NATO

OVEMBER 13: U.S. President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan shakes hands during a press conference in the East Room of the White House on November 13, 2019 in Washington, DC. During their meeting, Trump and Erdogan were scheduled to discuss Turkey's purchase of a Russian air defense system as well as the Turkish offensive against the Kurds in Syria. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Analysis

Turkey sees opportunity with Trump to weaken Kurdish bloc, acquire F-35

During recent high-level talks held in Washington, both sides signaled their willingness to address some long-running issues — yet failed to address some of the biggest sticking points in US-Turkey relations.

Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

Haifa port

Turkey blocks Israel from NATO crisis response drill amid Gaza row: What to know

The diplomatic conflict between Turkey and Israel over the Gaza war has spilled over into NATO.

Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud meets with Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in AlUla, Saudi Arabia January 26, 2025. Saudi Press Agency

Analysis

Italy revamps ties with Saudi Arabia, eyeing investments and defense trade

On her first visit to Saudi Arabia, Meloni is seeking to rebrand Italy's political engagement in the Middle East and bring about a new era for Italian industry in the region.

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

US President Joe Biden (R) holds a bilateral meeting with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides in the Oval Office of the White House, Washington, Oct. 30, 2024.

Turkey deems 'unacceptable' any Greek Cyprus NATO membership attempt

The Turkish statement came as the president of Cyprus suggested that his country could eventually become a NATO member.

Latest News

Turkey scales back $23 billion F-16 deal with US

OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images

NATO chief in Turkey as Russia-Ukraine war escalates

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte speaks at the press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (not seen) at the Chancellery, Berlin, Germany, Nov. 4, 2024.

Analysis

Will Turkey host Hamas leaders after consequential Qatar departure?

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) poses beside Khalid Mashaal (C), the Hamas chief in exile, and Gaza's prime minister Ismail Haniyeh prior to their meeting in Ankara on June 18, 2013. Senior leaders of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas met today in Ankara with Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan to discuss Erdogan's planned visit to the Gaza Strip as well as the situation in Syria, the source said on condition of anonymity. AFP PHOTO/ PRIME MINISTER PRESS OFFICE/ YASIN BULBUL == RESTRICTED T

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Turkey announces initial payment for $23B F-16 jets deal

CLEMENT MAHOUDEAU/AFP via Getty Images

US President Joe Biden (R) and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hold bilateral talks the NATO Summit in Vilnius on July 11, 2023. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP) (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

Erdogan and Biden may meet at NATO's US summit in July, ambassador says

Amid widening differences over Gaza, Turkey postponed in April the Turkish president’s visit to the White House that was planned for May.

A launch from the RM-70 Vampir Multiple Launch Rocket System during the Super Garuda Shield 2023 joint military exercise including Indonesia, Japan, Singapore and the US, Situbondo, East Java, Sept. 10, 2023.

Analysis

Can Turkey help Europe build effective air and missile defense system?

With Turkey joining the German-led European Sky Shield Initiative, in the long run Ankara could use its burgeoning Hisar and Siper platforms to improve Europe’s air and missile defense.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

TURKISH PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE/AFP via Getty Images

Three main disagreements constrain Turkey-Greece ties following Mitsotakis visit

The Greek prime minister's visit to Turkey inspired both optimistic and pessimistic outlooks for the future of the two NATO allies.

Turkish air force fighter jets perform a military parade over the Bosphorus as Camlica mosque is seen in the background to mark the 100th anniversary of Turkish Republic in Istanbul on Oct. 29, 2023.

As wars rage, Turkey's military industry sees boom in fighter jets, drone sectors

While the MMU Kaan that is slated to become Turkey’s first stealthy fifth-generation fighter is taking baby steps, other key Turkish military aviation projects have also begun attracting international attention.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte (L).

Turkey seeks 2 key demands to support Rutte’s bid to lead NATO

Ankara switches to quiet diplomacy for its terror-related demands from the Dutch prime minister, who is seeking Turkish support to become the next NATO chief.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) and US President Joe Biden shake hands at the start of the first plenary session of the NATO summit at the Ifema congress centre in Madrid, on June 29, 2022.

Has Turkey’s Erdogan axed his Biden meeting because of Israel?

Despite rumors of a cancellation in Turkish media, several high-level US diplomats have traveled over the past few days to Ankara to lay the ground for the summit.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (L) takes part in a meeting with Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (R).

Senior US official in Turkey to discuss regional tensions, Erdogan-Biden summit

The expected visit of the Turkish president to the White House, along with the escalation of tensions between Israel and Iran, intensifies diplomatic activity between Washington and Ankara.

US Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Rey White

Turkey hopeful on $1.4 billion reimbursement from US for F-35 deals

Turkey can get its money back, Turkish defense officials say, as ties with Washington strengthen following Sweden’s admission to NATO and Ankara’s F-16 purchase.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken takes part in a meeting with Turkey's foreign minister, Hakan Fidan, in Washington, DC, on March 8, 2024.

Analysis

New visits, full momentum: Can Turkey and US go beyond transactionalism?

US-Turkey ties are heading in a positive direction, but it’s too soon to be optimistic, according to one expert.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan speaks during a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela in Caracas on Feb. 24, 2024.

Turkey’s Fidan to meet Blinken in Washington as US ties strengthen

Hakan Fidan's meeting with Blinken comes on the heels of his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the Antalya Diplomatic Forum.

Turkish presidential spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin.

Turkey spy chief Kalin to meet CIA’s Burns, discuss Syria on first US visit

In addition to bilateral ties, the Gaza and Russia-Ukraine wars will top the agenda of the Turkish intelligence chief’s meetings with his US counterpart and other US officials.

SAKIS MITROLIDIS/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey receives US draft letter approving F-16 sale

The submission of the acceptance and offer letters marks a new turn in the Turkish bid, which has been pending since 2021.