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Turkey

Turkey

August 14, 2025

Ankara 11:56 pm

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The new Syrian government's army fights the remaining elements of the Assad's regime on the Syrian coast near Latakia, Syria, on March 7, 2025.

After inking military pact, Turkey to provide Syria with weapons, training

The initial phase of Turkey-Syria military cooperation will address building a regular army and basic defensive needs, analysts say.

DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images

Will Turkey follow through on threats to attack Syria's Kurds?

This week we unpack the stakes around Ankara's threats to take military action alongside Damascus against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.

turkey syria pact

Turkey, Syria ink defense cooperation deal as Ankara ups pressure on Kurdish-led SDF

The military agreement comes amid Ankara’s warnings to the Pentagon-allied and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces over their refusal to integrate into Syria’s army.

YASIN AKGUL/AFP via Getty Images

Opposition slams Erdogan after 9 killed in deadly week for Turkish women

Activists say the government’s rollback of legal protections and state-backed religious sermons are fueling gender-based violence and restricting women’s freedom.

Latest News

Turkey detains 30 as government crackdown on opposition deepens: What to know

A protestor holds a placard of Istanbul's detained Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu as they listen to the leader of Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Ozgur Ozel during a rally protesting the 100th day of his detention at Sarachane Square in Istanbul on July 1, 2025. (Photo by Yasin AKGUL / AFP) (Photo by YASIN AKGUL/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Armenia seeks to allay Iran's fears as US-backed land route with Azerbaijan advances

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Analysis

As Trump plays Russia oil sanctions gambit, will Middle East profit or pay?

Oil tankers and cranes at Merchants Harbor, Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

6.1 earthquake strikes northwest Turkey, killing 1 and injuring dozens

Turkey earthquake

Samuel Wendel

Senior Market Research Analyst

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Francesco Schiavi

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

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

Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Is a US-Turkey tech showdown looming as Ankara pushes new rules?

Turkey is advancing new digital competition rules modeled after the EU’s DMA, setting the stage for potential clashes with US tech giants and the White House.

People ride on a motorcycle as thick smoke rises from an oil extracting facility targeted by Turkish shelling near Syria's northeastern border with Turkey in the Qahtaniyah countryside in the far northeast corner of Hasakeh province on Oct. 25, 2024.

Syria's Kurdish-led forces say Turkish strike kills 9 as Ankara mulls PKK peace

At least nine members of the same family, including seven children, were killed in an alleged Turkish drone strike on a rural area near Kobani.

US President Donald Trump (L) and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) pose for the family photo at the NATO summit at the Grove hotel in Watford, northeast of London on Dec. 4, 2019.

Turkey's Erdogan discusses Russia-Ukraine war, Syria in first official call with Trump

In their first official call since Trump's return to office, the pair discussed efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, the situation in Syria and lifting US sanctions on Turkey.

United Arab Emirates' President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is welcomed by Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni upon arrival at the Borgo Egnazia resort for the G7 Summit hosted by Italy in Apulia region, on June 14, 2024 in Savelletri. Leaders of the G7 wealthy nations gather in southern Italy this week against the backdrop of global and political turmoil, with boosting support for Ukraine top of the agenda. (Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP) (Photo by FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

How Italy’s defense deals with UAE, Turkey signal shift in Europe’s industry

Key defense partnerships strengthen Italy’s position as a leading arms supplier to the Middle East while highlighting broader shifts in how European defense industries adapt to a changing global arms market.

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

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

Turkish policemen try to secure the area after a strong explosion of unknown origin shook the busy shopping street of Istiklal in Istanbul, on Nov. 13, 2022.

Turkey detains 5 in alleged Iran spy ring as Syria tensions brew: What we know

The spy bust comes amid diplomatic strains between Turkey and Iran that surfaced after a rare rebuke of Tehran by Turkey's top diplomat.

Kemal Ozen’s “Healing,” an allegory to the self-sacrificing nature of the mother-child bond.

AL-Monitor Istanbul: Fairy tales for grown-ups at Ruzy Gallery

Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan looks on during a press briefing meeting to review the past year and to share insights regarding regional and global developments in Istanbul, on January 10, 2025. Turkey's top diplomat ruled out any role for French troops in Syria on January 10, 2025, saying Washington was its only interlocutor as US officials sought to head off Turkish military action against Kurdish fighters. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP) (Photo by OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images)

Senior Turkey delegation visits Syria following Sharaa-SDF deal

Turkey’s top diplomat, intelligence and defense chiefs have arrived in Damascus following a key deal between Syria’s new rulers and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.

Eurofighter jet

Turkey receives price offer for 40 Eurofighter jets amid Trump-EU rift

Ankara's Eurofighter procurement plans are progressing as mutual intents grow in defense cooperation between Ankara and European capitals.

Aerial view of shipyard dry dock maintenance and repair cargo ship transport and oil ships in Istanbul.

Turkey wants to export gas to Syria, Ukraine, energy minister says

In 2020, Turkey discovered the a massive gas field in Turkish waters of the Black Sea that would help it meet domestic needs and export the energy.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gestures as he addresses a speech during the Justice and Development Party (AKP), as part of the 8th Ordinary Grand Congress at the Ankara Arena in Ankara, on Feb. 23, 2025.

Turkey’s Erdogan says he's ready to meet with Kurds brokering peace with PKK

Erdogan's willingness to engage with Kurdish leaders signals a potential shift in Turkey's stalled peace process with the PKK after years of tension and setbacks.

Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler (L) is pictured with Saud Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in in Saudi Arabia on March 12, 2025.

Turkey’s defense chief deepens military ties, Syria cooperation in Riyadh

The Turkish defense chief’s visit to Jeddah comes ahead of an expected visit by the president.

Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) and SDF leader Mazloum Kobane sign an agreement in Damascus on March 10, 2025.

Analysis

Syria’s Kurds win big as Sharaa shakes hands with Kobane to save his own skin

The surprise deal between Syria’s interim president and the Kurdish leader marks a pivotal moment for the country’s Kurdish minority and shifts the balance of power amid escalating violence.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture