Background: Özgür Özel and 91 other MPs founded the New Party (Yeni Parti) after a court reinstated Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu as CHP leader, making the YP the main opposition. The political realignment has since accelerated. More than a dozen CHP mayors have announced switches to the YP, including those of Denizli, Manisa, Çanakkale, Artvin, Bilecik, and Burdur, with over 200 expected to join. Özel is actively courting Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş, who remains noncommittal. The YP is also attracting CHP lawmakers, potentially growing its parliamentary group to around 100. Meanwhile, the AK Party is reportedly gaining defectors: Izmir Mayor Cemil Tugay and three district mayors may join on August 14, and four Istanbul district mayors (Tuzla, Şile, Eyüpsultan, and acting Çekmeköy) are rumored to follow. Since the 2024 municipal elections, 76 mayors have joined the AK Party, including 14 opposition lawmakers since 2023.

During Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's first official visit to Ankara, Iraq offered to supply Turkey with up to 1 million barrels of oil per day to reduce Turkey's dependence on disrupted Gulf routes. The two sides signed a deal for Turkish Petroleum to acquire a 15% stake in BP's Kirkuk oilfield, and discussed the $17 billion Development Road project and a new framework for managing the Euphrates and Tigris rivers. The visit underscored deepening energy, security, and infrastructure cooperation between the neighbors amid regional instability.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, speaking at the second Communication Council in Ankara, warned against 'algorithm fascism' in the digital age, accusing social media platforms of distorting truth and manipulating public discourse. He also addressed the Ahbap charity scandal for the first time, alleging that the 2023 earthquake was exploited for political and economic gain, and vowed legal action against those involved. The event, themed 'Century of Türkiye: The Century of Communication,' aims to shape Turkey's communication strategy and included tributes to journalists killed in Palestine.

Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat announced at a business roundtable in Ankara that Turkey and Iraq aim to boost bilateral trade from about $17 billion to $30 billion in the medium term. The plan includes integrating the Ibrahim Khalil border crossing into Iraq's ASYCUDA customs system, supporting Iraq's TIR Convention implementation, and advancing energy projects such as the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline and the Development Road corridor. Turkish contractors have completed 1,157 projects worth $40 billion in Iraq, making it their third-largest overseas market. The initiative underscores deepening economic ties between the neighbors amid regional geopolitical shifts.

Amid the US-Israel-Iran war and Strait of Hormuz disruptions, Asia-Pacific countries are seeking alternative logistics corridors, with Turkey emerging as a top choice, according to Omsan Logistics chair Ergun Ariburnu. Turkey's investments in railways, the Middle Corridor, and ports like Tanger Med position it as a reliable hub. Ariburnu warns of risks from delayed investments and workforce loss but sees Turkey becoming a key logistics player within a decade.

Turkish defense contractor Aselsan has integrated its ASELFLIR-500 electro-optical reconnaissance, surveillance, and targeting system into South Africa's Mwari multi-role tactical aircraft, developed by Paramount Aerospace Industries. This integration enhances the aircraft's ISR and targeting capabilities, expanding Aselsan's international footprint and boosting the Mwari's competitiveness in export markets.

Türkiye, through AFAD and the Turkish Red Crescent, has delivered humanitarian assistance to 85 countries across five continents, including food, shelter, medical supplies, and search and rescue equipment. Gaza received the largest share (109,332 tons via 14 aircraft and 21 ships), with major operations also in Afghanistan, Sudan, Pakistan, Syria, and Venezuela. The aid highlights Türkiye's expanding global humanitarian footprint.

Montenegro has extended visa-free entry for Turkish, Chinese, and Saudi Arabian citizens until October 31, while requiring visas for Russian and Belarusian nationals from November, as part of its EU accession alignment. The visa-free stay for Turkish citizens is reduced to 30 days, following security incidents in Podgorica. The policy is part of Montenegro's alignment with EU standards under Chapter 24, with full alignment targeted by end of next year.