Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who retook the top post in the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) in May, may anger and cheer up Ekrem Imamoğlu at the same time. Opposing a narrative that the former Istanbul mayor was arrested to curb his political rise, Kılıçdaroğlu said Imamoğlu is not “a political prisoner.”

“I also voted for his (future) presidential candidacy, but we have to separate the trials he faced from the presidential candidacy,” he was quoted by Euronews on Tuesday.

Imamoğlu was arrested last year on corruption charges, about two years after he campaigned to oust Kılıçdaroğlu from the CHP’s top post. Özgür Özel succeeded Kılıçdaroğlu in a November 2023 election, but a court ruled that the election should be nullified amid allegations that Özel’s associates in the CHP bribed delegates to vote for him. Özel left his post in May but vowed to appeal the court ruling, only to change his mind two months later and go on to establish New Party (YP) with fellow CHP lawmakers.

In the interview, Kılıçdaroğlu also said that his party may ally with the YP in the next election. The veteran politician, who was branded a “traitor” by YP supporters after he was reinstated to his post by a court ruling, told Euronews that they were open to supporting the YP’s presidential candidate, Imamoğlu, if he is eligible to run in the next election.

“Twenty-four hours is a very long time in politics,” Kılıçdaroğlu said, quoting former President Süleyman Demirel. “Political relations should be based on the country’s interests. Politics have no room for hostility,” he said, on the possibility of an alliance with the YP, whose members fiercely resisted Kılıçdaroğlu’s return to CHP chairpersonship.

Kılıçdaroğlu returned to the CHP with a promise to “clean up” the party of “corruption,” and in the following months, the party parted ways with mayors and others indicted in corruption investigations. Imamoğlu soon joined them. Kılıçdaroğlu said the arrest of Imamoğlu was “not right” but his presidential candidacy should not be linked to the trials against him.

Imamoğlu faces thousands of years in prison for allegedly running a criminal gang that thrived on bribery and corruption at Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB), while Özel has claimed that he was jailed to prevent his future candidacy in the 2028 elections. Imamoğlu is currently ineligible to run for office because his university diploma was annulled on charges of forgery.

The CHP leader said people accused of corruption should be able to defend themselves and “account for every penny they are accused of stealing.”

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Türkiye plans to introduce new legislation addressing indefinite alimony payments as part of a judicial reform package expected to be presented in October, Justice Minister Akın Gürlek said Monday.

Speaking at a ceremony marking the opening of the 2026-2027 judicial year in Ankara, Gürlek said the government was preparing the second part of the 12th Judicial Package, which is expected to contain between 24 and 25 provisions.

“Following the Constitutional Court’s annulment decision, we plan to implement the necessary legal regulations regarding indefinite alimony as part of the package in October,” Gürlek noted.

In a landmark ruling on June 4, Türkiye’s Constitutional Court annulled a legal provision that allows indefinite alimony payments following divorce, paving the way for a new legal framework on spousal support.

Under Article 175 of Türkiye’s Civil Code, titled “alimony for poverty,” a spouse who is expected to fall into poverty as a result of divorce may seek financial support from the other spouse in proportion to that spouse’s financial means, provided the applicant is not more at fault in the breakdown of the marriage.

The provision explicitly allows such support to be awarded on an indefinite basis, meaning Turkish law does not set a fixed time limit for alimony payments.

The minister said the package would also seek to address problems faced by lawyers and improve the functioning of judicial proceedings.

Gürlek noted that the first part of the 12th Judicial Package had already been enacted and entered into force, adding that the government aimed to bring the second part onto the agenda in October.

The event was also attended by Justice and Development Party (AK Party), Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) officials, Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor, Ankara Bar Association No. 2 President and members of the judiciary.

Gürlek said a strong legal system was essential to achieving Türkiye’s broader development goals and reiterated the government’s commitment to drafting what he described as a civilian, democratic and inclusive constitution.

“As we implement our vision for the ‘Century of Justice,’ we will continue our determination to advance the rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights without abandoning our goal of a civilian, democratic and inclusive constitution,” he said.

Turning to international affairs, Gürlek criticized double standards by many Western countries in responding to human rights violations, saying they had undermined confidence in international law.

He said people in Türkiye’s surrounding region had faced displacement, genocide and massacres for decades while international institutions had often failed to respond effectively.

