AGP Executive Report

Kurdish Culture & Memory: TEV-ÇAND marked the 27th anniversary of Kurdish musician Hozan Serhad’s death, calling his life a symbol of resistance to assimilation policies and highlighting how he reclaimed his identity through his chosen name. Rights & Justice: The Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) filed a Rule 9.2 submission to the Council of Europe over the Kavala and Demirtaş cases, arguing Turkey hasn’t remedied ECHR violations and that pretrial detention is still used to pressure free expression and peaceful assembly. NATO-Era Crackdown: Ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara, seven people detained in security operations were released and placed under house arrest, including LGBTI+ activist Yıldız Tar and academics and environmental figures. Migration at the Border: Turkish authorities arrested 34 Afghan migrants hiding in a cargo truck near the Bulgaria border, sending them to a deportation center in Kırklareli. Culture & Arts: BarokOpera Amsterdam announced “Mozart in Istanbul,” an intercultural staging of “The Abduction from the Seraglio” with Turkish arias and dialogue for performances in August in Amsterdam. International Spotlight on Turkey: A Kurdish race walker accused Turkey’s athletics federation of excluding him due to ethnic identity, prompting European Athletics to seek a response. Health & Society: Turkey’s medical advertising debate continues as the Turkish Medical Association investigates claims around doctor promotion of “female circumcision.”

NATO Crackdown in Ankara: Turkish authorities released nine detainees ahead of the NATO summit and placed them under house arrest, including Kaos GL editor Yıldız Tar and TEMA environmental volunteers, after criticism that the operation targeted journalists, academics and civil society. Kurdish Peace Process Debate: Nurettin Demirtaş and Ahmet Faruk Ünsal argue any framework law for the Kurdish issue must be built through dialogue and democratic steps, not just “disarmament” narratives. Youth Justice Bill: A new AK Party draft approved by a parliamentary justice committee would allow life imprisonment for serious crimes committed by 15–18-year-olds, with courts retaining discretion. ASEAN Boost: ASEAN granted Türkiye full Dialogue Partner status, expanding cooperation with the bloc on political-security, economic and socio-cultural issues. Culture & Tourism Spotlight: Filming began in Trabzon for the Go Turkey mini-series “Kalbimin Rotası Karadeniz,” starring Cemre Baysel and Mert Yazıcıoğlu, aiming to promote the Black Sea. Archaeology Update: Excavations at Prusias ad Hypium (“Ephesus of the Western Black Sea”) in Düzce are expanding and restoration is planned to better reveal the site’s original look. Education: Türkiye’s YKS results saw 11 students top the nationwide university entrance exams, with Kabataş Erkek Lisesi leading.

Ancient Heritage Revival: Türkiye’s Aspendos excavations have uncovered nearly 2,000-year-old “Theatre Street,” a 300-meter road linking the theatre to the acropolis, with a bakery, homes, a monumental gate and new visitor routes now nearing completion. Public Health & Lifestyle: The American Heart Association says up to 5 cups of caffeinated coffee a day (about 400 mg) is generally safe for most adults, with benefits tied to how coffee is brewed and what’s added. Culture & Identity: A new project will promote Khoja Ahmed Yassawi’s heritage across Kazakhstan, spotlighting his Divan-i Hikmet and its role in education and national identity. Ethics in Medicine: The Turkish Medical Association opened a disciplinary probe into a doctor who advertised female genital mutilation online, calling it violence with no medical basis. International Ties: Türkiye became ASEAN’s 12th dialogue partner, with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan framing it as a boost for political and economic cooperation. Online Culture: A podcast episode digs into fandom culture—what makes a fan, how communities form, and where healthy enthusiasm can tip into obsession.

Archaeology & Heritage: A nearly 2,000-year-old “Theater Street” road linking Aspendos’ theater to the acropolis is nearing completion, with excavations also turning up a well-preserved bakery, public buildings, homes, and a monumental gate in Antalya. Restoration & Tourism: In Düzce, work is set to expand at Prusias ad Hypium—often dubbed the “Ephesus of the Western Black Sea”—as restoration approvals pave the way for better visitor access and renewed regional tourism. Education & Culture: Türkiye announced 2026 YKS results, with top performers including students from Kartal Anadolu Imam Hatip High School and Kabataş Boys’ High School. Public Life & Safety: Police detained 15 suspects across five provinces in the Gülistan Doku university student murder probe, including alleged phone-tampering suspects, as the case continues to fuel women’s rights demands for transparency. Lifestyle & Travel: Cappadocia’s balloon sunrise is now inspiring “breakfast with a view” culture, with cafes in Göreme filling up early for balloon-watch mornings. International Spotlight on Türkiye: Türkiye is being marketed as a safe haven for Russian real estate investors, with officials citing transport, land registry reliability, and cultural affinity. Cyprus Commemoration: Free Cyprus marked the 52nd anniversary of the 1974 invasion with memorial services and remembrance events.

