Clément Plaisant
@cplaisant.bsky.social
International Relations | Diplomacy | Turkey-Syria | Et un peu d'@OL. Personal views here
"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"
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...
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...
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...
"One key structural constraint is Turkey’s lack of the political-economic fundamentals needed to effectively operationalize an autonomous foreign policy [...] These structural limitations are compounded by ideological and institutional constraints that relate to Turkey’s domestic governance"
November 24, 2025 at 6:21 PM
"One key structural constraint is Turkey’s lack of the political-economic fundamentals needed to effectively operationalize an autonomous foreign policy [...] These structural limitations are compounded by ideological and institutional constraints that relate to Turkey’s domestic governance"
The presentation of the CHP's new programme was somewhat overshadowed by the Imrali affair. The 130-page document devotes little attention to foreign relations (10 pages). Nevertheless, the party insists on a reliable, institutionalised foreign policy based on democratic values.
program.chp.org.tr
program.chp.org.tr
November 21, 2025 at 1:50 PM
The presentation of the CHP's new programme was somewhat overshadowed by the Imrali affair. The 130-page document devotes little attention to foreign relations (10 pages). Nevertheless, the party insists on a reliable, institutionalised foreign policy based on democratic values.
program.chp.org.tr
program.chp.org.tr
"During the Crans-Montana process, it was significant that the Turkish side had shown a tendency to accept a security umbrella such as NATO in discussions on the highly contentious issue of “security and guarantees" +
www.tepav.org.tr/en/haberler/...
www.tepav.org.tr/en/haberler/...
November 21, 2025 at 10:32 AM
"During the Crans-Montana process, it was significant that the Turkish side had shown a tendency to accept a security umbrella such as NATO in discussions on the highly contentious issue of “security and guarantees" +
www.tepav.org.tr/en/haberler/...
www.tepav.org.tr/en/haberler/...
"The ruling bloc carries a dual dynamic. While Erdoğan wants a family-centred order [...] Bahçeli argues that the new authoritarian order, to be established by changing the state's historical approach to identities, must be sustained with a institutional structure"
www.birgun.net/haber/synchr...
www.birgun.net/haber/synchr...
November 19, 2025 at 2:18 PM
"The ruling bloc carries a dual dynamic. While Erdoğan wants a family-centred order [...] Bahçeli argues that the new authoritarian order, to be established by changing the state's historical approach to identities, must be sustained with a institutional structure"
www.birgun.net/haber/synchr...
www.birgun.net/haber/synchr...
While Turkey's "peace commission"could discuss today a potential visit to İmralı, Erdoğan's main ally Bahçeli has reiterated his support for such an initiative in very strong terms. Under pressure, will the ruling AKP (and especially Erdoğan) make a decision ?
m.sabah.com.tr/gundem/2025/...
m.sabah.com.tr/gundem/2025/...
November 18, 2025 at 8:27 AM
While Turkey's "peace commission"could discuss today a potential visit to İmralı, Erdoğan's main ally Bahçeli has reiterated his support for such an initiative in very strong terms. Under pressure, will the ruling AKP (and especially Erdoğan) make a decision ?
m.sabah.com.tr/gundem/2025/...
m.sabah.com.tr/gundem/2025/...
Meghan Bodette's counterpoint :
November 17, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Meghan Bodette's counterpoint :
While the commission's work continues as part of the peace process, Kurdish expressions were used for the first time in the minutes of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (discussions on the 2026 budget).
t24.com.tr/haber/kurtce...
t24.com.tr/haber/kurtce...
November 17, 2025 at 1:08 PM
While the commission's work continues as part of the peace process, Kurdish expressions were used for the first time in the minutes of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (discussions on the 2026 budget).
t24.com.tr/haber/kurtce...
t24.com.tr/haber/kurtce...
"The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) announced on Monday that it had relocated its fighters from a mountain along the Kurdistan Region’s border with Turkey to deeper areas within the Region"
A new confidence-building and symbolic measure taken by the PKK.
www.rudaw.net/english/kurd...
A new confidence-building and symbolic measure taken by the PKK.
www.rudaw.net/english/kurd...
November 17, 2025 at 8:58 AM
"The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) announced on Monday that it had relocated its fighters from a mountain along the Kurdistan Region’s border with Turkey to deeper areas within the Region"
A new confidence-building and symbolic measure taken by the PKK.
www.rudaw.net/english/kurd...
A new confidence-building and symbolic measure taken by the PKK.
www.rudaw.net/english/kurd...
"There are signs of disputes, ranging from Ankara’s peace process with the Kurds to the handling of certain court cases. That said, none of these issues seem serious enough to end the [ruling] coalition, which serves both sides in multiple ways"
mailchi.mp/middleeastey...
mailchi.mp/middleeastey...
