AGP Executive Report

NATO Summit Security: Turkey has tightened security ahead of the NATO leaders’ meeting in Ankara, banning public gatherings and deploying major police resources and air defenses, while officials frame the move as both protection and a show of alliance value. Higher Education Crackdown: A decree in Turkey’s Official Gazette ordered the closure of Istanbul Bilgi University, alarming students and staff who say there were no warnings despite recent accreditation checks. Social Media Curbs for Youth: A growing wave of countries is debating or rolling out limits on children’s social media use, with Turkey among those working on similar legislation. Istanbul Economy Watch: Inflation in Istanbul eased slightly in June, while Turkey’s central bank ended an additional lira reserve requirement for FX deposits. World Cup Shock (USMNT): The U.S. was knocked out of its knockout opener plan after Folarin Balogun’s red card kept him out of the Round of 16 vs Belgium, following a 2-0 win over Bosnia. Diplomacy: Kyrgyzstan’s foreign minister met President Erdoğan, highlighting cooperation in the UN and Turkic organizations and reaffirming plans for a strategic partnership.

NATO Summit Security in Ankara: Turkey is tightening security and restricting access across Ankara ahead of the July 7-8 NATO summit, with major road closures, rescheduled flights and public services, and paid leave for many civil servants. Arms and Defense Politics: The US is moving to approve F110 engine sales to Turkey for the Kaan fighter program, while US lawmakers push back over bypassing congressional review and concerns tied to Turkey’s S-400. Turkey- Israel Rift: Israel’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide has further inflamed tensions with Turkey, with Ankara accusing Israel of using the move to distract from Gaza. World Cup, Round of 32 Focus: The USMNT begins its knockout run against Bosnia and Herzegovina at Levi’s Stadium, with Christian Pulisic reported fit, while FIFA’s “Prestianni Law” is again in the spotlight after red cards for players covering their mouths. Istanbul Travel Practicality: A new guide breaks down Istanbul Airport (IST) vs Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) transfer pricing, arguing fixed quotes beat metered taxis in traffic.

World Cup Shock & Rule Changes: Paraguay stunned Germany 4-3 on penalties to reach the round of 16 for the first time, with Julio Enciso dedicating the win to his late grandfather. The tournament’s new “covering the mouth” disciplinary rule also keeps reshaping games: Ecuador’s Piero Hincapie was sent off for covering his mouth during a confrontation in their 2-0 loss to Mexico, following Paraguay’s Miguel Almiron earlier. USMNT Knockout Focus: The U.S. heads into the Round of 32 against Bosnia and Herzegovina at Levi’s Stadium, with Mauricio Pochettino apologizing to reporters after the Turkey loss and the team aiming to break its long knockout drought. Turkey Economy Watch: Turkey’s manufacturing contracted in June as Middle East conflict disrupted demand and supply, with the PMI falling to 47.1. Istanbul & Travel Friction: Schengen visa delays and rejections are fueling frustration among Turkish applicants as EU officials meet ahead of a NATO summit. Diplomacy & Security: U.S. and Iran delegates are set for indirect technical talks in Doha, mediated by Qatar and Pakistan. NATO Drills: NATO ran major exercises off the U.S. coast despite alliance tensions with Washington.

NATO Summit Focus: Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler told Reuters that NATO is “adjusting” to a shifting security landscape and the U.S. is not seeking to leave the alliance, while urging Turkey’s inclusion in Europe’s defense plans ahead of the July 7-8 Ankara summit. EU-Turkey Diplomacy: EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas met President Erdoğan in Ankara to discuss strengthening EU-Turkey ties on security, migration and energy, as preparations for the NATO meeting continue amid criticism over arrests and protest bans. Regional Security Talks: Türkiye’s MIT chief İbrahim Kalın met Egypt’s intelligence head in Ankara to coordinate on the Gaza cease-fire and broader regional issues, including Libya, Somalia and Sudan. Armenian Genocide Rift: Israel’s cabinet approved recognition of the Armenian Genocide, prompting Turkey to denounce the move and accuse Israel of using it to divert attention from Gaza. Istanbul Pride Crackdown: Turkish authorities detained dozens at Istanbul Pride events, with rights groups warning of tighter restrictions ahead of NATO. Aviation Incident: A false hijack alert tied to a faulty transponder led to Turkish F-16 escorts for a flight near Turkey, with no security threat found. World Cup Spotlight: The U.S. prepares for a round-of-32 clash with Bosnia-Herzegovina after finishing Group D ahead of Turkey, which stunned the U.S. 3-2 in the group finale.

