"KRG's Energy Deals Will Likely Proceed Without a Turkish Route" by Mustafa Enes Esen, The Institute for Diplomacy and Economy
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has announced a landmark energy deal with two American companies. Exports to international markets, especially through Turkey, however, remain off the table for now.
The replacement of a Turkish company with good diplomatic and political connections with American companies signals more than just a commercial decision. It may reflect a broader recalibration of the KRG's political alliances, particularly as its energy partnership with Ankara did not yield results.
Baghdad has proven it can block such deals through legal and diplomatic channels beyond Iraq. Without a political settlement with Baghdad, the KRG’s energy ambitions will likely remain confined to domestic consumption.
"Kurdish militancy in Iran uncertain as armed struggle recedes in Turkey" by Winthrop Rodgers, Amwaj.media
Hassaniyan assessed that "probably some of those PKK forces would be transferred" to PJAK. Possible candidates include former fighters who are unable or unwilling to go back to Turkey, be resettled in a third country, or originally hail from Iranian Kurdistan.
To Ziryan Rojhelati, director of Rudaw Research Center, PJAK's future is largely dependent on whether the situation improves for Kurds in Turkey given the PKK's hold over its Iranian affiliate. For instance, the PKK could use PJAK as a stalking horse for leverage in negotiations with Ankara—but also potentially sacrifice it if the situation warrants it.
"Turkey faces limits to its balancing act in diplomacy" by Nicolas Bourcier, Le Monde
The commitment of Turkey and other middle powers to a multipolar world is understandable, as great powers become less reliable. But an excessive drive for autonomy also carries risks. Rather than collaborating on shared goals, both sides often settle for basic agreements. The 2016 migration pact with Brussels is telling: In exchange for Turkey's commitment to keep Syrians on its territory, the EU provides funding to offset costs and tacitly tolerates the rollback of democratic norms in Turkey.
Yet this transactional diplomacy has failed to advance any of the country's most urgent national interests. Talks with Brussels on modernizing the customs union have dragged on for 10 years with no progress. From an energy perspective, Ankara has not resolved its dependence on rival blocs. Foreign investment has also struggled to return to sufficient levels, partly due to domestic political turmoil.
"The dissolution of the PKK could transform Turkey's domestic politics and foreign policy" by Galip Dalay, Chatham House
The PKK's dissolution could deal a blow to Israel's policy towards Syria and Turkey. Israel wants to instrumentalize the aspirations and fears of the Druze and Kurdish communities to keep Syria fragmented and to gain advantage in its competition with Turkey.
The peace process could have positive effects for Turkey's relations with the West. The dissolution of the PKK can potentially remove one of the biggest obstacles in Turkey–US relations, reducing Ankara's opposition to the US presence in Syria and improving the general climate of bilateral relations. It can also help improve Turkey–EU relations. By contrast, a Kurdish peace would remove one of Turkey's sources of vulnerability in its relations with Russia and could decrease Ankara's relative dependence on Moscow.
"Why the EU Needs Turkey in the South Caucasus" by Zaur Shiriyev, Carnegie Europe
Cooperation in the South Caucasus could be particularly promising in supporting the normalization process between Armenia and Azerbaijan. One of the most sensitive yet critical issues is the reopening of transportation and transit routes. This is central to broader regional normalization—not only between Baku and Yerevan but also between Ankara and Yerevan.
The EU and Turkey share an interest in supporting greater regional integration among the three South Caucasus states. Here, Ankara and Brussels could jointly propose and support confidence-building measures and regional dialogue, combining Turkey's convening capacity with the EU's political and financial resources. For Brussels, such engagement may also offer a channel for reengaging with Georgia, where relations have deteriorated amid growing concerns over democratic erosion and Tbilisi's apparent drift from the path toward EU membership.
Prosecutor Bans All Imamoğlu-Related Media from Istanbul Public Transport
The Istanbul Public Prosecutor's Office has ordered the removal of all images, videos, and audio recordings featuring Mayor Ekrem Imamoğlu from public transportation areas across the city.
According to recent instructions sent to the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, the ban applies to all metro, metrobus, bus, and ferry systems. Content used to inform or communicate with the public that features İmamoğlu will no longer be allowed in these spaces.
The restrictions also extend to stations and stops, where any promotional, informative, or thank-you messages involving İmamoğlu will be taken down.
Dozens Detained in Expanding Corruption Probe at Istanbul City Hall
On May 20, in the fourth wave of raids, 22 people were detained, including Taner Cetin, head of the municipality's Department of Press, Publications and Public Relations. Thirteen of them were later arrested. Seven employees from the city's landscaping department were detained and jailed two days later.
In the fourth wave of raids linked to an ongoing corruption investigation at Istanbul City Hall, Turkish police detained 44 people on May 23, with warrants issued for 49 people in total. Authorities are still searching for the remaining five suspects. Among those detained were Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu's private secretary and private protection officer.
The Istanbul Public Prosecutor's Office said the detentions were related to unspecified "irregularities."
The latest operation comes two months after Imamoglu was jailed and follows earlier waves of arrests. So far, the corruption probe has led to the detention of 237 people and the arrest of 92.
