Archive for the ‘Turkey’ Category
Turkey Establishes Checkpoint Overlooking Damascus-Aleppo Highway
Monday, January 18, 2021 Comments Off on Turkey Establishes Checkpoint Overlooking Damascus-Aleppo HighwayTurkish forces plan to establish an observation post 200 meters from the Damascus-Aleppo international road on the northwestern outskirts of Saraqeb city, reliable sources said Friday, a few days after Iranian forces and their proxy militias redeployed in areas that were hit by a series of airstrikes in eastern Syria this week.
Ankara gives police access to military, intelligence assets to crush protests
Sunday, January 17, 2021 Comments Off on Ankara gives police access to military, intelligence assets to crush protestsA presidential decree has paved the way for Turkish police to use military and intelligence resources to crack down on public protests. A recent presidential decree concerning the weapons and other assets of Turkey’s military and security bodies has generated little debate in Turkey but might have crucial consequences down the road as President Recep […]
Turkish police detain Islamic State suspects
Thursday, January 14, 2021 Comments Off on Turkish police detain Islamic State suspectsTurkish police detained people suspected of ties to the Islamic State militant group in an operation targeting a total of 35 foreign suspects in Istanbul on Thursday, state-owned Anadolu news agency reported.
Gulf reconciliation and ties with France discussed by Erdogan and Hariri in suprise meeting
Thursday, January 14, 2021 Comments Off on Gulf reconciliation and ties with France discussed by Erdogan and Hariri in suprise meetingIn addressing the prospects of Turkish-French rapprochement, Hariri can count on his close ties to both Erdogan and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Turkey’s Slow-Motion Economic Crisis
Thursday, January 14, 2021 Comments Off on Turkey’s Slow-Motion Economic CrisisBanks cannot engineer a balance between exchange rates and interest rates in a country with free capital flows, where banks’ funding conditions are affected by the global economic environment and by country risk. As Turkey has demonstrated, using banks for this purpose destroys both internal and external economic balances.
Will Either Macron or Erdogan Back Down in the Eastern Mediterranean?
Monday, January 11, 2021 Comments Off on Will Either Macron or Erdogan Back Down in the Eastern Mediterranean?French President Emmanuel Macron has clearly decided to up the ante in a standoff with Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean, where France is backing Greece and Cyprus in their dispute with Ankara over natural gas reserves and maritime boundaries.
Security Chaos in Afrin
Saturday, January 9, 2021 Comments Off on Security Chaos in AfrinHundreds of people in Afrin have been kidnapped by pro-Turkish factions amid security chaos amid serious violations reports Etihad Press. The city of Afrin, north of Aleppo, which is under the control of pro-Turkish factions, has been witnessing security chaos amid serious violations by the Ankara-backed factions.
Students protest appointment of Erdogan loyalist to head top Turkish university
Friday, January 8, 2021 Comments Off on Students protest appointment of Erdogan loyalist to head top Turkish universityStudents and faculty members decried infringements on academic independence during protests Monday after a member of Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) was appointed by presidential decree to head one of the nation’s top universities.
Is the worst behind in Turkey’s economic turmoil?
Friday, January 8, 2021 Comments Off on Is the worst behind in Turkey’s economic turmoil?Ankara’s policy reversal on interest rates has led to some positive developments in the economy, but many observers warn that it is still too early to rejoice.
Haftar gives Turkey a choice – ‘leave or war’
Friday, January 8, 2021 Comments Off on Haftar gives Turkey a choice – ‘leave or war’Commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar has issued statements to Turkey, giving Turkey a choice between leaving the country peacefully or war, confirming that: “Decisive confrontation between the two sides is about to take place.”
Turkey sticks to its guns on Russian S-400s despite US sanctions
Monday, January 4, 2021 Comments Off on Turkey sticks to its guns on Russian S-400s despite US sanctionsVoices are growing louder in Turkey questioning why these systems were ever purchased, considering the headaches they have caused for Ankara. Turkey is sticking to its guns over its controversial purchase of Russian made S-400 missile air defense systems. Increasing domestic skepticism regarding the reasons for the purchase has also not deterred Ankara, which is […]
Press Release Regarding the Visit of H.E. Mr. Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, to Russian Federation on the Occasion of the Eighth Meeting of the Joint Strategic Planning Group Between Turkey and Russian Federation
Saturday, January 2, 2021 Comments Off on Press Release Regarding the Visit of H.E. Mr. Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, to Russian Federation on the Occasion of the Eighth Meeting of the Joint Strategic Planning Group Between Turkey and Russian FederationH.E. Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu will pay a visit to Russian Federation (Sochi) on 29 December 2020 for the 8th Meeting of the Joint Strategic Planning Group between Turkey and Russian Federation. At the Joint Strategic Planning Group Meeting, to be co-chaired by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, the two sides will have a comprehensive exchange […]
Turkey cements Libyan intervention as Haftar vows to repel ‘colonisers’
Saturday, January 2, 2021 Comments Off on Turkey cements Libyan intervention as Haftar vows to repel ‘colonisers’Turkey cemented its involvement in the Libyan conflict on Saturday when Defence Minister Hulusi Akar visited the country. Four days earlier, the Turkish Parliament voted to extend by 18 months a one-year presence in the country, which came into effect in January after an agreement with the Government of National Accord in Tripoli.
