Week in Review: High Ambitions and Missed Opportunities
Our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at future goals as well as lost opportunities from the past. KAYNAK: Balkan Insight
Does Turkey Want to Protect Children on Social Media – or Increase Surveillance?
Turkey’s planned new restrictions on accessing social media platforms without identity verification will erode anonymity and further tighten censorship. KAYNAK: Balkan Insight
Turkish President’s Party Takes Major Mayoralty After Opposition Mayor’s Arrest
President Erdogan’s ruling party has taken control of the important municipality of Bursa following the arrest of its opposition mayor on April 4, along with 30 others. KAYNAK: Balkan Insight
Attacker Killed by Turkish Police in Shootout Near Israeli Consulate in Istanbul
One man was killed, two others were captured and two police officers were wounded after a gunfight erupted near a building housing the Israeli consulate in Istanbul. KAYNAK: Balkan Insight
Turkey to Require Social Media Users to Verify Their Identities
Minister says Turkey and social media companies have agreed that Turkish citizens will soon have to verify their identities to use social media accounts - a move to end anonymity…
Court Orders, No Explanations: How Turkey Muzzles Journalists on Social Media
Kurdish investigative reporter Rusen Takva says the repeated blocking of his social media accounts shows how court-ordered content restrictions are being used to curbing press freedom in Turkey. KAYNAK: Balkan…
Bosnia and Turkey Celebrate World Cup Qualification After Playoff Victories
Joy across Bosnia and Turkey, as men’s teams win play-offs to qualify for the 2026 World Cup – and heartache in Kosovo, as narrow defeat dashes country’s hopes. KAYNAK: Balkan…
Turkey Detains 55, Including Fourth Largest City’s Mayor, in Fresh Crackdown
Police arrest opposition Mayor of Bursa and 54 others on corruption charges, as opposition condemns what it calls the targeted use of justice system to silence critics. KAYNAK: Balkan Insight
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: March 30, 2026
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. KAYNAK: Balkan Insight
EU Urged to Ease Visa Regulations for ‘Isolated’ Turkish Journalists
In a joint letter to the EU, 18 Turkish and international media and rights groups call for a swifter and easier visa regime for Turkish journalists to relieve their 'professional…