Gürlek argued that international legal principles were increasingly applied differently depending on the interests of powerful states and said Türkiye would continue advocating for the effective implementation of international law.

“The Turkish nation will continue to stand wherever and whenever justice and law are needed.”

Gürlek also stressed the importance of domestic unity, arguing that a stable and cohesive Türkiye would be better positioned to contribute to regional stability, global justice and peace.

“A Türkiye that is strong, peaceful and united within itself will make much greater contributions to humanity’s peace, regional stability and global justice,” he said.

He concluded that justice and legal certainty would remain the strongest foundation for a more powerful Türkiye.

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Türkiye and Greece have engaged in a moderate war of words in recent months. The two sides have occasionally taken steps that could translate into a greater conflict in the future, but they have generally favored maintaining good relations. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, however, appears to be reversing his earlier, warmer rhetoric. Mitsotakis emphasized Greece’s “inalienable right” to extend its territorial waters in the Aegean on Saturday, days after his country signed a historic defense deal with Türkiye’s archfoe, Israel. Experts say this newfound confidence could upset the relative calm.

Professor Ozan Örmeci, a political scientist and general coordinator of the International Political Academy (UPA), says Mitsotakis has, for some time, engaged in strategic moves to stir up a rift between Türkiye and the West. “He has been successful to some extent,” he told Daily Sabah on Monday. He said Greece had established a trilateral partnership with the Greek Cypriot administration and Israel and, at one point, sought closer ties with France. “Under Mitsotakis, Greece pursued an extensive armament program, whether it was Rafale jets from France, F-35 fighter jets from the United States or Eurofighter Typhoon jets from European countries,” Örmeci said. He said this newfound military strength, coupled with backing from Israel and the Israeli lobby, had led Mitsotakis to make the remarks about the islands.

At a press conference in Thessaloniki, Mitsotakis stated that Greece would extend its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles “whenever and however it deems fit,” according to Greek media reports. He boasted about how Greece in recent years “had the courage to implement maritime spatial planning, marine parks and strengthen its deterrent capability in the Aegean Sea.” He added that Greece would not “ask anyone’s permission on how it would arm itself.”

“In recent years, Greek foreign policy has undertaken initiatives that no government has had the courage to implement: maritime spatial planning, the initiative for marine parks, surveying, and the strengthening of our deterrent capability,” he added.

Responding to questions about Greece’s rearmament program, Mitsotakis said that while the government promotes dialogue on bilateral issues, the country will not “ask anyone’s permission on how we will arm ourselves.”

Türkiye and Greece are at odds over several issues, including competing claims to jurisdiction in the Eastern Mediterranean, overlapping claims over their continental shelves, maritime boundaries, airspace, energy, the ethnically divided island of Cyprus, and the status of the islands in the Aegean Sea. The 12-mile dispute is linked to differing interpretations of international law regarding countries’ rights to claim territorial waters extending up to 12 nautical miles. Türkiye argues that this principle does not apply to the semi-enclosed Aegean Sea, where any declaration extending territorial waters to 12 nautical miles would severely restrict Turkish access to the sea.

Örmeci pointed out that the Turkish Parliament in 1995 designated any Greek move to extend its territorial waters as casus belli, or an act that could be considered grounds for war. “So, officials should exercise greater caution in their remarks,” he said. Örmeci said it was meaningless for Mitsotakis to adopt this rhetoric as it was not “election time” in Greece and Ankara had not provoked Athens in any way. “Certainly, there have been small frictions, but we are not in an era of high tensions. Even during Mr. Mitsotakis’ visit to the NATO summit in Ankara and in his talks with the president, we did not see any friction,” Örmeci noted.

“I assume he is taking an approach that holds Türkiye responsible, perhaps partly to support the government in Israel, especially since politicians in Türkiye can also occasionally make individual statements about Israel and Greece,” he said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu often turns to anti-Turkish rhetoric as he prepares for general elections.

Under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s leadership, Türkiye has pursued a rapprochement with Greece after decades of lukewarm diplomatic ties and nearly two decades after the two countries came close to an all-out war over their Aegean dispute. Erdoğan and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis have met several times over the past two years, but their warm meetings have done little to change the state of relations over the maritime dispute.

Last week, Erdoğan warned Greece not to arm the Aegean islands in violation of past treaties.