PKK remains thorn in side of Turkish-Iraqi relations
Friday, December 25, 2020 Comments Off on PKK remains thorn in side of Turkish-Iraqi relationsThe Iraqi government needs Turkey to counterbalance Iran and help alleviate Baghdad’s economic problems, but the Kurdish issue, which has long strained bilateral ties, might further snag progress in economic and strategic projects.
Turkish defense industry risks big damage from US sanctions
Friday, December 25, 2020 Comments Off on Turkish defense industry risks big damage from US sanctionsThe US sanctions targeting Turkey’s defense industry agency may be seen as rather mild by some observers, but they threaten to deprive Turkey of key military technology should they last more than a year. The new US sanctions against Turkey over its purchase of Russian air defense systems stand to inflict heavy damage on the […]
Turkey’s Kurdish party target of tug of war between Islamists, ultra-nationalists
Friday, December 25, 2020 Comments Off on Turkey’s Kurdish party target of tug of war between Islamists, ultra-nationalistsAs Turkey’s ruling party and its nationalist ally face a deeper legitimacy crisis, pressure on Kurdish politics is intensifying. Picture this: You’re watching the evening news and you see a political party emblem — in this case, the pro-Kurdish People’s Democratic Party (HDP) emblem — on which, in place of leaves and stars, are images […]
With Arms Deals and Donations, Turkey Steps up Balkan Influence
Monday, December 21, 2020 Comments Off on With Arms Deals and Donations, Turkey Steps up Balkan InfluenceTurkey has long pursued a policy of soft-power diplomacy in the Balkans. More recently, the defence sector has come to the fore. When, in the midst of a reignited war over the Caucasus mountain region of Nagorno-Karabakh, President Aleksandar Vucic said Serbia was considering buying Turkish armed drones, it was the latest indicator of Turkey’s […]
Erdogan ally calls for Turkey’s pro-Kurdish party to be banned
Monday, December 21, 2020 Comments Off on Erdogan ally calls for Turkey’s pro-Kurdish party to be bannedPresident Tayyip Erdogan’s nationalist ally said Turkey’s pro-Kurdish HDP party, the country’s third biggest, should be banned for separatism – a move the HDP’s co-leader condemned on Thursday as a bid to silence six million voters.
Turkey says will not reverse Russian S-400S purchase despite US sanctions
Monday, December 21, 2020 Comments Off on Turkey says will not reverse Russian S-400S purchase despite US sanctionsTurkey will not reverse its purchase of Russian S-400 missile defence systems and will take reciprocal steps after evaluating U.S. sanctions imposed over the acquisition, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Thursday.
Turkey has evacuated seven Syrian military posts – source
Monday, December 21, 2020 Comments Off on Turkey has evacuated seven Syrian military posts – sourceTurkey has evacuated seven military observation posts in northwest Syria, pulling back troops from territory controlled by the Syrian government to areas held by insurgents and Turkey-backed rebels, a Turkish source said on Friday.
Turkey won’t back down from S-400s despite sanctions, says foreign minister
Monday, December 21, 2020 Comments Off on Turkey won’t back down from S-400s despite sanctions, says foreign ministerTurkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Ankara will “take steps” to respond to the US sanctions unveiled this week. Turkey won’t back down from its purchase of Russian-made S-400 surface-to-air missile defense systems, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Thursday, adding that Ankara is weighing how to respond to recent US sanctions.
Iraq, Turkey agree to cooperate on counterterrorism, trade
Monday, December 21, 2020 Comments Off on Iraq, Turkey agree to cooperate on counterterrorism, tradeTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi committed to enhanced cooperation on terrorism, trade and energy, although Turkey’s ongoing military operations in Iraqi Kurdistan may remain a source of contention between the two neighbors.
