Turkey’s S-400 dilemma and NATO summit takeaways with Soli Özel

Turkey’s S-400 dilemma and NATO summit takeaways with Soli Özel

Ankara’s NATO summit is over and Turkey is expected to sell its Russian-made S-400 missile defense systems today, according to a pro-government columnist at the Hürriyet newspaper. The move could pave the way for the US congress to lift sanctions on Turkey and eventually facilitate the nation’s return to the F-35 fighter jet program, from which it was removed due to its 2019 acquisition of the S-400s. Political scientist Soli Özel [https://x.com/soliozel2] joined Recap radio to outline the significance of a potential S-400 sale, what that means for Turkey’s F-35 prospects and how this could impact the regional power balance with Greece and Israel. Also discussed are the main takeaways from this week’s NATO summit, what the Turkish government sought to achieve by hosting the event and how all this serves Turkey’s long-standing drive for “strategic autonomy.” Note: This podcast was recorded at 10:30 am Turkey time on Friday, July 10. Referenced in this talk: S400’ler üçüncü ülkeye gidiyor, satış bugün netleşecek (Hürriyet [https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/yazarlar/abdulkadir-selvi/s400ler-ucuncu-ulkeye-gidiyor-satis-bugun-netlesecek-43234729]) Netanyahu warns US could ‘destroy’ Mideast power balance as Trump floats F-35 jet sale to Turkey (France24 [https://www.france24.com/en/netanyahu-warns-us-destroy-mideast-power-balance-trump-floats-f-35-jet-sale-turkey]) The Ankara Corral (Turkey recap [https://www.turkeyrecap.com/p/the-ankara-corral]) Quest for Autonomy: History, Geopolitics and Ideology in Turkish Foreign Policy (Institut Montaigne [https://www.institutmontaigne.org/en/expressions/quest-autonomy-history-geopolitics-and-ideology-turkish-foreign-policy]) Other ways to watch & listen: Our webcasts are also available on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@turkeyrecap], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1KzyzWkguHP5t9jPWRChEZ], Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/recap-radio/id1813696945] and other podcast players. Turkey recap is an independent, reader-supported newsletter that helps people make sense of the fast-paced Turkey news cycle. Get in touch at info@turkeyrecap.com [info@turkeyrecap.com]. Subscribe here on Substack [https://turkeyrecap.substack.com/subscribe] (or on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/turkeyrecap] for discount options). Paid subscribers get full access to our recaps, reports, members-only chat and news tracking tools. We are an affiliate of the Global Forum for Media Development [https://gfmd.info/] and aim to produce balanced news that strengthens local media by supporting journalists in Turkey. ✅ Typos verify our humanity. All Turkey recap news output is created and fact-checked by people. Find our AI policy in our Code of Ethics [https://www.turkeyrecap.com/about#%C2%A7our-code-of-ethics]. Diego Cupolo, Editor-in-chief Emily Rice Johnson, Deputy editor Yıldız Yazıcıoğlu, Parliament correspondent Hilmi Hacaloğlu, Political correspondent Gözde Ocak, Stüdyo recap editor Demet Şöhret, Social media and content manager This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.turkeyrecap.com/subscribe [https://www.turkeyrecap.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Turkey, NATO and European defense with Dimitar Bechev

Next week’s NATO summit in Ankara will spotlight Turkey’s role in the alliance and the Turkish defense sector’s potential contributions to European security. Yet, Turkey-EU ties remain strained by a frozen accession process and deep distrust between the Erdoğan government and some member states. To dig into the contradictions and opportunities of deeper Turkey-EU defense cooperation, Turkey recap editor Diego Cupolo spoke to Dimitar Bechev [https://www.sant.ox.ac.uk/people/dr-dimitar-bechev/], director of the Dahrendorf Programme at St. Antony’s College’s European Studies Centre and author of the upcoming book, The Scramble for Europe [https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-scramble-for-europe-9780197781449?cc=us&lang=en], and a Substack [https://scrambleforeurope.substack.com/] by the same name. This podcast covers how Turkey’s growing weapons manufacturing base and geographic leverage on the Black Sea naval balance has boosted Ankara’s role in regional security while improving Turkey-EU relations following years of tensions and democratic backsliding that continues today. Referenced in this talk: Scramble for Europe: Russia, China, and Turkey Challenging Regional Order (Oxford University Press [https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-scramble-for-europe-9780197781449?cc=tr&lang=en&]) Türkiye: Crackdown Ahead of NATO Summit (Human Rights Watch [https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/06/25/turkiye-crackdown-ahead-of-nato-summit]) NATO’s Turkey Paradox (Modern War Institute [https://mwi.westpoint.edu/natos-turkey-paradox/]) Turkey does its own thing (International Crisis Group [https://www.crisisgroup.org/opd/europe-central-asia/turkiye/turkey-does-its-own-thing]) The Black Sea Has Become the Fulcrum of Europe’s Security (Carnegie [https://carnegieendowment.org/europe/strategic-europe/2025/06/the-black-sea-has-become-the-fulcrum-of-europes-security]) Other ways to watch & listen: Our webcasts are also available on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@turkeyrecap], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1KzyzWkguHP5t9jPWRChEZ], Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/recap-radio/id1813696945] and other podcast players. Turkey recap is an independent, reader-supported newsletter that helps people make sense of the fast-paced Turkey news cycle. Get in touch at info@turkeyrecap.com [info@turkeyrecap.com]. Subscribe here on Substack [https://turkeyrecap.substack.com/subscribe] (or on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/turkeyrecap] for discount options). Paid subscribers get full access to our recaps, reports, members-only chat and news tracking tools. We are an affiliate of the Global Forum for Media Development [https://gfmd.info/] and aim to produce balanced news that strengthens local media by supporting journalists in Turkey. ✅ Typos verify our humanity. All Turkey recap news output is created and fact-checked by people. Find our AI policy in our Code of Ethics [https://www.turkeyrecap.com/about#%C2%A7our-code-of-ethics]. Diego Cupolo, Editor-in-chief Emily Rice Johnson, Deputy editor Yıldız Yazıcıoğlu, Parliament correspondent Hilmi Hacaloğlu, Political correspondent Gözde Ocak, Stüdyo recap editor Demet Şöhret, Social media and content manager This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.turkeyrecap.com/subscribe [https://www.turkeyrecap.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Former CHP Deputy Chair Ilhan Uzgel on what's next for Turkey's main opposition party

