Turkey - AL-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent since 2012

Turkey

Turkey

March 25, 2026

Ankara 4:58 pm

12°C

Journalists gather outside the Ankara courthouse on March 10, 2020 behind a banner reading in Turkish "journalism is not crime," to protest over jailing of journalists, sparked by the recent arrest of OdaTV's news director and a journalist's report on the funeral of a Turkish intelligence officer apparently killed in Libya.

Journalist who investigated Erdogan’s son jailed on 'disinformation' charges in Turkey

Human rights organizations warn Ari’s detention signals a broader campaign against journalists probing government corruption and elite networks.

Ghalibaf Fidan

US proposes Vance-Ghalibaf talks with Turkey as one intermediary: Source

Iran has yet to respond to the proposal, the source said, as the US announced it was pausing strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure for five days.

United Arab Emirates army helicopters fly from the Burj al Arab hotel (R) toward Burj Khalifa, Dubai, Jan. 16, 2026.

Analysis

Iran war drives Turkey-Gulf defense alignment, but not alliance

Despite accelerated cooperation as a result of the US-Israeli war on Iran, structural and political constraints would make a formal military alliance unlikely.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Latest News

Turkey, Qatar pledge to deepen defense ties, blame Israel for Iran war

Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (R) and Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani (2L) arrive to address a joint press conference in Doha on March 19, 2026. (Photo by Karim JAAFAR / AFP via Getty Images)

Exclusive

Iraqi oil flows to Turkey after US pledges role in Baghdad-Kurds customs dispute

A view of the oil refinery on March 17, 2026 in Erbil, Iraq.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

NATO deploys new Patriot battery to Turkey as Fidan in Riyadh for regional talks

A Patriot anti-missile battery launcher, deployed by Dutch NATO soldiers, is seen March 11, 2003 at the Diyarbakir military airport in southeastern Turkey.

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

American pastor Andrew Brunson.

Wave of expulsions shakes Turkey’s tiny Protestant community

Dozens of foreign Protestant missionaries have been forced to leave Turkey based on intelligence reports classifying them as security risks.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan walks alongside UAE's Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak al-Nahyan (R).

Emirati and Turkish businesspeople discuss bilateral trade, investment

The meeting between the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Turkey’s ULUSKON business federation occurred in the context of rapprochement between the United Arab Emirates and Turkey.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) welcomes Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte (R).

Turkey, Netherlands patch up relations amid Ukraine crisis

Arriving for a top-level visit in Ankara after years of tense relations, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte says he would like Turkey to join sanctions against Russia but understands Ankara’s unique position.

People walk past the Caglayan Justice Palace courthouse in Istanbul on March 21, 2022.

Turkish court keeps philanthropist in prison ahead of final verdict in April

Renowned philanthropist and peace advocate Osman Kavala's detention is extended after his case was adjourned.

Prepared sunbeds sit empty at a luxury hotel on March 9, 2022, in Antalya, Turkey.

Turkish tourism sector scrambles to minimize fallout of Ukraine war

Bracing for a big loss of Russian and Ukrainian holidaymakers this summer, Turkey’s tourism industry is looking for replacements in Europe and the Middle East. But few are hopeful that the gap can be closed.

Erdogan

Analysis

Russia-Ukraine war recasts Turkish policies and priorities

Erdogan sees opportunity in Ukraine crisis, including enhanced global role and dramatic reset in ties with Israel, as he weighs next steps in Libya and elections next year.

Week in Review

By Week in Review

Nureddin Nebati

Turkish minister’s pledge to foreign investors causes uproar at home

As foreign investments decline, Nureddin Nebati's promise to "take the bureaucracy down" raises concerns at home and abroad about evading the rule of law.

ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images

How Turkey’s election bill could backfire on Erdogan’s ruling party

An upcoming change to Turkey's election law could boomerang and hurt Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his ruling party.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Erdogan steps up pro-refugee rhetoric as 20,000 Ukrainians come to Turkey

The Turkish president’s pro-refugee rhetoric aims to deliver a positive message to Western allies and slash the opposition, but activists wonder if it is sincere.

SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

Saudi Arabia, Qatar raise repo rates while Turkey stays put

Central Banks in the Middle East are responding to the US Federal Reserve raising interest rates due to rising inflation.

Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Fatih Donmez (2nd-L) and Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov (2nd-R) attend the Turkey-Azerbaijan (Nakhchivan) Natural Gas Pipeline Project signing ceremony at the Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Ministry headquarters, Ankara, Turkey, Dec. 15, 2020.

No magic tap for Europe to replace Russian gas via Turkey

Europe has been looking to Azerbaijan, Israel and other countries to transit gas via Turkey, but assuming political obstacles can be overcome, the massive investments needed will take time to realize.

Erdogan Putin

Will Erdogan draw lessons from Putin's Ukraine mistakes?

As Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan watches Russian forces flounder in Ukraine, he may be rethinking his own ambitions — or concluding that Turkey is in a better spot than ever.