Türkiye opposes any Greek military deployment on the eastern Aegean islands, arguing that they should remain demilitarized under the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne and the 1947 Paris Peace Treaty. Greece, however, cites a “threat” from Türkiye and says it has the right under international law to defend its sovereignty. The two countries have recently been at odds over the declaration of marine parks to preserve marine biodiversity, with both accusing each other of attempting to violate their maritime borders.

“Greece should know that Türkiye has no intention of grabbing the territory of any other country, but Türkiye also has no intention of allowing anyone to violate its rights. Ignoring international treaties will not benefit anyone. Anyone who interprets Türkiye’s level-headed approach based on common sense as weakness is making a grave mistake. Greece should reverse course and stop arming demilitarized islands. History is a good guide for those who can learn from the past,” Erdoğan told journalists as he was returning from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Kyrgyzstan.

Professor Nurşin Ateşoğlu Güney of the National Intelligence Academy (MIA) says Greece’s latest moves may be linked to its reaction to the Mecca Defense Alliance between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. The alliance aims to boost Türkiye’s deterrence capabilities in the region, particularly as Israel pursues a policy of expansionism and seeks renewed alliances to curb Türkiye’s clout.

“There used to be a policy against Türkiye in the Eastern Mediterranean to encircle and contain its sphere of influence, and this involved Greece among other countries. Türkiye overcame this attempt through the so-called Seville Map, by clarifying its position under international law and through hard power,” Güney said, referring to a contentious academic map drawn up at the University of Seville in the early 2000s to support Greek claims to Aegean waters.

“In the current context, it is actually impossible to completely separate the Middle East from the other regions, namely the Mediterranean and the Aegean. I interpret Greece’s recent statements as a reaction to the Mecca pact. In other words, there is really no possibility of even the 12-mile issue being implemented. Türkiye’s response to this is already very clear, and it is not a new response either. Greece, in response to the alliances Türkiye has recently developed, is making these rather disconnected statements, backed by its Achilles Agreement with Israel,” she said.

Achilles Shield

Under the Achilles Shield deal signed earlier this month, Israel will supply Greece with the David’s Sling and SPYDER systems, as well as the BARAK MX system made by Israel Aerospace Industries, along with MMR multimission radars for air surveillance manufactured by IAI unit ELTA Systems. David’s Sling was used by Israel to intercept Iranian missiles during the war with Iran this year. Greece becomes the second customer for the system after Finland. Athens plans to spend about 28 billion euros ($32.52 billion) by 2036 to build the Achilles Shield multilayered anti-ballistic, anti-aircraft and anti-drone system, and to buy up to 40 F-35 fighter jets from the U.S. and frigates from France and Italy.

Güney said Türkiye’s efforts to diversify its relations and establish alliances with important middle powers in the Middle East had made both Greece and Israel “extremely uncomfortable.”

“Faced with the image of a Türkiye whose power is growing by the day, we are seeing and, I believe, will continue to see for some time, these kinds of outbursts and statements,” Güney said.

Emete Gözügüzelli, an associate professor at the Social Sciences University of Ankara, says Mitsotakis’ remarks about the nautical-mile dispute are not in compliance with international law.

“The fundamental criterion under the Law of the Sea for delimiting or determining territorial waters is equity. They cannot act contrary to the nature of the international convention. If states around the world had sought to delimit their maritime boundaries or determine maritime jurisdiction solely on the basis of a position such as, ‘This is my sovereign right, and the convention grants me this right,’ particularly in a semi-enclosed or enclosed geographical area, there would be major wars taking place around the world today,” she said.

Gözügüzelli also linked Mitsotakis’ statements to a “politics of tension” following the backing he received from Israel.

“This is a very dangerous game and a very dangerous undertaking. Türkiye’s power should not be underestimated. Otherwise, those who underestimate Türkiye’s power will disappear from this region,” she told Daily Sabah.

“Israel, Greece and the Greek Cypriots are carrying out highly strategic efforts, including deepened military and defense agreements, cybersecurity agreements, and the integration of air defense and/or airstrike systems. Software based on artificial intelligence is being developed. Planning is also being carried out on islands in coordination with Israel, including strengthening airports and air defense radar systems. At the rhetorical level, we see them attempting to bring disputes over maritime jurisdiction to the forefront of the agenda, highlighting an extremely important issue such as territorial waters, and attempting to act on this dispute through a unilateral decision and unilateral action, as though Türkiye did not exist. Not only do they have no legal right to pursue such an effort, but it would also be in everyone’s interest if all sides remembered the reality of the casus belli,” she said.