DEM Party Launches Political Talks Following PKK Disarmament Decision
Following the PKK's announcement to dissolve and disarm, the DEM Party launched a round of political consultations. On May 19, the delegation met with the DEVA Party and the Felicity Party.
A day later, on May 20, they held talks with CHP Chairman Ozgur Ozel at the CHP Headquarters. After initial photos and videos were shared with the press, the meeting continued behind closed doors and lasted 1 hour and 20 minutes.
No joint statement was issued afterwards, but Ozel said they exchanged ideas regarding the new political process.
The DEM Party is scheduled to visit the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) at the Parliament on May 27. It remains unclear whether MHP leader Devlet Bahceli will attend the meeting.
The DEM Party also announced plans to meet with the ruling AK Party next week. In a statement, the party said, "As part of our political consultations, we will continue meetings with our component parties, alliance partners, as well as the AK Party and MHP next week."
Erdogan Says New Constitution Effort Is for Nation, Not Personal Ambition
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that he has no personal ambition to seek re-election, emphasizing that his push for a new constitution is to serve the country rather than extend his political career.
"We are not seeking a new constitution for ourselves, but for our nation," Erdogan told reporters on his flight back from Hungary, where he attended an informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States on May 21. "I have no ambition to be elected again or to be a candidate again," he said.
MHP leader Devlet Bahceli responded to Erdogan's recent remarks about not seeking re-election, calling them "not a fair statement of state."
Bahceli emphasized that "it is an indisputable fact that the Turkish nation needs Erdogan very much" and added, "A president whose concern is the homeland and the nation has no right to back down from his path. Moreover, This stance does not align with the country's needs or the current regional and global circumstances."
Turkey's Central Bank Holds 2025 Inflation Forecast at 24%
Turkey's central bank has kept its year-end inflation forecast unchanged at 24 percent, according to its second inflation report, released on May 22. Central Bank Governor Fatih Karahan presented the updated outlook during a press briefing at the Istanbul Finance Center.
The bank maintained its forecast of 24 percent for the end of 2025, in line with its February revision from 21 percent. It expects inflation to fall to 12 percent in 2026 and to 8 percent by the end of 2027.
Karahan said declining global commodity prices are expected to aid disinflation. However, he cautioned that the recent agricultural frost has increased pressure on food prices.
EU Commission Flags Slower Growth, Rising Unemployment in Turkey
In its latest report, the European Commission warned of a slowdown in Turkey's economy and a likely rise in unemployment. It noted that ongoing political instability is undermining efforts by Turkish economic authorities to maintain financial stability, contributing to volatility in financial markets and dampening growth prospects.
The Commission revised its 2025 growth forecast downward, projecting the economy to expand by 2.8 percent—down from 3.2 percent in 2024. A recovery is expected in 2026, with growth projected at 3.5 percent. Despite a strong labour market performance last year, the report also predicted a rise in unemployment in 2025.
Senior AK Party Official Admits Political Raids Hurt Turkish Economy
Nihat Zeybekci, former economy minister and current deputy chair of the ruling AKP in charge of economic affairs, has acknowledged that recent high-profile investigations—targeting Istanbul's opposition mayor and business leaders—have harmed Turkey's economy.
"There's no denying it: March 19 harmed the economy," Zeybekci said in an interview on Ekol TV, referring to the day Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was detained. "The financial markets reacted. The real impact will emerge over six months, a year, even two, but we've already seen the damage."
He also criticized the treatment of TUSIAD President Orhan Turan and High Advisory Council Chair Omer Aras, who were questioned by police in February. "It was not appropriate to bring the TUSIAD chairman in for questioning under police escort," Zeybekci said.
U.S. Firm Estimates 6.1 Billion Barrels of Shale Oil in Turkey's Diyarbakir Basin
U.S. oil producer Continental Resources estimates that Turkey's southeastern Diyarbakir Basin holds a shale oil reserve of 6.1 billion barrels, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced during a visit to Sirnak province.
"Turkey's current annual crude oil import stands at 365 million barrels. So a 6.1 billion barrel reserve is a great figure," Bayraktar told reporters. He also noted that Turkey aims to begin shale gas production in the northwestern Thrace.
If confirmed, the estimated reserves would place Turkey ahead of several OPEC members, including Congo and Gabon, and non-OPEC producers like the United Kingdom.
Over 1,000 Inmate Deaths Reported in Turkish Prisons Between July 2023, and December 2024
The Turkish Ministry of Justice disclosed that between July 24, 2023, and December 20, 2024, a total of 1,026 prisoners died in Turkey. This equates to approximately one death every two days. The data was provided in response to a parliamentary inquiry by Newroz Uysal Aslan, a member of the People's Equality and Democracy Party (DEM).
Aslan criticized the situation, stating that the prison system has shifted from a focus on rehabilitation to one that perpetuates death, highlighting systemic issues such as inadequate medical care and lack of transparency in investigating deaths.