Turkish Central Bank to pursue tight monetary policy against inflation
Monday, December 21, 2020 Comments Off on Turkish Central Bank to pursue tight monetary policy against inflationTurkey’s Central Bank Governor Naci Agbal said Wednesday he would seek to stem inflation, possibly through further rate hikes, pledging to continue tight monetary policies and stabilize the nation’s currency. Turkey’s new Central Bank Governor Naci Agbal pledged to maintain a tight monetary policy to stem the nation’s double-digit inflation during a videoconference Wednesday in […]
Turkish media vows to take over Tel Aviv, calls opposition ‘terrorists’
Monday, December 21, 2020 Comments Off on Turkish media vows to take over Tel Aviv, calls opposition ‘terrorists’Vows to destroy Israel, “liberate Al-Aqsa,” and spread anti-Zionist and antisemitic comments have become normal in Turkey. Turkey has in the last few weeks sought to use media connections abroad to push narratives about how it wants reconciliation with Israel, even as its own media pushes extremist anti-Israel comments. One commentator, according to T24 Turkish […]
U.S. sanctions NATO ally Turkey over its purchase of Russian missile defense system
Friday, December 18, 2020 Comments Off on U.S. sanctions NATO ally Turkey over its purchase of Russian missile defense systemThe Trump administration imposed sanctions Monday on NATO ally Turkey’s main military weapons procurement agency as punishment for its purchase of a Russian-made missile defense system.
European Union has vindicated Erdogan, yet again
Friday, December 18, 2020 Comments Off on European Union has vindicated Erdogan, yet againTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan didn’t give a damn about possible European Union sanctions against Turkey, and the EU has proved him right. No need to indulge in semantics and take pains to conceal the fact: Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan defied the European Union — and he won.
Will Turkish drones help Ukraine reclaim territory?
Friday, December 18, 2020 Comments Off on Will Turkish drones help Ukraine reclaim territory?As the Ukrainian news media buzzes with speculation that Ukraine may be planning to reclaim control of Donbass by Turkish drones, direct involvement by Turkey in the Ukraine-Russia conflict would cost Ankara dearly in its relations with Moscow.
US sanctions Turkey over S-400 purchase
Friday, December 18, 2020 Comments Off on US sanctions Turkey over S-400 purchaseThe Foreign Ministry in Ankara said it will “retaliate” for the sanctions on four top officials of Turkey’s defense procurement agency. The Trump administration on Monday unveiled limited sanctions on Turkey in response to the NATO ally’s purchase of Russia’s S-400 missile defense system last year.
Turkey-Iran tensions spike over Azerbaijan
Friday, December 18, 2020 Comments Off on Turkey-Iran tensions spike over AzerbaijanIran is stirring up a diplomatic quarrel over a poem recited by Recep Tayyip Erdogan during his recent visit to Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku. Tensions between Turkey and its historic regional frenemy Iran are rising over Azerbaijan, the arrests of several Turkish citizens accused of links to an Iranian drug baron and the kidnapping of an […]
Two Greek men arrested for allegedly supplying naval info to Turkey
Friday, December 18, 2020 Comments Off on Two Greek men arrested for allegedly supplying naval info to TurkeyThe man arrested is suspected of transferring intelligence on sea operations to the second man, who worked at the Turkish consulate in Rhodes. Two men from Rhodes were arrested Saturday night, accused of being Turkish spies, as reported by Ynet and AFP.
Turkey’s regime seeks to isolate Israel using phony ‘reconciliation’
Friday, December 18, 2020 Comments Off on Turkey’s regime seeks to isolate Israel using phony ‘reconciliation’Ankara hopes to play ‘good cop’ for incoming Biden administration. After a year of invasions, attacks, aggression, ethnic-cleansing, using Syrian refugees as mercenaries, buying Russian defense technology and working with Iran to oppose the US role in Syria, Turkey’s regime is trying to change its tune to sabotage Israel’s growing friendship with Greece and the […]
Why Turkey Intervened in Libya
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 Comments Off on Why Turkey Intervened in LibyaThrough a historical analysis of Turkey’s military intervention in Libya, this essay identifies the various motivations, reasonings, and threat perceptions underlying Ankara’s current Libya strategy.
At least 28 pro-Turkey Syrians dead in Karabakh: Monitor
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 Comments Off on At least 28 pro-Turkey Syrians dead in Karabakh: MonitorAt least 28 pro-Turkey Syrian rebel fighters have been killed in clashes between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces over Nagorny Karabakh, a Britain-based monitor said Friday.
People gather in front of Turkish consulate in Tabriz to protest at Erdogan’s remarks
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 Comments Off on People gather in front of Turkish consulate in Tabriz to protest at Erdogan’s remarksA large number of Iranian people gathered in front of the Turkish consulate in the Northwestern city of Tabriz in the Northwestern province of East Azerbaijan, protesting at President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s remarks against Iran during a ceremony in the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Turkey leans towards militants in Libya as ties with Muslim Brotherhood erode
Tuesday, December 15, 2020 Comments Off on Turkey leans towards militants in Libya as ties with Muslim Brotherhood erodeAnkara said to be unhappy about Bashagha’s rapprochement with France and Egypt. Ankara is increasingly angry at the Libyan Muslim Brotherhood, especially in light of what appears to be the UN mission’s insistence on carrying through with the proposal to appoint Aguila Saleh, current Speaker of the Libyan Parliament, as head of the new presidential […]