Turkey-Gulf relations

Erdogan’s reset with Egypt and the Gulf won’t be smooth

The Turkish president wants a change in relations, but his efforts are seen as the result of a failed regional strategy and poor ties with the Biden administration.

Week in Review | Turkey | May 8, 2021

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (C) is trying to reengage with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (L) and Saudi King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud.

Turkey faces rough road to normalization with Egypt

Turkey’s reconciliation with Egypt is not likely to be easy, but progress after the first high-level meeting between the two sides could mark a new course in Ankara’s foreign policy and pave the way for its reconciliation with the Gulf heavyweights as well.

Fehim Tastekin | Turkey | May 7, 2021

Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal (C) and his delegation meet with their Egyptian counterparts in the Foreign Ministry headquarters in Egypt's capital, Cairo, on May 5, 2021. Turkey and Egypt have begun slowly warming ties as they vie for regional primacy a decade after the Arab Spring, but analysts say deep-seated mistrust means full normalization will take time. The talks come nearly two months after Ankara established the first diplomatic contacts with Cairo since 2013 as part of wider efforts t

Will Turkey’s efforts to woo Egypt yield fruit?

Egypt and Turkey began talks in Cairo today aimed at reseting ties after nearly eight years of a diplomatic rift.

Amberin Zaman | Turkey | May 5, 2021

Egypt's Deputy Foreign Minister Hamdi Sanad Loza (R) meets with his Turkish counterpart, Sedat Onal (L), in the Foreign Ministry headquarters in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, on May 5, 2021.

Turkey’s good words not worth much to Saudi Arabia

Turkey’s efforts to mend ties with the Gulf bloc don't pass Riyadh's tacit preconditions.

Fehim Tastekin | Turkey | May 5, 2021

A security guard stands in front of Istanbul's courthouse on July 3, 2020, during the trial of 20 Saudi suspects accused in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018 in Istanbul. The trial in absentia of 20 Saudi suspects accused of the murder, including two former aides to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, began in Istanbul on July 3, 2020.

Erdogan is MENA’s most popular leader, Arab Barometer finds

Turkey's promotion of cultural heritage, including through its tourism and entertainment sectors, is one reason for Erdogan's popularity. However, the perception of the Ottoman legacy is gradually shifting from one of praise to one of condemnation toward Turkish policies.

Al-Monitor Staff | News Brief | Apr 20, 2021

In this handout picture released by the Turkish presidential press office, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (C) and invited guests attend Friday prayers at Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque during the building's first official prayers after being reconverted into a mosque on July 24, 2020, in Istanbul, Turkey.

Can Turkey rely on Libyan PM to guarantee its strategic interests?

Ankara’s two critical deals with Tripoli remain in limbo even though Libya’s new prime minister raised Turkish spirits during a much-hyped visit this week.

Fehim Tastekin | Turkey | Apr 19, 2021

Could Turkish involvement in Yemen free Saudi Arabia?

The Muslim Brotherhood and sources close to the Turkish government are arguing that Saudi Arabia could find a face-saving exit from the Yemen conflict it has been looking for by cooperating with Turkey.

Fehim Tastekin | Turkey | Apr 2, 2021

2018 Istanbul protest against Saudi actions in Yemen

Egypt-Turkey rivalry goes deeper than politics

Cairo is treading cautiously on Ankara’s fence-mending overtures toward Turkey.

Metin Gurcan | Turkey | Mar 23, 2021

IAKOVOS HATZISTAVROU/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

UAE joins Egypt-led Eastern Med Gas Forum

Abu Dhabi announced that it has joined the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum based in Cairo, as part of efforts to counter Turkey’s ambitions in the area.

Mohamed Sabry | Egypt | Dec 21, 2020

Cash-strapped Turkey relies on Qatari investments

In only five years, Qatar has come to account for 15% of all foreign direct investments in Turkey, second only to deep-rooted Dutch investors.

Mustafa Sonmez | Turkey | Dec 2, 2020

Turkey more diplomatically isolated than ever in Arab world

Many analysts believe that Ankara’s meddling in the Arab world’s affairs has contributed to pushing some of these regimes toward Israel.

Semih Idiz | Gulf | Sep 17, 2020

Egypt rallies Arab League to counter Turkey's regional policies

Egypt called on Arab countries to adopt a unified policy to deter the Turkish interference in the Arab region, especially in Libya, Syria and Iraq.

Hagar Hosny | Egypt | Sep 15, 2020

Turkey threatens to cut ties with UAE over Israel normalization as feud continues

Turkey and the UAE disagree on the Turkey-Kurdish conflict, Libya, drilling in the eastern Mediterranean and more.

Al-Monitor Staff | Israel | Aug 14, 2020

Demonstrators wave Turkish and Palestinian flags during a rally at Yenikap? Square, in Istanbul, to protest against the US-made peace plan, also known as the Agreement of the Century,on Februay 9, 2020. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP) (Photo by OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images)

UAE condemns Turkish and Iranian military interventions in Iraq

Turkey and Iran are conducting operations against Kurdish groups in the country.

Al-Monitor Staff | United Arab Emirates | Jun 17, 2020

Turkey’s intervention in Libya turns tide to Erdogan’s advantage, for now

Ankara has thrown in its lot with the Government of National Accord for reasons that have more to do with its own interests than Libya’s.

Semih Idiz | Turkey | May 14, 2020

Turkey-Gulf relations

Erdogan’s reset with Egypt and the Gulf won’t be smooth

The Turkish president wants a change in relations, but his efforts are seen as the result of a failed regional strategy and poor ties with the Biden administration.

Turkey faces rough road to normalization with Egypt

Will Turkey’s efforts to woo Egypt yield fruit?

Turkey’s good words not worth much to Saudi Arabia

Erdogan is MENA’s most popular leader, Arab Barometer finds

Can Turkey rely on Libyan PM to guarantee its strategic interests?

Could Turkish involvement in Yemen free Saudi Arabia?

Egypt-Turkey rivalry goes deeper than politics

UAE joins Egypt-led Eastern Med Gas Forum

Cash-strapped Turkey relies on Qatari investments

Turkey more diplomatically isolated than ever in Arab world

Egypt rallies Arab League to counter Turkey's regional policies

Turkey threatens to cut ties with UAE over Israel normalization as feud continues

UAE condemns Turkish and Iranian military interventions in Iraq

Turkey’s intervention in Libya turns tide to Erdogan’s advantage, for now

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