Örmeci said Mitsotakis’ “overconfidence” is “not a good thing” and that he should recognize how seriously Türkiye takes the preservation of its interests. He pointed to the Turkish Parliament’s casus belli decision. “It transcends politics,” he warned, adding that both Greece and Türkiye should refrain from altering the balance in the region.

“It is worth remembering that both countries are NATO members and that, in situations such as the Kardak crisis in the past, the United States intervened. At the time, the Clinton administration, with President Clinton himself, stepped in. If you ask whether today’s U.S. administration would care as much, perhaps not. The current president is more inward-looking and less interested in global issues and European security. But the United States will certainly not accept two of its allies coming into conflict in the Aegean. Particularly if something gets out of control, Washington will take action to stop it. The same applies to the European Union,” he said, referring to a 1996 island dispute that led to Turkish troops landing on uninhabited islets between the two countries after a tense standoff.

“The side that undermines the status quo and changes the balance should be held responsible here. And that side is clearly Greece, based on its statements,” Örmeci added.

He stated that if Mitsotakis’ remarks genuinely indicate an intention to extend the territorial waters, it would be “extremely serious.”

“It could lead to major crises in Turkish-Greek relations and in Türkiye’s relations with Western Europe. Naturally, we hope that this is not the case, because Türkiye would immediately go on high alert and enter into a war footing. That would obviously be in the interests of neither Türkiye nor Greece, nor the world,” he said. He noted that the deal with Israel demonstrated that Greece was preparing for a conflict. “This is not a good sign,” he warned.

Finland and Türkiye are well positioned to deepen defense cooperation as NATO allies, former Finnish Defense Minister Antti Kaikkonen said, highlighting Türkiye’s military capabilities, defense industry and strategic location.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA), Kaikkonen said Finland’s accession to NATO had opened new opportunities for bilateral defense ties between Helsinki and Ankara.

“As NATO allies, Finland and Türkiye are very well positioned to further deepen their defense cooperation,” Kaikkonen noted.

He described Türkiye as an important ally with strong military capabilities and a significant defense industry, noting its strategic position between Europe, the Black Sea and the Middle East.

Kaikkonen noted that a memorandum of understanding on defense industry cooperation signed by the two countries could help further strengthen bilateral relations.

Addressing security in the Baltic Sea, Kaikkonen said Finland was prepared for different scenarios amid heightened regional tensions. NATO membership has strengthened Finland’s deterrence, he said, adding that the country would rely on its national defense forces and allied support in the event of military aggression.

Kaikkonen also pointed to NATO’s Baltic Sentry initiative, which was launched to strengthen surveillance and protect critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea.

Turning to European defense, he said the continent’s defense industry production remained below required levels, with the war in Ukraine exposing shortages in ammunition, air defense systems, drones, missiles and broader industrial capacity.

Kaikkonen also warned that Russia could reinforce forces operating under its Leningrad Military District over the next two to four years, depending on developments in Ukraine.

Russian forces stationed near Finland could eventually increase from around 30,000 to approximately 80,000 troops, he said, though a major buildup was unlikely while the war in Ukraine continued.

Kaikkonen said future relations between Russia, Northern Europe and NATO would depend on Moscow’s adherence to international law and agreements, adding that political dialogue between Europe and Russia would eventually be necessary.

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President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Monday reaffirmed Türkiye’s determination to safeguard its national interests at home and abroad, warning that Ankara would not remain a bystander to hostile moves in the region, as he also announced new housing measures for Istanbul and highlighted the country’s economic and diplomatic agenda.

Speaking after a Cabinet meeting, Erdoğan said officials had discussed a wide range of issues and taken decisions aimed at improving the welfare of Turkish citizens.

“We see the Republic of Türkiye, the latest state we established on these lands, as the most precious link in our journey spanning thousands of years,” Erdoğan said.

Turning to regional developments, Erdoğan struck a firm tone, saying Türkiye’s measured approach should not be mistaken for weakness.

“Let me state this openly and clearly: Our calm and composed stance should not lead anyone to false expectations,” he said. “We will not allow anyone to conduct operations on these lands, nor will we simply watch hostile steps in our region from the sidelines.”

Erdoğan stressed that Türkiye is not opposed to any religion or community but would stand against aggression regardless of its source.