More than a month has passed since a court ruling removed the leadership of Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and the party’s future is in limbo. Ousted CHP chair Özgür Özel remains popular with the party base and is attempting to take back his position from the reinstalled but unpopular CHP head Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. To do so, Özel is pushing for a party congress in July that would allow party members to vote on their leadership, though Kılıçdaroğlu has maintained such a vote cannot take place until the conclusion of the appeals process behind his reappointment. Ilhan Uzgel [https://x.com/ilhanuzgel], former CHP deputy chair and foreign policy coordinator, joined the podcast today to outline recent events and the current leadership struggle within the party. Covered in this talk are the prospects for a CHP congress this summer, the calculations behind forming a splinter party led by Özel, as well as the state of democracy in Turkey and the role of international allies, who will meet in Ankara next month for the 2026 NATO summit. Referenced in this talk: Ploy Division (Turkey recap [https://www.turkeyrecap.com/p/ploy-division]) Ilhan Uzgel: En kirli pazarlık (BirGün [https://www.birgun.net/makale/en-kirli-pazarlik-718111]) Turkey opposition crisis deepens as rival CHP leaders hold duelling meetings (Reuters [https://www.reuters.com/world/rival-leaders-turkeys-main-opposition-party-call-competing-meetings-2026-06-09/]) Turkey lashes out at European Parliament report urging EU sanctions on justice minister (AP [https://apnews.com/article/turkey-european-parliament-report-sanctions-1ba702dcfe5211b6894ef43f3c9846d3]) Other ways to watch & listen: Our webcasts are also available on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@turkeyrecap], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1KzyzWkguHP5t9jPWRChEZ], Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/recap-radio/id1813696945] and other podcast players. Turkey recap is an independent, reader-supported newsletter that helps people make sense of the fast-paced Turkey news cycle. Get in touch at info@turkeyrecap.com [info@turkeyrecap.com]. Subscribe here on Substack [https://turkeyrecap.substack.com/subscribe] (or on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/turkeyrecap] for discount options). Paid subscribers get full access to our recaps, reports, members-only chat and news tracking tools. We are an affiliate of the Global Forum for Media Development [https://gfmd.info/] and aim to produce balanced news that strengthens local media by supporting journalists in Turkey. ✅ Typos verify our humanity. All Turkey recap news output is created and fact-checked by people. Find our AI policy in our Code of Ethics [https://www.turkeyrecap.com/about#%C2%A7our-code-of-ethics]. Diego Cupolo, Editor-in-chief Emily Rice Johnson, Deputy editor Yıldız Yazıcıoğlu, Parliament correspondent Hilmi Hacaloğlu, Political correspondent Gözde Ocak, Stüdyo recap editor Demet Şöhret, Social media and content manager This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.turkeyrecap.com/subscribe [https://www.turkeyrecap.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Election recap: What’s next for Armenia, Turkey and Azerbaijan with Olesya Vartanyan

