Missing Peace Of The Puzzle

Issue #231

In times like this, when each day creates a week’s worth of news, we are reminded of Turkey recap’s origin story, which began five years ago today (!) with Issue #1.

Back then, Turkey’s 2019 military operation into Syria was winding down and we sought to register what had happened and what it meant. That same mindset brings us here today – in your inboxes – as we continue to track the fast-paced Turkey news cycle with humble hubris and humor.

To mark this milestone, we’re offering a two-day flash sale on annual subscriptions (get a 25 percent discount now) and slashed prices on Turkey recap merch.

It’s our way of saying thank you, dear readers. Now on with the news.

In this week’s recap:

• Potential peace process in limbo

• Erdoğan, Putin skip tête-à-tête in Kazan

• Alleged coup-plotter Gülen dies

• Health care scandal killed newborns

• Erdoğan, Scholz talk arms, war, migration

• Domestic and diplomatic wraps

• Jealous prosecutor detains girlfriend’s exes

Also from us this week:

• Damla Uğantaş interviews DEM Party MP Cengiz Çandar on the potential peace process

• And don’t miss Azra Ceylan’s weekly Economy recap for the latest inflation and FDI news

Bahçeli pictured raising the stakes for everyone in Turkey Tuesday. © MHP

A lot happened in Turkey this week, and if you feel confused, concerned or just dazed, you are not alone.

On Tuesday, MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli shocked many by offering parole to PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan if he disbanded the organization. The next day, a ‘terror’ attack hit Ankara.

At least five died, and 22 were injured when two assailants attacked the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) headquarters on the outskirts of the capital Wednesday. The assailants also died.

Pres. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and other government officials claimed the target of the attack was the country's defense industry and Interior Min. Ali Yerlikaya said Thursday that both assailants were identified as PKK members.

After the attack, several areas in Syria and Iraq were bombed by Turkish forces. The Syrian Democratic Forces said at least 12 civilians died in the airstrikes.

Back in Turkey, the images and details of Wednesday’s attack circulated rapidly, primarily through pro-gov media, though a broadcast ban was imposed about an hour after the event and social media platforms were throttled. Security levels in the country's airports were also increased.

The attack brought global condemnation. In denouncing the act, DEM Party deputy chair Sezai Temelli said: "We face this event while we are trying to save the country from war, violence, and deaths … The timing [of the attack] is significant."

Timing ... yes, it was significant considering the potential peace process. According to Öcalan's nephew and DEM Party MP Ömer Öcalan, he and his family visited with the PKK leader in jail Wednesday for the first time in 43 months.

Öcalan delivered a message from his uncle Thursday, which said the jailed PKK leader had the "power to bring this process to a legal and political ground instead of conflict and violence if the necessary conditions would develop."

A source who had known about the visit before it was made public told Turkey recap the meeting probably happened before the attack – which makes predicting upcoming developments even harder.

Prior to the attack, initial speculations on a potential peace process framed the government outreach as an attempt to consolidate support for constitutional changes and, possibly, the next elections. Regional instability stemming from Israel’s expanding war was also seen as a potential catalyst for peace talks.

Researcher Reha Ruhavioğlu told Turkey recap that a “lack of clarity and insecurity" had filled the air in Diyarbakır even before Wednesday’s attack.

"People need their own people informing them about what's happening," Ruhavioğlu said. "Everyone says something, but Öcalan or Demirtaş are not able to communicate with Kurds directly, and DEM says they are ready but uninformed about what's developing."

According to Ruhavioğlu, the main difference between this new process and the last one is the speed of events and how it resonates among people.

"The public's optimism was far ahead of the negotiations last time," he added. "This time, everything is unfolding rapidly, but the people are only curious and waiting. We need strong actors who can relay the messages and persuade the public to support the process, but we don't opt to use them. By that, I mean Demirtaş ..."

– Gonca Tokyol

Erdoğan and Putin shake hands but don’t go man-o a man-o. © TCBB

Ru-BRICS Queue: Erdoğan, Putin skip tête-à-tête in Kazan