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Turkey

Turkey

September 16, 2026

Ankara 11:06 am

15°C

People swim next to the Russian-flagged cargo ship OMSKIY-107, which was attacked off the Black Sea coast and eventually ran aground off the shore of the Sile district, Istanbul, Sept. 3, 2026.

Why Turkey has few options to protect Black Sea shipping

The Russia-Ukraine drone war is hitting Turkish commercial interests, exposing the limits of Ankara’s ability to protect shipping while remaining outside the conflict.

Fighters loyal to the Houthi authorities gather during a rally to recruit more fighters in Sanaa on Sept. 10, 2026.

Analysis

Saudi Arabia's Houthi crisis tests alliances with Trump, Turkey and Pakistan

As the Houthis tighten their grip on the Bab al-Mandeb, Saudi Arabia is turning to new regional alliances while Washington resists calls to intervene.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Latest News

Turkey’s defense giants court Egypt at Alamein Airshow: What to know

El Alamein International Airshow

Russia to give Turkey preferential fertilizer access amid Hormuz supply crunch

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hold a meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek on September 1, 2026. (Photo by Kristina Solovyova / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

Culture

Turkish ceramicist Leyla Borovali shapes Aegean heritage into clay

Leyla Borovali at her studio overlooking the Aegean

Analysis

With Hurjet test, Turkey seeks defense dominance beyond drones

TAI Hurjet

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

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

TOPSHOT - A convoy of US forces armoured vehicles drives near the village of Yalanli, on the western outskirts of the northern Syrian city of Manbij, on March 5, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / DELIL SOULEIMAN (Photo credit should read DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP/Getty Images)

US, Turkey could be on collision course in Syria

Neither side is backing down as Ankara and Washington exchange tough talk over potential confrontations in Syria.

Turkey's quest for EU visa waiver more likely to cause strife than progress

Turkey has renewed efforts to get a visa waiver from the European Union, but the move could result in fresh tensions, as many in Europe remain incensed over Ankara’s human rights record.

Kurdish fighters from the People's Protection Units (YPG) stand near U.S military vehicles in the town of Darbasiya next to the Turkish border, Syria April 29, 2017. Picture taken April 29, 2017. REUTERS/Rodi Said - RC16C054E9B0

US support for Kurds in Iraq, Syria unaffected by tensions with Turkey

The Pentagon is standing by Kurdish fighters in Iraq and Syria despite growing political pressure to back off, according to a government audit.

Turkish forces are seen on Mount Barsaya in northeast of Afrin, Syria January 28, 2018.REUTERS/ Khalil Ashawi - RC1E13D8A6D0

Ankara’s Syria incursion risks sparking long-term ethnic feud in Turkey

Turkey’s military intervention into Afrin might disrupt the social ties between Turkey’s Kurds and Turks permanently and spark an ethnic Turkish-Kurdish feud that could last for generations.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrives to greet European Council President Donald Tusk (not pictured) before a meeting at the European Council in Brussels, Belgium, May 25, 2017. REUTERS/Olivier Hoslet/Pool - RC1429C1E940

Turkey pledges to change terror law to win EU visas

Turkey has submitted a position paper to Brussels promising to amend the counterterrorism law to decriminalize journalistic opinions, a long-standing demand from Europe before it will grant Turks visa-free travel.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks as he holds a press conference following the Extraordinary Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on last week's US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, on December 13, 2017, in Istanbul.
Islamic leaders on December 13 urged the world to recognise occupied East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine, as Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas warned the United States no longer had any role to play in the peace process. / AFP PHOTO / YASIN AK

Erdogan mobilizes children for propaganda war

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's choice to have small children read politically charged poetry and prayers in the parliament was a brazen embrace of religious nationalism.

US maintains mystery about long-term intentions in Syria

Remember that "border force" the US said it was, and then wasn't, forming in Syria? Apparently, it's already there.

Turkish forces and Free Syrian Army members are seen on Mount Barsaya, northeast of Afrin, Syria January 28, 2018. REUTERS/ Khalil Ashawi - RC12885992C0

Erdogan escalates threats to attack Manbij

Turkey’s president has promised to widen Turkey’s military offensive in Syria despite US warnings, insisting that the Americans haven't kept their agreement to get the Kurdish militants to withdraw from Manbij.

PARK CITY, UT - JANUARY 27: Tolga Karacelik accepts the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic award for "Butterflies" during the Sundance Film Festival Awards Night Ceremony at Basin Recreation Field House on January 27, 2018 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Despite Ankara's lack of support, Turkish film wins big at Sundance

The Turkish government has put private theater and movie productions in a chokehold through restrictions in financing and legal hurdles.

Turkish voices increasingly calling for dialogue with Assad

Developments in Syria could force Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to swallow his antipathy to President Bashar al-Assad and establish some level of contact with him, as a growing number of Turks believe.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu speaks during a news conference in Istanbul, Turkey January 25, 2018. REUTERS/Murad Sezer - RC1AD2229B60

Palestinians turn to Turkey

The Palestinians are hopeful that Turkey’s promises of increased financial aid will make up for the losses resulting from the United States reducing its aid to UNRWA.

Demonstrators wave Turkish flags during a protest in front of the Dutch Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, March 12, 2017. REUTERS/Murad Sezer - RC1DBCCB3850

Netherlands withdraws ambassador from Turkey

Turkish and Dutch relations are once again under strain as the Dutch ambassador is recalled from Ankara.