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Turkey

Turkey

April 25, 2026

Ankara 4:21 pm

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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.

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.

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

Turkish opposition members say envoy Tom Barrack’s remarks praising “strong leaders” and monarchies undermine Turkey’s democratic tradition and embolden President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

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

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

After years of closure, the reopening of al-Yaaroubiya crossing is redrawing Kurdish economic leverage and reinforcing Turkey’s regional strategy.

Latest News

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

Analysis

Is Syria’s Sharaa poised to outdo Turkey in formalizing gains for Kurds?

Kurdish people waving Kurdistan flags gather to celebrate Nowruz on the hill of Urkesh in the countryside of Amuda in northeastern Syria on March 18, 2026. Nowruz, meaning "new day," is an ancient festival that marks the start of spring and the new year on the vernal equinox, which usually falls on March 20 or 21. It is celebrated by more than 300 million people worldwide and has been observed for over 3,000 years across regions including the Middle East, Central Asia, the Caucasus and parts of Eastern Euro

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

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

AFP via Getty Images

Turkey's Fidan holds call with China FM as Iran-Israel ceasefire reached

The two top diplomats also discussed bilateral ties as well as the situation in Gaza.

TIRANA, ALBANIA - MAY 16: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrive at the 6th European Political Community summit on May 16, 2025 at Skanderbeg Square in Tirana, Albania. The EPC brings together heads of state and government from the 27 European Union countries and 20 others. The items on today's agenda are security and democratic resilience, competitiveness and economic security, and mobility challenges and youth empowerment. (Photo by Armando Babani/Getty Images)

Analysis

How Turkey's Erdogan navigated Trump ties and instability risks from Israel-Iran war

Turkey walked a fine line between mediator and militarizer as the Iran-Israel conflict exposes both regional threats and strategic openings.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Fatih Altayli

Turkey jails journalist Fatih Altayli for allegedly threatening Erdogan

Fatih Altayli, one of Turkey’s most popular journalists, was arrested over allegedly threatening Erdogan, sparking outrage from media groups.

Protesters hold Turkish flags and placards reading 'Freedom for Imamoglu' as they take part in a demonstration against the detention of the Mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, organized by the country's main opposition, the Republican People's Party (CHP), at Beyazid Square, in Istanbul, May 7, 2025.

Turkey jails Imamoglu's lawyer as government crackdown continues

Opposition and legal groups condemn the arrest as an attempt to undermine legal defense rights.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi holds a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister after their meeting in Ankara, on Dec. 2, 2024.

Iran’s Araghchi to visit Turkey as Ankara seeks war mediation role

Iran’s top diplomat is expected in Turkey for the OIC talks as the Iran-Israel war dominates the agenda.

Turkish soldiers patrol near the border wall between Turkey and Iran in the Van Province, eastern Turkey, on Nov. 1, 2024.

Turkey ramps up Iran border security as Ankara, UNHCR monitor refugee risks

UNHCR stands ready to support Turkey, though no major refugee movement has been observed along the Iranian border, the international body’s Turkey spokesperson told Al-Monitor.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan arrives at the 6th European Political Community summit on May 16, 2025 at Skanderbeg Square in Tirana, Albania.

Armenia's Pashinyan, Turkey's Erdogan to hold 'historic' talks amid Iran-Israel war

The meeting comes as both countries weigh the fallout of a widening regional conflict and rising tensions along their shared border with Iran.

Flags flutter along a bridge as a plume of heavy smoke and fire rise from an oil refinery in southern Tehran, after it was hit in an overnight Israeli strike, on June 15, 2025. Iran fired a fresh barrage of missiles at Israel, state television announced early on June 15, as the rivals exchanged fire for a third day. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

With over 85% imported, Turkey braces for energy ripples of Iran-Israel war

Rising oil prices threaten Turkey’s fragile economy amid escalating regional tensions, while energy supply risks grow.

Ezgi Akin

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

Turkey Iran border

Analysis

Risks outweigh opportunity for Turkey as Israel-Iran conflict escalates

Turkey’s economy and border security face acute risks as the Israel-Iran war fuels Kurdish unrest and disrupts vital energy supplies.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Members of Turkish Police Special Forces secure the area near the Interior Ministry on Oct. 1, 2023.

Turkey detains dozens of ISIS suspects in raids tied to Syria-based network

A nationwide sweep targeted the group's financial and propaganda networks as Ankara steps up efforts to counter the jihadi extremist group in Syria.