Author: Turkiye Scoop

Serdal Adalı’s election as president at Beşiktaş’s extraordinary general assembly has brought with it bold ambitions for the club’s basketball division, with Özkan Arseven setting sights on competing in the prestigious Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. Beşiktaş’s newly elected President Serdal Adalı (C) acknowledges the audience after his election win, Istanbul, Türkiye, Dec. 29, 2024. (AA Photo) Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA), Arseven outlined his plans to first secure the BKT European Cup, which he believes is crucial to building a team strong enough to eventually reach the EuroLeague. “This season is pivotal,” said Arseven. “We aim to win the BKT European…

2024 was a year in which Türkiye managed a turbulent Middle East while endeavoring to widen the scope of its foreign policy by focusing on several regions and actively participating in global platforms ranging from BRICS and the G-20 to the Conference of Asian Political Parties. Having normalized with a good deal of actors in the region, Ankara finds itself with new opportunities for cooperation and peace amid some of its immediate neighbors. Here is a look at its primary focus for 2025. Syria The most crucial development for Turkish foreign policy has undoubtedly been the fall of Bashar Assad.…

Türkiye’s defense industry has reached 70% domestic production capacity in 2024, according to the Independent Industrialists’ and Businessmen’s Association (MUSIAD)’s Türkiye Defense Industry 2024 report released Friday. It discusses the current situation and future projections of the domestic defense industry and states that significant successes have been achieved in strategic products, with an increase in domestic production capacity to 70%. The report includes an evaluation by the MUSIAD Defense Industry Board, which suggests that foreign dependency in engines and power transmission systems should be reduced. The report highlights that there is still foreign dependence on resources for engine and power…

In October this year, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli made a pioneering yet striking call on the PKK’s jailed leader, Abdullah Öcalan, to come forth and announce the end of PKK terrorism. However, more than two months later, the process seems to have stalled. Although initially, all significant parties were on board, supporting Bahçeli’s call, silence prevailed on one side while the calls became less bold. Let us have a look at the developments that have taken place since. The pro-PKK Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) – one of the most important actors in this process…

Five suspected militants were Kashmir and two Indian soldiers injured during a military operation in Indian-administered Kashmir on Thursday. A police official told Anadolu on the condition of anonymity that it is being ascertained whether the deceased are local or foreign militants. He said they were killed after being cornered by government forces comprising soldiers, paramilitary soldiers and police in Kulgam district, which is one of the southern districts where a resurgent popular militancy held sway until 2019, when the Hindu nationalist government scrapped the region’s autonomy and launched a comprehensive crackdown on multiple fronts to curb the decades-old secessionist…

Recent events globally have unfolded at a breathtaking speed. After nearly 14 years of conflict in Syria, it is remarkable that within a single week, the opposition managed to dismantle a long-lasting dictatorship and restore peace and stability in the majority of the country. This week, regime change in Syria dominated the global agenda, marking a pivotal moment in the Middle East geopolitics. The opposition achieved legitimacy and drastically shifted the balance of power, making the previous rulers and their allies increasingly illegitimate. A decade ago, during the Geneva peace process, Russia, Iran and the regime of Bashar Assad were…

South Korea’s top lawmaker Woo Won-sik Friday urged President Yoon Suk Yeol to postpone his visit to parliament ahead of an impeachment vote over failed martial law attempt. Reports had circulated that Yoon was planning to visit the ruling People Power Party lawmakers at the parliament, known as the National Assembly. “I have not received any contact regarding the president’s visit to the National Assembly,” said Woo, as presidential office rushed to deny Yoon was planning such a visit. “Even if he visits (the National Assembly), security-related consultations must come first,” he said. “It is difficult to guarantee the president’s…

In an effort that underscores the rising importance of environmental solidarity on the global stage, Türkiye’s Zero Waste Project and Azerbaijan’s Heydar Aliyev Foundation have unveiled a joint pavilion at the COP29 United Nations Climate Change Conference. Known as the “Solidarity Center,” the pavilion is located in the Green Zone, a public area dedicated to showcasing environmental initiatives, and as a platform for conference participants, private sector representatives and nongovernmental organizations. The initiative is a collaboration between first lady Emine Erdoğan and Azerbaijan’s first lady Mihriban Aliyeva, both of whom are deeply committed to environmental and social progress in their…

It is a first in Turkish history that all parties involved in the process to eradicate the decades-long threat caused by the PKK are on the same page and supportive of the initiatives taken. The first sign that the ruling coalition of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) entered a new process and talks with the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) came when MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli shook hands with DEM Party deputies – a rare move – at the opening of Parliament’s new legal year. The continuation of this policy…

Türkiye and Serbia will work harder to make sure cooperation between the two countries’ business communities reaches its full potential, said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Friday. “We have significant potential in health, energy, information and communication technology. We should reap more benefit from these areas. It will be in the interest of both countries to take important steps together, especially in the defense industry,” Erdoğan told a news conference alongside his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic at a Türkiye-Serbia Business Forum in the capital Belgrade. Erdoğan, before concluding his one-day visit to Serbia, said he believes “it is very…