Cyprus Anniversary & Identity Politics: Turkish Cypriots marked the 52nd anniversary of Türkiye’s 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation with Lefkosa ceremonies, as TRNC leaders stressed Turkish Cypriots are “equal owners” of the island and warned no Cyprus plan can succeed without Ankara and Turkish Cypriot rights. Diplomacy & Regional Balancing: Iraq’s PM Ali al-Zaidi announced a tour of Iran, Turkey, Syria and Saudi Arabia aimed at reinforcing Baghdad’s neutrality amid rising Middle East tensions. Arts & Expression Under Pressure: A coalition of artists and cultural groups renewed calls for the release of jailed stand-up comedian Deniz Göktaş, arguing “humor is not a crime.” Culture & Community: In Winnipeg, a mosque and family centre described as a hub for newcomers and the African diaspora shows how faith spaces can double as social support. Health & Daily Life: An investigation from Syria highlights cancer patients being pushed toward charity queues and an unregulated black market for medicines. Travel & Lifestyle: Europe’s new EES biometric entry system is causing long border queues, reshaping holiday plans.

NATO in Ankara: Turkey hosted a NATO summit that leaders framed as “love in the room,” but analysts say it exposed deep splits over spending, Iran and Ukraine, and a growing political rift among allies. Cinema funding push: A new Ankara omnibus bill would add a 2% levy on digital streaming platforms to support struggling Turkish cinema, aiming to funnel hundreds of millions of liras into the Culture and Tourism Ministry. Minority education row: Turkey condemned Greece’s closure of eight Muslim minority schools in Western Thrace, saying it undermines language, culture and identity; Greece cites falling enrollment. Cultural diplomacy: In Athens, Turkish ebru (paper marbling) was taught in a workshop at the Turkish Embassy Residence, with guests making their own marbled designs. Heritage return: Türkiye officially welcomed home the “Gypsy Girl” mosaic panel to Gaziantep’s Zeugma Mosaic Museum, continuing the repatriation of stolen artifacts. Tourism milestone: Turkey climbed to fourth most visited country in 2026, reaching 60.6 million foreign visitors. Refugee culture support: The Culture Ministry launched “Nostos” to preserve and promote refugee cultural heritage, with digital grant applications opening Aug. 24.

Minority Education Clash: Turkey’s foreign ministry condemned Greece’s closure of eight Turkish-speaking primary schools in Western Thrace, saying the move undermines minority rights and leaves just 76 schools operating. Diplomacy in Focus: Turkish FM Hakan Fidan met Qatar’s top leadership in Doha to deepen the strategic partnership, including coordination on regional issues and connectivity projects. Culture & Heritage: Topkapı Palace reopened its restored Ottoman Şerbethane sherbet kitchen after nine months, expanding the collection from 174 to 452 objects tied to court traditions. Tech for Learning: Türkiye’s AI-powered foreign language platform DILIM has topped 220,000 users since its June launch, offering personalized speaking and writing practice. Road Safety Push: Türkiye unveiled a 2026–2027 motorcycle inspection action plan as motorcycle numbers rise and nearly half of injury/death crashes involve bikes. Language Under Pressure: A new report warns Kurdish is disappearing from daily life in Northern Kurdistan, with household use down sharply over recent years. World Cup Culture: FIFA’s first-ever final halftime show is set to feature global pop stars and BTS, with a charity education fund tied to ticket sales.

NATO in Ankara: A week of high-stakes diplomacy wrapped in Ankara as Trump pushed allies on spending and exposed deep splits over Iran, Ukraine, and security visions. Foreign Policy—Qatar ties: Turkish FM Hakan Fidan met Qatar’s top leadership in Doha to deepen the strategic partnership, coordinate regional issues, and prepare the next high-level committee meeting. Culture & Heritage—Topkapı: Topkapı Palace’s restored Ottoman Şerbethane sherbet kitchen reopened after nine months, expanding its collection from 174 to 452 objects. Education & Tech: Türkiye’s AI-powered foreign language platform DILIM has topped 220,000 users, using personalized practice and instant feedback for speaking and writing. Public Safety—Motorcycles: Turkey’s Interior Ministry launched a 2026–2027 action plan to cut motorcycle crashes, focusing on visibility at intersections and rider awareness. Community Media—Arbaeen: Istanbul’s Imam Hussein Center held a workshop with Turkish media to coordinate logistics and international press coverage for Arbaeen. Lifestyle—Turkish craft abroad: A Turkish mosaic lamp workshop brought “a taste of Turkish culture” to Anderson. Legal/Identity—UK case: Abu Hamza’s son Sufean Kamal filed a legal bid to regain UK citizenship after alleged Al Qaeda-linked fighting in Syria.

NATO in Ankara: Trump wrapped up the 2026 NATO summit in Turkey saying there was “tremendous love,” but analysts say the meeting laid bare deep splits over spending, Iran, Ukraine, and Europe’s political direction. July 15 memory & democracy: A new piece marks 10 years since Türkiye’s failed coup attempt, framing Democracy and National Unity Day as a story of resilience and street-level unity. Syrian culture & jobs: Syria’s new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, opened NAS TEX 2026, pitching the textile exhibition in Damascus as a reconstruction engine tied to heritage, employment, and poverty relief. Arts & festivals: BASE 2026 names Greece guest country, while Istanbul’s Sound of Europe Festival returns with free concerts across Kadıköy, Ankara, and İzmir. Heritage discovery: Researchers decoded the Arslan Kaya “Lion Rock” inscription, identifying “Materan,” a mother goddess tied to ancient Anatolia. Work & rights: KESK’s vigil in Ankara continues for reinstatement of public workers dismissed after the July 15 coup attempt. World Cup culture clash: FIFA faces criticism over visa barriers that allegedly kept many fans and workers out of the tournament.

Sound of Europe Festival in Istanbul: The EU-backed “Sound of Europe Festival” lands in Kadıköy on July 18-19 with free concerts featuring European and Turkish acts, including JazzyBIT, Shama, AZE, Witch’n’Monk and Sarria. Ancient Turkey, big find: Archaeologists at Tralleis (near Aydın) unearthed an “Olympic-scale” 2,000-year-old swimming pool—37m long, 12m wide—part of a bath-gymnasium complex with advanced water systems. Türkiye–Indonesia ties: Ankara and Jakarta agreed to deepen cooperation in media, public diplomacy and strategic communications, including disinformation countermeasures and cultural heritage/gastrodiplomacy projects. Media & memory: Türkiye marked the 10th anniversary of the July 15 coup attempt with nationwide commemorations, including Istanbul’s July 15 Memory Museum drawing nearly 3M visitors. International spotlight on Gaza: Anadolu delivered updated editions of its “Gaza Trilogy” to the ICC prosecutor, expanding documentation of alleged war crimes and genocide in Gaza. World Cup culture debate: FIFA faced criticism over “inclusive” World Cup claims, with strict US visa rules blamed for keeping many fans and workers out.

NATO in Ankara: Trump wrapped up the 2026 NATO summit in Turkey with talk of “tremendous love,” but analysts say the meeting laid bare rifts over spending, Iran and Ukraine, and Europe’s political divisions. Judicial Reform in Türkiye: Parliament approved the 12th judicial package on July 16, aiming to speed civil cases, expand video hearings, and adjust how appeals overturn lower-court rulings—while leaving out items on juvenile crime, social media identity checks, and gender reassignment age limits. Education & Skills: Türkiye is moving cautiously toward a micro-credentials framework, and Eastern Mediterranean University opened external transfer applications for 2026–2027. Culture & Heritage: A new “Olympic-scale” Roman swimming pool has been unearthed near Aydın, and Türkiye–Indonesia agreed to deepen media cooperation, including cultural heritage and zero-waste “gastrodiplomacy.” Archaeology/Arts: Anadolu delivered updated “Gaza Trilogy” editions to the ICC prosecutor, while Belgrade’s Ethnographic Museum announced an exhibition on Prince Marko for July 18.

Judicial Reform: Türkiye’s parliament approved the 12th judicial reform package, tightening civil hearing timelines to three months and expanding video-conference options, while leaving out several previously floated measures. Religious Freedom & Tension: A Russian couple faces possible deportation after being detained for reading Bible verses at Hagia Sophia, where parts still operate as a museum space. Digital Government: Türkiye is rolling AI into e-Devlet, aiming for an AI assistant for public services and a way to gauge citizens’ AI literacy. Culture & Tourism: Demre (Antalya) is pushing a four-season tourism plan, betting on faith, nature, and marine attractions beyond summer. Tech & Work: FAST (Dubai) named a People & Culture head to align human teams with its growing network of AI agents. Education Support: YÖK extended “special student” status for students affected by the 2023 earthquake, letting them continue at other public universities. Archaeology & Heritage: Çanakkale’s İnkaya Cave excavation enters its 10th season with new private sponsorship to boost rare cave archaeology and cultural tourism. Sports Culture: Galatasaray reportedly chose Victor Osimhen as permanent club captain ahead of the new season. International Jazz: Ankara and Bodrum jazz festivals were accepted into the World Jazz Network.