“We harbor no categorical hostility toward anyone,” he said, adding that those unsettled by Türkiye’s growing strength would not be able to divert the country from its course.

“Türkiye will once again unite with its brothers and sisters. Those who are friends of Türkiye will win, and those who choose hostility will lose,” he said.

The president also addressed ongoing search-and-rescue operations following maritime accidents in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Istanbul’s Silivri district.

Erdoğan said 14 people were killed and another 14 remained missing after a passenger vessel capsized off Girne. Türkiye is supporting operations conducted in coordination with the TRNC with nine vessels and 11 aircraft, while Turkish authorities are closely following the judicial investigation.

Search-and-rescue efforts are also continuing for 10 crew members following a separate shipwreck off Silivri, he said.

On foreign policy, Erdoğan said Türkiye’s historical ties, cultural heritage and growing capabilities have strengthened its position on the international stage.

Ankara, he said, would continue pursuing cooperation with countries across the world through a foreign policy centered on Türkiye’s national interests.

Erdoğan highlighted the potential of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and said Türkiye reaffirmed its commitment to engagement with the bloc by attending its Sept. 1 summit in Bishkek.

He said he held talks with several heads of state and government on the sidelines of the summit, including Russian President Vladimir Putin.

On the economy, Erdoğan pointed to recently released trade figures, saying Türkiye’s exports reached $185 billion in the first eight months of 2026, leaving the country $1.7 billion short of its year-end target.

He congratulated Turkish exporters for their contribution to the performance and reiterated the government’s commitment to keeping the economy on a path of investment, production and growth.

Erdoğan also pointed to soaring oil prices in several countries, including the United States, arguing that the economic repercussions of the war triggered by what he described as Israeli “provocations” were being felt far beyond Iran.

“As long as this radical mentality does not change, the storm of crises will not subside,” he said.

Despite global and regional pressures, Erdoğan said Ankara would not abandon policies prioritizing production and investment, while maintaining its determined fight against inflation.

The president also said preparations were continuing for the COP31 climate summit, which Türkiye is set to host in Antalya.

Infrastructure and transportation projects are being accelerated ahead of the gathering, Erdoğan said, including the completion of 38 kilometers (24 miles) of road works designed to ease traffic in Antalya.

More than 100,000 visitors from over 190 countries are expected to attend the summit, according to Erdoğan.

Erdoğan also announced fresh details of the government’s housing drive, with applications for a new rental housing project in Istanbul set to begin Sept. 14.

Türkiye previously held lotteries for 500,000 social housing units across all 81 provinces, with the first keys expected to be delivered beginning in March 2027.

In Istanbul, the government plans to build 15,000 rental housing units in addition to 100,000 social housing units. The first lottery for the rental project is scheduled for October.

Erdoğan said the broader housing and urban transformation drive would ultimately provide safer homes for around 2 million people in Istanbul.

Concluding his remarks, Erdoğan congratulated Türkiye’s national women’s volleyball team, the “Sultans of the Net,” for defeating Italy and claiming the European championship for a second consecutive time.

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Turkish police detained nine suspects in Istanbul on Tuesday as part of an investigation into alleged financial links to the Daesh terrorist group, authorities said.

Counterterrorism teams from the Istanbul Police Department launched the investigation to identify the terrorist group’s financial networks and individuals suspected of providing or facilitating funding.

Investigators identified the suspects after examining financial transactions flagged by Türkiye’s Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK), according to authorities.

The suspects were found to have links to conflict zones and financial transactions with numerous individuals who had previously faced legal proceedings over alleged connections to Daesh and other religiously motivated terrorist groups.

Police carried out simultaneous raids at several addresses across Istanbul, detaining nine suspects.

The suspects were taken to police headquarters for further questioning and processing.

Turkish security forces have stepped up operations against Daesh networks in recent years, targeting suspected members as well as recruitment, logistics and financing networks linked to the terrorist group.

Earlier this month, a suspected member of Daesh who was allegedly planning an attack in Türkiye was killed after opening fire on police during an operation in Istanbul.

According to a statement from the Istanbul Governor’s Office, the 21-year-old suspect was targeted in a joint operation coordinated by Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) and the Istanbul Police Department.

During another search previously conducted at multiple locations also led to the seizure of assets valued at approximately TL 1.82 million ($42,000), along with a hunting rifle, digital materials and documents affiliated with the group.

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