Sinem Adar
@sinemadar.bsky.social
Head (CATS/SWPBerlin & CATS Network), Co-Head of the Autocratisation Thematic Group @SWP. Views personal. Writes in EN/TR
Turkey revokes operating license of Iran's Mellat Bank two days after deciding to suspend flights by the Iranian carrier Mahan air. This reminded me of Hamidreza Azizi's piece back in Aug presenting different interpretations in Iran about the Mecca Pact:
Turkey revokes operating license of Iran's Mellat Bank two days after deciding to suspend flights by the Iranian carrier Mahan air. This reminded me of Hamidreza Azizi's piece back in Aug presenting different interpretations in Iran about the Mecca Pact:
As the political landscape in Turkey moves increasingly away from political representation towards elite pacts, the media landscape is simultaneously transforming into a series of pillarised platforms for manufacturing consent.
As the political landscape in Turkey moves increasingly away from political representation towards elite pacts, the media landscape is simultaneously transforming into a series of pillarised platforms for manufacturing consent.
It is striking how frequently Ankara's rhetoric reappears in analyses of Turkey, blurring the distinction between facts and their representation.
Erdogan's statements in Bishkek about Turkey's possible membership in the SCO are directed in the first place at Washington against the backdrop of defence cooperation and sales.
Erdogan's statements in Bishkek about Turkey's possible membership in the SCO are directed in the first place at Washington against the backdrop of defence cooperation and sales.
As paradoxical as it might sound, particularly in the wake of Israel’s recent attack on the Abu Duhur airbase, I now consider it more likely than before that tensions between Israel and Turkey in Syria will ease. This situation is also linked to the dissolution of the SDF.
As paradoxical as it might sound, particularly in the wake of Israel’s recent attack on the Abu Duhur airbase, I now consider it more likely than before that tensions between Israel and Turkey in Syria will ease. This situation is also linked to the dissolution of the SDF.
ECHR/the Council of Europe has already survived multiple similar crises with Russia, Belarus, and Azerbaijan--Turkey will not break it
Sinem Adar@sinemadar.bsky.social · 4w agoAnkara understands this well. Presidential Chief Advisor Uçum warns against "the collapse of the ECHR system" if "decisions continue to be made against TR based on political calculations". He noted the possibility of Ankara reconsidering its status as a party to the European Human Rights Convention.
Ankara understands this well. Presidential Chief Advisor Uçum warns against "the collapse of the ECHR system" if "decisions continue to be made against TR based on political calculations". He noted the possibility of Ankara reconsidering its status as a party to the European Human Rights Convention.
Sinem Adar@sinemadar.bsky.social · 4w agoAfter the much expected ECHR ruling on Osman Kavala, the real test now lies with Council of Europe. Ankara did not implement the earlier rulings. It is highly doubtful that it would this time.
Ankara understands this well. Presidential Chief Advisor Uçum warns against "the collapse of the ECHR system" if "decisions continue to be made against TR based on political calculations". He noted the possibility of Ankara reconsidering its status as a party to the European Human Rights Convention.
Sinem Adar@sinemadar.bsky.social · 4w agoAfter the much expected ECHR ruling on Osman Kavala, the real test now lies with Council of Europe. Ankara did not implement the earlier rulings. It is highly doubtful that it would this time.
PKK's disarmament and dissolution process has yielded its first outcome in Syria tonight.
After the much expected ECHR ruling on Osman Kavala, the real test now lies with Council of Europe. Ankara did not implement the earlier rulings. It is highly doubtful that it would this time.
After the much expected ECHR ruling on Osman Kavala, the real test now lies with Council of Europe. Ankara did not implement the earlier rulings. It is highly doubtful that it would this time.
In fact, Tom Barrack repeated yesterday - what he had already noted in his interview with Anadolu Agency back in 2025 - that Turkey and Israel misunderstand their mutual territorial desires and a reconciliation between the two countries is not only possible but also necessary.
I am not convinced that Israel’s latest attack on Syria was based solely on domestic political considerations. It does provide Ankara a "rally round the flag" effect, though.
I am not convinced that Israel’s latest attack on Syria was based solely on domestic political considerations. It does provide Ankara a "rally round the flag" effect, though.
Israel hitting the Abu al-Duhur airbase in Idlib yesterday is as much about Turkey-Israel tensions in Syria as it is about the competition over the control of airspace.
Israel hitting the Abu al-Duhur airbase in Idlib yesterday is as much about Turkey-Israel tensions in Syria as it is about the competition over the control of airspace.
Turkey and Israel had the first round of technical talks already back in April 2025 in Baku to set up a deconfliction mechanism in Syria.
This extends across multiple sectors at once, including cultural, economic, political, and religious. It aims to sustain regime consolidation while also preparing for the upcoming election.
Sinem Adar@sinemadar.bsky.social · last mo.Ankara is determined to weaken dissident actors by depleting their financial, social and political resources until they no longer pose a viable threat. Today's police operations against Suleymancilar follow this pattern.
In the crackdown on unwanted religious congregations, Turkish police has conducted an operation against the Furkan Foundation. Should be noted that Furkan leader Alparslan Kuytul has faced prior charges during the AKP era but acquitted
Diken Gazetesi@diken.com.tr · last mo.Furkan Vakfı operasyonu: Beş şirkete yönetim kayyımı atandı www.diken.com.tr/furkan-vakfi...
Turkey and Israel had the first round of technical talks already back in April 2025 in Baku to set up a deconfliction mechanism in Syria.
"Iran-backed Iraqi armed group Kata'ib Hezbollah has set new conditions for handing over its weapons to the Iraqi state, including the withdrawal of Turkish forces from the Kurdistan Region and the dissolution of the Region's Peshmerga forces." www.rudaw.net/english/cate...
Kata'ib Hezbollah sets new conditions for disarmament: Peshmerga dissolution, Turkish withdrawal
rudaw.net
EU should have taken ownership of this position over a decade ago
Sinem Adar@sinemadar.bsky.social · last mo.As far as Turkey’s EU membership is concerned, the train has already left the station. No party wanted to say this outright until now, so they kept beating around the bush. Erdoğan’s statement is changing this situation and tries to take ownership of what will happen from here on out.
As far as Turkey’s EU membership is concerned, the train has already left the station. No party wanted to say this outright until now, so they kept beating around the bush. Erdoğan’s statement is changing this situation and tries to take ownership of what will happen from here on out.
I think Erdogan's latest statement about the EU membership no longer being a strategic priority for TR has less to do with Ankara's so-called new allies (keyword here the so-called Mecca Pact)&more to with the urgency to institutionalise defence and security ties with the EU.
