Clément Plaisant
@cplaisant.bsky.social
International Relations | Diplomacy | Turkey-Syria | Et un peu d'@OL. Personal views here
Pinned
Updated timeline of the politico-judicial operation against the Mayor of Istanbul Ekrem İmamoğlu…
https://medium.com/@Mayis_Sikintisi/updated-timeline-of-the-politico-judicial-operation-against-the-mayor-of-istanbul-ekrem-i̇mamoğlu-4f02aaa92be7
As we pass the 100-day mark of the politico-judicial operation against Istanbul Mayor İmamoğlu, I've compiled in 3 blog posts a few keys/resources that will (I hope) help to better understand this event (which is not over) :
1) a detailed timeline of the operation ++
medium.com/@Mayis_Sikin...
1) a detailed timeline of the operation ++
medium.com/@Mayis_Sikin...
"Turkey believes it can position itself as an alternative option able to negotiate sophisticated military deals without any of the drawbacks of partnering with China, Russia or traditional Western allies."
adf-magazine.com/2026/02/turk...
adf-magazine.com/2026/02/turk...
Turkey Expands Reach as Security Partner - Africa Defense Forum
From coast to coast, Turkey is working to forge ties with African nations, often as a security partner for weapons purchases and military training, and as an investor in infrastructure projects. Turke...
adf-magazine.com
February 4, 2026 at 4:49 PM
"Turkey believes it can position itself as an alternative option able to negotiate sophisticated military deals without any of the drawbacks of partnering with China, Russia or traditional Western allies."
adf-magazine.com/2026/02/turk...
adf-magazine.com/2026/02/turk...
"Saudi Arabia will invest $2 billion to build two solar farms with total capacity of 2,000 MW in Turkey, the Turkish energy minister said on Tuesday"
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
Saudi Arabia to build $2 billion solar farms in Turkey, Turkish energy minister says
Saudi Arabia will invest $2 billion to build two solar farms with total capacity of 2,000 MW in Turkey, the Turkish energy minister said on Tuesday.
www.reuters.com
February 4, 2026 at 4:40 PM
"Saudi Arabia will invest $2 billion to build two solar farms with total capacity of 2,000 MW in Turkey, the Turkish energy minister said on Tuesday"
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
"Ultimately, Türkiye’s presence in Somalia cannot be reduced to a narrow military deployment. It represents a stabilization-oriented engagement that seeks to support state capacity, limit fragmentation [...]"
www.turkiyetoday.com/opinion/turk...
www.turkiyetoday.com/opinion/turk...
How Türkiye bets on stability over force in Somalia - Türkiye Today
Türkiye’s F-16 deployment shows Somalia is now a geopolitical arena where security, sovereignty and stabilization matter as much as counterterrorism
www.turkiyetoday.com
February 4, 2026 at 4:00 PM
"Ultimately, Türkiye’s presence in Somalia cannot be reduced to a narrow military deployment. It represents a stabilization-oriented engagement that seeks to support state capacity, limit fragmentation [...]"
www.turkiyetoday.com/opinion/turk...
www.turkiyetoday.com/opinion/turk...
"The opposition leaders are stereotyped in the AKP discourse as well as in the TRT series. As the series’ narrative has a conflicting evil, which in this genre are the ‘traitors’, any opposition against the state leader is matched with treason"
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
The making of the TRT historical-political series: state television and political communication in Turkey
The transformation of Turkey’s state TV broadcaster TRT from a secularist mainstream media to an Islamist-nationalist government propaganda tool paralleled Turkey’s democratic backsliding. Using cr...
www.tandfonline.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:31 PM
"The opposition leaders are stereotyped in the AKP discourse as well as in the TRT series. As the series’ narrative has a conflicting evil, which in this genre are the ‘traitors’, any opposition against the state leader is matched with treason"
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Istanbul football club Fenerbahçe thanked Erdoğan for successfully convincing the Saudis to sell N'Golo Kanté during his state visit to Riyadh. A situation that is already causing quite a stir in Turkey, with some pointing out the close ties between major Turkish clubs and the ruling elite...
🔴Artık futbolda da atı alan Üsküdar'ı geçecek mi?
