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Turkey

April 29, 2026

Ankara 10:11 am

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Cadets of the Saiqa Force (Special Forces) of the self-styled Libyan National Army affiliated with eastern strongman Khalifa Hifter take part in a graduation ceremony in tribute to the force's late commander, Wanis Bukhamada, in the eastern city of Benghazi, on Jan. 20, 2022.

In first, Libya’s rival armies to join drill in Turkey: What to know

The move follows the first joint exercise inside Libya amid renewed international efforts to unify the country.

Turkey's submarines and fast-attack craft ships participate in the live-fire phase of the Blue Homeland-2026 (Mavi Vatan) tactical military exercises in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, in Antalya on April 9, 2026.

Turkey’s military spending jumps to $30B, leads Mideast growth in 2025

Newly released data shows Ankara’s military spending hit $30 billion, while Saudi Arabia remained the region’s top spender and Israel’s outlays declined in 2025.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan hosted the third meeting of the foreign ministers of Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on the margins of the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, on April 17, 2026.

Analysis

Why Saudi Arabia, Egypt are wary of Turkey’s proposed 4-way defense pact with Pakistan

The proposed framework faces major hurdles and fault lines, ranging from NATO constraints to Israeli opposition and weak military integration.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

CORLU, TURKEY- MARCH 2: A B model of Bayraktar AKINCI TİHA (Assault Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) in the sky on March 2, 2022 in Corlu, Turkey. (Photo by Baykar Press Office/dia images via Getty Images)

Turkey’s Baykar tests K2 swarm kamikaze drones for first time: What to know

Baykar tested its K2 and new loitering drones, featuring AI-driven swarm capabilities and the ability to operate under GPS jamming.

Latest News

Trump envoy Barrack’s embrace of 'strong leaders' sparks fury in Turkey

US Ambassador to Turkey Thomas Barrack attends a meeting with President Donald Trump and President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Oval Office at the White House on Sept. 25, 2025, in Washington, DC.

How Syria's border opening with Iraq redefines Turkey-Kurd balance

Members of Iraq's security forces stand guard on the the al-Rabia border crossing with Syria on April 20, 2026.

Analysis

Italy’s TB3 drone deal signals turn toward Turkey amid US-NATO tensions

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni shake hands during the press conference following their meeting at Villa Doria Pamphilj, on April 29, 2025, in Rome, Italy.

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

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

The sun rises behind the Bosphorus Bridge (L) and the construction site of the new Camlica Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, February 3, 2016. REUTERS/Murad Sezer - RTX257J9

Turkey’s construction boom: A blessing or a curse?

The Turkish construction sector’s contribution to the local economy has almost caught up with that of the manufacturing industry, but this is hardly a reason to celebrate.

A supporter of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan holds a flag before Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim is expected to address a crowd of around 10,000 in Oberhausen, Germany, February 18, 2017, to promote Turkey's constitution referendum on April 16, 2017. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay - RTSZ91P

How Germany accidentally gave Erdogan a boost ahead of key vote

Are German authorities doing the right thing by not allowing Turkish politicians to hold rallies in Germany? Here is why they are not.

Iraqi refugee women sit overlooking al-Howl refugee camp south of Hasaka city, Syria October 20, 2016. REUTERS/Rodi Said - RTX2PS92

How are displaced Iraqis faring in Syria’s camps?

Hundreds of Turkmen families from Tal Afar, in northwestern Iraq, have headed for the Syrian opposition areas in Aleppo’s countryside.

Could Turkey’s misstep in Manbij provide template for Raqqa?

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s latest threat complicates Pentagon planning to oust the Islamic State from its so-called capital; United States provides intelligence for Iraqi strike in Syria.

A riot police stands guard during a pro-Kurdish gathering in the southeastern city of Diyarbakir, Turkey, August 31, 2016. To match TURKEY-SECURITY/POLICE REUTERS/Sertac Kayar - RTX2OUGW

Turkish government outsources urban security

To make up for the security gap in southeastern cities and Istanbul, Turkey has resurrected the historical institution of neighborhood street watchmen.

A board showing the currency exchange rates of the U.S. dollar and the Euro against Turkish lira is on display at a currency exchange office in central Istanbul, Turkey January 12, 2017. REUTERS/Murad Sezer - RTX2YN8E

How forex market became a gambling house in Turkey

Thousands of Turks, eager to make quick money, have acquired big losses in leveraged transactions at the foreign exchange market, leading the authorities to intervene.

Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) fighters walk on the rubble of damaged shops and buildings in the city of Manbij, in Aleppo Governorate, Syria, August 10, 2016. REUTERS/Rodi Said - RTSMDAF

Syrian Kurds cede buffer as Turkish-backed FSA advances on Manbij

After President Recep Tayyip Erdogan named Turkey's next target as Manbij and the foreign minister promised to strike if the Kurdish People’s Protection Units don't withdraw, Turkish-backed fighters in Syria seem to be acting on the threats in a cluster of villages west of Manbij.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 17: Zeynep Kartal thanks her audience at her show during the London Fashion Week February 2017 collections on February 17, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Tabatha Fireman/Getty Images)

Turkish fashionistas commercialize July 15 coup attempt

People who rallied against a military coup attempt on July 15 are distraught by the increased commercialization of their gallantry.

ISTANBUL, TURKEY - FEBRUARY 23: A man selling paintings packs up a print of Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as he closes his stall for the day on February 23, 2017 in Istanbul, Turkey. Turkey will hold its constitutional referendum on April 16, 2017. Turks will vote on 18 proposed amendments to the Constitution of Turkey. The controversial changes seek to replace the parliamentary system and move to a presidential system which would give President Recep Tayyip Erdogan executive authority. Campaignin

Will Erdogan postpone upcoming referendum?

The postponement of the constitutional referendum planned for April 16 would not be a surprising outcome.

Rouhani says Iran opposed to incursions into Syria, Iraq

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met to cool tensions after a recent war of words.

Turkish publisher Aydin Dogan holds the Victoria award during a ceremony at the Publishers Night in Berlin November 17, 2008. Dogan was awarded for his engagement in Germen Turkish integrations. REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke (GERMANY) - RTXAP3D

Turkish media mogul in court after publishing controversial story

One day after Turkey's president blasted media mogul Aydin Dogan over a Hurriyet story he said sowed discord between the government and the armed forces, Dogan, who is also US President Donald Trump’s business partner, has been summoned to appear in court over fuel-smuggling accusations nearly a decade old.

A photo taken on July 20, 2016 shows a Turkish flag on the Istanbul Justice Palace (Adalet Sarayi).
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on July 20 chaired a crunch security meeting for the first time since the failed coup, as global alarm grew over a widening purge that has seen around 50,000 people either detained or sacked. / AFP / BULENT KILIC (Photo credit should read BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images)

Turkish court upholds free speech … for Erdogan

A Turkish court has given sanction to public insults by the president against dissident academics, yet another omen of how subservient the Turkish judiciary has become.