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Ezgi Akin

Ezgi Akin

Al Monitor

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As Turkey's inflation dips to 35%, will central bank pivot on interest rates?

Inflation has slowed to the lowest level since 2021, sparking speculation that the central bank could resume easing monetary policy amid mounting...

03.06.2025 2

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey unveils prison reform bill, but Kurds say it falls short

The proposed changes would expand conditional release for some inmates but fail to meet demands of the pro-Kurdish DEM Party amid peace efforts.

29.05.2025 4

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey’s Fidan in Russia as Trump accuses Putin of ‘needless’ killing in Ukraine

The top Turkish diplomat’s Moscow visit follows Istanbul peace talks and the US president's rare criticism of the Russian leader.

26.05.2025 8

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

As Israel deconfliction talks proceed, Turkey and Syria discuss military ties during visits

A senior Turkish military delegation traveled to Damascus as Ankara and Washington hold talks on Syrian Kurdish groups and Syrian stability.

22.05.2025 3

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

PKK urges Turkey to ease imprisonment of 'chief negotiator' Ocalan

The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has said Turkey should ease prison conditions for its founder Abdullah Ocalan, declaring him the group's "chief...

20.05.2025 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Iran's Khamenei says talks with US unlikely to 'lead to any outcome'

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Tuesday that nuclear talks with the United States were unlikely to yield any results, amid a...

20.05.2025 4

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Mother of jailed Egyptian-UK activist returns to full hunger strike

The mother of jailed Egyptian-British activist Alaa Abdel Fattah announced on Tuesday that she was returning to a full hunger strike to protest...

20.05.2025 5

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey’s intel chief Kalin makes surprise visit to Syria, meets Sharaa

Kalin's visit comes as a Turkish delegation arrives in Washington to discuss sanctions relief on Syria with the Trump administration.

20.05.2025 4

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey delegation heads to US to discuss Syria sanctions relief: What to know

The talks will follow a landmark meeting between the United States, Syria and Turkish and Saudi leaders.

19.05.2025 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

US-Syria thaw advances as Rubio meets Shaibani in Turkey: What to know

Top US, Syrian and Turkish diplomats discussed counterterrorism cooperation and regional stability in a landmark Turkey meeting.

16.05.2025 5

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

'No more empty statements:' Iran ex-detainees press Sweden over death row academic

Over 20 foreign nationals who themselves endured years of captivity in Iran on Wednesday urged Sweden to step up efforts to free a Swedish-Iranian...

14.05.2025 6

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Erdogan thanks Trump for ‘historic’ Syria decision during Sharaa meeting

The Turkish president also said his country was ready to support Damascus in the fight against the Islamic State and in maintaining the security of...

14.05.2025 4

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

A first in 15 years, Rubio to meet Syria’s FM in Turkey: What to know

A landmark meeting in Antalya follows Trump’s surprise decision to lift Syria sanctions, handing Ankara a diplomatic victory.

14.05.2025 20

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Israel not involved in Gaza food distribution under US aid plan: envoy

Israel would not be involved in food distribution under a US-led plan for the Gaza Strip but would provide "necessary military security", Washington's...

10.05.2025 9

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey’s Fidan says he survived assassination abroad as head of intel

The top Turkish diplomat has revealed that he was poisoned with arsenic and mercury during his tenure as the intelligence chief.

10.05.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

X confirms blocking jailed Istanbul mayor Imamoglu’s account in Turkey

The social media platform said it would challenge the court ruling while complying to avoid nationwide throttling.

08.05.2025 4

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Trump, Erdogan discuss defense ties, Ukraine, possible visit in call: What to know

The two leaders discussed defense cooperation, peace efforts in Ukraine.

05.05.2025 3

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Gazans struggling to survive as Israel plans for 'conquest'

Israel's plan for the "conquest" of Gaza has sparked renewed fears, but for many of the territory's residents, the most immediate threat to their...

05.05.2025 3

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Damascus club shooting sparks fears of restriction on freedoms

A deadly shooting Monday at a Damascus club, days after another attack on the capital's nightlife, has sparked fears, adding to concerns that personal...

05.05.2025 8

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey's Fidan visits UAE for talks on Syria, Gaza: What to know

The top Turkish diplomat’s visit to the UAE comes amid heightened tensions between Turkey and Israel over Syria. 

05.05.2025 3

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Over 400 detained in Istanbul’s May Day protest as Turkey restricts transit

The demonstrations, which marked the first major opposition rally since mass protests roiled the country last month over the Istanbul mayor’s...

01.05.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Palestinian student detained at US citizenship interview released on bail

Columbia University student Mohsen Mahdawi, who was arrested by US immigration authorities earlier this month at his citizenship interview, expressed...

01.05.2025 9

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Migrants' dreams buried under rubble after deadly strike on Yemen centre

Africans in search of a better future became the latest casualties of Yemen's decade-long conflict after a deadly strike blamed on the United States...

30.04.2025 3

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Amnesty accuses Iran of 'sinister crackdown' after deadly port blast

Amnesty International accused Iranian authorities Wednesday of carrying out a "sinister crackdown" on media outlets to conceal the truth about a...

30.04.2025 4

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

US judge orders Palestinian student detained at citizenship interview released

A federal judge on Wednesday ordered US immigration authorities to release a Palestinian student detained at a citizenship interview earlier this...