📌 Spor kulüpleri başkanları; bakanlar, yargı mensupları, cumhurbaşkanları ya da belediye başkanlarıyla yan yana sürekli fotoğraf vermemeli, görüşme ihtiyacı hissetmemeli
✍️ Umut Ozan Darıcı'nın yazısı
t24.com.tr/yazarlar/umu...
📌 Spor kulüpleri başkanları; bakanlar, yargı mensupları, cumhurbaşkanları ya da belediye başkanlarıyla yan yana sürekli fotoğraf vermemeli, görüşme ihtiyacı hissetmemeli
✍️ Umut Ozan Darıcı'nın yazısı
t24.com.tr/yazarlar/umu...
February 4, 2026 at 11:59 AM
Istanbul football club Fenerbahçe thanked Erdoğan for successfully convincing the Saudis to sell N'Golo Kanté during his state visit to Riyadh. A situation that is already causing quite a stir in Turkey, with some pointing out the close ties between major Turkish clubs and the ruling elite...
In reality, no one really believes that Bahçeli's sensational statements are aimed at the DEM party. On the contrary, almost all observers say that it is a message sent to the AKP (and Erdoğan), which, since the beginning of the peace process, has been reluctant to take risks.
Informative paper by Nergis Demirkaya. A few points:
1) Within the AKP, Devlet Bahçeli's latest statements [“Until Anatolia reaches peace, Öcalan reaches hope, the Ahmets return to office and Demirtaş returns home..."] have been received in different ways : while some senior party officials +
1) Within the AKP, Devlet Bahçeli's latest statements [“Until Anatolia reaches peace, Öcalan reaches hope, the Ahmets return to office and Demirtaş returns home..."] have been received in different ways : while some senior party officials +
February 4, 2026 at 10:41 AM
In reality, no one really believes that Bahçeli's sensational statements are aimed at the DEM party. On the contrary, almost all observers say that it is a message sent to the AKP (and Erdoğan), which, since the beginning of the peace process, has been reluctant to take risks.
Informative paper by Nergis Demirkaya. A few points:
1) Within the AKP, Devlet Bahçeli's latest statements [“Until Anatolia reaches peace, Öcalan reaches hope, the Ahmets return to office and Demirtaş returns home..."] have been received in different ways : while some senior party officials +
1) Within the AKP, Devlet Bahçeli's latest statements [“Until Anatolia reaches peace, Öcalan reaches hope, the Ahmets return to office and Demirtaş returns home..."] have been received in different ways : while some senior party officials +
February 4, 2026 at 10:19 AM
Informative paper by Nergis Demirkaya. A few points:
1) Within the AKP, Devlet Bahçeli's latest statements [“Until Anatolia reaches peace, Öcalan reaches hope, the Ahmets return to office and Demirtaş returns home..."] have been received in different ways : while some senior party officials +
1) Within the AKP, Devlet Bahçeli's latest statements [“Until Anatolia reaches peace, Öcalan reaches hope, the Ahmets return to office and Demirtaş returns home..."] have been received in different ways : while some senior party officials +
For Hürriyet columnist Abdulkadir Selvi, one of the “unofficial” voices of the [Turkish] Palace, there remains one obstacle to overcome in the “peace process”: Kandil. In his view, the priority now must be to neutralize the PKK's main leaders, i.e., to send them to third countries.
February 4, 2026 at 9:46 AM
For Hürriyet columnist Abdulkadir Selvi, one of the “unofficial” voices of the [Turkish] Palace, there remains one obstacle to overcome in the “peace process”: Kandil. In his view, the priority now must be to neutralize the PKK's main leaders, i.e., to send them to third countries.
"Bahçeli specifically targeted CHP leader Özgür Özel, describing repeated calls for early elections as “political folly” and arguing that the ruling People’s Alliance would not be drawn into what he called “cheap and stale debates.""
www.paturkey.com/news/2026/ba...
www.paturkey.com/news/2026/ba...
