Background: Turkey's New Party (Yeni Parti) led by Özgür Özel faces arrests of its mayors on corruption charges and a threat to Özel's parliamentary immunity, while polls show the party leading the AK Party. Today, reports indicate that 62 immunity files for Özel have been sent by the Justice Ministry to parliament, with the matter now at the top of the agenda. AK Party deputy group chair Leyla Şahin Usta said there is no current agenda to lift immunity, but speculation persists that Özel could be arrested like Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. The article also discusses the political context, including the court-ordered replacement of CHP leadership, the formation of the New Party, and parallels with the imprisonment of Selahattin Demirtaş, highlighting concerns about using the judiciary to sideline political rivals. Additionally, CHP group chair Faik Öztrak dismissed rumors of CHP voting for the immunity lift as baseless.

Background: Turkey's parliament passed the 'Law on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration' on August 10, 2026, providing a legal framework for the PKK's disarmament and dissolution, with conditional suspension of sentences for members who lay down arms, excluding senior leaders and those involved in serious crimes. Today: The law entered into force on August 18, 2026, after publication in the Official Gazette, marking a new phase in the 'Terror-Free Türkiye' initiative. The 12-article legislation, approved with 468 votes in favor, 88 against, and six abstentions, establishes procedures for PKK members who surrender, including deferral of prosecution or prison sentences in certain cases, but explicitly does not constitute a general amnesty. It does not eliminate existing convictions, change the legal classification of crimes, or broadly remove criminal liability. President Erdoğan has continued consultations, recently meeting with DEM Party lawmakers Pervin Buldan and Mithat Sancar, as well as families of fallen soldiers and veterans, to sustain political and public support for the process.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held separate phone calls with his Egyptian and Saudi counterparts to coordinate on obstacles to the Gaza peace plan, developments in Syria, and tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. The three countries reaffirmed support for stability in Syria and agreed to strengthen cooperation. This diplomatic engagement reflects ongoing efforts to resolve regional tensions and implement the Gaza peace plan.

Background: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan visited Egypt on August 13-14, 2026, co-chairing the second Türkiye-Egypt Joint Planning Group meeting, where he warned of 'radical steps' if Israel fails to implement the Gaza peace deal's second phase. New development: In a subsequent statement, Fidan issued one of Turkey's strongest warnings to Israel, stating that Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt could take 'radical measures' if Israel undermines the Gaza agreement. The warning, delivered during a meeting in Cairo with his Egyptian counterpart and later joined by Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, underscores a unified Islamic world stance and signals potential military and diplomatic coordination among these countries. This comes amid Turkey's expanding regional security role, including the Mecca Joint Defense Alliance with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, possible military cooperation in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, Turkey's offer of military support to Lebanon, and its military presence in Syria. The potential for Egypt to join the Mecca alliance could significantly alter the regional security equation and shift the balance against Israel.

Turkey's central government budget swung to a deficit of TL 378.1 billion ($7.89 billion) in July 2026, following a surplus in June. Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek said fiscal discipline remains intact and the government is on track with its targets despite geopolitical impacts. For January-July, the deficit reached TL 1.32 trillion, but a primary surplus of TL 470.1 billion was recorded. Tax revenues rose 30% year-over-year in July. Şimşek emphasized the government's commitment to its disinflation program and noted forgone tax revenue from fuel price mechanisms.

Background: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held telephone calls with Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government President Nechirvan Barzani and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani to discuss regional developments. Today: Fidan also spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, focusing on efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and preserve the cease-fire, following suspected Iranian drone strikes on the KRG PM's office in Irbil. In a phone call on August 17, 2026, Fidan and Araghchi discussed these issues amid regional tensions, including the suspected drone strikes. Fidan also held separate calls with the KRG leaders on regional developments.

Turkey's latest military appointments, published in the Official Gazette on August 15, 2026, reveal a significant generational shift in the Turkish Armed Forces' command structure. Post-2016 coup purges and restructuring have accelerated the promotion of younger officers, with a large cohort from the 1990s and early 2000s now filling senior ranks. Intelligence assessments, particularly from the National Intelligence Organization (MİT), play a central role in vetting officers, favoring those considered loyal to President Erdogan. The new assignments include 206 generals and admirals, heavily concentrated at the brigadier level and dominated by the Land Forces, indicating the future leadership trajectory of the Turkish military.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that the Mecca Agreement, a trilateral pact between Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, is open to other countries, including Egypt. In an interview with Al Jazeera Arabic aired on Sunday, Erdogan said 'the doors will be open to Egypt,' countering reports that Egypt had been excluded. The agreement, recently signed, appears to be a regional diplomatic initiative, and Erdogan's remarks signal potential expansion of its membership.