Latest Posts from Istanbul Blog

Istanbul Blog

About Istanbul Blog

Reflections from our correspondents on the ground in the Turkish capital.

ISTANBUL BLOG: Ozgur Ozel, master of the loud-but-useless protest

June 3, 2026

He’s passionate but ultimately dull. While he’s directing matters, the regime can happily go about dismantling the opposition.

ISTANBUL BLOG: Message for the CHP. The number of jailed opposition mayors in Turkey has reached 24

April 21, 2026

Party leader Ozgur Ozel has so far proven so ineffective that president Erdogan finds him entirely tolerable outside of a prison cell.

ISTANBUL BLOG: Bedtime reading for Trump. Condemnation and denunciation from Arab and Islamic countries affirmed

March 19, 2026

US Commander-in-Chief, meanwhile, says he told Netanyahu “don’t do that”. But he did do that.

ISTANBUL BLOG: Handshakes and fisticuffs

February 13, 2026

Just another day in the Turkish parliament. Homo sapiens rule the world because they represent the only animal that can cooperate flexibly in large numbers.

Dismiss
liveChat() ?>