NATO Summit Security Crackdown: Turkey has arrested more than 200 people and is vetting accredited journalists ahead of the Ankara NATO summit on July 7-8, with critics warning the measures go far beyond normal alliance hosting. Euro-Atlantic Defense Push: Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Güler told Reuters the U.S. is not leaving NATO, but wants Europe and Canada to take more responsibility, and said Ankara should be included in European defense plans. Cyprus Talks via UN: UN peacekeeping chief Khassim Diagne met Turkey’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kemal Bozay in Ankara as efforts continue toward restarting negotiations on the Cyprus problem. FETÖ Coup Case: Turkey’s top appeals court upheld life sentences for three brothers convicted over their roles in the 2016 coup attempt. Istanbul Counterterror Raids: Police detained 39 suspected Daesh members in raids across Istanbul, seizing a drone, digital devices, and weapons. World Cup Spotlight: Sportsbooks say betting surged during the tournament, while Turkey’s World Cup run and NATO-summit politics keep dominating headlines.

Turkey-Russia-Ukraine Diplomacy: President Erdoğan says Ankara is mobilizing diplomatic channels to restart Russia-Ukraine peace talks, with expectations of progress at the Ankara NATO summit. Israel-Turkey Tensions: Turkey condemned Israeli strikes in Syria and renewed criticism over Israel’s Armenian genocide recognition, while Israel warned it takes Erdoğan’s anti-Israel rhetoric “very seriously.” NATO Summit Prep: Turkey is also stepping up security ahead of the NATO leaders’ meeting, including detentions tied to alleged Gülen links and crackdowns around public events. World Cup Focus (Turkey’s fan angle): The U.S. heads into the Round of 32 against Bosnia and Herzegovina after a late loss to Turkey, while Germany takes on Paraguay in another knockout opener; Brazil also advanced after a 2-1 comeback vs Japan. Istanbul Local Life: Istanbul Pride events saw mass detentions by police, underscoring heightened restrictions ahead of major international meetings.

World Cup Round of 32: Knockout football is here, with Brazil vs Japan, Germany vs Paraguay, and Netherlands vs Morocco headlining Monday’s slate as teams chase a path to the final. Turkey–Israel diplomacy: Türkiye condemned Israel’s move to recognize the Armenian genocide, saying it’s a political attempt to cover up Gaza crimes, while Israel’s cabinet approved the recognition pending Knesset action. Armenian genocide debate in Washington: The ANCA and Greek-American allies are pushing Congress to block a $700m F-110 engine sale to Turkey for the KAAN jet program. NATO summit crackdown: Rights groups say Turkey imposed a province-wide protest ban and arrested hundreds ahead of a NATO summit in Ankara. Sports & business in Turkey: Trabzonspor are reportedly weighing a €15m bid for Nigeria winger Samuel Chukwueze as they plan for 2026/27. Climate & daily life: Turkey and Europe face intense heat concerns, with reports of extreme temperatures and disruptions.

NATO Summit Watch: The July 7-8 NATO meeting in Ankara will be Türkiye’s second summit hosting stint, with U.S. President Trump signaling he wants to “make Türkiye extremely happy,” as Washington moves ahead with a reported $700M+ jet engine plan and broader defense deals. Armenian Genocide Row: Israel’s cabinet unanimously approved recognizing the Armenian Genocide, a move Ankara calls a malicious attempt to cover up crimes and a political rebuke to Türkiye’s long-standing position. Istanbul Rights & Protest: Turkish police detained dozens at Istanbul Pride despite a ban, including a journalist with a valid press card, as organizers vowed to keep demonstrating. World Cup Focus: The Round of 32 is set after the group stage, with the U.S. advancing despite a 3-2 loss to Türkiye, and attention now turning to the knockout matchups. Defense Tech: Leonardo and Baykar completed first test flights linking the M-346 with Baykar’s KIZILELMA UCAV to evaluate crewed-uncrewed teaming. Culture & Heritage: Türkiye has officially registered the Battlefield of Granikos in Çanakkale as a protected historical site tied to Alexander the Great’s early campaign.

