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Turkey

Turkey

November 23, 2025

Ankara 6:49 pm

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Culture

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

A fragile but growing ecosystem of artists, editors and cross-border collaborations is reshaping Turkey’s graphic-novel landscape under tight political and economic constraints.

A villager stands at a high point to survey the damage to the hill sides by quarrying in Ikizdere in the Rize Province in the Black Sea region of Turkey on June 7, 2021. A government-friendly company plans to extract 20 million tons of stone from a quarry in the northeastern town of Ikizdere for one of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's latest development projects. The locals are rising up in protest, challenging the government and its priorities in a region dear to the domineering Turkish leader's heart. (Ph

Culture

Can AI save Turkey’s endangered Laz language?

With few young speakers and little official support, activists are turning to artificial intelligence to help preserve one of Turkey’s endangered languages: Laz.

Turkey secures COP31 climate summit after compromise with Australia: What to know

The agreement follows a two-year diplomatic tug-of-war between Ankara and Canberra to host the global event.

Latest News

Fidan's confidant Nuh Yilmaz appointed ambassador to Syria, first in 13 years: What to know

NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP via Getty Images

Erdogan’s top ally Bahceli slams foot-dragging on meeting with PKK leader

Burak Kara/Getty Images

Analysis

Trump’s Saudi F-35 deal jolts Israel’s security elite, weakens Netanyahu

An Israel Air Force F-35 fighter lands during the "Blue Flag" multinational air defence exercise at the Ovda air force base, north of Eilat, Israel, Oct. 24, 2021.

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

Analysis

Turkey to navigate enduring Iranian influence in Iraq following elections

AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/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

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 scene from "Medea Material" when staged in Ankara (State Theaters File Photo)

Culture

Turkey’s culture war takes stage at theater awards

Turkish theater’s biggest night became a flashpoint for the country's polarized arts scene when an actress triggered outrage by praising State Theaters Director Tamer Karadagli.

Turkey's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaks during a rally in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza on Oct. 28, 2023, at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, Turkey.

Analysis

Turkey’s long-sought Gaza mediator role brings high risks and high rewards

If Ankara is seen as adopting an overly enthusiastic pro-Hamas stance, it risks provoking US President Donald Trump’s ire and further deteriorating relations with Israel.

Ezgi Akin

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

SABUR RASHID/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Drought-stricken Iraq sends delegation to Turkey to discuss water cooperation

Turkey recently agreed to release more water to Iraq amid the drought in the country, indicating improving coordination on resource management after years of tensions over Turkish dams.

A man walks past a mural depicting supporters of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), one of them raising a flag showing the face of Abdullah Ocalan — founding member of the militant Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) outlawed by Turkey, in Syria's northeastern city of Qamishli on Dec. 16, 2024.

Turkey wants PKK leader Ocalan to sway Kurdish-led SDF on joining Syria army

Ankara seeks to leverage peace talks with PKK while renewing threats against the SDF.

OMAR AL-QATTAA/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Israel adapts, Turkey rises, Iran ruined: How 2 years of Gaza war reshaped Middle East

Turkey’s involvement worries Israel in Syria but also raises hopes for pressuring Hamas to agree to President Donald Trump's ceasefire proposal.

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

People walk past a branch of Turkish bank HalkBank on Dec. 1, 2017 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Supreme Court clears path for Turkey’s Halkbank trial over Iran sanctions

The Turkish president personally raised the Halkbank case with US President Donald Trump at the White House, as Ankara pushes for a settlement to avoid a drawn-out legal battle.

Turkish air force fighter jets fly over a parade during celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of Turkey's invasion of Cyprus on July 20, 2024, in occupied northern Nicosia, Cyprus.

Analysis

Jet lag: Turkey weighs alternatives as US sanctions stall Kaan engine imports

Turkish defense experts say delays in engine approvals could slow the country’s fifth-generation fighter, yet Turkey has alternatives to maintain its offensive and defensive capabilities.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Septimus

Culture

Turkey boasts of antiquities' return, but faces scrutiny at home

As Ankara celebrates the cultural diplomacy that returned Roman bronzes and Ottoman manuscripts, critics warn that the same government risks eroding heritage at home.

This aerial photograph shows scaffolds installed on the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in Istanbul on April 14, 2025.

Turkey: Istanbul jolted by 5.3 magnitude earthquake, no casualties reported

Turkey’s disaster management body said no casualties or significant damage were reported after the quake, which was felt in surrounding provinces.