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...
Reposted by Clément Plaisant
"Yet, when it comes to any peace plan, European actors should also note that Ankara is respectful of Russia’s rights in the Black Sea and values its newly rekindled relationship with the United States"
carnegieendowment.org/europe/strat...
carnegieendowment.org/europe/strat...
Turkey Stakes its Claim in the Ukraine Peace Process
Turkey is positioning itself as a key player in a postwar reassurance force for Ukraine, especially in the Black Sea. But Ankara’s relationships with Moscow and Washington mean it faces a tough choice...
carnegieendowment.org
November 29, 2025 at 8:55 AM
"Yet, when it comes to any peace plan, European actors should also note that Ankara is respectful of Russia’s rights in the Black Sea and values its newly rekindled relationship with the United States"
carnegieendowment.org/europe/strat...
carnegieendowment.org/europe/strat...
Tayip Temel, Deputy Co-Chair of the DEM Party, announced that Syrian Kurdish official Ilham Ahmed may attend the conference they will hold in Istanbul on behalf of the Autonomous Administration of Rojava.
www.rudaw.net/turkish/midd...
www.rudaw.net/turkish/midd...
www.rudaw.net
November 29, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Tayip Temel, Deputy Co-Chair of the DEM Party, announced that Syrian Kurdish official Ilham Ahmed may attend the conference they will hold in Istanbul on behalf of the Autonomous Administration of Rojava.
www.rudaw.net/turkish/midd...
www.rudaw.net/turkish/midd...
Besê Hozat's latest interview in three points: 1) the Turkish government's approach to the solution process is indecisive, 2) Turkey can only ensure its survival by achieving Kurdish-Turkish unity on a democratic basis, 3) we want neither amnesty nor a law on return.
nupel.tv/bese-hozat-i...
nupel.tv/bese-hozat-i...
Bese Hozat: İktidarın sürece dönük yaklaşımı çok zayıftır; aslında kararsızdır - Nupel
*Türkiye bu süreci geliştirmezse, Türk devleti adım atmazsa, bu barış ve demokratik toplum süreci başarıya gitmezse, yani Türkiye Kürt sorununu demokratik temelde çözmezse, Kürtlerin varlığını ve kiml...
nupel.tv
November 29, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Besê Hozat's latest interview in three points: 1) the Turkish government's approach to the solution process is indecisive, 2) Turkey can only ensure its survival by achieving Kurdish-Turkish unity on a democratic basis, 3) we want neither amnesty nor a law on return.
nupel.tv/bese-hozat-i...
nupel.tv/bese-hozat-i...
"“Öcalan has previously encouraged talks between the SDF and the Syrian transitional government, but he never openly asked the SDF to lay down arms,” @sinemadar.bsky.social told @turkeyrecap.bsky.social “This is a crucial difference with Ankara.”
www.turkeyrecap.com/p/a-closed-e...
www.turkeyrecap.com/p/a-closed-e...
A Closed Encounter Of The First Kind
Issue #283
www.turkeyrecap.com
November 29, 2025 at 9:15 AM
"“Öcalan has previously encouraged talks between the SDF and the Syrian transitional government, but he never openly asked the SDF to lay down arms,” @sinemadar.bsky.social told @turkeyrecap.bsky.social “This is a crucial difference with Ankara.”
www.turkeyrecap.com/p/a-closed-e...
www.turkeyrecap.com/p/a-closed-e...
"🇷🇺-🇹🇷 cooperation has weakened significantly over the last years [...] The annual trade turnover between 🇷🇺 and 🇹🇷 increased 90 percent in 2022 to $65 billion. By 2024, it had fallen to $52.6 billion, and China had replaced 🇷🇺 as Türkiye’s main source of imports"
carnegieendowment.org/russia-euras...
carnegieendowment.org/russia-euras...
Russia-Türkiye Ties Falter Amid Stresses of Ukraine War
Mutual suspicion between Moscow and Ankara is growing as Türkiye cozies up to Washington and NATO while reducing its dependence on Russian energy.
carnegieendowment.org
November 29, 2025 at 9:13 AM
"🇷🇺-🇹🇷 cooperation has weakened significantly over the last years [...] The annual trade turnover between 🇷🇺 and 🇹🇷 increased 90 percent in 2022 to $65 billion. By 2024, it had fallen to $52.6 billion, and China had replaced 🇷🇺 as Türkiye’s main source of imports"
carnegieendowment.org/russia-euras...
carnegieendowment.org/russia-euras...
"Yet, when it comes to any peace plan, European actors should also note that Ankara is respectful of Russia’s rights in the Black Sea and values its newly rekindled relationship with the United States"
carnegieendowment.org/europe/strat...
carnegieendowment.org/europe/strat...
Turkey Stakes its Claim in the Ukraine Peace Process
Turkey is positioning itself as a key player in a postwar reassurance force for Ukraine, especially in the Black Sea. But Ankara’s relationships with Moscow and Washington mean it faces a tough choice...
carnegieendowment.org
November 29, 2025 at 8:55 AM
"Yet, when it comes to any peace plan, European actors should also note that Ankara is respectful of Russia’s rights in the Black Sea and values its newly rekindled relationship with the United States"
carnegieendowment.org/europe/strat...
carnegieendowment.org/europe/strat...
After Gürsel Tekin, it is now the turn of Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, former president of the CHP, to give an interview to Sabah. On various topics, he is in line with the government's narrative: the extent of ‘corruption’ within the CHP, the peace process, etc.
www.sabah.com.tr/gundem/2025/...
www.sabah.com.tr/gundem/2025/...
November 29, 2025 at 8:47 AM
After Gürsel Tekin, it is now the turn of Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, former president of the CHP, to give an interview to Sabah. On various topics, he is in line with the government's narrative: the extent of ‘corruption’ within the CHP, the peace process, etc.
www.sabah.com.tr/gundem/2025/...
www.sabah.com.tr/gundem/2025/...
"Hüseyin Yayman’ın İmralı’ya saklanarak, gazetecileri yanıltarak gitmesi; hem iktidarın süreç çekimserliğinin hem de oy kaybı endişesinin gülünçleşecek kadar yüksek olduğunu gösterdi"
November 28, 2025 at 12:42 PM
"Hüseyin Yayman’ın İmralı’ya saklanarak, gazetecileri yanıltarak gitmesi; hem iktidarın süreç çekimserliğinin hem de oy kaybı endişesinin gülünçleşecek kadar yüksek olduğunu gösterdi"
"Öte yandan Suriye’deki gelişmelere kozmik açıdan değil gerçekçi bir biçimde bakılması gerekir. Suriye Kürtleri, PKK’nın da katkısı ile ülke içinde tarihlerinde ilk kez çok güçlü bir konuma gelmişlerdir"
t24.com.tr/yazarlar/vol...
t24.com.tr/yazarlar/vol...
İmralı ve ötesi
Sayın Bahçeli ve özellikle İmralı sakini bu gerçekleri bilecek deneyime ve bilgiye sahipler. Bu nedenle gerçekten kalıcı bir barış süreci sağlayıp Türkiye’nin birlik ve bütünlüğünü sağlama almak istiy...
t24.com.tr
November 28, 2025 at 10:37 AM
"Öte yandan Suriye’deki gelişmelere kozmik açıdan değil gerçekçi bir biçimde bakılması gerekir. Suriye Kürtleri, PKK’nın da katkısı ile ülke içinde tarihlerinde ilk kez çok güçlü bir konuma gelmişlerdir"
t24.com.tr/yazarlar/vol...
t24.com.tr/yazarlar/vol...
Gulistan Kılıç Koçyiğit shared some details of the meeting held with Ocalan. The PKK leader emphasized three core themes: the Kurdish-Turkish alliance, the March 10 agreement (and compliance with it), and the democratization of Turkey and Syria (‘local democracy’).
www.numedya24.com/kocyigit-imr...
www.numedya24.com/kocyigit-imr...
Koçyiğit, İmralı görüşmesini anlattı | Neler konuşuldu, Öcalan DSG'nin entegrasyonu için ne dedi?