30.04.2025 5

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey convicts Swedish journalist of insulting Erdogan with terror trial next

Joakim Medin will remain behind bars awaiting prosecution on terror-related charges that press freedom groups say aim to silence the free press. 

30.04.2025 2

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey detains 52 in second wave of arrests in Imamoglu probe

The main opposition links the detention of more Istanbul municipality employees to the Canal Istanbul project.

28.04.2025 7

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

New German government to decide on Eurofighter sale to Turkey: Officials

Germany’s outgoing government will leave the Eurofighter sale decision to incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz, official German sources suggested to...

23.04.2025 5

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Abbas urges Hamas to free Gaza hostages as Israeli strikes kill 18

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas on Wednesday urged Hamas to free all hostages in Gaza, saying their captivity provided Israel with "excuses" to...

23.04.2025 2

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey’s Istanbul shaken by 6.2 magnitude earthquake

A powerful earthquake struck Turkey’s largest metropolis and financial hub, Istanbul, triggering panic in the city of over 15 million people.

23.04.2025 4

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

In first since 2012, pro-Kurdish lawmakers meet Erdogan, 'hopeful' about peace

The meeting comes as Turkey’s pro-Kurdish party is treading a fine line amid ongoing outrage in the public over the Istanbul mayor’s arrest.

10.04.2025 3

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey detains 2 prominent journalists amid growing crackdown

The detention follows a wave of arrests and protests sparked by the March 19 arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.

10.04.2025 4

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Fidan says Turkey-Israel deconfliction talks over Syria underway: What to know

The top Turkish diplomat said Turkey and Israel have started deconfliction talks in Syria following last week’s escalation.

10.04.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Settlement champion Huckabee confirmed as US Israel envoy

The US Senate on Wednesday confirmed Mike Huckabee, an evangelical Christian who has said Israel enjoys a divine right to the West Bank, as ambassador...

09.04.2025 6

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Survivor recounts Israeli attack in Gaza that killed 15 aid workers

Gaza medic Mundhir Abed feared for his life as Israeli forces opened fire on a convoy of rescuers near Rafah last month, killing 15 of his colleagues...

09.04.2025 5

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey's Fidan says deconfliction talks with Israel over Syria underway

The top Turkish diplomat said Turkey and Israel have started deconfliction talks in Syria following last week’s escalation.

09.04.2025 4

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Fidan says Turkey not seeking 'any confrontation' with Israel over Syria

ANKARA — Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Friday that Turkey does not want a confrontation with Israel over Syria, marking the first...

04.04.2025 7

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey detains more than dozen over boycotts as crackdown on celebrities expands

The crackdown against boycott calls is expanding with blocking of social media accounts and removal of actors from TV productions.

03.04.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey fines Meta for refusing to restrict Facebook, Instagram over Imamoglu protests

Unlike X, which has suspended social media accounts at the request of the Turkish government, Meta says it has faced heavy fines in Turkey for...

02.04.2025 6

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey's opposition elects acting mayor as Imamoglu remains detained, protests persist

The Turkish president accuses opposition of sabotaging the economy amid ongoing detentions against protestors over the arrest of the Istanbul mayor.

27.03.2025 7

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey detains more than 1,000 including journalists as Imamoglu protests grow

Turkey has cracked down on protests over the arrest of Istanbul's mayor and more than 1,000 demonstrators have been detained.

24.03.2025 4

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey’s Fidan heads to Washington with F-35, Syria high on agenda 

Turkey's foreign minister will push for F-35 deal and strengthened counterterrorism cooperation with the United States, according to a Turkish...

24.03.2025 7

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey suspends Imamoglu’s mayoral duties, keeps him under arrest as more protests expected

The Istanbul Mayor was temporarily suspended from his duties after his formal arrest by an Istanbul court on Sunday.

23.03.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey: Protests spread, defy ban for day 3 over Imamoglu's arrest

Protests in Turkey’s major provinces over the detention of Istanbul's mayor have swelled into the thousands for a third consecutive day, despite...

22.03.2025 10

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey bans protests in Ankara, Izmir as crowds grow over Imamoglu's arrest

As protests widen in Turkey over the Istanbul mayor’s detention, authorities issue fresh bans and take legal action against protesters.

21.03.2025 4

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey arrests 37 more as protests continue over Imamoglu's detention

As Turkey’s opposition parties rally in solidarity with Istanbul's mayor, Turkish authorities have moved forward with more detentions.

21.03.2025 7

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey detains Istanbul mayor, Erdogan's main rival

Turkish police detained Istanbul's powerful mayor Ekrem Imamoglu early Wednesday as part of a corruption probe, a move his opposition CHP party...

19.03.2025 5

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey detains Imamoglu, Erdogan’s key rival, sparking outcry

As the detention of Istanbul's mayor and the arrest of more than 100 raise alarms over an escalating crackdown on opposition, internet access across...

19.03.2025 30

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkish university revokes Imamoglu's degree, jeopardizing presidential bid

The decision came days before the primary to be held on Sunday, when the Istanbul mayor was highly likely to be chosen as the presidential candidate...

19.03.2025 4

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin

Turkey detains 5 in alleged Iran spy ring as Syria tensions brew: What we know

The spy bust comes amid diplomatic strains between Turkey and Iran that surfaced after a rare rebuke of Tehran by Turkey's top diplomat.

14.03.2025 8

Al Monitor

Ezgi Akin