Author: Turkiye Scoop
The Turkish people are divided more than ever on Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek’s economic policies these days, with discussions raging both on social media as well as on the streets. With Şimşek’s appointment into the new Cabinet of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan after the 2023 elections, the finance minister was perceived as a savior for the country’s worsening economy. Since 2018, the government has experienced several currency crises, the devaluation of the lira, purchasing power dying down and soaring inflation of over 75%. Just a day before, Erdoğan, at his party’s parliamentary group meeting, said that inflation would fall. “We…
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s recent remarks on Türkiye’s possibility to join the BRICS group have sparked yet again debates on Ankara “turning away” from the West. However, the statement should not cast doubt about Ankara’s commitment to the Euro-Atlantic alliance; rather, it should be read as another initiative to diversify its foreign policy further. During a recent visit to China, Fidan, at a talk at the Center for China and Globalization, said, “We would like to, of course. Why would we not?” when asked about possible membership. This is not the first time Türkiye has voiced interest in participation as…
Nintendo surprised fans on Tuesday by announcing a new chapter in its 40-year-old “Zelda” saga, one of the Japanese video game giant’s biggest cash-cows. During an event broadcast on the web, the firm said “The Legend of Zelda Echoes of Wisdom” would be scheduled for release on the Switch console on September 26. Eiji Aonuma, producer of the Zelda series, said on the webcast that fans would be able to play as Princess Zelda herself rather than the elf-like warrior Link — a first for an official entry into the game’s cannon. “This time around Link has vanished and it’s…
Turkish politics witnessed successive messages and statements this week from several political parties that have been intensely discussed and, by some circles, interpreted as emerging fractures within the ruling People’s Alliance. All focus was on a memorandum-like written statement by Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairperson Devlet Bahçeli, published on Wednesday, which came after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Tuesday met with main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Chair Özgür Özel and the wife of murdered nationalist activist Sinan Ateş on the same day. Following local elections, Özel visited Erdoğan on May 2 and Erdoğan’s visit to the CHP headquarters in…
This week, upon an invitation by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al Sudani, I visited the Grand Al-Faw port, which is projected to constitute the heart of the Development Road project, which will link the East to the West. After a road trip from the capital to the southern Basra province, we entered the huge area of 54 square kilometers (33.5 square miles) devoted to the port town. A long, curvy road is to be followed until one can reach the seaside. Farhan al-Fartousi, director general of the General Company for Ports of Iraq, accompanied us, showing the different features…
After Greece announced it would create two marine parks in the Aegean Sea, Türkiye launched its own initiative to map similar parks in the region in a tit-for-tat move. According to a Turkish official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, Türkiye’s Transportation and Infrastructure Ministry will plan to map out its own marine parks in the region. Greece will create the parks by the end of this year, the country’s environment and energy minister said in April. This announcement was harshly criticized by neighbor Türkiye, which has accused Athens of exploiting environmental…
As another vital step to support the Palestinian cause, end Israel’s attacks on Gaza and bring peace to the Middle East, Türkiye has decided to join South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the United Nations’ highest court. After Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced the decision, questions have been raised about the process. Türkiye will highly likely join the case under Article 63 of the statute of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which does not necessitate the court’s approval. Should a state consider that it has an interest of a legal nature that may be affected by the decision…
Relations between Ankara and Paris have had significant ups and downs in the past decade, originating from different views on issues such as Libya, the Mediterranean, Africa and Syria. Yet, despite the tumultuous political and diplomatic relations, economic ties continued to grow, indicating a stable and high-potential foundation for further growth. Türkiye and France do not always see eye to eye when it comes to major international issues. While both support ending the war in Gaza as well as a two-state solution for Palestine, views differ on the nature of Hamas. In Syria, Türkiye has long criticized France’s close relations…
Economic prosperity and security are tightly knitted for Türkiye and Iraq as President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan heads to Baghdad on Monday for the first time in over a decade to “establish new grounds for relations and resolve outstanding issues.” The visit comes after Ankara announced plans to mount a comprehensive military operation against the PKK terrorist group in northern Iraq’s mountainous Qandil region – currently under the de-jure control of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) – this summer. It will also underpin the groundwork laid by Turkish-Iraqi diplomats in recent months, most notably for the Development Road, a $17 billion…
After rocky ties between Ankara and Baghdad in recent years due to unresolved bilateral problems, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will pay a critical visit to Iraq on Monday, signifying a turning point toward a positive agenda in relations. The visit, which comes after 13 years, will focus on four points: the fight against the PKK, the Iraq Development Road project, the water problem and pipelines. Iraqi officials with whom I talked clearly have a more positive and willing attitude to overcome contentions than before. Several agreements will be signed during the Baghdad visit, after which Erdoğan will also hold talks…