UPDATE (Ocalan comments added) Bahçeli Rules Out Early Elections, Warns Against U.S. Strike on Iran - P.A. Turkey
MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli ruled out early elections, welcomed Syria’s integration deal, criticised CHP leader Özgür Özel, and warned that a U.S. strike on Iran would destabilise the region.
www.paturkey.com
February 3, 2026 at 6:56 PM
"Bahçeli specifically targeted CHP leader Özgür Özel, describing repeated calls for early elections as “political folly” and arguing that the ruling People’s Alliance would not be drawn into what he called “cheap and stale debates.""
www.paturkey.com/news/2026/ba...
www.paturkey.com/news/2026/ba...
Reposted by Clément Plaisant
The pace with which Turkey has moved from "regional disruptor" to "supporter of regional status quo" is really quite remarkable.
www.yahoo.com/news/article...
www.yahoo.com/news/article...
Erdoğan to discuss 'regional cooperation' on Saudi Arabia, Egypt tour
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is visiting Saudi Arabia on Tuesday and Egypt on Wednesday to discuss deepening bilateral ties alongside regional and global developments, according to his commu...
www.yahoo.com
February 3, 2026 at 10:13 AM
The pace with which Turkey has moved from "regional disruptor" to "supporter of regional status quo" is really quite remarkable.
www.yahoo.com/news/article...
www.yahoo.com/news/article...
Reposted by Clément Plaisant
DW:
"[Turkish] exports are dwindling as China and Bangladesh conquer EU markets. Those affected say they don't have much hope for the future."
www.dw.com/en/turkeys-t...
"[Turkish] exports are dwindling as China and Bangladesh conquer EU markets. Those affected say they don't have much hope for the future."
www.dw.com/en/turkeys-t...
Turkey's textile industry in crisis
Shuttered factories and lost jobs: Turkey's textile industry is fighting for its life. Exports are dwindling as China and Bangladesh conquer EU markets. Those affected say they don't have much hope fo...
www.dw.com
February 3, 2026 at 10:16 AM
DW:
"[Turkish] exports are dwindling as China and Bangladesh conquer EU markets. Those affected say they don't have much hope for the future."
www.dw.com/en/turkeys-t...
"[Turkish] exports are dwindling as China and Bangladesh conquer EU markets. Those affected say they don't have much hope for the future."
www.dw.com/en/turkeys-t...
Reposted by Clément Plaisant
My take on the EU_India Deal: A Free Pass on the Turkish Bridge!
AB-Hindistan Ticaret Anlaşması: Köprüden Ücretsiz Geçiş! - EkopolitikTR share.google/SUgVPUWUBaQi...
AB-Hindistan Ticaret Anlaşması: Köprüden Ücretsiz Geçiş! - EkopolitikTR share.google/SUgVPUWUBaQi...
AB-Hindistan Ticaret Anlaşması: Köprüden Ücretsiz Geçiş! - EkopolitikTR
Türkiye 20. Yüzyılda Asya ile Avrupa arasında “köprü” olma vasfını jeopolitik kimliğinin önemli bir parçası olarak benimsemişti. Bugün de enerji şirketlerinden hava yollarına, emlakçılardan lojistik ş...
share.google
February 2, 2026 at 11:44 AM
My take on the EU_India Deal: A Free Pass on the Turkish Bridge!
AB-Hindistan Ticaret Anlaşması: Köprüden Ücretsiz Geçiş! - EkopolitikTR share.google/SUgVPUWUBaQi...
AB-Hindistan Ticaret Anlaşması: Köprüden Ücretsiz Geçiş! - EkopolitikTR share.google/SUgVPUWUBaQi...
Real estate assets, sponsorship, tax breaks: the secrets behind Fenerbahçe's spending spree despite €500 million in debt
Interesting article on the unsavory underside of the Turkish soccer economy
www.lequipe.fr/Football/Art...
Interesting article on the unsavory underside of the Turkish soccer economy
www.lequipe.fr/Football/Art...
Actifs immobiliers, sponsoring, avantages fiscaux : les dessous de la folie dépensière de Fenerbahçe malgré une dette de de 500 M€
Fenerbahçe réalise des dépenses historiques à son échelle, avec les arrivées de Mattéo Guendouzi et Sidiki Chérif, ajoutées à celles de Kerem Aktürkoglu et Dorgeles Nene à l'été. Entre immobilier, spo...
www.lequipe.fr
February 2, 2026 at 5:15 PM
Real estate assets, sponsorship, tax breaks: the secrets behind Fenerbahçe's spending spree despite €500 million in debt
Interesting article on the unsavory underside of the Turkish soccer economy
www.lequipe.fr/Football/Art...
Interesting article on the unsavory underside of the Turkish soccer economy
www.lequipe.fr/Football/Art...
"U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi will meet in Istanbul in an effort to revive diplomacy over a long-running dispute about Iran's nuclear programme and dispel fears of a new regional"
www.reuters.com/world/middle...
www.reuters.com/world/middle...
Iran, US to hold nuclear talks on Friday, some regional countries to participate, say sources
Iran and the United States will resume nuclear talks on Friday in Turkey, Iranian and U.S. officials told Reuters on Monday, while a regional diplomat said representatives from countries such as Saudi...
www.reuters.com
February 2, 2026 at 4:51 PM
"U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi will meet in Istanbul in an effort to revive diplomacy over a long-running dispute about Iran's nuclear programme and dispel fears of a new regional"
www.reuters.com/world/middle...
www.reuters.com/world/middle...
Well summarised: "The trajectory of Turkish foreign policy is best understood not as a decisive geopolitical pivot away from the West but as an ongoing saga shaped by domestic political pressures, economic constraints and shifting global power dynamic"
www.ceps.eu/ceps-publica...
www.ceps.eu/ceps-publica...
A pivot or a saga? How Turkish foreign policy is torn between domestic pressures and economic needs – CEPS
The EU must take proactive steps to address longstanding issues and cultivate a more trust-based and cooperative relationship with Turkey. Bilateral relations c
www.ceps.eu
February 2, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Well summarised: "The trajectory of Turkish foreign policy is best understood not as a decisive geopolitical pivot away from the West but as an ongoing saga shaped by domestic political pressures, economic constraints and shifting global power dynamic"
www.ceps.eu/ceps-publica...
www.ceps.eu/ceps-publica...
The latest developments in Syria may help advance the “new peace process” but as Henri J. Barkey rightly points out here, the Kurdish opening remains deeply fragile, particularly because there is no shared vision for an end state.
foreignpolicy.com/2026/01/28/r...
foreignpolicy.com/2026/01/28/r...
The Fall of Rojava
After defeat, Kurdish aspirations for autonomy remain.
foreignpolicy.com
February 2, 2026 at 1:50 PM
The latest developments in Syria may help advance the “new peace process” but as Henri J. Barkey rightly points out here, the Kurdish opening remains deeply fragile, particularly because there is no shared vision for an end state.
foreignpolicy.com/2026/01/28/r...
foreignpolicy.com/2026/01/28/r...
Reposted by Clément Plaisant
"Media strategy in the 'New Turkey' with @bilgeyesil.bsky.social" hosted by @diegocupolo.bsky.social. [5/5]
Media strategy in the 'New Turkey' with Bilge Yeşil
YouTube video by Turkey recap
www.youtube.com
February 1, 2026 at 12:51 PM
"Media strategy in the 'New Turkey' with @bilgeyesil.bsky.social" hosted by @diegocupolo.bsky.social. [5/5]
Interview with Tülay Hatimoğulları, Turkish MP for the pro-Kurdish DEM party, in Le Monde. Her comments come as no surprise, illustrating profound differences of opinion with the ruling bloc on the Kurdish question.
www.lemonde.fr/internationa...
www.lemonde.fr/internationa...
Tülay Hatimogullari : « La politique menée par Ankara en faveur de Damas a porté atteinte aux négociations avec les Kurdes en Turquie »
Si elle se félicite de l’accord conclu, vendredi 30 janvier, entre le gouvernement syrien et les Forces démocratiques syriennes (FDS), dominées par les Kurdes, la députée turque du parti prokurde DEM...
www.lemonde.fr
February 2, 2026 at 8:44 AM
Interview with Tülay Hatimoğulları, Turkish MP for the pro-Kurdish DEM party, in Le Monde. Her comments come as no surprise, illustrating profound differences of opinion with the ruling bloc on the Kurdish question.
www.lemonde.fr/internationa...
www.lemonde.fr/internationa...
