Turkey's Erdogan drops retirement age requirement for millions | Reuters

Turkey's Erdogan drops retirement age requirement for millions Reuters ANKARA, Dec 28 (Reuters) - President Tayyip Erdogan eliminated a retirement age requirement on Wednesday in a move that allows more than 2 million Turkish workers to retire immediately, less than six months before an election. More:Turkey's Erdogan drops retirement age requirement for millions | Reuters

Turkey’s Rise in the Security Sphere: Can Turkey Sustain it or will She Fade in the Shadows? - Indian Defence Review

Turkey’s Rise in the Security Sphere: Can Turkey Sustain it or will She Fade in the Shadows?ByDanvir SinghDate : 27 Dec , 2022 Turkey’s geo-strategic location in Europe gives it a unique bridging ability between Russia and the West. Turkey’s geo-political influence expands across continents, from states on its periphery, particularly the Caucasus and continues into the Central Asian states where a Turkic ethno-linguistic zone extends Eastwards right up to the Chinese border. Turkey’s influence stabilises the Black Sea region as it controls the Straits of Dardanelles and the Bosphorus connecting it to the Mediterranean. This makes Turkey vital to the interests of the West making it the South-Eastern anchor for NATO. Hence, it majorly influences the Middle-East and balances Russia in the entire South-Eastern zone, which includes the Caucasus. More:Turkey’s Rise in the Security Sphere: Can Turkey Sustain it or will She Fade in the Shadows? - Indian Defence Review

Head of Turkish medical group stands trial on terror charges

Head of Turkish medical group stands trial on terror charges BY ASSOCIATED PRESS ISTANBUL PUBLISHED 9:02 AM ET DEC. 23, 2022 ISTANBUL (AP) — The president of the Turkish Medical Association denied in court on Friday accusations that she disseminated “terrorist propaganda” by calling for an investigation into allegations that the Turkish military used chemical weapons against Kurdish militants. More:Head of Turkish medical group stands trial on terror charges

Turkey’s Struggle to Define Itself - Geopolitical Futures

Turkey’s Struggle to Define Itself Ankara’s shifting priorities have blocked its ability to establish a national identity. By Hilal Khashan -December 22, 2022 In June 2023, the Turkish people will head to the polls to choose their next president. Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party (AKP) will face stiff competition from a coalition of six opposition parties, led by the Republican People’s Party (CHP). More:Turkey’s Struggle to Define Itself - Geopolitical Futures

Turkey: AKP under scrutiny for ties to ultraconservative Islamic community - Qantara.de

AKP under scrutiny for ties to ultraconservative Islamic community The ultraconservative Ismail Aga community has close links to Turkey's ruling AKP. Some are now questioning the community's influence after news reports of the forced marriage of a six-year-old girl within the group. By Burak Ünveren More:Turkey: AKP under scrutiny for ties to ultraconservative Islamic community - Qantara.de

The Observer view on why Recep Tayyip Erdoğan does not deserve another term in office | Observer editorial | The Guardian

The Observer view on why Recep Tayyip Erdoğan does not deserve another term in office Observer editorial Voters suffering from the president’s terrible economic policies might have finally had enough Courts in Turkey generally bow to the wishes of the country’s authoritarian president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. This is unsurprising, given his purges of judges and prosecutors during his two decades in power. So last week’s court verdict sentencing Istanbul’s popular opposition mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, to more than two years in jail and banning him from public life followed a familiar pattern. More:The Observer view on why Recep Tayyip Erdoğan does not deserve another term in office | Observer editorial | The Guardian

Home prices, rents skyrocket in Turkey amid economic turmoil | AP News

Home prices, rents skyrocket in Turkey amid economic turmoil By AYSE WIETING and SUZAN FRASER ISTANBUL (AP) — Hatice Erdal has been given a week to vacate her rental house that is due to be knocked down. The cleaner and her husband both earn minimum wage, and even with their combined salaries, they cannot find anything within their budget in Istanbul’s exorbitant housing market. More:Home prices, rents skyrocket in Turkey amid economic turmoil | AP News

