Turkey
ISTANBUL BLOG: Critics seize on Turkey’s silence in face of Israel-Iran crisis
Shadow foreign minister “astonished” regional power Ankara has nothing to say. Observers think Erdogan officials fear derailing of attempt at economic recovery.
ISTANBUL BLOG: Erdogan drone boys become Forbes billionaires
To some, Selcuk Bayraktar is seen as the likely next Turkish president. But staying out of trolling spats over Israel “deliveries” might be good advice for young pretender to the throne.
Belarus the latest European country to suspend the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has ordered the suspension of Belarus’ participation in the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) on April 5, as Belarus continues to militarise and keep its ties with Russia tight.
Turkey hits Israel with trade restrictions after months of “words not action”
Tit-for-tat commerce war under way as Israelis vow response. Ankara says export bans to apply until Gaza ceasefire is announced.
Turkish holidays sold with butt lifts and tummy tucks alarm UK advertising regulator
Ads appear to breach rules by trivialising risk of cosmetic operations.
ISTANBUL BLOG: Fenerbahce players walk out on Turkish football. The mafiosi are not about to join them
Country’s soccer fans used to seeing criminals sat in the first row of the VIP seats.
Smarter US sanctions seen driving down Turkey-Russia trade
Turkish exports to Russia fall one third in first quarter.
Turkey cancels visa-free travel for Tajiks as Tajikistan rejects Kremlin’s claims Ukraine recruits mercenaries in Dushanbe
Moscow’s assertion has no basis in fact, says Tajik foreign ministry.
Turkish exporters demand dual exchange rate system, push for 40 to dollar minimum
IHBIR trade group says companies forced to sell 40% of FX revenues to central bank at rate far behind inflation.
Turkey’s official March annual inflation up 2 pp at 69% y/y, but monthly figure falls again
ENAG’s alternative headline figure calculated at 125% y/y.
Turkey manufacturing recorded at 50.0 neutral mark by March PMI
If demand trend continues, growth-building momentum could be seen in second quarter.
Local elections victory is Turkish main opposition party’s first national polls win since 1977
AKP loses 11 cities it controlled since last municipal vote. For ruling party, big consolation is that next general election is not due until 2028.
ISTANBUL BLOG: Social media swings from depression to mania on local election results
Erdogan “defeat” provides further illustration of how no-one even remembers what was said five minutes ago.
Turkey’s opposition sweeps to big city victories in local elections, dealing blow to Erdogan
CHP party now faces challenge to re-energise and seek avenue to snap polls that could bring down regime. Next scheduled major vote is not until 2028.
ISTANBUL BLOG: Turkey to decide who will collect garbage in unglamorous local polls
The idea that Erdogan can be dislodged was crushed in last year’s general election. Despite the media fuss, let’s not kid ourselves.
All eyes on Imamoglu’s bid to hold Istanbul in Turkey's local elections
Though the opposition coalition has dissolved in disarray, the CHP mayor will aim to keep the anti-regime flame burning.
World Meteorological Organisation issues ‘red alert’ on climate crisis
The UN’s World Meteorological Organisation has issued a “red alert” on the climate crisis, citing unprecedented increases in 2023 in greenhouse gases, land and water temperatures and melting of glaciers and sea ice.
COMMENT: Overheating in Russia and Turkey, but CEE recovering
The economies of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), which experienced a period of stagnation last year, are poised for a modest revival in 2024, but both the Russian and Turkish economies are already overheating.
Moscow terror attack suspects likely received instructions in Turkey, Russian daily reports
Ankara confirms two of accused entered Turkey, but denies they were radicalised while there.
Where water stress will be highest by 2050
Water is not only the basis of life for animals and plants but is also likely to become a contested resource in parts of the world in the coming decades, reports Statista.