By Gonul Tol

Turkey is now a full-blown autocracy

Why Erdogan may come to regret his latest power grab

Just days before Turkey’s main opposition party was set to select its next presidential candidate, the leading contender, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, was arrested and jailed, effectively removing him from the race. In this brazen act of political suppression, the Turkish government has taken a momentous step toward full-fledged autocracy.

Turkish police arrest Istanbul mayor, a key Erdogan rival

Turkish police on Wednesday arrested Istanbul’s mayor — a popular opposition leader and key rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan — and several other prominent figures as part of investigations into alleged corruption and terror links. The detention of Ekrem Imamoglu was a dramatic escalation in a crackdown on the opposition and dissenting voices in Turkey.

Erdogan appears to support HTS offensive 

The future of Syria: Implications for global and regional powers

TEHRAN - As Donald Trump will take power in the White House on January 20, the strategic regions of the world are now being trapped in a situation known as "tactical wars". These conflicts do not seek a definitive victory but rather aim to create a state of instability and uncertainty in key areas vital to U.S. global interests.

Erdogan: Turkey severs all relations with Israel

Turkey has severed all ties with Israel, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Wednesday.

Erdogan: Israel ‘most direct threat’ to regional and global peace

Israel is the “most direct threat” to regional and global peace, and those tasked with safeguarding world peace must put an end to this threat, Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters aboard his returning flight from Serbia and Albania.

‘Unity is key to Islamic world's future’

During a Monday meeting on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized the importance of unity between Tehran and Ankara as a cornerstone for a brighter future for Islamic countries. 

Erdogan: Israel carrying out attacks like a terror group

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday condemned Israel’s attacks in Lebanon, asserting that these attacks have proven Turkey’s concerns about Israel's ambitions to extend conflict throughout the region.

Turkey compares ‘genocidal Netanyahu’ to Hitler

The Turkish Foreign Ministry has issued a statement comparing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler.

Pezeshkian pledges enhanced cooperation in calls with Russia’s Putin, Turkey’s Erdogan

TEHRAN – Masoud Pezeshkian, the newly elected President of Iran, has received congratulatory phone calls from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin, signaling a continuation and potential expansion of Iran's strategic partnerships.

Erdogan to invite Assad for talks to restore Turkey-Syria ties

Turkey will extend an invitation to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad "any time" for possible talks to restore relations between the two neighbors, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday.

Erdogan: West backs Netanyahu’s plans to spread war

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey stood in solidarity with Lebanon amid growing tensions with Israel and called on regional countries on Wednesday to also support Beirut, Reuters reported.

Erdogan: Biden ceasefire plan test of sincerity

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday that U.S. President Joe Biden is undergoing "a test of sincerity" in his handling of the Gaza war.

Erdogan: Hitler jealous of Netanyahu’s genocidal methods

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday that Adolf Hitler would be “jealous” of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for Israel’s “genocidal methods” in the Gaza Strip.

Erdogan says halting trade with Israel intended to ‘force’ Gaza ceasefire: Erdogan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday this his government’s move to halt trade with Israel is aimed at achieving a ceasefire in Gaza.

Cutting economic and political ties with Israel is most effective way: Iran president tells Erdogan

TEHRAN - Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has emphasized that the most effective way to stand against Israel would be for Islamic countries to cut off economic and political relations with the regime.

All ties with Israel must be severed: Raisi to Erdogan

TEHRAN – During a telephone conversation on Saturday, Iran’s president Ebrahim Raisi advised his Turkish counterpart to cut ties with the Israeli regime in order to help prevent further loss of lives in the besieged Gaza Strip

Erdogan vows to make amends after election loss

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed on Monday to correct any mistakes that led to his party's defeat in Turkey's local elections where the opposition capitalized on economic woes.

Turkish president likens Netanyahu to infamous dictators

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan compares Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the world history's worst dictators: Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin and Benito Mussolini.

U.S. complicit in Israeli atrocities in Gaza, Raisi says

TEHRAN- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has noted that the United States has no right to participate in any decision-making process for the Palestinians in the besieged region since it is a partner in the Israeli regime’s crimes against the people of Gaza.

Iran President urges Muslim nations to sever ties with Israel

TEHRAN – Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has urged Muslim countries around the world to refrain from engaging with Israel and sever all diplomatic ties with the regime in response to its relentless killing of civilians in the Gaza Strip. 

Erdogan calls for closer cooperation with Iran to counter terrorism, Islamophobia

TEHRAN – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for closer cooperation with Iran in countering terrorism and Islamophobia, and Islamic unity.

Raisi phones Erdogan to congratulate his reelection

TEHRAN – Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi spoke over the phone with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan to congratulate him on his re-election.

By Azar Mahdavan

Five factors that lead to Erdogan win

TEHRAN- Finally, after many twists and turns, the 2023 elections in Turkey ended with a victory for Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the unbeatable politician of Ankara, who will once again be hosted by the Bestepe palace for the next five years.

Raisi felicitates Erdogan on presidential win

TEHRAN- Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Monday congratulated Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his re-election win, calling it a tribute to the Turkish people’s enduring confidence in their leader.

Counting underway in Turkey elections

TEHRAN- Polls have officially closed in Turkey’s elections as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan faces the biggest political challenge of his two-decade rule.