Turkey's AKP under scrutiny for ties to religious radicals – DW – 12/15/2022

Turkey's AKP under scrutiny for ties to religious radicals Burak Ünveren 13 hours ago13 hours ago The ultraconservative Ismail Aga community is closely linked to Turkey's ruling AKP party. Some are now questioning that influence after news of the forced marriage of a 6-year-old girl within the group. More:Turkey's AKP under scrutiny for ties to religious radicals – DW – 12/15/2022

Thousands protest against conviction of Istanbul mayor | Al Mayadeen English

Thousands protest against conviction of Istanbul mayor By Al Mayadeen English Source: Al Mayadeen Net & Agengies Today 00:27 Thousands in Turkey protest the conviction and political ban of the city's mayor Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. Supporters of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu rally in Istanbul to oppose his conviction and political ban. Thousands of Turks gathered in a square in the center of Istanbul on Thursday to protest the political ban against the opposition mayor of the city, Ekrem İmamoğlu, before next year's presidential elections. More:Thousands protest against conviction of Istanbul mayor | Al Mayadeen English

The Ottoman empire fell a century ago. Or did it? | The Economist

The Ottoman empire fell a century ago. Or did it? Ryan Gingeras reflects on the events in his new history Dec 15th 2022 As it turned out, more than six centuries of Ottoman rule ended with a whimper rather than a bang, though there had been a racket in the preceding years. The old regime was abolished on November 1st 1922 by Turkey’s Grand National Assembly, representing the nationalist forces that had triumphed in the war with Greece—reversing the humiliations that followed the first world war. The last sultan was soon spirited away on a British warship; he lived on in Italian penury. More:The Ottoman empire fell a century ago. Or did it? | The Economist

A clampdown too far? ‘Bizarre’ prison sentence may give Erdogan’s rival a boost | The Independent

A clampdown too far? ‘Bizarre’ prison sentence may give Erdogan’s rival a boost Inside the Turkish government’s decision to push Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu out of politics Borzou Daragahi International Correspondent It did not take long for online sleuths to find evidence of potential political bias in the prosecution of Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. More:A clampdown too far? ‘Bizarre’ prison sentence may give Erdogan’s rival a boost | The Independent

Turkey's cenbank to stand pat after fulfilling Erdogan's call for single digits | Reuters

Turkey's cenbank to stand pat after fulfilling Erdogan's call for single digits Reuters ISTANBUL, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Turkey's central bank is expected to keep its policy rate unchanged next week, a Reuters poll showed on Thursday, having decided to end the cycle after cutting it to 9% in line with President Tayyip Erdogan's call for single-digit rates. Reporting by Ali Kucukgocmen, Ezgi Erkoyun and Milounee Purohit; Editing by Daren Butler More:Turkey's cenbank to stand pat after fulfilling Erdogan's call for single digits | Reuters

Analysis: Turkish court raises stakes in search for a challenger to Erdogan | Reuters

Analysis: Turkish court raises stakes in search for a challenger to Erdogan By Birsen Altayli, Ece Toksabay and Orhan Coskun Opposition has not yet discussed joint candidate, sources say Sentence raises Imamoglu profile but may rule him out CHP leader Kilicdaroglu wants to stand against Erdogan IYI Party wants Istanbul or Ankara mayor to run - sources ANKARA, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Six months from an election in which Turkey's opposition has its best shot at unseating President Tayyip Erdogan in 20 years, a jail sentence against one of its brightest hopes has raised the stakes in the struggle to agree a presidential challenger. More:Analysis: Turkish court raises stakes in search for a challenger to Erdogan | Reuters

Turkey Prints Highest-Value Lira Banknote at Record Rate Amid Runaway Inflation - Bloomberg

