Turkey - AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Turkey

Turkey

November 9, 2026

Ankara 1:50 am

-2°C

MEHMET ESER/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Will Democrats block Trump’s push to deliver Turkey F-35s, lift sanctions?

Democratic control of Congress complicates Turkey’s push for F-35s and sanctions relief, but Ankara remains hopeful Trump can still broker a deal.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Costa Rica's Grynspan extends lead in UNSG poll as Nusseibeh places fourth

The Costa Rican candidate received 12 encourage votes in Thursday's UN Security Council straw poll.

United Arab Emirates

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses Turkish members of parliament during the opening of the parliamentary session at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey in Ankara, on Oct. 1, 2026.

Turkey’s parliament ratifies Mecca pact in boost to Saudi Arabia

Turkey will now decide the scope of military support for Saudi Arabia amid ongoing Iran-backed Houthi attacks on the kingdom.

Latest News

Can Erdogan’s Baku visit fix Turkey-Azerbaijan rift?

TOFIK BABAYEV/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey says soldier killed by gunfire from Iran at border: What to know

A sign marking the border of Turkey in Van, Turkey, on March 14, 2026.

Turkey probes Google’s AI search tools, orders protections for news websites

Turkey moves PKK leader Ocalan to prison villa as peace process faces new test

A protestor holds a flag bearing a portrait of jailed leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) Abdullah Ocalan during a demonstration of Kurdish people from all around Europe to mark the 27th anniversary of his arrest and to demand his liberation, in Strasbourg, Eastern France, on Feb. 14, 2026.

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

Culture Alert: November the month for contemporary art, photography

Several major art events are entering their final weeks and months in the region.

Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan attends a Republic Day ceremony at Anitkabir, the mausoleum of modern Turkey's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, to mark the republic's anniversary in Ankara, Turkey, October 29, 2017. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RC19B620D4E0

Purge of Turkish mayors could hit opposition strongholds

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says legal action could be taken against more mayors if their political parties do not "solve problems themselves."

Why Turkey’s 'naked art' needs protection

Stuck between censorious local authorities and vandals ready to smash what they do not like, statues of nudes are quietly being removed from public spaces.

Post-coup purge snares beloved 'Soros of Turkey'

The arrest of major Turkish philanthropist Osman Kavala marks an escalation in the government's crackdown on its opposition and has sent a chill through the Istanbul elite.

Turkish security making headway against Salafi-jihadi networks

Intelligence gathered in Syria has helped Ankara in its pursuit of violent Salafi-jihadi networks inside Turkey.

Turkish prison cannot stifle Kurdish journalist's art

Imprisoned over her painting of the destruction of Nusaybin, Kurdish Turkish journalist and artist Zehra Dogan continues to produce provocative art that is smuggled to the world outside.

Saudi crown prince rattles Turkish Islamists

Supporters of Turkey’s Islamist government claim Mohammed bin Salman’s aim to push for moderate Islam in Saudi Arabia is motivated by US imperial designs against Muslims.

TOPSHOT - A picture taken on October 26, 2017 shows rockets being launched from Iraqi security forces' against Kurdish Peshmerga positions in the area of Faysh Khabur, which is located on the Turkish and Syrian borders in the Iraqi Kurdish autonomous region. / AFP PHOTO / AHMAD AL-RUBAYE (Photo credit should read AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP/Getty Images)

Kurdish crisis imperils US anti-terror fight in Syria

The dispute between Baghdad and Erbil threatens a key border crossing used to resupply US-backed troops battling the Islamic State in Syria.

Iraq's Kurdistan region's President Massoud Barzani gestures during a joint news conference with German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel (not pictured) in Erbil, Iraq April 20, 2017. REUTERS/Azad Lashkari - RC1B15FF9BC0

Ankara still frosty toward KRG as Barzani exits

Despite the decision by the Kurdistan Regional Government's President Masoud Barzani to step down, Turkish hostility toward him and his likely political successors has not abated.

Mayor of Ankara Melih Gokcek speaks during an interview with an AFP journalist on July 30, 2016 in Ankara. / AFP PHOTO / ADEM ALTAN (Photo credit should read ADEM ALTAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Under Erdogan's pressure, Ankara mayor resigns after 23 years

Melih Gokcek is stepping down from his position as Ankara's mayor after 23 years, following a weekslong standoff with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

A picture taken on June 9, 2017 shows the main entrance to the city of Afrin, along Syria's northern border with Turkey. / AFP PHOTO / George OURFALIAN (Photo credit should read GEORGE OURFALIAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Turkey tightens siege on Afrin

Turkey is closing in on the Kurdish stronghold of Afrin in northern Syria.

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during a session of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia September 7, 2017. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin - RC1584AB80C0

Putin resets Iraqi energy landscape as Barzani steps aside

Russian moves maximize leverage as US stumbles on Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units; Massoud Barzani resigns as Kurdistan Region president; Syria and Russia take initiative with regard to local governance in Syria.