Komisyon üyelerinin İmralı'dan ikna olarak döndüklerini belirten Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit, Öcalan'ın "Keşke CHP de gelseydi" dediğini aktardı. Koçyiğit, Öcalan'ın DSG'nin Suriye ordusuna entegrasyonu k...
www.numedya24.com
November 28, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Gulistan Kılıç Koçyiğit shared some details of the meeting held with Ocalan. The PKK leader emphasized three core themes: the Kurdish-Turkish alliance, the March 10 agreement (and compliance with it), and the democratization of Turkey and Syria (‘local democracy’).
www.numedya24.com/kocyigit-imr...
www.numedya24.com/kocyigit-imr...
A column by Nebi Mis that clearly illustrates the divisions within the National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission, particularly centered on the question of whether or not to separate disarmament, democratization, and resolution of the Kurdish issue.
www.sabah.com.tr/yazarlar/neb...
www.sabah.com.tr/yazarlar/neb...
NEBİ MİŞ - Maliyet hesabı yapanlar ve komisyon raporu
Muhalefet her konuda olduğu gibi, terörsüz Türkiye konusunda da tutarlı bir siyaset çerçevesi oluşturamadı. Meclis'te Yeni Yol Grubu ve CHP, süreç komisyonunda yer aldılar. 'Terör bitsin' dediler, anc...
www.sabah.com.tr
November 28, 2025 at 8:32 AM
A column by Nebi Mis that clearly illustrates the divisions within the National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission, particularly centered on the question of whether or not to separate disarmament, democratization, and resolution of the Kurdish issue.
www.sabah.com.tr/yazarlar/neb...
www.sabah.com.tr/yazarlar/neb...
"In a transcript of the video call [...] Ocalan says that he himself decided to urge the PKK to dissolve. The transcript shows PKK figures present responded by expressing distrust of the state [...] but they acknowledge his leadership and voice trust in him"
www.reuters.com/business/med...
www.reuters.com/business/med...
After 26 years in prison, PKK leader Ocalan has key role in Turkey peace process
After 26 years in a Turkish prison, Abdullah Ocalan is carving out a key role for himself as Ankara tries to end his outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party's four-decade insurgency.
www.reuters.com
November 27, 2025 at 4:16 PM
"In a transcript of the video call [...] Ocalan says that he himself decided to urge the PKK to dissolve. The transcript shows PKK figures present responded by expressing distrust of the state [...] but they acknowledge his leadership and voice trust in him"
www.reuters.com/business/med...
www.reuters.com/business/med...
Despite the peace process, veteran Kurdish politician Selahattin Demirtaş is once again being prosecuted, this time for ‘insulting the president’. He faces up to seven years in prison.
t24.com.tr/haber/tahliy...
t24.com.tr/haber/tahliy...
November 27, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Despite the peace process, veteran Kurdish politician Selahattin Demirtaş is once again being prosecuted, this time for ‘insulting the president’. He faces up to seven years in prison.
t24.com.tr/haber/tahliy...
t24.com.tr/haber/tahliy...
Turkey’s top security body still ranks the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and its affiliates as the country’s main threat. This is hardly surprising, since the group has not really begun disarming.
www.iletisim.gov.tr/turkce/haber...
www.iletisim.gov.tr/turkce/haber...
November 27, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Turkey’s top security body still ranks the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and its affiliates as the country’s main threat. This is hardly surprising, since the group has not really begun disarming.
www.iletisim.gov.tr/turkce/haber...
www.iletisim.gov.tr/turkce/haber...
This observation also seems to be shared in pro-government Turkish circles, given the number of articles devoted this morning to the SDF issue. See in particular:
-Hande Firat : www.hurriyet.com.tr/yazarlar/han...
-Okan Müderrisoğlu : m.sabah.com.tr/yazarlar/mud...
-Hande Firat : www.hurriyet.com.tr/yazarlar/han...
-Okan Müderrisoğlu : m.sabah.com.tr/yazarlar/mud...
November 27, 2025 at 8:37 AM
This observation also seems to be shared in pro-government Turkish circles, given the number of articles devoted this morning to the SDF issue. See in particular:
-Hande Firat : www.hurriyet.com.tr/yazarlar/han...
-Okan Müderrisoğlu : m.sabah.com.tr/yazarlar/mud...
-Hande Firat : www.hurriyet.com.tr/yazarlar/han...
-Okan Müderrisoğlu : m.sabah.com.tr/yazarlar/mud...
The latest ruling by the European Court of Human Rights concerning Kurdish Leader Selahattin Demirtaş has been under review by the 22nd Criminal Chamber of the Ankara Regional Court of Appeal since 4 November. After more than 20 days, no decision has been made regarding his release.
November 27, 2025 at 8:07 AM
The latest ruling by the European Court of Human Rights concerning Kurdish Leader Selahattin Demirtaş has been under review by the 22nd Criminal Chamber of the Ankara Regional Court of Appeal since 4 November. After more than 20 days, no decision has been made regarding his release.
This news went largely unnoticed, but according to Ceren Bayar, the imprisoned mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, was in favor of visiting Ocalan. In the end, he respected the CHP's decision not to go to Imrali.
t24.com.tr/haber/komisy...
t24.com.tr/haber/komisy...
Komisyonun Öcalan’la görüşmesinde ses kaydı alındı, fotoğraf çektirilmedi: İmralı tutanakları paylaşılacak mı?
Olumlu ve yapıcı geçtiği ifade edilen görüşmede, Öcalan’ın 27 Şubat çağrısının arkasında duran, sürece dair kararlılığını ortaya koyan değerlendirmeler yaptığı kaydedildi.
t24.com.tr
November 26, 2025 at 6:34 PM
This news went largely unnoticed, but according to Ceren Bayar, the imprisoned mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, was in favor of visiting Ocalan. In the end, he respected the CHP's decision not to go to Imrali.
t24.com.tr/haber/komisy...
t24.com.tr/haber/komisy...
I wanted to write about this, but Sinem has said it all (and said it well, too).
The Imrali affair is now over, and that's a good thing, because it was exhausting (a lot of noise for what was ultimately a very symbolic meeting...).
The Imrali affair is now over, and that's a good thing, because it was exhausting (a lot of noise for what was ultimately a very symbolic meeting...).
I find the argument that the Imrali visit has given Ocalan political legitimacy to be misleading for three reasons. First, the regime's intent to confer the PKK's founder legitimacy was already put on the table when Bahceli called Ocalan to declare the PKK's dissolution at the Turkish parliament.
November 26, 2025 at 1:31 PM
I wanted to write about this, but Sinem has said it all (and said it well, too).
The Imrali affair is now over, and that's a good thing, because it was exhausting (a lot of noise for what was ultimately a very symbolic meeting...).
The Imrali affair is now over, and that's a good thing, because it was exhausting (a lot of noise for what was ultimately a very symbolic meeting...).
Il faut lire @berkesen.bsky.social : "La consolidation [autoritaire] est inachevée, malgré les efforts du pouvoir et de l’administration. La Turquie n’est pas encore la Russie, la Biélorussie ou l’Azerbaïdjan. Le régime est du même type, mais il demeure instable"
www.lemonde.fr/internationa...
www.lemonde.fr/internationa...
Berk Esen, politologue : « En Turquie, le pouvoir est devenu autoritaire et hégémonique »
Arrestations massives, destitutions de maires, répression des manifestants et des médias indépendants… Depuis mars, le gouvernement turc s’emploie à éliminer toute forme de compétition politique, esti...
www.lemonde.fr
November 26, 2025 at 10:41 AM
Il faut lire @berkesen.bsky.social : "La consolidation [autoritaire] est inachevée, malgré les efforts du pouvoir et de l’administration. La Turquie n’est pas encore la Russie, la Biélorussie ou l’Azerbaïdjan. Le régime est du même type, mais il demeure instable"
www.lemonde.fr/internationa...
www.lemonde.fr/internationa...
