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Turkey

Turkey

August 20, 2026

Ankara 11:44 pm

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Turkey signals restraint as war of words with Israel escalates over Syria

The Turkish president’s top communications aide says Ankara will not be drawn into the Israeli government's “games” as Washington pushes a Turkey-Israel-Syria deconfliction mechanism.

President Ahmad al-Sharaa meets Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar at the People’s Palace in Damascus, Syria, on Aug. 19, 2026.

Turkey looks to expand Syria energy footprint into oil, gas

Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said state oil giant TPAO and private companies are ready to explore for oil and gas onshore and offshore in Syria.

Latest News

Analysis

Netanyahu yields to Trump on Gaza, betting Hamas won’t disarm

Ohad Zwigenberg / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Sudan ramps up Saudi Arabia, Turkey contacts amid growing Red Sea cooperation

Sudanese army soldier stands in front of a tank

Analysis

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

Fireworks explode over Islamabad

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

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

ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images

Lira rallies as Erdogan unveils new financial scheme, but jitters prevail

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan revealed a scheme using Turkey’s treasury to prop up the lira, but critics point out that the move amounts to a backdoor hike in interest rates.

This picture taken on June 3, 2016, shows the newly opened Turkish Embassy in Mogadishu.

Drone sales could dampen Turkey’s African venture

Turkey has made major economic and diplomatic strides in Africa since the early 2000s, but growing military sales to African countries raise the specter of a risky shift.

ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey rules suicide in death of Kurdish prisoner who alleged torture, rape

A female Kurdish inmate who spoke up about rape, sexual harassment and torture in prison has died in solitary confinement in what the state has ruled suicide.

Ji Bo Azadiye

Turkey accused of blocking Kurdish film at Iraqi film festival

Turkey is accused of pressuring film festival organizers in Iraqi Kurdistan to cancel an award-winning movie depicting PKK forces.

Erogan kenya

Egypt, Turkey compete for military foothold in Kenya

Egypt and Turkey are vying for presence in Kenya, with both countries seeking to consolidate their relations at all economic, technological and industrial levels with the African country.

AFP via Getty Images

Elon Musk talks space travel with Turkey’s Erdogan

The tech mogul reportedly said it was an "honor" to talk to the Turkish president about cooperation on space technology.

Armenian singer Andre Hovnanyan performs outside of the Turkish Consulate on the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, April 24, 2021, in Beverly Hills, California.

Many hurdles remain for Turkey-Armenia reconciliation

As normalization with Armenia remains crucial for Turkey’s broader regional aspirations, there are still major political and psychological stumbling blocks before the process.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu speaks at the Turkish Grand National Assembly in Ankara, Dec. 13, 2021.

Can Turkey's outreach to Armenia save US-Turkish ties?

Although Turkey-Armenia normalization is not guaranteed, mutual moves by Ankara and Yerevan are hopeful steps in the right direction.

VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images

Tumbling lira favors foreigners seeking real estate in Turkey

The freefall of Turkey's currency has provided new opportunities for foreigners looking to get into the country's real estate market.

OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images

Turkish lira sinks further with Erdogan’s latest rate cut

Ankara’s controversial economic policy coupled with external forces portend a continuing deprecation of the Turkish lira that will only worsen inflation and other economic parameters.

Nagorno Karabakh

As Turkey names new envoy for Armenia, skepticism prevails

Moves for reconciliation between the two longtime opponents have been met with surprise by observers, who see ulterior motives on Turkey's part.

Andrew Swiger, senior vice-president of Exxon (L) shakes hand with Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, president and CEO of Qatar Petroleum after signing an agreement, Doha, Qatar, June 3, 2018.

Qatar’s presence in eastern Mediterranean benefits Egypt, Turkey

Qatar is enhancing its presence in the eastern Mediterranean that is rich in oil and gas reserves at a time when tensions are ripping through the region over the maritime borders and excavation rights.