November 14, 2025 at 2:00 PM
"There are signs of disputes, ranging from Ankara’s peace process with the Kurds to the handling of certain court cases. That said, none of these issues seem serious enough to end the [ruling] coalition, which serves both sides in multiple ways"
mailchi.mp/middleeastey...
mailchi.mp/middleeastey...
An excellent article by Murat Sevinc explaining how, since 2007, Turkey's legal and constitutional spheres have been transformed into a veritable political arena for the ruling party. The case of the CHP's dissolution must be analysed within this framework.
www.diken.com.tr/chp-hakkinda...
www.diken.com.tr/chp-hakkinda...
November 14, 2025 at 10:49 AM
An excellent article by Murat Sevinc explaining how, since 2007, Turkey's legal and constitutional spheres have been transformed into a veritable political arena for the ruling party. The case of the CHP's dissolution must be analysed within this framework.
www.diken.com.tr/chp-hakkinda...
www.diken.com.tr/chp-hakkinda...
It is interesting to note that the image of the octopus was used by Erdogan himself in a speech on July 9, 2025, which, in retrospect, appears to be a true indictment ahead of its time.
t24.com.tr/haber/erdoga...
t24.com.tr/haber/erdoga...
November 12, 2025 at 12:51 PM
It is interesting to note that the image of the octopus was used by Erdogan himself in a speech on July 9, 2025, which, in retrospect, appears to be a true indictment ahead of its time.
t24.com.tr/haber/erdoga...
t24.com.tr/haber/erdoga...
A very enigmatic and abstract column by Okan Müderrisoğlu. I may be completely wrong, but I wonder if he is not subtly referring to the struggles for the post-Erdoğan era.
m.sabah.com.tr/yazarlar/mud...
m.sabah.com.tr/yazarlar/mud...
November 11, 2025 at 1:54 PM
A very enigmatic and abstract column by Okan Müderrisoğlu. I may be completely wrong, but I wonder if he is not subtly referring to the struggles for the post-Erdoğan era.
m.sabah.com.tr/yazarlar/mud...
m.sabah.com.tr/yazarlar/mud...
I completely agree. Moreover, this process is nothing more than a private agreement between elites; specifically, it is entirely shaped by the Bahçeli-Öcalan-Erdoğan triangle. Mehmet Emin Ekmen from DEVA party recently discussed this.
t24.com.tr/yazarlar/can...
t24.com.tr/yazarlar/can...
November 9, 2025 at 1:22 PM
I completely agree. Moreover, this process is nothing more than a private agreement between elites; specifically, it is entirely shaped by the Bahçeli-Öcalan-Erdoğan triangle. Mehmet Emin Ekmen from DEVA party recently discussed this.
t24.com.tr/yazarlar/can...
t24.com.tr/yazarlar/can...
Wladimir Van Wilgenburg also raised this issue in May 2025:
www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
November 7, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Wladimir Van Wilgenburg also raised this issue in May 2025:
www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...
A very thorough paper on Turkey's engagement in Gaza. Definitely worth reading.
www.rusi.org/explore-our-...
www.rusi.org/explore-our-...
November 7, 2025 at 8:38 PM
A very thorough paper on Turkey's engagement in Gaza. Definitely worth reading.
www.rusi.org/explore-our-...
www.rusi.org/explore-our-...
I particularly recommend reading Müderrisoğlu's column, who argues that Selahattin Demirtaş should represent the legal side of the "peace" process.
November 6, 2025 at 10:56 AM
I particularly recommend reading Müderrisoğlu's column, who argues that Selahattin Demirtaş should represent the legal side of the "peace" process.
A thorough study by Mitat Çelikpala on Turkey's connectivity initiatives, including some very useful illustrations.
www.globacademy.org/wp-content/u...
www.globacademy.org/wp-content/u...
November 3, 2025 at 1:50 PM
A thorough study by Mitat Çelikpala on Turkey's connectivity initiatives, including some very useful illustrations.
www.globacademy.org/wp-content/u...
www.globacademy.org/wp-content/u...
Interesting photos from this morning's PKK ceremony. The organisation's fighters left with their weapons. Proof that the disarmament process is far from having begun. And indeed, the legal architecture of the process has not been finalised in any case.
October 26, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Interesting photos from this morning's PKK ceremony. The organisation's fighters left with their weapons. Proof that the disarmament process is far from having begun. And indeed, the legal architecture of the process has not been finalised in any case.
While taking new confidence-building measures, the PKK is calling on Ankara to adopt a “transitional law", which is not far removed from the proposal put forward by Erdogan's legal advisor Mehem Uçum, who is advocating for a “special temporary law.”
October 26, 2025 at 8:02 AM
While taking new confidence-building measures, the PKK is calling on Ankara to adopt a “transitional law", which is not far removed from the proposal put forward by Erdogan's legal advisor Mehem Uçum, who is advocating for a “special temporary law.”