All News on Politics in Turkey

Erdogan pardons elderly generals imprisoned over 1997 ‘postmodern coup’

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday pardoned seven former top military officers who were sentenced to life terms in prison over the ouster of an Islamic-led government in 1997.

The former generals, who are in their late 70s and 80s, were pardoned due to health issues and old age, according to a decision published in the country's Official Gazette overnight.

Holding Turkey accountable for the 2017 Sheridan Circle attack

Andreas Akaras, an attorney with the law firm Bregman, Berbert, Schwartz & Gilday who is part of the team representing the victims of the Sheridan Circle attacks, joins Thanos Davelis to look into the letter over 70 members of Congress sent to the Biden administration this week, urging it to hold Turkey accountable for the 2017 attack by Erdogan's security guards against American protesters

Israel to abolish free trade deal with Turkey in retaliation

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Thursday said Israel would abolish its free trade agreement with Turkey and also impose a 100% tariff on other imports from Turkey in retaliation for Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan's decision to halt exports to Israel.

The plan, he said, would be submitted to the cabinet for approval.

Israel, its friends and adversaries

The recent press conference by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara underscored another major difference separating the two countries, and this is their stance towards Israel.

Ankara police probe deepens with more officer detentions

In an ongoing probe into potential ties between Ankara police and a criminal syndicate, authorities have expanded their investigation with the detention of four additional suspects, three of whom are police officers.

The latest development comes after the suspension of four officers in connection with the case.

HALC urges reassessment of Turkey’s religious freedom status

The Hellenic-American Leadership Council (HALC) has called for a review of Turkey's position in the Annual Report on International Religious Freedom, published by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom. HALC has proposed that Turkey be included in the "Countries of Particular Concern" (CPC) list.

Chances of Cyprus peace talks restart look dimmer as Turkish Cypriot leader sees no common ground

Chances of restarting formal talks to mend Cyprus' decades-long ethnic division appeared dimmer Wednesday as the leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriots told a UN envoy that he saw no common ground with Greek Cypriots for a return to negotiations.

20 years later: Revisiting the Annan Plan for Cyprus

Endy Zemenides, the executive director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, joins Thanos Davelis to break down why the rejection of the Annan plan 20 years ago needs to be revisited, and its historic significance reconsidered.

Notorious people smuggler operated in Greek territory

Barzan Majeed, a recently-arrested Iraqi migrant trafficking kingpin known as "Scorpion," had been operating within Greek territory, Kathimerini understands.

Information gleaned from migrant smuggling networks suggests that Majeed resided and conducted operations in Greece from 1999 until late 2005, before relocating to the UK.

Turkey to apply to intervene in ICJ genocide case against Israel

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has said that his country has decided to submit its declaration of official intervention in South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Calm waters despite disagreements

The much-anticipated meeting between Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Monday highlighted a consensus on the need to maintain calm waters in the Aegean, but also to keep open the channels of communication despite known disagreements in key policy areas.

Marc Pierini: Expectations for ‘success’ in Greek-Turkish relations ‘high’

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have a "unique and historical opportunity to consolidate the steps taken so far" in relations between their two countries, according to Marc Pierini, a senior fellow at Carnegie Europe and former European Union ambassador to Turkey.