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

Turkey

Turkey

April 4, 2025

Ankara 3:49 pm

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A protester holds a Turkish flag in front of police officers during a rally in support of Istanbul's arrested Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, Istanbul, Turkey, March 23, 2025.

Turkey detains more than dozen over boycotts as crackdown on celebrities expands

The crackdown against boycott calls is expanding with blocking of social media accounts and removal of actors from TV productions.

People with placards during a demonstration in support of Ekrem Imamoglu and political prisoners in Turkey and in solidarity with the resistance to the Erdogan regime in Paris France March 29, 2025. (Photo by Bastien Ohier / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP) (Photo by BASTIEN OHIER/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images)

Turkey fines Meta for refusing to restrict Facebook, Instagram over Imamoglu protests

Unlike X, which has suspended social media accounts at the request of the Turkish government, Meta says it has faced heavy fines in Turkey for refusing to do so.

A column of Russian missile S-400 Triumf systems drives on Red Square during the Victory Day military parade in central Moscow, on May 9, 2024.

Top US senator: No F-35 jets for Turkey until Russia's S-400 missiles 'gone'

Republican Sen. Jim Risch made the statement during the nomination hearing for Tom Barrack to be the next US ambassador to Turkey. Barrack emphasized Ankara's strategic role in countering Iran in the region and promoting stability in Syria.

A picture taken on Oct. 17, 2017, shows excess flammable gasses burning from gas flares at the Havana oil field, west of the multiethnic northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk.

Exclusive

Iraq seeks more compensation from Turkey, 'blocks' reopening of Kurds' oil pipeline

Disputes over oil revenues and arbitration claims have kept the Kurdish pipeline closed.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

In Paris, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Latest News

Analysis

Turkey sees opportunity with Trump to weaken Kurdish bloc, acquire F-35

OVEMBER 13: U.S. President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan shakes hands during a press conference in the East Room of the White House on November 13, 2019 in Washington, DC. During their meeting, Trump and Erdogan were scheduled to discuss Turkey's purchase of a Russian air defense system as well as the Turkish offensive against the Kurds in Syria. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

In photos: Muslims celebrate Eid el-Fitr across the Middle East

Muslims perform the morning prayer around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca, early on March 30, 2025.

Analysis

Turkey turmoil tests Gulf investors as crackdown fuels market unease

A protestor waves a Turkish flag in front of riot police during a rally in support of Istanbul's arrested mayor in Istanbul, March 24, 2025.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Analysis

Drones and diplomacy: Can Turkey help Somalia fight Al-Shabab?

Somali security forces personnel and police secure the area at the scene of a car bomb explosion in Mogadishu, Somalia on May 9, 2016. Islamic jihadists killed three police officers in a bomb and gun attack on a police station in the Somali capital, city authorities said. / AFP / MOHAMED ABDIWAHAB (Photo credit should read MOHAMED ABDIWAHAB/AFP via Getty Images)

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

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

In Paris, 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

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

In Paris, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

A general view shows a burnt out vehicle next to a banner bearing the Islamic State group's flag in the village of Dibsiafnan on the western outskirts of the Islamist's Syrian bastion of Raqa, after Syrian pro-government forces entered the area on June 11, 2017.

Exclusive

Turkey to host regional summit in April on counter-ISIS operations

Technical talks for the formation of a joint regional operation center against ISIS have begun as efforts to create an alternative to US-led coalition Syrian Democratic Forces against the Islamic State take shape.

Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoan (3-R) greets Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi (2-L) next to Bolivia's President Luis Arce (L) and Argentina's President Javier Milei (R) before the group photo at the end of the first session of the G20 Leaders' Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on November 18, 2024. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP) (Photo by LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

As Iran’s role recedes, Israel alarmed by Turkey-Syria-Egypt alignment

Could a new triple axis replace the yearslong threat against Israel of Iran and its proxies?

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Haifa port

Turkey blocks Israel from NATO crisis response drill amid Gaza row: What to know

The diplomatic conflict between Turkey and Israel over the Gaza war has spilled over into NATO.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a press conference on the sidelines of the NATO 75th anniversary summit at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, July 11, 2024. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP) (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

As Trump freezes Ukraine aid, will Europe turn to Turkey for weapons systems?

Manned aircraft, warships and electronic-warfare platforms, and electro-optics seem to be in the lead for future defense trade between European countries and Turkey.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security