Turkey - AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Turkey

Turkey

September 5, 2026

Ankara 2:40 pm

28°C

TAI Hurjet

Analysis

With Hurjet test, Turkey seeks defense dominance beyond drones

With export revenue from the supersonic crewed aircraft, Ankara plans to fund next-generation projects and gain strategic diplomatic and military leverage across NATO and the region.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Ibrahim Kalin, Turkish presidential spokesperson, gives a press conference at the Presidential Complex, Ankara, May 25, 2022.

Turkey and Greece's intelligence chiefs hold rare talks: What to know

The meeting comes after Turkey recently warned Greece over what it called an arms race in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

US sanctions Turkey-based bank over Iran ties

The Treasury Department said Golden Global Bank was facilitating transactions for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Mecca Alliance

Israel, Greece sign $3.5 billion air-defense deal: What to know

Against the backdrop of growing tensions with Turkey, Israel signed one of its largest-ever defense industry deals to supply Greece with advanced air defense systems.

Latest News

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan set Mecca Alliance into motion

Mecca Alliance

Analysis

Why Turkey welcomes Israel-Syria talks despite mounting red lines

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrive for a joint press conference following their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Feb. 4, 2025.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Culture

In divided Cyprus, FC Barcelona youth camp sparks new dispute: What to know

Barcelona

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

Protesters hold placards as they demonstrate against cartoonists of a satirical magazine following allegations that it had published a cartoon of the Prophet Mohammed, outside Taksim mosque in Istanbul on July 1, 2025.

Turkey's Erdogan vows justice amid rage over alleged Prophet Muhammad cartoon

A controversial cartoon has sparked mass protests, arrests and threats against a leading Turkish satire magazine.

Kurdish youths holds a poster of jailed PKK militant group leader Abdullah Ocalan during Newroz celebrations, Diyarbakir, Turkey, March 21, 2025.

Turkey: PKK disarmament could begin within days, Erdogan’s party says

The ruling party’s spokesperson said the disarmament process is imminent amid reports of a looming “goodwill” ceremony expected from the Kurdish militant group in early July.

US Air Force F-35A performs during an exhibition flight demonstration as part of the 55th edition of the International Paris Air Show (Salon international de l'aeronautique et de l'espace - SIAE) at the ParisLe Bourget Airport, in Le Bourget, north of Paris on June 19, 2025. (Photo by Roy ISSA / AFP) (Photo by ROY ISSA/AFP via Getty Images)

US ambassador to Turkey says F-35 issue to be resolved 'by year-end'

The new US ambassador to Ankara says that Congress is open to taking a fresh look at the F-35 issue.

Firefighters spray water to extinguish flames in a forest in Izmir, Turkey, Aug. 16, 2024.

Wildfires spread across Turkey’s tourism hub Izmir amid regionwide heat wave

Wildfires rage in Turkey’s tourist heartland, forcing airport closures and evacuations amid fierce winds.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan received Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Turkish House.

Analysis

With Iran in decline, can Israel and Turkey align on Syria deconfliction?

Much has yet to be resolved in the deconfliction talks between Turkey and Israel over Syria, but analysts and former officials say Ankara holds more cards, especially amid US President Donald Trump’s push to engage with Syria’s new leadership.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

KEMAL ASLAN/AFP via Getty Images

As it presses for F-35 jets, Turkey prioritizes air defense for NATO’s 5% spending target

As Turkey prioritizes boosting its air defense system to meet NATO’s new spending target, the president has revived Ankara’s push to buy fighter jets.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US President Donald Trump met in Hague, Netherlands on the sidelines of NATO’s leaders summit, June 25 2025.

Trump, Erdogan hold first meeting at NATO as ties warm: What to know

The first meeting between the two leaders since Trump's return to office focused on the Iran-Israel ceasefire, the Ukraine war and bilateral ties.

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