Turkey
CEE recovering but no full rebound in sight, says wiiw
Germany’s slow recovery is dampening growth prospects for Central and Southeast European economies.
Turkey, Iraq, Qatar and UAE ink initial Development Road transit corridor agreement
Route competing with rival India-Middle East-Europe option. Ankara wants Baghdad to commit to stamping out Kurdish PKK militants said to threaten project security.
The 'wet-bulb' set to kill hundreds of thousands of people if temperatures and humidity levels continue to rise
Temperatures are continuing to rise to new all-time highs as global warming accelerates. People have started to die because of the extreme heat and it’s only a matter of time before the “wet-bulb” effect kills large numbers of people.
Akbank launches spring syndicated loan renewals season for Turkish banks at better costs
Benefits of Turkey’s so-called economic normalisation policy clearly observed in external debt rollovers.
Fresh evidence suggests that the April 2022 Istanbul peace deal to end the war in Ukraine was stillborn
Fresh evidence indicates that the peace deal was probably too ambitious and, by failing to include the West in the talks, was stillborn.
ISTANBUL BLOG: Critics seize on Turkey’s silence in face of Israel-Iran crisis
Shadow foreign minister “astonished” regional power Ankara has nothing to say. Observers think Erdogan officials fear derailing of attempt at economic recovery.
ISTANBUL BLOG: Erdogan drone boys become Forbes billionaires
To some, Selcuk Bayraktar is seen as the likely next Turkish president. But staying out of trolling spats over Israel “deliveries” might be good advice for young pretender to the throne.
Belarus the latest European country to suspend the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has ordered the suspension of Belarus’ participation in the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) on April 5, as Belarus continues to militarise and keep its ties with Russia tight.
Turkey hits Israel with trade restrictions after months of “words not action”
Tit-for-tat commerce war under way as Israelis vow response. Ankara says export bans to apply until Gaza ceasefire is announced.
Turkish holidays sold with butt lifts and tummy tucks alarm UK advertising regulator
Ads appear to breach rules by trivialising risk of cosmetic operations.
ISTANBUL BLOG: Fenerbahce players walk out on Turkish football. The mafiosi are not about to join them
Country’s soccer fans used to seeing criminals sat in the first row of the VIP seats.
Smarter US sanctions seen driving down Turkey-Russia trade
Turkish exports to Russia fall one third in first quarter.
Turkey cancels visa-free travel for Tajiks as Tajikistan rejects Kremlin’s claims Ukraine recruits mercenaries in Dushanbe
Moscow’s assertion has no basis in fact, says Tajik foreign ministry.
Turkish exporters demand dual exchange rate system, push for 40 to dollar minimum
IHBIR trade group says companies forced to sell 40% of FX revenues to central bank at rate far behind inflation.
Turkey’s official March annual inflation up 2 pp at 69% y/y, but monthly figure falls again
ENAG’s alternative headline figure calculated at 125% y/y.
Turkey manufacturing recorded at 50.0 neutral mark by March PMI
If demand trend continues, growth-building momentum could be seen in second quarter.
Local elections victory is Turkish main opposition party’s first national polls win since 1977
AKP loses 11 cities it controlled since last municipal vote. For ruling party, big consolation is that next general election is not due until 2028.
ISTANBUL BLOG: Social media swings from depression to mania on local election results
Erdogan “defeat” provides further illustration of how no-one even remembers what was said five minutes ago.
Turkey’s opposition sweeps to big city victories in local elections, dealing blow to Erdogan
CHP party now faces challenge to re-energise and seek avenue to snap polls that could bring down regime. Next scheduled major vote is not until 2028.
ISTANBUL BLOG: Turkey to decide who will collect garbage in unglamorous local polls
The idea that Erdogan can be dislodged was crushed in last year’s general election. Despite the media fuss, let’s not kid ourselves.