Author: Ragip Soylu
Recent events in Turkey have sparked concern and fear among the Syrian refugee community, with more than 3.3 million refugees’ passport scans leaked online. The leak, shared on a Telegram account named “Turkey Insurrection,” included personal information and locations of Syrian nationals, inciting racial tension and violence against the refugees. The Turkish interior ministry confirmed the leak but stated the information may not be up to date. The situation escalated further as a 14-year-old was found to be behind the Telegram channel, which aimed to instigate “insurrection” in Istanbul. Violence erupted in several cities, with Syrians facing attacks, destruction of…
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is considering inviting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to Turkey for an official visit, with Russian mediation on the table. Erdogan mentioned the possibility while at a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Kazakhstan, highlighting the need for a permanent solution in Syria. Talks with Putin have also touched on Syria, indicating a potential shift in relations. Efforts by Iraqi and Iranian mediators have also played a role in facilitating dialogue between Turkey and Syria. Erdogan sees the talks as crucial for the return of refugees and combating Kurdish armed groups. Despite the challenges ahead and recent…
On Saturday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will attend the Uefa Euro 2024 quarter-finals match between Turkey and the Netherlands in Berlin, following the cancellation of his trip to Azerbaijan. This decision was made after a Uefa inquiry into Turkish footballer Merih Demiral, who was seen making the Grey Wolves sign, a symbol associated with Turkey’s Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser condemned the use of such symbols in stadiums, prompting Uefa’s investigation and causing a diplomatic crisis between Germany and Turkey. The Turkish foreign ministry criticized the inquiry, calling it unacceptable. Erdogan’s visit to Berlin has…
Amid escalating tensions, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s openness to talks with Turkey sparked speculation and discussion on social media. This marks a shift from the Syrian government’s previous stringent conditions for negotiations, offering hope for potential dialogue. Following Iraqi mediation efforts and pressure from Iran, Damascus has shown willingness to engage with Turkey without imposing prerequisites. This development comes as Turkey seeks to address economic challenges and manage refugee influx, aligning with its strategic goals in northern Syria. Stay informed with MEE’s newsletters Sign up to get the latest alerts, insights and analysis, starting with Turkey Unpacked However, Erdogan’s recent…
Turkey is mediating talks between Somalia and Ethiopia in Ankara to resolve a dispute over Ethiopia’s recognition of Somaliland and plans to build a port there. Ankara, with strong ties to both countries, recently signed a defense and economic cooperation agreement with Somalia while allowing Ethiopia to establish a naval base in Somaliland. This move prompted Mogadishu to threaten war, leading to mediation efforts by Turkey. Sources indicate that Turkey’s involvement deterred Addis Ababa, prompting Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to send an envoy to Erdogan for mediation. The talks aim to find a compromise where Somalia offers Ethiopia sea…
When Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic addressed a pro-Israel lobbying event in Washington, he highlighted Belgrade’s longstanding support for Israel, dating back to 1917. Despite historical ties, recent events have strained the relationship between the two nations. Vucic’s decision to engage in an economic deal brokered by the Trump administration led to Israel recognizing Kosovo’s independence, causing outrage in Serbia. However, beneath the surface tensions, Serbia continued arms exports to Israel, revealing a strategic defense partnership. Vucic’s ties to Israeli political consultants during election campaigns raise questions about the nature of his relationship with Israel. The arms sales to Israel, coupled…
Turkey was successfully removed from the money-laundering grey list by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a move that could enhance the country’s investment opportunities. The decision was announced during a meeting in Singapore, where FATF confirmed that Turkey, along with Jamaica, had met all the necessary requirements for removal from the list. Under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey has shifted its economic and monetary policies towards attracting foreign direct investment and combating inflation. Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek and Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya have been actively fighting organised crime, money laundering, and terrorism funding, resulting in the…
The recent Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland made headlines when the Ecumenical Patriarchate of the Eastern Orthodox Church was initially listed as a signatory. However, following protests from Turkey, the patriarchate was removed from the list, sparking outrage in the country. Despite Patriarch Bartholomew attending the summit only as an observer, his presence and inclusion in the communique caused controversy in Turkey, as Ankara does not recognize the patriarchate’s “ecumenical” title under the Lausanne Treaty. Turkey’s Disapproval Tensions rose when Turkey officially requested an explanation from Switzerland and raised concerns about the presence of Israel and the Greek Cyprus administration…
Top AKP officials convened in Kizilcahamam to regroup post-election loss, focusing on Turkey’s economic future despite recent challenges. In 2023, President Erdogan appointed ex-Wall Street banker Mehmet Simsek as finance minister, shifting to market orthodoxy and raising interest rates to revitalize the economy. Simsek’s measures gained global support. At the meeting, Erdogan reiterated his stance on interest rates, favoring low rates for lower inflation. Simsek’s economic reforms have boosted investor confidence, though inflation remains a hurdle. Erdogan’s recent comments hint at potential interest rate adjustments, causing unease among investors. The Turkish Lira’s value has impacted businesses, complicating Simsek’s tax reforms.…
Despite Turkey’s decision to halt direct trade with Israel over the Rafah invasion, trade between the two countries continues through third countries like Greece. Israeli imports from Turkey saw a 69 percent decline in May, while Turkish exports to Israel dropped over 99 percent. However, Turkish goods have been rerouted through Greece to reach Israel, circumventing Ankara’s trade ban. Surge in exports to Greece Businesses favor Greece due to its proximity to Turkey’s industrial base and cheaper shipping options to Israel. Turkey’s exports to Greece surged to $375m in May, up 71 percent from the previous year. Despite the re-exports,…