NATO

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Analysis

Israel adapts, Turkey rises, Iran ruined: How 2 years of Gaza war reshaped Middle East

Turkey’s involvement worries Israel in Syria but also raises hopes for pressuring Hamas to agree to President Donald Trump's ceasefire proposal.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Activists and human rights defenders ride aboard a vessel departing from Tunisia's northern port of Bizerte on Sept. 14, 2025.

Turkey vows to support Gaza-bound flotilla, defying Israeli warnings

The Turkish Defense Ministry said its navy vessels and rescue units in the Eastern Mediterranean were monitoring the flotilla and would provide search-and-rescue support if needed.

US President Donald Trump (L) greets Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) upon his arrival at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 25, 2025.

From F-35s to Ukraine: Erdogan-Trump talks signal reset, but sanctions obstacles remain

The summit underscored both leaders’ personal chemistry while highlighting the limits of what the partnership can deliver.

Richard Moore

UK’s top spy uses farewell from Turkey to lure Russian recruits, sparks fury

The outgoing MI6 chief called on Russians with "truths to share" to contact the agency, sparking diplomatic unease just days before Erdogan’s White House meeting.

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Analysis

As US steps back from Europe, Turkey eyes bigger role in NATO defense industry

People pose for photographs in front of a Turkish Hurjet at Turkey's 17th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) on July 24, 2025 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Analysis

Will Spain’s exit from US F-35 program open the door for Turkey’s fighter fleet?

People look at a Turkish fighter jet on display at Turkey's 17th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) in Istanbul on July 25, 2025, in Istanbul, Turkey.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Analysis

Will Israel’s potential Syria security deal intensify its rivalry with Turkey?

Israel military vehicles drive along the border fence into Israel, near the town of Majdal Shams, in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, July 17, 2025.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Trump admin reaffirms F-35 ban on Turkey after letter from 40 Democrats

US Air Force F-35A performs during an exhibition flight demonstration as part of the 55th edition of the International Paris Air Show (Salon international de l'aeronautique et de l'espace - SIAE) at the ParisLe Bourget Airport, in Le Bourget, north of Paris on June 19, 2025.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) shakes hands with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) during a meeting in Sochi, on August 5, 2022. (Photo by Vyacheslav Prokofyev and Vyacheslav PROKOFYEV / POOL / AFP) (Photo by VYACHESLAV PROKOFYEV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

In Russia, Turkey's Erdogan seeks better ties with Putin, but distrust lingers

The Turkish president wants to enhance his prestige by brokering a new grain deal but faces an uphill battle, with increasing distrust from Moscow over Ankara's ties with Ukraine, and posture inside NATO.

Turkey's newly appointed Foreign Affairs Minister Hakan Fidan.

In first foreign policy speech, Turkey's FM asks NATO to be 'considerate,' slams PKK

Laying out Turkey's foreign policy priorities, Hakan Fidan set forth a national security-oriented agenda, striking a more hawkish tone on the Kurdistan Workers Party while softening his language on regional ties.

The TQ Samsun bulk carrier transits the Bosporus during the early morning hours on July 18, 2023, in Istanbul, Turkey.

Turkey's Erdogan makes no headway in getting Russia back to Ukraine grain deal 

Turkey’s Erdogan says he will continue diplomacy to bring Putin back to the grain deal and announces Putin will come to Turkey, but gives no timeframe.

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen delivers a speech.

European Parliament rebuffs Turkey's NATO-EU trade-off

Turkey’s EU accession process cannot resume under the current circumstances, but new ways to cooperate should be explored, EP members say ahead of an EU foreign ministers meeting.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) shakes hands with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson during their meeting ahead of the NATO Summit on July 11, 2023 in Vilnius, Lithuania. The summit is bringing together NATO members and partner countries heads of state from July 11-12 to chart the alliance's future, with Sweden's application for membership and Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine as major topics on the summit agenda. (Photo by Filip Singer - Pool/Getty Images)

Inside Turkey's three dimensions for changing tune on Sweden's NATO bid

Turkey’s surprise decision on the Swedish NATO bid seems to be underpinned by considerations on defense and economic areas.

President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg (R).

Erdogan’s NATO moves agitate Russia but don’t spell Turkey's sharp shift to West

The Turkish leader is navigating Ankara’s relationships in ways that he believes best benefit Turkey’s interests and above all his own political survival.

Turkey NATO

Analysis

Turkey's F-16s in doubt after Erdogan says no Sweden vote before October

The Biden administration's planned sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey could hinge on when the Turkish parliament chooses to ratify Sweden's accession.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attends the opening high-level session of the 2023 NATO Summit on July 11, 2023 in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Turkey unlikely to ratify Sweden’s NATO entry before October, says Erdogan

The comments clearly signal that the drama over Sweden’s accession is not over, and Turkey's push to overcome Congressional sanctions and acquire F-16 fighter jets remains the main sticking point.

JOHN THYS/AFP via Getty Images

US to advance Turkey's F-16 sales as Sweden's NATO bid moves forward

US Senator Bob Menendez, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, says he is in talks with the administration on F-16 sales as the Turkish and US presidents met today.

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Tehran, Iran, July 19, 2022.

Russia asks Turkey for 'clarification' over Ukraine's Azov prisoner release

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also implicitly criticizes Turkey’s sale of Bayraktar drones to Ukraine.

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

Turkey greenlights Sweden's NATO membership ahead of critical summit

Turkey’s president has suggested that Ankara’s stalled membership talks with the European Union be revived in exchange for greenlighting Sweden’s NATO accession to the ahead of a key summit in Vilnius.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan checks hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after a joint press conference at the Vahdettin Mansion in Istanbul on July 7, 2023. (Photo by OZAN KOSE / AFP) (Photo by OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images)

Turkey's Erdogan hosts Zelenskyy, says Ukraine 'deserves' to be NATO member

Turkish President Erdogan’s declaration of support comes amid a fresh push by Kyiv to join the Transatlantic alliance once the war is over.