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Turkey

Turkey

October 14, 2026

Ankara 7:49 pm

14°C

Serhan Asker, General Program Coordinator at Halk TV, makes a statement outside the Ankara branch of Turkey's most-watched news channel, Halk TV.

Live Updates

Turkey seizes opposition Halk TV as crackdown widens: What to know

Halk TV is a pro-opposition broadcaster and one of Turkey’s most-watched news channels.

A shop owner assists one of his customers at Malta bazaar in the Fatih district in Istanbul, on Dec. 6, 2024.

Iran mum as Azerbaijan’s school hijab ban, Israel ties test alliance with Turkey

Azerbaijan’s restrictions on Islamic dress in schools have sparked an unusual public spat with Turkey, exposing tensions beneath the allies’ close political and security ties.

Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) fighters arrive in the northern Iraqi city of Dohuk on May 14, 2013, after leaving Turkey as part of a peace drive with Ankara.

Explainer

PKK pulls out of Metina in northern Iraq amid Turkey peace process

The withdrawal comes as the peace process between Turkey and the militant group gains momentum alongside increasing security cooperation between Ankara and Baghdad.

A cargo ship at the Port of Trabzon, Turkey

Analysis

Pragmatic politics: Why Turkey avoids blaming Russia for Black Sea attacks

Beyond economics, Ankara’s approach is also shaped by maintaining its role as an indispensable mediator between the Kremlin and the West.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Latest News

Rubio signals US push to ease Greece-Turkey cable tensions

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) meets with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (L) during a visit on Oct. 7, 2026, in Athens, Greece.

Turkey to send Mecca pact to parliament, opening path to Saudi deployment

Turkish Navy infantry soldiers take part in the Denizkurdu-I/2026 Exercise in the Eastern Mediterranean, off the coast of Aksaz, at Marmaris in Mugla, on Sept. 24, 2026.

Latest defection hands Erdogan’s AKP control of Turkey’s third-largest city

Izmir Mayor Cemil Tugay (R) his wife Oznur Tugay and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan acknowledge the audience after the mayor announced joining the ruling Justice and Development Party during a meeting with AKP lawmakers in Ankara, on Oct. 7, 2026.

Erdogan aide named suspect in Turkey financial scandal

Turkey's Family Minister Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya speaks to media after arriving at the Ataturk International airport on March 12, 2017, in Istanbul.

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

US President Donald Trump and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) take part in a joint press conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC on November 13, 2019. President Donald Trump greeted his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the White House for a high-stakes meeting Wednesday that underlined his claim to be ignoring the impeachment drama unfolding simultaneously in Congress. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP) (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

As Trump praises Erdogan, Turkey says ready to take control of ISIS prisons in Syria

The top Turkish diplomat said Turkey is prepared to take control of the Islamic State detainee camps as he downplayed Israeli support for the Syrian Democratic Forces.

A Turkish Jandarma armored vehicle drives toward the entrance to the Turkish Aerospace Industries facility following an attack on Oct. 23, 2024 in Ankara, Turkey.

Analysis

Turkey’s dual Syria security strategy: rebuilding army, tackling SDF

As it gains upper hand in Syria, Turkey will capitalize on its leverage to build a new army and push for dissolution of the PKK.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

A Turkish Bayraktar TB2 combat drone is on view during a presentation at the Lithuanian Air Force Base in Siauliai, Lithuania, on July 6, 2022. - Lithuania on July 6, 2022 exhibited a crowdfunded Turkish-made military drone that it plans to send to Ukraine to help the war-torn country fight Russia's invasion. People in the NATO member country raised 5.9 million euros for the Bayraktar TB2 drone over three days last month, before its Turkish manufacturer Baykar announced it would donate the drone free of cha

Buoyed by drones, NATO deals, Turkey defense exports hit record $7.1B

The total value of defense exports surpassed Ankara's $6.5 billion target, with significant deals with European countries.

US President Donald Trump welcomes Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi, for a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House, Washington, May 15, 2017.

Analysis

Will Trump tariffs on China impact Middle East and North Africa?

Universal tariffs could ensnare some US-MENA trade, but potential global economic turmoil might also provide states in the region with opportunities to diversify trade relations.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Turkey's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, attends the third session of the G20 Leaders' meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Nov, 19, 2024.

Analysis

2024 turnaround: Assad fall grants Turkey’s Erdogan electoral rebound

Despite facing a historic defeat in local elections, Erdogan’s foreign policy wins, including Turkish-backed rebels’ victory in Syria, appear to have bolstered his domestic support.

Ezgi Akin

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

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attends the third session of the G20 Leaders' Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Nov. 19, 2024.

Erdogan hails Turkish century, calls for eliminating terror threat in Syria

Syrian Kurds distance themselves from the PKK.

ISTANBUL, TURKEY - SEPTEMBER 27: A ferry passes a Turkish Navy vessel navigating the Bosphorus in a parade to mark the 486th anniversary of the Naval victory of Preveza and naval forces day on September 27, 2024 in Istanbul, Turkey. 16 vessels from the Turkish Naval Forces Command took part in the parade. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Analysis

In first, Turkey to export jets, military vessels to NATO allies: What to know

After Turkish drones, manned Turkish jets and military vessels will appear on the European arena following deals signed with Spain and Portugal.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Supporters of the Kurdish community demonstrate with flags and banners on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the arrest of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan on the banks of the Rhine river in Cologne, western Germany, on Feb. 17, 2024.

Turkey allows pro-Kurdish DEM party to meet with jailed PKK leader Ocalan

The permission comes as part of the government’s tentative Kurdish opening.

This picture taken on March 21, 2024 on Istiklal avenue, Istanbul, shows foreign exchange rates displayed against the Turkish lira. Turkey's central bank raised it's key interest rate on March 21, 2024, resuming a tightening cycle in a bid to tame rising consumer prices, one month after having held rates. In a statement the bank said that the monetary policy committee "has decided to raise the policy rate from 45 percent to 50 percent". (Photo by Yasin AKGUL / AFP) (Photo by YASIN AKGUL/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey’s Central Bank lowers interest rates for the first time in nearly 2 years

The decision to cut interest rates follows 18 months of monetary tightening and comes amid ongoing efforts to stabilize the country’s runaway inflation.

ammunition plant explosion

Turkish ammunition plant explosion kills 11, injures 7

Turkish officials ruled out the possibility of sabotage in the explosion.

President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrives for the European Political Community summit at Puskas Arena on Nov. 7, 2024 in Budapest, Hungary.

Turkey’s Erdogan says end near for PKK, Syrian offshoots

The Turkish president's remarks come amid growing speculation of an imminent Turkish-backed rebel offensive against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.

Emiratis wave national flags as citizens celebrate their country's 40 years of independence on National Day, in Abu Dhabi, on Dec. 2, 2011.

Analysis

Gulf’s citizenship industry poised for growth amid new global uncertainty

Flexible visa programs have emerged in the Middle East, fueled by wealthy Gulf states competing to attract foreign investors and skilled professionals as part of their economic diversification strategies.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech