Nazlan Ertan

Nazlan Ertan is Al-Monitor's former culture editor. She is a Turkish blogger, journalist and editor who has worked in Ankara, Paris and Brussels for various Turkish and international publications, including the Hurriyet Daily News, CNN Turk and BBC Turkish Service. She served as culture and audiovisual manager for the European Union delegation to Turkey, director of the EU Information Centre in Ankara and director of communication, culture and information in Turkey’s Ministry for European Affairs. On Twitter: @NazlanEr

Turkey | Jun 27, 2023

Turkey’s conservatives tighten grip on schools as imams appointed ‘spiritual counselors’

Pro-secular parties and education unions launch a series of protests after Izmir's Religious Affairs Office, the local branch of Turkey’s powerful Diyanet, assigns imams and preachers to one-third of elementary and secondary schools for spiritual guidance.

A woman walks in a hallway at Sehit Duran primary school in Adana, Turkey, March 18, 2019.

Turkey | Jun 5, 2023

Turkey inches toward ratifying Sweden's NATO bid

As Turkish and Swedish officials prepare to come together in a new round of talks to overcome Ankara’s objectives for Sweden’s membership, analysts are cautiously optimistic that Sweden may attend the upcoming alliance’s Vilnius summit as a member.

Turkey | May 31, 2023

Turkey's conservatives lash out at actress Merve Dizdar after Cannes win

Angry reactions to actress Merve Dizdar’s acceptance speech at the Cannes film festival may foreshadow more crackdowns on the liberal arts sector as Erdogan and a new conservative parliament takes the reins.

Turkish actress Merve Dizdar poses during a photocall after she won the Best Actress Prize for her part in the film "Kuru Otlar Ustune" (About Dry Grasses) during the closing ceremony of the 76th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 27, 2023.

Turkey | May 24, 2023

Turkey Elections: Far-right Victory Party throws support behind Erdogan challenger

As Turkey enters the final stretch to the presidential runoff, the political tone has gotten harsher with name-calling and libel suits.

Turkey | May 23, 2023

Turkey Elections: Runoff becomes tug of war over Syrian refugees

As Turkey heads for its presidential runoff, the opposition and the government are in a race to send Syrians and other refugees back home in an effort to woo nationalist voters.

Syrian refugees living in the earthquake-affected areas of southeastern Turkey cross the Turkey-Syria border at the Cilvegozu border crossing, Turkey, February 19, 2023. A 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the country's south-east in the early hours of February 6, followed by another 7.5-magnitude tremor just after midday. The quakes caused widespread destruction in southern Turkey and northern Syria, leaving behind more than 46,000 dead. (Photo by Konstantinos Tsakalidis / SOOC / SOOC via AFP) (Photo by KONS

Turkey | May 18, 2023

Turkey Elections: Erdogan rival ups nationalist tone, vows to send refugees home

Casting for nationalist votes in the presidential election runoff, opposition candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu takes a sharpened tone on refugees. 

Leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP) and the joint presidential candidate of the Nation Alliance, Kemal Kilicdaroglu gives a press conference in Ankara on May 18, 2023.

Turkey | May 16, 2023

Turkey's nationalist candidate basks in glory ahead of Erdogan-Kilicdaroglu runoff

Incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his secularist challenger Kemal Kilicdaroglu each plot strategy behind closed doors as nationalist candidate Sinan Ogan ponders whom to support.

Turkey | May 15, 2023

Turkey heads to runoff elections between Erdogan, Kilicdaroglu

Incumbent President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his top rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu will face each other in the runoff on May 28 after a knife-edge race on Sunday.

People walk past under the posters of Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the presidential candidate of the Main Opposition alliance and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at Taksim Square on May 10, 2023 in Istanbul, Turkey. On May 14th, Turkey’s President Erdogan will face his biggest electoral test as the country goes to the polls in the country’s general election. Erdogan has been in power for more than two decades -- first as prime minister, than as president -- but his popularity has recently taken a hit due to

Turkey | May 14, 2023

Live Updates

Turkey Elections: Runoff election called as Erdogan faces biggest challenge from Kilicdaroglu

Turkish President Erdogan has finished ahead of main opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu as both frontrunners are preparing to face each other in the runoff.

A couple walks past billboards with the portrait of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) and with the portrait of Republican People's Party (CHP) leader and presidential candidate, Kemal Kilicdaroglu (R) in Sanliurfa, south-eastern Turkey on April 28, 2023. (Photo by OZAN KOSE / AFP) (Photo by OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images)

Turkey | May 11, 2023

ALM Special

Turkey Elections: Latest polls put Erdogan challenger on verge of first-round win

Polls place Kemal Kilicdaroglu on the verge of getting a majority in the first round, a chance further boosted after Muharrem Ince bowed out of the presidential race.

Nazlan Ertan

Turkey’s conservatives tighten grip on schools as imams appointed ‘spiritual counselors’

Turkey inches toward ratifying Sweden's NATO bid

Turkey's conservatives lash out at actress Merve Dizdar after Cannes win

Turkey Elections: Far-right Victory Party throws support behind Erdogan challenger

Turkey Elections: Runoff becomes tug of war over Syrian refugees

Turkey Elections: Erdogan rival ups nationalist tone, vows to send refugees home

Turkey's nationalist candidate basks in glory ahead of Erdogan-Kilicdaroglu runoff

Turkey heads to runoff elections between Erdogan, Kilicdaroglu

Turkey Elections: Runoff election called as Erdogan faces biggest challenge from Kilicdaroglu

Turkey Elections: Latest polls put Erdogan challenger on verge of first-round win

Podcasts

Turkey's ratification of Sweden's NATO membership not enough to secure Congressional approval for F-16s, says Hellenic American Leadership Council chief Endy Zemenides

Nazlan Ertan

Turkey’s conservatives tighten grip on schools as imams appointed ‘spiritual counselors’

Turkey inches toward ratifying Sweden's NATO bid

Turkey's conservatives lash out at actress Merve Dizdar after Cannes win

Turkey Elections: Far-right Victory Party throws support behind Erdogan challenger

Turkey Elections: Runoff becomes tug of war over Syrian refugees

Turkey Elections: Erdogan rival ups nationalist tone, vows to send refugees home

Turkey's nationalist candidate basks in glory ahead of Erdogan-Kilicdaroglu runoff

Turkey heads to runoff elections between Erdogan, Kilicdaroglu

Turkey Elections: Runoff election called as Erdogan faces biggest challenge from Kilicdaroglu

Turkey Elections: Latest polls put Erdogan challenger on verge of first-round win

Latest News

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Podcasts

Turkey's ratification of Sweden's NATO membership not enough to secure Congressional approval for F-16s, says Hellenic American Leadership Council chief Endy Zemenides