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

Turkey

Turkey

October 30, 2026

Ankara 6:16 am

10°C

An view of the Uchisar settlement, east of Nevesehir in the province of the same name in central Turkey's historical Cappadocia region on Aug. 24, 2022.

Culture

Rock collapse near UNESCO-listed site in Turkey’s Cappadocia kills three

Heavy rain triggered a landslide that sent rocks falling in Turkey’s Cappadocia region, killing at least two people and injuring five others.

Kepez

Tornado kills 4 in Turkey’s Mediterranean tourism hub Antalya

The province was hit by a tornado that killed four construction workers and injured another less than two weeks before the city hosts the UN climate summit.

GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT/AFP via Getty Images

Saudi Arabia’s KBS, top Turkish and Pakistani officials hold rare meeting in Iran: What to know

In first such gathering, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman will join Pakistani army chief Asim Munir and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin for talks with Iranian officials amid fears of renewed US and Israeli attacks against Iran.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan receives Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Turkish House in New York, on Sept. 19, 2023.

Analysis

What’s at stake for Turkey as Israel heads to the polls?

Israel’s Oct. 27 election could offer a chance to ease tensions with Ankara, but competing ambitions in Syria and beyond threaten to push the two US allies toward a dangerous confrontation.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Latest News

Analysis

How Israel’s elections could bring thaw with Syria

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrives for the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly gathering, UN Headquarters, New York, Sept. 22, 2026.

Ezgi Akin

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

Analysis

As US ties fray, Canada turns to Turkey for defense, nuclear cooperation

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomes Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Analysis

Turkey's Libya maritime win no guarantee for Saddam Hifter's presidential ambitions

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan meets with Saddam Haftar, Deputy Commander of the Libyan National Army, in Benghazi, Aug. 12, 2026.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Samuel Wendel

Senior Analyst, Middle East Business & Tech

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

Iran, Turkey divide Saudi-led bloc

Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi is opposed to plans by the other members of the Anti-Terror Quartet to confront Iran and Hezbollah in the Levant, to maintain Lebanon's relatively stable position.

SOCHI, RUSSIA - NOVEMBER 13: (RUSSIA OUT) Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) attend joint press conference after their meeting November 13, 2017 in Sochi, Russia. Erdogan is having a one-day visit to Russiian Black Sea resort of Sochi. Photo by Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images)

Have Russia, Turkey reached Syrian simpatico yet?

Russia and Turkey have attained an "unprecedented" level of cooperation in many areas, some observers say, though the Kurds in Syria may remain a sticking point.

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 19: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan prepares to speak to world leaders at the 72nd United Nations (UN) General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York on September 19, 2017 in New York City. Topics to be discussed at this year's gathering include Iran, North Korea and global warming. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Erdogan's claim on Ataturk legacy is bizarre political reach

Despite his policies in polar opposition to those of founder of modern Turkey Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has touted him as a brother whose memory is only served by his own ruling party.

Can US-Turkey relations be salvaged?

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim’s visit to Washington last week produced little to suggest a new chapter in ties is about to be opened.

Turkey's homemade booze boom here to stay

The Turkish government’s drive to discourage alcohol consumption through high taxes has led to Turks home brewing as an alternative.

People walk past a damaged building following an earthquake in the town of Darbandikhan, near the city of Sulaimaniyah, in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, Iraq November 13, 2017. REUTERS/Ako Rasheed - RC1AE3732600

Turkish aid arrives in Kurdistan Region following earthquake

After at least 400 people were killed and nearly 7,000 people were hurt in a 7.2-magnitude earthquake that hit the Iran-Iraqi Kurdistan border yesterday, Turkey has pushed aside its anger over the Kurdish independence efforts and stepped in to help.

Iran, Turkey have own plans for Iraq's strategic Sinjar

The Islamic State has been largely driven out of Iraq, but Turkey and Iran both remain intensely interested in certain areas.

Kuwait moving up again on Turkey's BFF list

Kuwait and Turkey are increasing their military and economic ties as Kuwait looks for relationships beyond the troubled Gulf Cooperation Council and Ankara stands to benefit from the oil-rich country's growing military and infrastructure budgets.

Meze makers spill their beans in Turkey's Mediterranean port

Turkey’s first Meze Festival held in Antalya Sept. 14 brought together chefs from Beirut to Athens, to showcase how a handful of beans may yield different tastes across the region.

Turkey’s misguided Middle East policy: From Syria, Iraq to the Gulf

Turkey’s misguided foreign policy has increasingly become apparent in three main spheres: Syria, Iraq and the Gulf region.

Lawyer Ruken Arslan detained by riot police during the trial of two Turkish teachers, who went on a hunger strike over their dismissal under a government decree following last year's failed coup, outside of a courthouse in Ankara, Turkey September 14, 2017. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RC11F5408250

Never-ending 'emergency' in Turkey is actually creating one

The government's self-extended empowerment has become a way of life in Turkey, causing grievances even among security personnel.

Kurds divided over blame for loss of Kirkuk

The recapture of Kirkuk by Iraqi forces in the aftermath of the independence referendum is a heavy blow for Kurds in Iran, Syria and Turkey.