Turkey Prints its Highest-Value Banknote at Record Rate Amid Runaway Inflation The number of 200 lira notes in circulation almost doubled year on year in November.Photographer: Kerem Uzel/Bloomberg ByAsli Kandemir and Beril Akman December 13, 2022 at 5:24 AM EST Turkey is printing its highest-denominated banknote at the fastest rate on record, flooding the country with cash as inflation of over 80% forces consumers and businesses to pay more for less. More:Turkey Prints Highest-Value Lira Banknote at Record Rate Amid Runaway Inflation - Bloomberg

Türkiye's middle class struggles amidst inflation, stagnant wages-Xinhua

Türkiye's middle class struggles amidst inflation, stagnant wages A man shops at a supermarket in Ankara, Türkiye, on Nov. 3, 2022. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua) Low-income families in Türkiye have not been the only ones to suffer from continuous price hikes for essential goods and the national currency's sharp depreciation; the middle class with more handsome salaries also is turning to belt-tightening decisions. More:Türkiye's middle class struggles amidst inflation, stagnant wages-Xinhua

Turkey's weak lira affects the tourism industry – DW – 12/08/2022

Turkey's weak lira affects the tourism industry Sarah Hucal Tourism in Turkey made a comeback in 2022. The low value of the Turkish lira has attracted tourists, yet citizens are struggling due to inflation. More:Turkey's weak lira affects the tourism industry – DW – 12/08/2022

Turkey's Erdogan Seeks to Ban Same-Sex Marriage, Legalize Headscarves - Bloomberg

Erdogan Plays Conservatism Card Ahead of Upcoming Elections The amendment won’t actually change the existing order Erdogan plans to consolidate his base with controversial vote More:Turkey's Erdogan Seeks to Ban Same-Sex Marriage, Legalize Headscarves - Bloomberg

Senior Turkish retail executive forced out after criticizing government economic policy - Al-Monitor: Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle East

Senior Turkish retail executive forced out after criticizing government economic policy The chief operator of Turkey’s largest discount chain resigned from a retail association post after threats from Erdogan's ally Nationalist Movement Party. More:Senior Turkish retail executive forced out after criticizing government economic policy - Al-Monitor: Independent, trusted coverage of the Middle East

Istanbul's migrant culture: Turkey's megacity is no melting pot - Qantara.de

Istanbul's migrant culture Turkey's megacity is no melting pot Istanbulites take pride in being the world’s melting pot and its natural outcome: having a bustling abundance of international cuisine. Visiting restaurants opened by recent migrants is often, however, a step too far. Ayse Karabat reports More:Istanbul's migrant culture: Turkey's megacity is no melting pot - Qantara.de

Reuters: Assad rejected a proposal to meet Erdogan - Globe Echo

Reuters: Assad Rejected A Proposal To Meet Erdogan POLITICS By David Sadler Last Updated Dec 4, 2022 Reuters reported that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad rejected a proposal to meet his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, quoting sources who also said that Damascus “just postponed the matter” and that the meeting might take place. More:Reuters: Assad rejected a proposal to meet Erdogan - Globe Echo

Turkey Solar Panel Demand Booms as Companies Avoid Rising Power Costs - Bloomberg

Turkish Companies Go Solar at Record Pace to Cut Energy Costs Electricity bills have soared in Turkey as the lira has collapsed, spurring a rush for renewables. More:Turkey Solar Panel Demand Booms as Companies Avoid Rising Power Costs - Bloomberg

Turkey Toward 2023, Erdogan’s Turning Point?

Turkey Toward 2023, Erdogan’s Turning Point? Valeria Talbot 01 Dicembre 2022 Turkey is heading for crucial presidential and parliamentary elections in a pivotal year for its history. Indeed, October 2023 will mark the centenary of the founding of the Republic. Before that date, in June, Turkey will go to the polls, which will either consolidate President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s longstanding power or mark a seismic shift, after two decades of his Justice and Development Party (AKP) rule. Eight months ahead of the vote, election outcome is still far from being decided. President Erdoğan will certainly play all his cards to maintain his leadership, despite the number of challenges he is facing. More:Turkey Toward 2023, Erdogan’s Turning Point?