Background: Özgür Özel and 91 other MPs founded the New Party (Yeni Parti) in July after a court reinstated Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu as CHP leader, making it the main opposition. Today, imprisoned Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu announced on X that he is joining the New Party, leaving the CHP. The New Party now holds more parliamentary seats than the CHP, becoming the second-largest political force. Imamoglu, a key rival to President Erdogan, has been in pre-trial detention since March 2025 on corruption charges he denies. He was selected by the CHP as its presidential candidate shortly after his arrest. The next presidential and parliamentary elections are scheduled for 2028.

Turkish authorities detained Alihan Kuriş, leader of the Süleymancılar religious community, and 29 others in a nationwide operation across 17 provinces on charges of running a criminal organization, money laundering, tax evasion, and fraud. The investigation, based on MASAK reports, alleges over 100 billion lira ($2.4 billion) was transferred abroad through a network of companies. Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi said the group was building a $70 million headquarters in Cologne, Germany, to shift operations abroad. The case highlights Turkey's intensified scrutiny of religious networks since the 2016 coup attempt, drawing comparisons to FETÖ.

Background: In April 2026, President Erdoğan and MHP leader Bahçeli met to coordinate on the 'terror-free Türkiye' initiative and address regional tensions with Iran. On August 10, 2026, Parliament approved the 'Law on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration' with 468 votes in favor, providing a legislative framework for the initiative. On August 13, 2026, Erdoğan held a closed-door meeting with DEM Party lawmakers Pervin Buldan and Mithat Sancar, members of the Imralı delegation, at the Presidential Complex in Ankara—the first such meeting since the law's passage. The meeting lasted about 1 hour and 40 minutes and was also attended by AK Party acting Chair Efkan Ala and MIT chief Ibrahim Kalın. Erdoğan also met separately with families of fallen soldiers and veterans, emphasizing the state's commitment to their support. The talks aim to implement the new legislation and advance the next phase of the initiative, which seeks to end terrorism and strengthen social integration. The delegation serves as intermediaries in contacts with jailed PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan.

Background: Turkey has positioned itself as a key partner for Iraq's stability through the Development Road Project, amid diplomatic engagements and counter-terrorism efforts against the PKK. Today's development: The 'Terror-Free Turkey' process, which entered a new phase with a law passed on August 10, could allow Ankara to redirect military and diplomatic resources toward expanding its role in regional trade, energy corridors, and security arrangements. The article highlights the Development Road project with Iraq, Qatar, and the UAE, potential shifts in Syria policy following the integration agreement between Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Forces, and the August 7 Mecca Joint Defense Agreement with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. It suggests Turkey could become a key transit hub and more active middle power, with implications for NATO relations and regional security architecture.

Türkiye's Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacır announced that the country will launch its lunar spacecraft, equipped with a domestically developed hybrid propulsion system, in the first months of 2027. The announcement highlights Türkiye's expanding space ambitions, including building an equatorial spaceport in Somalia for independent launch capabilities, developing satellite projects, and preparing international cooperation agreements for space station components and crewed missions. Türkiye will also host the 77th International Astronautical Congress in Antalya in October 2026, expected to draw 10,000 participants from over 100 countries.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan visited Egypt on August 13-14, 2026, co-chairing the second Türkiye-Egypt Joint Planning Group meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty in El Alamein. The ministers hailed bilateral relations as 'excellent,' reviewed preparations for the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, and signed documents amending the free trade agreement and enhancing transport connectivity. They coordinated on regional crises including Gaza, Libya, Sudan, and Syria, and Fidan warned that Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt may take 'radical steps' if Israel fails to implement the Gaza peace deal's second phase, urging US pressure on Israel. Fidan also met Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy and Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad, and discussed Egypt's potential joining of the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement. Following the visit, Fidan issued a statement on the Turkish social media platform NSosyal, emphasizing the strategic importance of deepening bilateral ties and the 'excellent level' of cooperation, and that strengthening cooperation serves the common interests of both peoples and regional peace and stability. The two sides signed agreements aimed at increasing bilateral trade, diversifying economic relations, and strengthening connectivity. Bilateral trade reached about $8 billion in 2025, with a target of $15 billion set by Presidents Erdoğan and el-Sissi. Turkish investments in Egypt exceed $4 billion, and Turkish companies employ about 100,000 Egyptians.

Turkey is increasingly using drones to violate Greek airspace over the Aegean Sea, a tactic aimed at exhausting Greece's fighter jet capabilities at a lower cost and risk. Greek data shows a rise in Turkish incursions, with drones involved in 72 of 97 violations since August. This follows a period of reduced activity after 2023 earthquakes and a peak of 11,258 violations in 2022. The tactic exploits the cost disparity between operating F-16s and drones, forcing Greece into expensive interceptions.

Background: Turkey's annual inflation cooled to 31.75% in July 2026, with the central bank previously raising its end-2026 forecast to 24%. Today, the central bank further increased its year-end inflation forecast to 28%, citing energy prices as a key driver, indicating persistent inflationary pressures. This revision represents a 2 percentage point increase from the 24% forecast set in July 2026, reflecting the ongoing impact of elevated energy costs.