Turkish foreign policy

Israel attacked the Global Sumud Flotilla, globe-wide protests

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Global reactions to Israel’s interception and attack on the Global Sumud Flotilla have been overwhelmingly critical, with widespread condemnation, protests, and calls for accountability from governments, international organizations, and civil society across multiple continents.wikipedia+2 Continuously updated Wikipedia entry: Global Sumud Flotilla Widespread Protests Protests erupted immediately in cities across Europe (including Rome, Berlin, Barcelona, Brussels, and … Read more

Erdoğan in White House after 6 years

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  Gönül Tol (@gonultol) said: Expanding its LNG portfolio and investing in new infrastructure has been a smart play for Turkey, strengthening its push to diversify energy suppliers. The latest deal carries an extra advantage: it doubles as a sweetener for the Trump administration, which may press Ankara to (https://x.com/gonultol/status/1971311587009962295?t=vTGIry1JN0DOu7jZDmNW4Q&s=03) Trump’s joint press conference with … Read more

How Türkiye Reacts to Israel’s Attack on Iran

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 I do not believe that there will be a World War III.  Iran looks weaker than widely believed. Let’s see how this goes. I suppose Devlet Bahçeli’s claim that “Turkey is next” is the most intriguing one. In the meantime, I asked Perplexity to curate the Turkish positions. Turkish Public Opinion on Israel’s Attack on … Read more

First Direct Talks Ukraine-Russia in Three Years in İstanbul

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Ukraine–Russia Peace Talks in Istanbul: No Ceasefire, But Largest Prisoner Exchange Agreed Summary of Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks in Istanbul (as of 18 May 2025) Key Developments First Direct Talks in Three Years: On May 16, 2025, Russian and Ukrainian delegations met in Istanbul for the first high-level, direct peace talks since early 2022, shortly after … Read more

Fact-Checking a Viral Turkish Tourism Letter in Indian Social Media

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An Indian friend of mine sent me this visual that is circulating in the Indian X-sphere. I checked out the official channels and could not find any evidence. Then I asked Perplexity: There is still no confirmation that the Turkish Ministry of Tourism or any official Turkish government body released the statement shown in your … Read more

Trump Backs Erdoğan in Netanyahu Meeting

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During his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump praised Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, describing him as “a tough guy” and “very smart.” Trump expressed confidence in his ability to resolve any disputes between Israel and Turkey, emphasizing the need for both sides to be “reasonable” in their dealings. He … Read more

The transformation of al-Golani

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Abu Mohammed al-Golani, now known by his real name Ahmed al-Sharaa, has undergone a significant visual transformation that mirrors his political evolution from a jihadist leader to Syria’s new de facto ruler. This change in appearance has been a deliberate part of his efforts to rebrand himself and his organization. Early Years: The Militant Look … Read more

Türkiye in Syria, Trump praising Erdoğan, Kalın in Damascus, Embassy opened

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We will see whether Türkiye really benefits from the developments in Syria, but she is actively involved: Turkish Embassy in Damascus resumes operations after 12 years Turkey condemns Israel plan to double Golan Heights population Here are the key Türkiye-related news items regarding Syria: Turkey’s Diplomatic Moves • Turkey reopened its embassy in Syria on … Read more

I guess this image of Syrian alliances should be re-imagined?

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At least Asad is gone, and Israel is moving towards Damascus. I was checking out how many Syrian refugees went back from Türkiye to Syria but could not find reliable figures. It is just chaos out there, and everybody I know talks about this and fact-checking is needed!

End of en era! Bashar al-Assad has left Syria

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It looks like the Axis of Resistance lost an important member. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has left Syria. The Russian Foreign Ministry has confirmed that Assad has stepped down from his presidential post and departed the country[4][5]. This development comes amid a rapid advance by opposition forces who have seized control of Damascus, the capital … Read more

Pro-Palestinian activists arrested in Türkiye for allegedly insulting the president

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On November 29, 2024, nine pro-Palestinian activists were arrested in Turkey for protesting against President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s ongoing trade relations with Israel amid the Gaza conflict. The incident occurred during Erdoğan’s speech at an international event organized by Turkish state broadcaster TRT in İstanbul[1][2]. The Protest Two activists from the Direniş Çadırı (Resistance Tent) … Read more

Back to the civil war in Syria

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In recent days, Syria has witnessed a significant escalation in military activity, particularly in the northwestern region. This surge in conflict represents the most substantial shift in territorial control within Syria’s ongoing civil war in several years[1][2]. Rebel Offensive On Wednesday, November 27, 2024, rebel forces launched a major offensive in northwestern Syria, dubbed “Deterrence … Read more

Many countries rejected Kathrin but not Türkiye

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  The MV Kathrin, a German-flagged cargo ship, has been at the center of international controversy due to allegations that it is carrying explosives destined for Israel. Here are the key developments: Background The MV Kathrin departed from Vietnam in mid-July 2024, reportedly carrying 150 metric tons of explosives, including RDX and TNT[1][4]. The ship’s … Read more

The BRICS summit. Western attempts to isolate Russia failing?

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This might be the most popular video from the summit (!) Erdoğan combing his hair!  The most recent BRICS summit was held from October 22-24, 2024 in Kazan, Russia. Here are the key highlights and outcomes: Expansion and Attendance The summit marked the first gathering after BRICS expanded to include new members: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, … Read more

Civilizational choices: Turkey/Türkiye applied to join the BRICS group

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Although I attempted to catch your eyes by stating “civilizational,” it might be more pragmatic. Changing regional relations, the EU’s hesitancy, Turkish domestic politics, etc., can all be listed in the choice.  Turkey has indeed applied to join the BRICS group of emerging economies. Here’s a summary of the key information: Application Confirmation Multiple sources … Read more