EGF Turkey File, September — mid November, 2018

Insights into Turkish Domestic and International Politics

September — mid November 2018

By Ben McPherson, EGF Turkey and Black Sea Regional Analyst

Key Points:

• Central bank raises interest rates, but the financial crisis deepens and trickles down to voters
• Some diplomatic reconciliation with Washington, as the Brunson affair is resolved
• Did freeing Brunson gain Ankara important energy concessions?
• Was "group of four" summit a game changer in the Syrian war?
• Ankara fires on YPG forces east of the Euphrates, potentially signaling expansion of their Syrian intervention
• Lurid details of Jamal Khashoggi murder transfix international community, with Ankara seeking advantage