Olesya Vartanyan [https://x.com/Olesya_vArt], a conflict analyst specializing in South Caucasus security and a researcher at George Mason University, joins Turkey recap editor Diego Cupolo to discuss the Armenian elections and what comes next for the region. This podcast dives into the many factors behind Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan’s re-election, plus the interplay between Armenia’s peace deal with Azerbaijan and normalization process with Turkey. Also covered is Russia’s energy leverage in Armenia, the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), as well as the human cost and deep distrust left by the Nagorno-Karabakh war. Referenced in this talk: Armenia election result revives hopes of reopening border with Turkey (RFI [https://www.rfi.fr/en/podcasts/international-report/20260613-armenia-election-result-revives-hopes-of-reopening-border-with-turkey]) Türkiye-Armenia Border Reopening: A Turning Point For The South Caucasus (CACI [https://www.cacianalyst.org/publications/analytical-articles/item/13947-t%C3%BCrkiye-armenia-border-reopening-a-turning-point-for-the-south-caucasus.html]) Erdoğan congratulates Pashinyan on electoral victory (Armenpress [https://armenpress.am/en/article/1252761]) US and Armenia sign partnership agreement ahead of Armenian election (Reuters [https://www.reuters.com/world/us-armenia-sign-strategic-partnership-agreement-ahead-armenian-elections-2026-05-26/]) Armenia votes West, but cannot quit Russia (EPC [https://www.epc.eu/publication/armenia-votes-west-but-cannot-quit-russia/]) Other ways to watch & listen: Our webcasts are also available on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@turkeyrecap], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1KzyzWkguHP5t9jPWRChEZ], Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/recap-radio/id1813696945] and other podcast players. Turkey recap is an independent, reader-supported newsletter that helps people make sense of the fast-paced Turkey news cycle. Get in touch at info@turkeyrecap.com [info@turkeyrecap.com]. Subscribe here on Substack [https://turkeyrecap.substack.com/subscribe] (or on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/turkeyrecap] for discount options). Paid subscribers get full access to our recaps, reports, members-only chat and news tracking tools. We are an affiliate of the Global Forum for Media Development [https://gfmd.info/] and aim to produce balanced news that strengthens local media by supporting journalists in Turkey. ✅ Typos verify our humanity. All Turkey recap news output is created and fact-checked by people. Find our AI policy in our Code of Ethics [https://www.turkeyrecap.com/about#%C2%A7our-code-of-ethics]. Diego Cupolo, Editor-in-chief Emily Rice Johnson, Deputy editor Yıldız Yazıcıoğlu, Parliament correspondent Hilmi Hacaloğlu, Political correspondent Gözde Ocak, Stüdyo recap editor Demet Şöhret, Social media and content manager This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.turkeyrecap.com/subscribe [https://www.turkeyrecap.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Pride month and prejudice: Yıldız Tar on pending LGBT legislation in Turkey

This Pride month, a set of new law proposals criminalizing LGBT expressions and restricting gender transition surgeries are expected to be introduced in the Turkish parliament. In today’s episode, Yıldız Tar, editor-in-chief of KaosGL.org [https://kaosgl1.org/], a news site dedicated to LGBT issues in Turkey, outlines the pending reforms with Turkey recap editor Diego Cupolo. They discuss the Tar’s ongoing trial, the current state of LGBT rights in Turkey and why the government’s legal agenda has focused more on conservative family values in recent years. It’s not just for votes, Tar argues. Referenced in this talk: RSVP to Turkey recap’s get-together in Ankra on June 11 using this form [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfpCgjMkg13w7rvGHcOxAGcnCkp2t3dGfdpAht0gkWfwc3jMA/viewform?usp=header] Yıldız Tar’s trial history (Expression Interrupted [https://www.expressioninterrupted.com/yildiz-tar/]) LGBTI+ associations: “We will not be packaged away! We are here with pride, we demand to live with dignity!” (KaosGL [https://kaosgl1.org/en/single-news/lgbti-associations-we-will-not-be-packaged-away-we-are-here-with-pride-we-demand-to-live-with-dignity-1]) Pro-creation, anti-LGBTQ: What’s behind Erdoğan’s ‘Year of the Family’ program (Turkey recap [https://www.turkeyrecap.com/p/pro-creation-anti-lgbtq-whats-behind]) Calls for action against the LGBT+ hostile 12th Judicial Package (KaosGL [https://kaosgl1.org/haber/lgbti-dusmani-12-yargi-paketi-ne-karsi-eylem-cagrilari]) Other ways to watch & listen: Our webcasts are also available on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@turkeyrecap], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1KzyzWkguHP5t9jPWRChEZ], Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/recap-radio/id1813696945] and other podcast players. Turkey recap is an independent, reader-supported newsletter that helps people make sense of the fast-paced Turkey news cycle. Get in touch at info@turkeyrecap.com [info@turkeyrecap.com]. Subscribe here on Substack [https://turkeyrecap.substack.com/subscribe] (or on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/turkeyrecap] for discount options). Paid subscribers get full access to our recaps, reports, members-only chat and news tracking tools. We are an affiliate of the Global Forum for Media Development [https://gfmd.info/] and aim to produce balanced news that strengthens local media by supporting journalists in Turkey. ✅ Typos verify our humanity. All Turkey recap news output is created and fact-checked by people. Find our AI policy in our Code of Ethics [https://www.turkeyrecap.com/about#%C2%A7our-code-of-ethics]. Diego Cupolo, Editor-in-chief Emily Rice Johnson, Deputy editor Yıldız Yazıcıoğlu, Parliament correspondent Hilmi Hacaloğlu, Political correspondent Gözde Ocak, Stüdyo recap editor Demet Şöhret, Social media and content manager This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.turkeyrecap.com/subscribe [https://www.turkeyrecap.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]