"Turkey has decided to repatriate female Turkish citizens and children under the age of 12 held in the Al-Hol and Al-Roj detention camps in northeastern Syria"
www.turkishminute.com/2026/01/30/t...
www.turkishminute.com/2026/01/30/t...
Turkey plans to repatriate women, children held in ISIL-linked camps in northern Syria - Turkish Minute
Turkey has decided to repatriate female Turkish citizens and children under the age of 12 held in the Al-Hol and Al-Roj detention camps in northeastern Syria, according to diplomatic sources cited by ...
www.turkishminute.com
January 30, 2026 at 5:08 PM
"Turkey has decided to repatriate female Turkish citizens and children under the age of 12 held in the Al-Hol and Al-Roj detention camps in northeastern Syria"
www.turkishminute.com/2026/01/30/t...
www.turkishminute.com/2026/01/30/t...
"Turkey’s combat drone industry embodies the tension at the heart of Ankara’s foreign policy: the desire to project independent power while reaping the benefits of Western integration. However, this dual track is no longer sustainable as global political polarization intensifies"
January 30, 2026 at 4:18 PM
"Turkey’s combat drone industry embodies the tension at the heart of Ankara’s foreign policy: the desire to project independent power while reaping the benefits of Western integration. However, this dual track is no longer sustainable as global political polarization intensifies"
Interesting article by Nuray Babacan on the weakening of the AKP's main executive bodies.
It is clear that for years now, Erdoğan has freed himself from the influence of the party, with the AKP having lost its function as a channel for political participation.
www.nefes.com.tr/yazarlar/nur...
It is clear that for years now, Erdoğan has freed himself from the influence of the party, with the AKP having lost its function as a channel for political participation.
www.nefes.com.tr/yazarlar/nur...
Lüks arabaların camından sabır dilemek…
İktidar Partisi’nin uzun yıllardan beri ‘bakanların brifing toplantısına dönen’ MKYK toplantısında beklenmedik bir çıkış...
www.nefes.com.tr
January 30, 2026 at 8:39 AM
Interesting article by Nuray Babacan on the weakening of the AKP's main executive bodies.
It is clear that for years now, Erdoğan has freed himself from the influence of the party, with the AKP having lost its function as a channel for political participation.
www.nefes.com.tr/yazarlar/nur...
It is clear that for years now, Erdoğan has freed himself from the influence of the party, with the AKP having lost its function as a channel for political participation.
www.nefes.com.tr/yazarlar/nur...
‘While there is talk of multi-billion dollar investments and agreements [between Syria and Turkey], the reconstruction of the [Syrian] legal infrastructure designed to protect labour rights is being postponed"
www.courrierinternational.com/article/econ...
www.courrierinternational.com/article/econ...
Reconstruction de la Syrie : la Turquie cherche à se positionner dans les starting blocks
La remise en ordre des infrastructures et le redressement économique du pays dévasté par treize ans de guerre offrent des perspectives pour les pays souhaitant ...
www.courrierinternational.com
January 29, 2026 at 9:16 AM
‘While there is talk of multi-billion dollar investments and agreements [between Syria and Turkey], the reconstruction of the [Syrian] legal infrastructure designed to protect labour rights is being postponed"
www.courrierinternational.com/article/econ...
www.courrierinternational.com/article/econ...
"The suspects are accused of maintaining direct or indirect links with intelligence operatives from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and collecting sensitive information on military installations and other strategically significant locations inside Turkey"
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
Turkey arrests 6 in alleged Iran IRGC spy plot involving armed drones
Turkish authorities arrested six people accused of spying for Tehran, as Ankara works on plans to contain security risks and refugee fallout from potential US strikes on Iran.
www.al-monitor.com
January 29, 2026 at 9:04 AM
"The suspects are accused of maintaining direct or indirect links with intelligence operatives from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and collecting sensitive information on military installations and other strategically significant locations inside Turkey"
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...