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Turkey

Turkey

May 3, 2025

Ankara 2:10 pm

15°C

OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images

Over 400 detained in Istanbul’s May Day protest as Turkey restricts transit

The demonstrations, which marked the first major opposition rally since mass protests roiled the country last month over the Istanbul mayor’s arrest, were met with tight restrictions.

Medin

Turkey convicts Swedish journalist of insulting Erdogan with terror trial next

Joakim Medin will remain behind bars awaiting prosecution on terror-related charges that press freedom groups say aim to silence the free press.

Latest News

Turkey’s Erdogan rebukes Syrian Kurds over decentralization calls, but keeps tone mild

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gestures as he addresses a speech during the Justice and Development Party (AKP), as part of the 8th Ordinary Grand Congress at the Ankara Arena in Ankara, on Feb. 23, 2025.

Erdogan, Meloni ink deals with focus on drones, Italy-Turkey defense ties

ROME, ITALY - APRIL 29: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and talian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni shake hands during the press conference following their meeting at Villa Doria Pamphilj, on April 29, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)

Saudi Arabia, Israel, Turkey rank in top 20 global military spenders: What to know

FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey's Erdogan to meet Meloni in Italy as ties deepen: What to know

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is welcomed by Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni upon arrival at the Borgo Egnazia resort for the G7 Summit hosted by Italy in Apulia region, on June 14, 2024 in Savelletri.

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

Meteor missiles

Turkey optimistic on procurement of Eurofighter jets and Meteor missiles

A senior Turkish official has confirmed Turkey’s bid to procure Meteor missiles.

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.