CHP Displays "Free Imamoglu" Banner on Bosphorus Bridge, Prosecutors Launch Legal Action
On May 24, CHP deputies unfurled a banner reading "Free Imamoglu" as CHP Chairman Ozgur Ozel and a Socialist International delegation passed under the Bosphorus Bridge. Security forces quickly removed the banner, and the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office announced that legal proceedings had been launched.
65 Soldiers and Police Officers Detained in Turkey Over Alleged Gulen Ties
Turkish authorities detained 65 soldiers and police officers on May 23 in the latest wave of arrests targeting individuals accused of links to the Gulen movement.
The operation, coordinated from Istanbul, spanned 36 provinces. Among those detained were 56 active-duty members of the Turkish Armed Forces—including personnel from the air force, land forces, navy, and gendarmerie—along with nine police officers.
Erdogan Meets Syrian Interim President Al-Sharaa in Istanbul
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with Syrian Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa on May 24 in Istanbul, marking al-Sharaa's third visit to Turkey. Erdogan officially welcomed him with a ceremony at the Dolmabahce presidential office.
The two leaders held a closed-door meeting. According to a statement from the Directorate of Communications, the two leaders discussed bilateral relations between Turkey and Syria and regional and global developments.
Turkey to Boost Electricity and Gas Exports to Syria, Says Energy Minister Bayraktar
Following the signing of a new energy cooperation agreement on May 22 in Damascus, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced that Turkey plans to increase its energy exports to Syria significantly. "We want to triple our current electricity exports to meet Syria's electricity needs and realize an electricity export of approximately 1,000 megawatts in the coming months," Bayraktar said during a joint press conference with Syrian Energy Minister Mohammad al-Bashir.
Bayraktar also revealed that Turkey aims to begin exporting natural gas to the Syrian cities of Aleppo and Homs "in a very short time," targeting an annual volume of around 2 billion cubic meters.
Turkish Intelligence Chief Kalin Meets Syrian Interim President in Damascus
Turkish Intelligence (MIT) Chief Ibrahim Kalin met with Syrian Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Damascus on May 20 to discuss key regional security issues. Syrian Foreign Minister Assad Hasan Sheybani and Intelligence Chief Huseyin al-Selame also attended the talks.
The meeting reportedly covered key regional issues, including the disarmament and integration of the YPG into Syrian forces, the transfer of prisons holding ISIS members, Israeli attacks on Syrian territory, and border security.
President Erdogan announced last week that Kalin would oversee the disarmament process following PKK's decision to lay down arms.
Al-Sharaa Meets U.S. Ambassador Barrack in Istanbul
Following the meeting with Turkish President Erdogan, Syrian Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa met with Thomas J. Barrack, the U.S. Ambassador to Ankara and U.S. Special Envoy to Syria, in Istanbul.
Barrack praised al-Sharaa for "taking meaningful steps" regarding foreign fighters and improving "relations with Israel," according to a statement.
The meeting focused on monitoring the implementation of the sanctions waiver and exploring ways to support foreign investment in Syria, especially in the energy and infrastructure sectors, the Syrian state news agency SANA reported.
Tom Barrack Assumes Role as U.S. Special Envoy to Syria Amid Sanctions Shift
The U.S. plans to appoint Thomas Barrack, President Donald Trump's longtime advisor and current ambassador to Turkey, as a special envoy for Syria, according to sources familiar with the matter, Reuters reported.
A State Department spokesperson declined to confirm the appointment, saying, "There is no announcement at this time." Barrack is expected to retain his role as ambassador to Turkey, the sources said.
However, on May 23, Tom Barrack announced he had taken on the role of U.S. Special Envoy to Syria as the Trump administration worked to ease sanctions on the country.
"As President Trump's representative in Turkey, I am proud to assume the role of the U.S. Special Envoy for Syria and support Secretary Rubio in realizing the President's vision," Barrack said.
U.S. and Turkey Pledge Closer Cooperation on Post-Assad Syria
The United States and Turkey pledged on May 20 to deepen their cooperation on Syria. The renewed partnership was announced during a U.S.-Turkey Syria Working Group meeting, co-chaired by U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yilmaz. U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Thomas Barrack Jr. and Turkish Ambassador to the United States Sedat Onal also attended the high-level talks in Washington.
In a joint statement, both sides emphasized a shared vision for a "stable and united Syria," stronger security coordination, and support for the return of displaced Syrians.
Erdogan, Pakistan PM Sharif Meet in Istanbul to Boost Bilateral Ties
Turkish President Erdogan met with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Istanbul on May 25 and expressed a commitment to deepen cooperation in defense, energy, and transportation, according to a statement from Erdogan's office.
Erdogan emphasized the mutual benefits of strengthening ties in education, intelligence sharing, and technological support as part of both nations' efforts to combat terrorism.
Mitsotakis Urges Turkey to Withdraw Casus Belli to Access EU Defense Funds
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated on May 22 that Turkey must lift its decades-old threat of war against Greece if it wants Athens to support Ankara's access to European Union defense funds, according to Greek media.
"It has been 30 years since the Turkish National Assembly voted on the infamous casus belli. I believe the time has come to ask our Turkish friends to remove it from the table," Mitsotakis said.
He also noted that he would soon deliver this message directly to Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, pointing to the recent improvement in bilateral relations.
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