Author: Ihsan Aktas

The shift to the presidential system in Türkiye brought an intense debate about how institutional relationships – particularly between Parliament, the presidency and political actors – would evolve. A critical question also emerged: Could this system eventually lead to a two-party structure similar to the U.S.? Türkiye’s political landscape has always been characterized by robust political parties. In other words, these are not merely campaign-to-campaign organizations like the U.S. system. Turkish parties maintain a constant, dominant presence in national politics. The Republic of Türkiye, with its 200-year parliamentary tradition, maintains a parliamentary system and deeply rooted political parties – including…

During his first term as U.S. president, Donald Trump, in many ways, distanced himself from the European Union. Relations between the U.S. and EU member states grew markedly colder. In diplomacy, a single image can sometimes convey more than words. At a news conference following one of their meetings, when German Chancellor Angela Merkel extended her hand to Trump, he stared off into the distance like a schoolboy, leaving her hand awkwardly hanging. At that moment, Trump appeared to humiliate Merkel in front of the media – or at least leave her awkward. Where Trump seemed poised to unravel the…

As is well known, since 1974 – and especially following the accession of southern Cyprus to the European Union – the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) has found itself locked in a frozen political status, with little change to its international standing. In recent weeks, TRNC President Ersin Tatar held talks in Geneva, where he managed to secure a framework understanding aimed at managing particular dialogue processes with the Greek Cypriot administration, at least until a clear two-state solution is established on a global scale. Together with his Greek Cypriot counterpart, Nikos Christodoulides, Tatar agreed to implement a joint…

In recent years, under the charismatic leadership of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Türkiye has been growing and strengthening, drawing on the historical mission of the Ottoman Empire, with its powerful military capturing global attention. This has created a magnetic atmosphere not only in regional countries but across the world. During his visits to Indonesia and Malaysia last February, Erdoğan was met with overwhelming enthusiasm from the people. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim left an unforgettable mark on history when he introduced Türkiye’s president, stating: “Tayyip Erdoğan has distinguished himself from all world leaders through his stance, rhetoric and policies. He stands…

Since taking office, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu has been known for his controversial and turbulent governance. Recently, his name has become associated with mega corruption allegations in a striking turn of events. Türkiye is witnessing an intense political rivalry between the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP). While the AK Party and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), forming the People’s Alliance, maintain their hold on power, the CHP remains a close contender. The CHP, Türkiye’s founding party, ruled the country under a de facto dictatorship until 1950. Over time, it became…

In the aftermath of the U.S. elections, Elon Musk’s swift and noticeable support for Europe’s far-right movements has drawn significant attention. As is well known, neoliberal movements have been losing influence, and many of their promises have failed globally. First, we all identified the rise of the right wing in Europe as the far-right or extreme right within the context of the neoliberal paradigm, under the influence of the radical left and the Greens. However, those who interpret these developments solely through this angle often lack a deeper understanding of European parties’ history and political evolution. In time, we will…

One of the darkest genocides in human history has come and gone. It feels as though we are witnessing a theater play on the stage of history or a movie unfolding in the flow of time – its script having begun and concluded. Humanity has endured immense genocides, destruction and trauma. Many of these atrocities stem from European countries colonizing nations in Africa, Asia and Latin America, leading to widespread slavery and genocide – many of which remain largely unknown or forgotten today. Throughout history, Jews have faced countless atrocities and injustices, including murders committed against them during the Middle…

As is well known, Türkiye has endured persistent terrorist violence for approximately 40 years, marked by fluctuations in intensity over time. What began as a primarily domestic threat four decades ago has gradually evolved into a globalized phenomenon. The PKK terrorist organization, initially rooted in Türkiye, expanded its presence to Syria and the Beqaa Valley in Lebanon and eventually gained a foothold in Iraq following the Iraq occupation of the U.S. Over these decades, the PKK has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 50,000 people, maintaining its role as a perpetrator of relentless violence. Abandoning reconciliation process During the…

With the onset of the Arab Spring, the Syrian people revolted in large numbers, demanding better governance and the opportunity to live in a free country. This aspiration for change was quickly intercepted by the efforts of external powers with influence over Syria, who sought to create chaos, sow division and occupy Syrian territory. In the early days of the popular uprising, almost 90% of the population was opposed to the Assad regime. Those who sought change included Sunnis, Kurds, Armenians, Christians and even Nusayris, all of whom united in the desire for a shift in the political landscape. Türkiye,…

In the Middle East, neither strategists nor governments can reliably foresee how the narrative might shift from one day to the next. The Syrian civil war has endured for nearly 14 years, claiming close to one million lives and leaving over 10 million people exiled, maimed or displaced—driven from their cities, dying on the roads or losing their lives while crossing the Mediterranean in pursuit of refuge in Europe. This is the view from afar. Yet, when you go into the abyss in society, the depth of the suffering becomes painfully evident. The Baath system of enslavement and oppression established…