Turkey - :

Turkey

Turkey

August 15, 2025

Ankara 10:41 am

28°C

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.

Latest News

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

YASIN AKGUL/AFP via Getty Images

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

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

A fighter of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) aims a machine gun while lying prone during a joint military exercise with forces of the US-led "Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve" coalition against the Islamic State (IS) group in the countryside of the town of al-Malikiya (Derik in Kurdish) in Syria's northeastern Hasakah province on Sept. 7, 2022.

Turkey escalates push to replace Kurds as top anti-ISIS force in Syria

Turkey is attempting to form a new coalition to combat ISIS remnants and replace the Pentagon-backed Kurdish forces in Syria.

Turkmenistan's President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov takes part in the opening ceremony of the East-West pipeline.

In first, Turkmenistan to supply Turkey directly with gas: What to know

BOTAS, Turkey’s state-owned pipeline operator, and Turkmenistan’s Turkmengaz will begin the gas flow from Turkmenistan to Turkey on March 1.

Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (L) speaks during a joint press conference with Iraq's Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein (R), Baghdad, Iraq, Aug. 22, 2023.

Turkey, Jordan, Iraq to hold first anti-ISIS summit this month: Turkish official

Top diplomats as well as Turkish, Jordanian, Syrian and Iraqi defense and intelligence chiefs aim to hold a first security summit this month as part of efforts to set up a regional anti-ISIS coalition, Al-Monitor has learned.

People look advanced jet trainer light attack aircraft "Hurjet" during the opening day of the International Defence and Aerospace exhibition in Istanbul on Oct. 22, 2024.

Analysis

As Trump rattles Europe, can Turkey and EU jumpstart defense ties?

Turkey and the EU face tough choices and opportunities to cooperate in the field of defense and security during President Donald Trump’s second term.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Ahmet Gunestekin in front of the installation "Lost Alphabet,” also the name of the exhibition in which it appears. (IBB Press)

AL-Monitor Istanbul: An ambitious art expo

As Valentine’s Day nears, love is in the air — and on the airwaves.

ZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey, Syria draft road map to strengthen Syrian military: What we know

Ankara and Damascus are working on a plan for defense cooperation, according to a Turkish official, who added that Turkey's priority in Syria is the armed groups it deems a national security threat.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Syria's interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa shake hands during a joint press conference following their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, on February 4, 2025.

Pomp over substance marks Sharaa's first trip to Turkey as Syria's president

While the Turkish president lauded the visit as "historic," little of substance was announced and neither leader made any mention of an alleged defense pact reported Tuesday by Reuters.

Ulas Tosun/Getty Images

Ocalan 'highly likely' to call for PKK disarmament: Turkey’s pro-Kurdish party

A much anticipated statement by jailed Kurdish militant Abdullah Ocalan will very likely include a call for the Kurdistan Workers Party to disarm, Turkey’s pro-Kurdish opposition party has said.

TOPSHOT - Syria's interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa performs the Umrah, or the minor pilgrimage, in Islam's holiest city of Mecca in western Saudi Arabia on February 3, 2025. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Erdogan to host Syria’s Sharaa on first Turkey visit, discuss security ties

The meeting between the Turkish president and Syria's new leader will focus on Syria's post-conflict reconstruction, economic recovery and security issues.

Erdogan meloni

Analysis

Drones and radars: Can Turkey-Italy defense trade bring political benefits?

A possible Baykar-Leonardo partnership and Baykar’s acquisition of Piaggio Aerospace may go beyond greater defense cooperation between Turkey and Italy to improve Ankara’s relations with the West.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Instagram/@lalebelkisofficial

AL-Monitor Istanbul: Exhibit at home of famed femme fatale

While Istanbul shines with new blockbuster exhibitions like Ahmet Gunestekin’s “Lost Words,” at Feshane, or “The Story Unfolds in Istanbul,” at Mesher, we explore a hidden gem this week: the house exhibition by Lale Belkis, the iconic femme fatale of Turkey’s silver screen half a century ago.

Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Turkey awaits price offer for Eurofighters, says defense official

Ankara expects a price offer for the Eurofighter jets as it seeks to modernize its air fleet.