Turkey’s NATO diplomacy: Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan says Ankara is ready to reconvene Ukraine and Russia delegations for peace talks, aiming to end the war “in the shortest possible time” through dialogue and international law. Military drills: Egypt and Turkey kicked off “Anatolian Eagle – 2026,” a joint air training exercise with multi-mission aircraft and an early warning platform. Regional trade push: Turkey and Saudi Arabia signed a joint action plan to boost customs cooperation, improve transit corridors and speed up Authorized Economic Operator recognition, with bilateral trade put at about $6.3bn. Istanbul security: Gang activity is expanding in Bağcılar, with new names and conflicts emerging across Istanbul’s neighborhoods. World Cup spotlight: Turkey’s late 3-2 win over the US sent the Americans into the knockout stage while Turkey exited; the Round of 32 matchups are now set. Tech and society debate: New reporting highlights growing pressure for stricter social media rules for children, with medical groups warning against unsupervised use.

Turkey-Kurdish Peace Process: President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan says a new legal framework for the PKK peace process will be submitted to parliament in mid-July, after the NATO summit in Ankara, with pro-Kurdish DEM Party lawmakers calling it a key step toward democratic reforms. World Cup Shock in LA: Christian Pulisic returned for the US, but Turkey stunned the Americans 3-2 with a stoppage-time winner, sending the US to the Round of 32 against Bosnia-Herzegovina while Turkey’s pride survived the group stage. NATO Summit Tensions: Slovakia’s PM Robert Fico said he opposes large-scale NATO aid pledges for Ukraine ahead of the July 7-8 summit in Turkey, warning Bratislava not to be tied to new military or financial contributions. Venezuela Earthquakes: The death toll from twin quakes rose to 1,430 as international rescue teams from dozens of countries continue searching for survivors under rubble. Turkey’s Media and Rights Pressure: Rights groups and legal advocates report Turkey is tightening controls ahead of the NATO summit, including detentions and restrictions affecting activists and media access.

World Cup Drama (Turkey-US): Turkey ended its 2026 World Cup run with a 3-2, stoppage-time win over the United States at SoFi Stadium, with Kaan Ayhan scoring after Auston Trusty, Arda Güler and Orkun Kokçu had swung the game; Christian Pulisic returned from injury as the U.S. still advanced to the Round of 32 to face Bosnia-Herzegovina. NATO Summit Security (Turkey): Ahead of the July 7-8 Ankara summit, Turkey has launched a major security crackdown, detaining hundreds in raids and facing fresh criticism over media and civil society access. Regional Security (US-Iran): The U.S. carried out strikes inside Iran after an attack on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran’s IRGC saying the ceasefire framework was violated. Disaster Response (Venezuela): UK firefighters led by Merseyside teams have flown to Venezuela to help with rescue after deadly back-to-back earthquakes, where older buildings and poor construction are blamed for widespread collapse. Global Finance (Gold): Central banks are buying record amounts of gold, pushing holdings to the highest since 1975 as reserves diversify amid market stress.

World Cup Shock in LA: Turkey ended the USMNT’s unbeaten run with a stoppage-time 3-2 win as Kaan Ayhan scored on the final kick, spoiling the Americans’ group-stage finale but not their Round of 32 spot; Christian Pulisic returned from a calf injury as Mauricio Pochettino rotated nine starters and pushed back on questions about “momentum.” USMNT Extension Talk: Reports say the US Soccer Federation has offered Mauricio Pochettino a contract through the 2030 World Cup, with no decision expected until after the tournament. Turkey-Canada Nuclear Push: Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand met Turkey’s Hakan Fidan in Ottawa and delivered a letter pitching cooperation on nuclear power, including Candu and small modular reactor talks. Turkey’s Medical Breakthrough: Türkiye carried out its first clinical operation using a homegrown Aselsan heart-lung machine, marking a defense-to-health tech milestone. Armenia Genocide Recognition: Israel moved to submit a draft resolution to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide, a step likely to further strain ties with Turkey. Venezuela Quakes: Twin earthquakes in Venezuela killed at least 188 and injured over 1,500, with more than 200 trapped as rescue efforts continue.

