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Turkey

Turkey

September 2, 2026

Ankara 6:23 pm

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Mecca Alliance

Israel, Greece sign $3.5 billion air-defense deal: What to know

Against the backdrop of growing tensions with Turkey, Israel signed one of its largest-ever defense industry deals to supply Greece with advanced air defense systems.

Mecca Alliance

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan set Mecca Alliance into motion

The three countries are moving to formalize military coordination under the newly named Mecca Alliance amid renewed hostilities between Iran and the US.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrive for a joint press conference following their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Feb. 4, 2025.

Analysis

Why Turkey welcomes Israel-Syria talks despite mounting red lines

Turkey supports US-backed Israel-Syria talks but sees little prospect of a lasting accommodation until the Israeli elections.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Barcelona

Culture

In divided Cyprus, FC Barcelona youth camp sparks new dispute: What to know

A planned Barca Academy camp in northern Cyprus has offered more fuel to the controversy over the island’s unresolved divide, rasing tensions over recognition, access and international isolation.

Latest News

Top European court says Kavala case exposes erosion of judicial independence in Turkey

Omer Messinger/Getty Images

Explainer

Turkey’s Kurdish peace process moves to implementation: What to know and what’s next

Equality and Democracy Party lawmakers

Samuel Wendel

Senior Analyst, Middle East Business & Tech

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Amberin Zaman

Chief Correspondent

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Jack Dutton

Chief Business Correspondent

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Ezgi Akin

Associate Editor (Turkey)

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

Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan attends a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart following their talks in Moscow on August 31, 2023. (Photo by MAXIM SHEMETOV / POOL / AFP) (Photo by MAXIM SHEMETOV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Fidan: Turkey committed to 'understandings' on Sweden’s NATO bid

Fidan’s remarks came a few days after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan raised question marks over his country’s pending ratification of the Sweden’s accession to NATO.

Erdogan and Burhan

Turkey’s Erdogan hosts Sudan's Burhan as conflict in Khartoum drags on

Sudan’s military chief Abdel Fattah Burhan met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday as part of his efforts to garner regional support ahead of the UN General Assembly next week.

Kirkuk

Explainer: Why Iraq's Kirkuk has reached brink of conflict

Tensions flare up in Kirkuk ahead of provincial elections in December amid Arab and Turkmen fears of renewed Kurdish control of the oil-rich city.

BIROL BEBEK/AFP via Getty Images

UN, Turkish Cypriots make progress on Cyprus' disputed Pyla road project

Talks between the United Nations Cyprus mission and Turkish Cypriots over a disputed road plan have yielded some progress, but several sticking points remain as Turkish Cypriots have resumed the roadwork.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a news conference after attending the G20 summit, in New Delhi on Sept. 10, 2023.

Turkey 'seriously upset' over Washington linking F-16 sales to Sweden’s NATO membership

Turkey's President Erdogan says approval of Sweden’s application was up to the Turkish parliament, not for him to decide individually.

Turkey inflation

Can Turkey’s new economic plan restore foreign investor confidence?

Eager to regain Istanbul and other major cities from the opposition, Erdogan is expected to turn to populist policies again ahead of local elections next spring.

A seller of Turkish national flags walks at Mahmutpasa district, one of Istanbul's biggest textile shopping centre, near Grand Bazaar, on Dec. 2, 2021.

Analysis

Are we seeing the start of Turkey’s economic turnaround?

Israeli right’s political chokehold on Netanyahu; will BRICS challenge the dollar?; Al-Monitor, Semafor launch first Middle East Global Summit in New York during UN General Assembly.

Week in Review

Andrew Parasiliti

By Week in Review , Andrew Parasiliti

This photograph taken on June 9, 2023, shows the Central Bank of Turkey, in Ankara.

World Bank official says Turkey's economic U-turn 'step in right direction’

The comments from the institution’s Turkey director follow the Turkish government finally raising interest rates to battle inflation. But the Turkish economy is still struggling.

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA - MAY 25: Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks during a news conference at the Pentagon May 25, 2023 in Arlington, Virginia. Milley and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin briefed members of the press following an online session of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

US top general talks Syria, NATO with new Turkey counterpart

Gen. Mark Milley's first announced call with newly appointed Turkish armed forces chief Metin Gurak follows reports that the United States is exploring alternate routes for Ukraine's grain exports.

DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images

Interview

Syrian Kurdish commander Kobane acknowledges Arab grievances as tensions ease in Deir Ezzor

In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Syrian Kurdish commander Mazlum Kobane discussed the recent clashes in Deir Ezzor between local tribes and Kurdish forces.

Mazlum Kobane

Mazlum Kobane

SDF commander in chief

ISTANBUL, TURKEY - JULY 19: People walk past a currency exchange office on July 19, 2023 in Istanbul, Turkey. For the second day in a row the Turkish Lira hit a new record low of 27.00 Lira to the US Dollar ahead of the July 20, 2023 Central Bank interest rate announcement. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

The Turkish turnaround: How the central bank's bold actions could reshape investment landscape

The Central Bank of Turkey raised interest rates to 25% to combat inflation, delivering the fastest rate-hike cycle over two decades.

Piero Cingari

EU Council President Charles Michel (R) arrives with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan before a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the EU headquarters in Brussels on March 9, 2020. (Photo by JOHN THYS / AFP) (Photo by JOHN THYS/AFP via Getty Images)

EU Commissioner: Turkey must take on democratic reforms to revive EU bid

A senior EU official has said that revival of Turkey’s stalled membership negotiations with the EU can only be discussed once Ankara takes on democratic reforms.