Turkiye, on May 14 to challenge Israel's naval blockade of Gaza -- has published a first-person account of 52 hours held aboard the Nahshon, one of two Israeli landing craft converted into floating prisons after naval forces intercepted the convoy near Cyprus on May 18 and detained 428 activists from more than 45 countries. He alleges repeated beatings, Taser use, stun grenades and a "torture container" in which detainees who "looked Turkish or Arab" were held longest, and says a guard at the port of Ashdod thrust a folding knife at his abdomen, cutting his hand in a 4cm wound that went untreated. The account, part of a series of abuse allegations by released detainees, says the injury has since been documented by medical staff in Athens and will feature in legal proceedings.
A participant in the Global Sumud Flotilla -- the fleet of more than 50 boats that left Marmaris, Turkiye, on May 14 to challenge Israel's naval blockade of Gaza -- has published a first-person account of 52 hours held aboard the Nahshon, one of two Israeli landing craft converted into floating prisons after naval forces intercepted the convoy near Cyprus on May 18 and detained 428 activists from more than 45 countries. He alleges repeated beatings, Taser use, stun grenades and a "torture container" in which detainees who "looked Turkish or Arab" were held longest, and says a guard at the port of Ashdod thrust a folding knife at his abdomen, cutting his hand in a 4cm wound that went untreated. The account, part of a series of abuse allegations by released detainees, says the injury has since been documented by medical staff in Athens and will feature in legal proceedings.
tr82Turkish-Armenian border remains closed after 33 years, no travelers in sight
The border between Turkey and Armenia has been closed for 33 years, with no travelers visible at the crossing point in eastern Turkey. The 268-kilometer demarcation line remains sealed, reflecting the painful history between the two neighboring countries.
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Turkish-Armenian border remains closed after 33 years, no travelers in sight
The border between Turkey and Armenia has been closed for 33 years, with no travelers visible at the crossing point in eastern Turkey. The 268-kilometer demarcation line remains sealed, reflecting the painful history between the two neighboring countries.
The border between Turkey and Armenia has been closed for 33 years, with no travelers visible at the crossing point in eastern Turkey. The 268-kilometer demarcation line remains sealed, reflecting the painful history between the two neighboring countries.
tr78Turkey's political crisis echoes 1997 'post-modern coup' as Erdoğan consolidates power
Turkey's current political crisis under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan mirrors the 1997 'post-modern coup' that ousted Islamist Prime Minister Necmettin Erdoğan's mentor, Necmettin Erbakan. Erdoğan, who rose to power in 2002 after defeating the military's influence, now faces a similar dynamic as he deploys state resources to dismantle opposition, including the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. The government's strategy, supported by nationalist MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli, aims to fragment the opposition amid economic crisis and shifting alliances.
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Turkey's political crisis echoes 1997 'post-modern coup' as Erdoğan consolidates power
Turkey's current political crisis under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan mirrors the 1997 'post-modern coup' that ousted Islamist Prime Minister Necmettin Erdoğan's mentor, Necmettin Erbakan. Erdoğan, who rose to power in 2002 after defeating the military's influence, now faces a similar dynamic as he deploys state resources to dismantle opposition, including the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. The government's strategy, supported by nationalist MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli, aims to fragment the opposition amid economic crisis and shifting alliances.
Turkey's current political crisis under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan mirrors the 1997 'post-modern coup' that ousted Islamist Prime Minister Necmettin Erdoğan's mentor, Necmettin Erbakan. Erdoğan, who rose to power in 2002 after defeating the military's influence, now faces a similar dynamic as he deploys state resources to dismantle opposition, including the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. The government's strategy, supported by nationalist MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli, aims to fragment the opposition amid economic crisis and shifting alliances.
tr70Voters go to polls in three Turkish provinces for local elections seen as test ahead of 2028
Voters in six beldes across Tokat, Gümüşhane and Nevşehir cast ballots on Sunday in local elections that parties view as a gauge of political sentiment ahead of the 2028 presidential vote. More than 10,000 voters participated, while across Türkiye, mukhtars were elected in 362 neighborhoods. The elections were triggered by status upgrades, deaths, or convictions of local leaders, including the ouster of mukhtar Salim Güran after his life sentence for involvement in the murder of his niece Narin Güran.
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Voters go to polls in three Turkish provinces for local elections seen as test ahead of 2028
Voters in six beldes across Tokat, Gümüşhane and Nevşehir cast ballots on Sunday in local elections that parties view as a gauge of political sentiment ahead of the 2028 presidential vote. More than 10,000 voters participated, while across Türkiye, mukhtars were elected in 362 neighborhoods. The elections were triggered by status upgrades, deaths, or convictions of local leaders, including the ouster of mukhtar Salim Güran after his life sentence for involvement in the murder of his niece Narin Güran.
Voters in six beldes across Tokat, Gümüşhane and Nevşehir cast ballots on Sunday in local elections that parties view as a gauge of political sentiment ahead of the 2028 presidential vote. More than 10,000 voters participated, while across Türkiye, mukhtars were elected in 362 neighborhoods. The elections were triggered by status upgrades, deaths, or convictions of local leaders, including the ouster of mukhtar Salim Güran after his life sentence for involvement in the murder of his niece Narin Güran.
tr33Venezuelan acting president to visit Turkey for talks with Erdogan after India trip
Background: Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodriguez visited India to discuss oil sales amid the Hormuz crisis. Following her India visit, Rodriguez will travel to Istanbul on Monday to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The talks aim to deepen bilateral trade and investment, particularly in Venezuela's oil and gold sectors, as US sanctions have been eased. Turkey and Venezuela have maintained strong ties, with Erdogan previously supporting Maduro. Rodriguez's visit follows her discussions in India on energy, trade, and investment.
