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Turkey

Turkey

November 9, 2026

Ankara 2:24 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

Jailed Kurdish leader keeps in touch with supporters through arts, literature

Selahattin Demirtas, the jailed leader of Turkey’s Kurdish political movement, tells Al-Monitor from prison how arts and literature have become his way of resisting oppression and despair.

Turkish armoured military vehicles patrol on the Turkish-Syrian border line in Reyhanli, Hatay province, Turkey, October 8, 2017. REUTERS/Osman Orsal - RC19C08D1DE0

Will new tribal council ease Turkey's load in Syria?

Twenty-nine tribes and clans in the areas liberated during Operation Euphrates Shield announced the formation of a tribal council with the support of Turkey.

US Ambassador to Turkey John Bass delivers a press conference in Ankara on October 11, 2017.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed on October 10 that Turkish officials will boycott the US ambassador, deepening one of the worst rifts in decades between the NATO allies. Erdogan said Turkey no longer regarded outgoing envoy John Bass as the US representative to Turkey after American missions in the country stopped issuing visas.
/ AFP PHOTO / STR (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images)

Is Erdogan's blame for ambassador overture to Trump?

As Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan rains blame on US Ambassador John Bass for the crisis between Ankara and Washington, some analysts wonder if Erdogan's tirades are an attempt to offer the "unique" US administration a way out of its visa move.

Turkish telecom giant may end up in government hands again

The 2005 privatization of Turkish telecommunication company Turk Telekom, the largest in Turkey’s history, may go to waste as the majority stakeholders are struggling to repay loans.

Turkey convicts WSJ journalist of terror propaganda

A Turkish Wall Street Journal columnist has been sentenced in absentia to two years in prison for engaging in terrorist propaganda, the latest dual citizen to be caught up in the government's sweep of remotely critical journalists.

International boycott hits labor meeting in Istanbul

Protesting Ankara’s crackdown on dissent, two of the largest international labor organizations and dozens of national trade unions have boycotted a major multilateral meeting in Istanbul.

Are we headed for Turkish-American breakup?

Former diplomats and analysts warn that Turkish-US ties could be heading for a point of no return.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gestures as he speaks during a joint press conference with Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic (not in the picture) after their meeting in Belgrade, Serbia, October 10, 2017. REUTERS/Marko Djurica - RC13E1AA15B0

Erdogan targets US envoy over escalating visa row

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan tried to blame the suspension of Turkish visa applications to the United States on outgoing Ambassador John Bass, but US administration sources say Bass acted with full White House support and analysts judge the suspension of consular services as inevitable, if harsh.

Bottom line in Syria: No one is safe yet

A battle begins in Syria between opposition moderates and the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, as the latter also fights its radical rival, the Islamic State.

A U.S. flag flutters over the U.S. Consulate in Istanbul July 9, 2008. Three policemen and three gunmen were killed in an armed attack on the United States consulate in Istanbul on Wednesday, the city's governor said. REUTERS/Fatih Saribas (TURKEY) - GM1E4791G7S01

Turkey, US keep finding ways to vex each other

Amid allegations and at least one arrest, a series of retaliatory moves between Turkey and the United States affected Turkey's currency and raised concern about the countries' relations.

Russian President Vladimir Putin looks on next to European Council President Donald Tusk and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany July 7, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Barria - RC1D608EC340

Can Putin stop Erdogan from shutting down Iraqi Kurdish pipeline?

In a visit to Tehran, Turkish president coordinates next steps with Iranian leaders; Cengiz Candar on the loss of former Iraqi President Jalal Talabani; Al-Monitor receives prestigious Online Journalism Award for explanatory reporting.

Turkey, Iran could unite to overcome their Kurdish worries

The emerging Iran-Turkey rapprochement, driven by their mutual desire to contain the Kurds, has led to agreements on military cooperation, but the odds appear to be against a formal military alliance.