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Turkey

Turkey

May 13, 2025

Ankara 12:04 am

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An Iraqi Kurdish woman waves a flag bearing the portrait of the founder of the Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK) Abdullah Ocalan as people gather at Freedom Park to listen to an audio message by the jailed leader in Sulaimaniyah, in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region on Feb. 27, 2025.

PKK ends 40-year war against Turkey, vows to pursue Kurdish rights

The disarmament brings an end to one of the Middle East’s longest-running insurgencies, with the PKK vowing to pursue its goals through political means.

Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Trump may visit Turkey Thursday for Erdogan’s Russia-Ukraine talks

The US president floated the idea of traveling to Turkey on Thursday for a potential meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders.

A ferry passes a Turkish Navy submarine navigating the Bosphorus on Sept. 27, 2024, in Istanbul, Turkey.

Analysis

How Turkey’s nuclear submarine bid is a game changer for its naval strategy

Time, costs and international politics, not technological expertise, will be Turkey’s main challenge in reaching its aspirations for a nuclear-powered navy.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Latest News

Turkey’s Fidan says he survived assassination abroad as head of intel

Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan arrives during Turkey's president's visit at the Villa Doria Pamphili in Rome on April 29, 2025.

PKK holds congress in response to Ocalan's call to end war with Turkey

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

Turkey, Iraq leaders tout cooperation in Ankara, but major disputes persist

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (front-R) and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani (front-L) clap after sponsoring the signing ceremony of memoranda of understanding between Iraq and Turkey, in Ankara on May 8, 2025.

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

People hold Turkish flags and placards reading "winner Turkey" 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.

X confirms blocking jailed Istanbul mayor Imamoglu’s account in Turkey

The social media platform said it would challenge the court ruling while complying to avoid nationwide throttling.

Pakistan flights

Mideast airlines suspend Pakistan flights following Indian strikes

Pakistan closed its airspace for 48 hours starting early Wednesday following Indian airstrikes on several locations that left at least 15 people dead.

United Arab Emirates

Turkey's minister of foreign affairs, Hakan Fidan, delivers a speech during the opening ceremony of Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Antalya, on April 11, 2025.

Turkey's Fidan visits UAE for talks on Syria, Gaza: What to know

The top Turkish diplomat’s visit to the UAE comes amid heightened tensions between Turkey and Israel over Syria.

PETER NICHOLLS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Trump, Erdogan discuss defense ties, Ukraine, possible visit in call: What to know

The two leaders discussed defense cooperation, peace efforts in Ukraine.

Syrian Kurds wave flags bearing pictures of the founder of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) Abdullah Ocalan, as they gather in the Kurdish-majority city of Qamishli in northeastern Syria to listen to a message from the jailed leader on February 27, 2025. Ocalan issued a historic call on February 27 for his Kurdish militant force to disband and his fighters to lay down their arms. (Photo by Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP) (Photo by DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images) SYRIA-TURKEY-CONFLICT-KURDS

Analysis

Can Turkey stomach autonomy for Syrian Kurds? Iraq offers cautionary model

Ankara’s decades-long resistance to Kurdish autonomy is being tested as Syrian Democratic Forces seem to be insisting on decentralization.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

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.

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.

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

The Turkish president's restrained comments hint at an evolving strategy toward Kurdish forces in Syria.

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)

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

The Turkish president’s visit to Rome has strengthened Turkey-Italy ties through cooperation deals, including in the defense sector.

FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

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

Regional military spending saw a significant increase in 2024, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, amid conflicts in Israel, Gaza and Lebanon, though it found that Europe drove the overall hike in global expenditures.