World Cup Round-of-32 Picture: Turkey’s late 3-2 win over the USA in Group D didn’t change the standings: the US still topped the group and will face Bosnia-Herzegovina, while Australia advanced after a 0-0 draw with Paraguay. Match Fallout: Mauricio Pochettino said the US defeat should be seen in context after rotating heavily, while Turkey’s Kaan Ayhan struck in stoppage time for their only World Cup win. Tournament Shockwaves: Ecuador stunned Germany 2-1 to reach the knockouts, and Ivory Coast booked progress with a 2-0 win over Curaçao; the Netherlands, Japan and Sweden also moved on as more groups were decided. EU Enlargement Watch: The European Commission is reportedly preparing a “gradual integration” plan that would give candidate countries, including Moldova, economic benefits before full accession. Cyprus Diplomacy: A Turkish newspaper claims a new Cyprus proposal linked to UN envoy efforts would include returning Varosha and Morphou, alongside a political and EU-access framework. Misinformation Check: AFP debunked a viral claim that a Venezuela quake clip was filmed in Venezuela—geolocation points to Turkey instead.

World Cup Midpoint Buzz: The tournament has passed its halfway mark with 54 matches played and the U.S. already through to the Round of 32, while FIFA touts record attendance and big-name stars lead the scoring race. USMNT vs Türkiye Tonight: The U.S. closes Group D at 10 p.m. ET at SoFi Stadium, with Türkiye out of contention; the U.S. is expected to rotate but still chase a third straight win. NATO in Ankara Under Pressure: Turkish media groups say several independent outlets were denied accreditation for the July 7-8 NATO summit, while Ankara also detained 209 people in anti-terror raids amid tightened public-gathering restrictions. Defense Deals on the Horizon: NATO chief Mark Rutte says the summit will announce tens of billions in new defense contracts, as Europe pushes to strengthen its NATO “European pillar.” Human Rights Watch: Rights groups in Istanbul condemned the deportation of Azerbaijani activist Nana Xanım Babazade, alleging pressure in detention and called for international protection. Finance & Tech: Kaspi.kz says Turkey’s banking regulator approved its plan to acquire Rabobank A.Ş., expected to close in July.

Earthquake Response: Türkiye’s President Erdoğan extended condolences to Venezuela after twin quakes (7.2 and 7.5) triggered a state of emergency, with Caracas and several states reporting building collapses and ongoing rescue efforts. World Cup, Turkey Focus: Christian Pulisic says he feels “great” after a calf injury and hopes to play as the U.S. hosts eliminated Turkey in Group D; Turkey coach Vincenzo Montella says he won’t resign despite a scoreless exit and heavy criticism. NATO & Press Freedom: NATO rejected accreditation for dozens of Turkish journalists ahead of the Ankara summit, drawing backlash from press freedom groups over lack of explanation and appeal. Finance & Markets: Türkiye returned to the bond market with a 6-year USD sukuk, targeting IPTs around 7.125%. Energy & Climate: ADB approved a $175M loan for Türkiye’s municipal renewable projects via Ilbank, backing local solar and wind to cut public energy costs and emissions. Heritage: Ancient Sardis in western Türkiye was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List after decades of excavation.

NATO Summit Prep: Turkey is set to host the NATO summit on July 7-8 in Ankara, with Czech President Petr Pavel now ordered by the constitutional court to attend—after the government had planned to keep him out. US-Turkey Defense Deal: Reuters reports the US plans to move ahead with selling more than $700 million in GE jet engines to Turkey for the Kaan fighter jet, despite congressional objections, as a major signal ahead of the summit. World Cup, Turkey in the spotlight: Christian Pulisic says his calf injury is improving and he hopes to play for the US against Turkey in the final Group D match, while the US has already clinched top spot and Turkey is eliminated. Turkey’s diplomacy: President Erdoğan spoke by phone with Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, discussing trade, agriculture, fisheries, security and defense cooperation. Public trust in Trump: A Pew survey finds global confidence in Donald Trump remains low, with Turkey among the countries showing the weakest trust.