Two school shootings in Türkiye within 24 hours have disrupted a long-standing perception: that such violence is exceptionally rare. Some unionized teachers protested today over the first incident and the lack of adequate security for teachers, and did not attend classes. In the meantime, we have witnessed the worst today. You can find a list … Read more
My TV Turkish Serials Subreddit receives more than 95 thousand visits weekly, and my colleague Alper Kırklar and I decided to curate an edited volume on Turkish Television Series. The series’ global attraction is definitely unintended, but all over the world, I come across people asking me about a particular Turkish series. So here we … Read more
Just finished an article by dear Joakim Parslow, who knows this blog well. I have done some research on the history of the internet in Türkiye, but Joakim goes far past the pre-internet decades, where Cybernetics had some resonance. The article link is here. Parslow, J. (2021). The Mechanical Atatürk: Cybernetics and State Violence in … Read more
I was once a trainer in an EU-funded project, and I spent a few hours with Prof. Ortaylı in 2015 in one of its workshops. I was really anxious about whether he would make fun of me, but he did not (!). According to the project page of RUMVADER (Cemaat Vakıfları Temsilciliği), it was the … Read more
There’s a massive, viral trend on Turkish X right now (early March 2026) where Turkish users are celebrating Spain as the new “kardeş ülke” (brother country). The reason? Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez’s firm “No to war” stance — specifically refusing to let the US use Spanish bases for any attacks/escalation involving Iran, plus Spain’s long-standing … Read more
When I saw a few Twitter messages about the home visits, I asked Perplexity to compile what is noted about President Erdoğan’s and also a few other governmnent officials’ home visits during the Ramadhan. I have also added a gallery of visit images. I understand that some staging needed in any case, but it could … Read more
I am losing my respect for Wim Wenders fast, but I continue to admire Emin Alper. I remember Emin from our college days as a nice, calm person. Here’s what happened at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale 2026): The Context: Wim Wenders’ Controversy German filmmaker Wim Wenders, serving as jury president of the … Read more
Recently, Sixteen detained over ‘laundering OnlyFans income’. I have asked Perplexity to round up the OnlyFans ordeal in Türkiye: OnlyFans has been formally blocked in Turkey since June 2023 and, since late 2023, authorities have escalated criminal investigations and financial-crime probes targeting creators who earned income from the platform. Access ban and legal basis Access … Read more
As of February 2, 2026, the publicly released Epstein Files include several references to Turkey, focusing on allegations of international trafficking, diplomatic contacts, and broader geopolitical implications. However, as far as I could see, no major scandals so far! Most Turkey-related references in the newly released Epstein Files are incidental or contextual, with only one … Read more
I want to resume my active Beşiktaş fandom, but it is so hard to focus on the game itself amid these scandals. Türkiye is currently facing a major football betting scandal, with over 1,000 professional players under investigation and suspended by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) for alleged involvement in illegal sports betting activities. The … Read more
I believe this is really shameful. Tele1 TV seized by state, broadcast interrupted mid-air The authorities appointed a trustee to pro-opposition broadcaster Tele1 TV on the evening of Oct 24, taking the channel off air during its main news bulletin. But this was not the first time: Since 2016, Turkey has systematically seized, shut down, … Read more
I haven’t visited this site yet, though I have been to Göbeklitepe. I should go there soon! The discovery of a human face depiction on the surface of one of the T-shaped pillars at the Karahantepe excavation site in the southeastern province of Şanlıurfa reinforces the theory that these stones symbolize human figures. Saying … Read more
Turkey ranks first in Europe for income inequality Turkey now holds the unwelcome title of Europe’s most unequal country in terms of income distribution. According to recent data, the richest 20 percent of the population receive nearly half of the nation’s total income, while the poorest 20 percent survive on less than 6 percent. The … Read more
Serdar Öktem, a lawyer and defendant in the Sinan Ateş murder trial, was assassinated in Istanbul on October 5, 2025, outside his office on Büyükdere Avenue in the Şişli district. Assailants in two vehicles, reportedly masked, opened fire with long-barreled weapons (including a Kalashnikov) at Öktem as he waited in traffic near the 15 Temmuz … Read more
Yesterday I saw the news online. Taylan Kulaçoğlu has passed away. We followed each other on X. I saw him once or twice in my life. He had a bar in Taksim for a while, and I visited the bar and met him there. He was a sincere man. That’s what I can say about … Read more