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Turkey

Turkey

November 30, 2025

Ankara 3:11 am

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Kurdish official Aldar Khalil, who played a key role in establishing Syria's semiautonomous Kurdish region in 2013, during an interview in Qamishli on Dec. 22, 2018.

Exclusive

Top PYD official Aldar Khalil: 'Syria is telling Kurds to separate'

Al-Monitor spoke exclusively to Aldar Khalil, a member of the executive council of the Democratic Unity Party (PYD), which shares power in the Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria, about the halted talks between Syria’s transitional government and the Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan greets Pope Leo XIV during a welcome ceremony at the Presidential Palace, Ankara, Nov. 27, 2025.

In first foreign visit, Pope Leo meets Erdogan, urges Turkey to uphold pluralism

On his inaugural foreign visit to Turkey, Pope Leo called for respect for pluralism after meeting with the Turkish president.

Andreas SOLARO / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Pope Leo in Turkey, navigating faith, politics and Orthodox tensions

The visit will bolster Turkey’s image on religious tolerance and shared positions with the Vatican while Ankara navigates sensitive issues surrounding the Halki Seminary and the Greek Patriarchate’s ecumenical status.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Latest News

Turkey sentences journalist over 4 years in jail for threatening Erdogan

Prominent Turkish journalist Fatih Altayli is pictured in this undated image.

Analysis

PKK leader Ocalan gains legitimacy in Turkey, bigger sway over Syria’s Kurds

People take part in a demonstration to call for the liberation of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan outside the European Council in Strasbourg, eastern France, on Sept. 15, 2025.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Turkey’s spy chief holds talks in Egypt over trapped Hamas militants

BASHAR TALEB/AFP via Getty Images

Culture

Turkey’s graphic-novel culture blossoms in face of censorship

cartoons

Samuel Wendel

Senior Market Research Analyst

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 President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Iran protests put Turkish government in tight spot

As their Western partners strongly react to the Iranian protests, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his administration remain curiously quiet.

A supporter of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Headscarf debate returns to Turkish politics at initiative of secularist opposition

The CHP becomes proactive against Erdogan's "religious populist games."

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses the parliament.

NATO talks clouded by latest Turkey-Sweden friction

A satire show broadcast on Sweden’s state TV has cast clouds over a new round of Turkey-Sweden talks on NATO’s Nordic enlargement.

Turkey Armenia

Turkey's Erdogan to meet Armenian PM at Europe conference

Armenia's Nikol Pashinyan announced plans for the meeting, which may be a step towards peace with Azerbaijan.

A view of the of Sardis Synagogue's interior, Manisa, Turkey.

Culture

Monumental synagogue emerges from ancient ruins in Turkey

Relics from the largest known synagogue of antiquity will go on display next year in a museum in western Turkey.

Turkey gas

Turkey-Libya energy deal clouds waters in East Mediterranean

An energy deal signed between Turkey and the Libyan administration of  Abdul Hamid Dbeibah on Monday has brought a reaction from Greece, EU and Libya’s eastern-based parliament.

Turkish pop star Gulsen performs during a concert in Aydin, Turkey, on March 27, 2022.

Once a safe haven, Iranians in Turkey say civil liberties are at risk

Many Iranians feel that space for culture, freedom of speech and a secular lifestyle is steadily shrinking in Turkey, which until now has been serving as a safe haven for many Iranians to live freely.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Turkey’s Caucasian diaspora to help kinsmen fleeing Russian draft

The Caucasian community in Turkey is treading carefully in an initiative to help kinsmen fleeing Moscow’s military call-up, wary of coming off as encouraging draft evasion and angering Russia.

Riders carry flags during the first World Nomad Games

Turkey boosts soft power in Central Asia with Nomad Games

Turkey has stepped up its charm offensive toward energy-rich Central Asia with traditional archery and horseback fights over a goat's carcass.

A customer holds US dollar banknotes outside a currency changer as Turkey's economy is suffering its biggest economic crisis in decades, Istanbul, Turkey, Sept. 6, 2022.

Turkish inflation passes 83% as Erdogan eyes further rate cuts

Despite a galloping inflation topping 83%, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has doubled down on his controversial monetary policy, urging the central bank to cut its policy rate to single digits by the year-end.

Turkish soldier Sefter Tas, who was killed by the Islamic State, is seen in an undated photo. -

Turkish opposition revives questions over Islamic State burning execution

Almost six years on, Turkey’s public remains in the dark on the burning execution of two compatriots in Syria.

ROY ISSA/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey pledges to boost military presence in Cyprus

President Erdogan and Foreign Minister Cavusoglu say Turkey will send more troops and arms to northern Cyprus after the Biden administration lifts defense trade restrictions to Greek Cypriots.