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Turkey

Turkey

August 17, 2026

Ankara 1:44 am

19°C

Fireworks explode over Islamabad

Analysis

How Israel's rivalry, defense deals prompted Turkey to join Mecca pact

Turkey’s growing rivalry with Israel and mounting regional instability are driving its defense alignment with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, despite risks of strategic entanglement and friction with NATO partners.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Latest News

Exclusive

Turkey set to sign charter for Saudi-led Red Sea coalition on Friday

Servicemen of Yavuz class, TCG Turgutreis (F-241), warship stand at attention on the deck as they participate in the live-fire phase of the "Blue Homeland-2026" (Mavi Vatan) tactical military exercises in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, in Antalya on April 9, 2026.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Explainer

Three ways China benefits from Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan pact: What to know

SPA

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

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is welcomed by an honor guard ahead of the opening of the Turkish Grand National Assembly in Ankara, Oct. 1, 2023.

Erdogan’s dreams of eclipsing Ataturk unfulfilled as Turkish republic turns 100

On the centennial of the Turkish Republic, its citizens are debating the country's evolution and how it measures up to the vision of modern Turkey's deeply secular founder.

Eyup Kadir Inan

Official boycott, sit-ins target Starbucks in Turkey amid protests against Israel

The decision by Turkey’s state-run rail company to stop selling Starbucks products in its dining cars marked the first official boycott targeting an international brand over the Israel-Hamas war.

A teller holds Turkish lira banknotes at a currency exchange office, Istanbul, Aug. 13, 2018.

Turkey’s Central Bank hikes interest rates to 35%

The bank cited geopolitical risks for the move along with a larger than expected increase in inflation in the third quarter.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (L) meets with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Doha, Oct. 25, 2023.

Qatar ‘hopeful’ about hostage talks with Hamas as Turkey warns of regional shockwaves

As Qatar expresses hope for the release of more Israeli hostages, Turkey’s top diplomat has warned Israel against a ground invasion.

Erdogan

Turkey’s Erdogan hails Hamas as liberators, leaving detente with Israel in shreds

The Turkish president's speech on Wednesday aligned himself more firmly with the Sunni Muslim world, while pushing aside the benefits of closer ties with Israel and other regional economies.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and UAE's President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed meet on Oct. 24, 2023.

Turkey's Fidan travels to UAE, Qatar, seeks mediation on Israel-Hamas war

The top Turkish diplomat, who met with the Emirati leaders in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, is set to travel to Qatar, where Hamas' political bureau is based.

ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey's finance chief Simsek embarks on third Gulf trip

The Turkish finance minister's new Gulf tour marks his third trip to the region as Ankara ramps its efforts to attract foreign funds.

A civilian drone flies near the town of Khojaly in the Azerbaijani controlled region of Nagorno-Karabakh on October 2, 2023, during an Azeri government organized media trip. After three decades of Armenian control, the separatist authorities have agreed to disarm, dissolve their government and reintegrate with Azerbaijan in the wake of Baku's one-day military operation in late September. The separatist government said president Samvel Shahramanyan will stay in Karabakh's main city of Stepanakert with a grou

Azerbaijan, Turkey launch joint military exercise as Fidan meets Armenia FM

The joint military exercise coincided with a five-country summit in Tehran between Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Iran and Russia.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan (C) takes an oath of office after his election win at the parliament in Ankara on June 3, 2023. Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan was sworn in for a third term as president on June 3, promising to serve "impartially" after winning a historic runoff election to extend his two-decade rule. (Photo by Adem ALTAN / AFP) (Photo by ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Turkey’s Erdogan initiates Sweden NATO ratification in parliament

It remains unclear how long the ratification process will take given the Turkish president’s recent airing of grievances against Stockholm and Washington.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with Hamas political leader Ismael Hanniyeh in Istanbul in February 1, 2023

Analysis

Eying Gaza mediator role, Turkey cools Hamas ties, Erdogan restrains rhetoric

Ankara has politely shown the door to Hamas leaders staying in Turkey, according to two sources, as it walks a diplomatic tightrope, careful not to jeopardize its recent thaw with Israel while maintaining support for the Palestinian cause.

Fehim Tastekin

By Fehim Tastekin

In Paris, reporting on Turkish politics

Protesters, some wearing a Keffiyeh, take part in a demonstration against Israel in Istanbul on October 20, 2023, after Turkey declared a three-day national mourning in solidarity with the Palestinian people. Israelis and Palestinians have traded blame for a deadly strike on a Gaza hospital this week, with the number of deaths given ranging from dozens to nearly 500. World leaders have condemned the strike and protests have erupted in Arab countries and the wider Muslim world amid stark disagreement over th

Turkey's Gaza protests continue as Erdogan warns Israel against ground invasion

The Turkish president warned Israel against expanding Gaza operations as Israeli diplomats left Turkey amid ongoing demonstrations over the conflict in the territory.

10/18/2023, Istanbul, Turkey. Protesters demonstrate in front of the Israeli Consulate after an explosion at a hospital in Gaza killed hundreds on October 17, 2023, in Istanbul, Turkey. Subsequently, protesters clash with police. (Photo by Ilker Eray / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by ILKER ERAY/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

Pro-Gaza protests in Turkey target Israeli consulate, McDonald's

As the bombing of a Gaza hospital sparked protests across Turkey, Israel has raised its travel warning to Turkey to the highest level.