NATO in Ankara: The July 9 summit wrapped with Trump praising “tremendous love,” but analysts say the meeting laid bare NATO’s internal rifts over spending, Iran, Ukraine, sovereignty, and democracy—against a backdrop of a hot transatlantic relationship and major war pressures. July 15 memory in Kuwait: Türkiye’s embassy in Kuwait marked Democracy and National Unity Day with a moment of silence, Qur’an recitation, and remarks stressing July 15 as a turning point for Turkey’s defense of national will. Education tech debate: A U.S. report highlights how standardized testing pushed schools to keep using devices—raising the question of whether assessment is quietly driving classroom choices. Workplace rights in Turkey: AFP photographer Akgül’s strike continues over a living wage, with journalists’ union demands tied to inflation and survival, not just pay rises. Culture & film: Berlin-based filmmaker Nader Saeivar discusses his Karlovy Vary competition film “Hijamat,” centered on a traditional Muslim family shaken by a gay character. Travel policy: Türkiye expanded e-Visa access for nine African countries but left Somalia out, despite close ties. Health claims check: A roundup questions the hype around mushroom supplements and urges skepticism toward sweeping promises.

NATO in Ankara: The July 7-8 summit brought a big economic boost to the Turkish capital, with an estimated 800–900 million liras in spending from visiting leaders and guests, even as analysts pointed to deep political frictions inside the alliance. AK Party 25th: Türkiye’s ruling AK Party is set to mark its 25th anniversary at Ankara’s People’s Garden, with Erdoğan expected to join celebrations and kick off the 2028 campaign. Hagia Sophia practicalities: A 2026 visitor guide lays out the Hagia Sophia ticket fee (about €25 for foreigners), opening hours, and dress code rules for planning a trip. Cultural rights online: Trendyol shut down a Kurdish bookstore selling Kurdish-language books and items, with the owner alleging algorithmic “brand error” bans tied to “Kurdistan.” Human rights & tech: A Turkish webinar launched a Turkish translation of a UN Women/SVRI report on technology-facilitated violence against women, focusing on AI abuse, harassment, stalking, and support models. Sports culture: Mauro Icardi leaves Galatasaray after four trophy-laden years, ending a run that turned him into a club “cultural phenomenon.”

NATO & Ankara Politics: Trump wrapped up the 2026 NATO summit in Ankara amid sharp public feuds and deep splits over spending, Iran, Ukraine, and “sovereignty vs democracy,” with analysts saying the alliance’s unity is fraying. Kurdish Rights Vigil: In Geneva, Kurdish activists keep up a weekly “Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan” protest outside the UN, marking martyrs and renewing calls for Öcalan’s physical freedom. International Justice in Gaza: A Turkish court moved to seek an Interpol Red Notice for Israeli PM Netanyahu in the “Sumud Flotilla” case, accusing him of crimes including crimes against humanity and genocide. Armenian Genocide Diplomacy: Israel’s cabinet approved recognizing the Armenian Genocide, a decision still awaiting Knesset action, while Turkey and Azerbaijan criticized it as geopolitically driven. July 15 Education Debate: Critics say Turkey’s school materials and commemorations for the 2016 coup risk political indoctrination, with teachers warning they face pressure to comply. Culture & Arts: Istanbul’s July 15 Memory Museum reportedly drew nearly 3M visitors, while Turkish-language performances and cultural projects continue to travel and connect audiences.

July 15 Commemoration: Türkiye marked the 10th anniversary of the failed coup with nationwide ceremonies, memorial visits and vigils, as President Erdoğan framed July 15 as a “victory of democracy” and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the national will would never submit to “tutelary forces” or FETÖ. Education & Youth: The Education Ministry published a special July 15 magazine for schools, while a higher-education reform bill cleared a key parliamentary step, including a student amnesty for those previously expelled—excluding terrorism, murder, sexual offences and major drug crimes. Culture & Heritage: The 13th panel of the “Gypsy Girl” mosaic was repatriated from the U.S. and formally handed to the Zeugma Mosaic Museum in Gaziantep. Tourism & Lifestyle: Türkiye ranked fourth for international visitor growth (OECD) and the July 15 Memory Museum near the Martyrs Bridge has welcomed nearly 3 million visitors. Work & Society: June workplace deaths in Turkey hit 228, bringing the first-half toll to 1,063, with construction and crushing/collapse among the leading causes.