"Ankara had long hoped it could persuade Ocalan to use his influence over the SDF to scale down their autonomy demands and disarm and disband along with the PKK. But yesterday’s meeting suggests that Ocalan is refusing to give much ground"
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
PKK leader Ocalan gains legitimacy in Turkey, bigger sway over Syria’s Kurds
The ongoing deadlock between Damascus and the SDF is seen as a major obstacle to progress in Turkey’s efforts to address its long-standing Kurdish issue.
www.al-monitor.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:18 AM
"Ankara had long hoped it could persuade Ocalan to use his influence over the SDF to scale down their autonomy demands and disarm and disband along with the PKK. But yesterday’s meeting suggests that Ocalan is refusing to give much ground"
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
""Our discussions with the relevant institutions on the establishment of a clean power plant are also ongoing," Erdoğan said in a joint news conference with Lee [South Korean President] "
www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkiye-sout...
www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkiye-sout...
Türkiye, South Korea sign 3 deals including nuclear cooperation - Türkiye News
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Monday said that his meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Ankara focused on steps to advance defense industry cooperation between the two countries.
www.hurriyetdailynews.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:37 PM
""Our discussions with the relevant institutions on the establishment of a clean power plant are also ongoing," Erdoğan said in a joint news conference with Lee [South Korean President] "
www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkiye-sout...
www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkiye-sout...
Mümtaz'er Türköne discusses the central role of PKK leader Öcalan in the peace process and the Turkish political landscape. However, contrary to what the author says, the preponderance of the ‘Öcalan factor’ does not preclude a situation of authoritarian peace (through managed pluralism).
November 25, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Mümtaz'er Türköne discusses the central role of PKK leader Öcalan in the peace process and the Turkish political landscape. However, contrary to what the author says, the preponderance of the ‘Öcalan factor’ does not preclude a situation of authoritarian peace (through managed pluralism).
A valuable article by Yohanan Benhaim, examining the ways in which the AKP has conquered the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a regalian administration of Kemalist tradition. He describes a slow, non-linear and contingent takeover.
shs.cairn.info/revue-critiq...
shs.cairn.info/revue-critiq...
November 25, 2025 at 10:44 AM
A valuable article by Yohanan Benhaim, examining the ways in which the AKP has conquered the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a regalian administration of Kemalist tradition. He describes a slow, non-linear and contingent takeover.
shs.cairn.info/revue-critiq...
shs.cairn.info/revue-critiq...
A very thorough article by Ömer Önhon, former Turkish ambassador to Damascus, assessing the latest developments in Syria and within the Kurdish political movement and their implications for Ankara and the current peace process.
✍️ Türkiye'nin son Şam Büyükelçisi Ömer Önhon yazdı:
🔴İç içe geçmiş konular ve sorunlar yumağında
📌En üst düzey Türk yetkililer YPG/SDG’nin Türkiye’nin ulusal güvenliği için tehdit oluşturduğunu dile getirmelerine mukabil hep bir muğlaklık var
t24.com.tr/yazarlar/ome...
🔴İç içe geçmiş konular ve sorunlar yumağında
📌En üst düzey Türk yetkililer YPG/SDG’nin Türkiye’nin ulusal güvenliği için tehdit oluşturduğunu dile getirmelerine mukabil hep bir muğlaklık var
t24.com.tr/yazarlar/ome...
November 25, 2025 at 9:33 AM
A very thorough article by Ömer Önhon, former Turkish ambassador to Damascus, assessing the latest developments in Syria and within the Kurdish political movement and their implications for Ankara and the current peace process.
Worth reading : "A decade after the 2016 rupture, the Türkiye–Russia–United States triangle has settled into a pattern of normalized asymmetry. What began as a balancing attempt has evolved into a structured condition of constrained interdependence" +
www.institut-bosphore.org/wp-content/u...
www.institut-bosphore.org/wp-content/u...
November 25, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Worth reading : "A decade after the 2016 rupture, the Türkiye–Russia–United States triangle has settled into a pattern of normalized asymmetry. What began as a balancing attempt has evolved into a structured condition of constrained interdependence" +
www.institut-bosphore.org/wp-content/u...
www.institut-bosphore.org/wp-content/u...