(Istanbul: Special to Informed Comment; Feature) – On October 22, Devlet Bahçeli, the leader of the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and an ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, made an unexpected statement suggesting that Abdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), could be allowed to speak in the Parliament if […]
Türkiye’s Hezbollah Dilemma
Istanbul (Special to Informed Comment; Feature) – As the conflict in Lebanon intensifies, Türkiye finds itself walking a diplomatic tightrope. While it has openly condemned Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon, Ankara has been careful to avoid statements that could be interpreted as direct support for Hezbollah. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has condemned Israeli airstrikes on […]
Egyptian President al-Sisi’s Ankara Visit: A Turning Point in Turkey-Egypt Relations
Istanbul (Special to Informed Comment; Feature) – On Wednesday, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi made a historic visit to Turkey. This is the first time in 12 years that an Egyptian president has traveled to the country. After years of tension, it appears that Cairo and Ankara are beginning to bury the hatchet. During Sisi’s […]
Did Turkey Ban Instagram over Shadowbanning Palestine? Why did it Lift the Ban?
Istanbul (Special to Informed Comment; feature) – On August 2, Turkey blocked Instagram, the country’s most popular social network. Although Turkey’s Information Technologies and Communication Authority (BTK) did not officially state the reason for the ban, the move came after Fahrettin Altun, the Presidential Communications Director, criticized Instagram for preventing users from sharing content related […]
Turkey-Syria Normalization Bid stirs Violent unrest in both Countries
Istanbul (Special to Informed Comment; Featured) – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan recently said “there is no reason” not to pursue normalization of diplomatic ties with Syria, and he said that he does not rule out a possible meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Erdoğan added that Turkey had no intention of interfering in Syria’s […]
Erdogan Warns that Israel will come for Turkish Territory after Taking Gaza
Istanbul (Special to Informed Comment) -On May 15, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan claimed that Israel will “set eyes on Turkish territory” after Gaza. Erdoğan made these remarks during his ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) parliamentary group meeting, stating: “Don’t think that Israel will stop in Gaza. Don’t think that Ramallah will be safe. […]
Turkey Suspends Trade with Israel over Gaza: Solidarity or Politics?
Turkey, Israel, boycott, Gaza