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Venezuelan acting president to visit Turkey for talks with Erdogan after India trip
Background: Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodriguez visited India to discuss oil sales amid the Hormuz crisis. Following her India visit, Rodriguez will travel to Istanbul on Monday to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The talks aim to deepen bilateral trade and investment, particularly in Venezuela's oil and gold sectors, as US sanctions have been eased. Turkey and Venezuela have maintained strong ties, with Erdogan previously supporting Maduro. Rodriguez's visit follows her discussions in India on energy, trade, and investment.
Background: Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodriguez visited India to discuss oil sales amid the Hormuz crisis. Following her India visit, Rodriguez will travel to Istanbul on Monday to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The talks aim to deepen bilateral trade and investment, particularly in Venezuela's oil and gold sectors, as US sanctions have been eased. Turkey and Venezuela have maintained strong ties, with Erdogan previously supporting Maduro. Rodriguez's visit follows her discussions in India on energy, trade, and investment.
tr30Turkey to host 10th trilateral foreign ministers meeting with Azerbaijan and Georgia in Istanbul
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will host the 10th Türkiye-Azerbaijan-Georgia Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Istanbul on Monday, with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Georgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili attending. The meeting will review cooperation and discuss regional developments, transport connectivity (including the Middle Corridor and Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway), energy security, trade, and economic cooperation. Fidan is expected to emphasize the strategic importance of the South Caucasus amid geopolitical uncertainty and the Russia-Ukraine war, and to call for continued support for diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.
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Turkey to host 10th trilateral foreign ministers meeting with Azerbaijan and Georgia in Istanbul
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will host the 10th Türkiye-Azerbaijan-Georgia Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Istanbul on Monday, with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Georgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili attending. The meeting will review cooperation and discuss regional developments, transport connectivity (including the Middle Corridor and Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway), energy security, trade, and economic cooperation. Fidan is expected to emphasize the strategic importance of the South Caucasus amid geopolitical uncertainty and the Russia-Ukraine war, and to call for continued support for diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will host the 10th Türkiye-Azerbaijan-Georgia Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Istanbul on Monday, with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Georgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili attending. The meeting will review cooperation and discuss regional developments, transport connectivity (including the Middle Corridor and Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway), energy security, trade, and economic cooperation. Fidan is expected to emphasize the strategic importance of the South Caucasus amid geopolitical uncertainty and the Russia-Ukraine war, and to call for continued support for diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.
tr28Turkish Interior Minister Expresses Hope for Liberation of Jerusalem
Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi, speaking at an AK Party event in Çorum, voiced hope for the liberation of Jerusalem, echoing Turkey's support for Palestinians and criticism of Israeli occupation. His remarks align with President Erdoğan's longstanding position and Turkey's advocacy for a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital based on 1967 borders. He referenced the liberation of Damascus, Aleppo, and Karabakh as precedents.
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Turkish Interior Minister Expresses Hope for Liberation of Jerusalem
Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi, speaking at an AK Party event in Çorum, voiced hope for the liberation of Jerusalem, echoing Turkey's support for Palestinians and criticism of Israeli occupation. His remarks align with President Erdoğan's longstanding position and Turkey's advocacy for a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital based on 1967 borders. He referenced the liberation of Damascus, Aleppo, and Karabakh as precedents.
Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi, speaking at an AK Party event in Çorum, voiced hope for the liberation of Jerusalem, echoing Turkey's support for Palestinians and criticism of Israeli occupation. His remarks align with President Erdoğan's longstanding position and Turkey's advocacy for a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital based on 1967 borders. He referenced the liberation of Damascus, Aleppo, and Karabakh as precedents.
tr25Anadolu's City Economies Summit to focus on Türkiye-Syria trade revival
Anadolu's City Economies Summit, hosted by Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality on June 9, 2026, will focus on reviving trade, logistics, and production ties between Türkiye and Syria. The event will feature speeches by Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat and Syrian Economy Minister Mohammad Nidal al-Shaar, and will discuss the potential creation of a cross-border production ecosystem. It aims to explore regional economic integration opportunities.
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Anadolu's City Economies Summit to focus on Türkiye-Syria trade revival
Anadolu's City Economies Summit, hosted by Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality on June 9, 2026, will focus on reviving trade, logistics, and production ties between Türkiye and Syria. The event will feature speeches by Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat and Syrian Economy Minister Mohammad Nidal al-Shaar, and will discuss the potential creation of a cross-border production ecosystem. It aims to explore regional economic integration opportunities.
Anadolu's City Economies Summit, hosted by Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality on June 9, 2026, will focus on reviving trade, logistics, and production ties between Türkiye and Syria. The event will feature speeches by Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat and Syrian Economy Minister Mohammad Nidal al-Shaar, and will discuss the potential creation of a cross-border production ecosystem. It aims to explore regional economic integration opportunities.