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Turkey

Turkey

October 14, 2026

Ankara 8:51 pm

14°C

Serhan Asker, General Program Coordinator at Halk TV, makes a statement outside the Ankara branch of Turkey's most-watched news channel, Halk TV.

Live Updates

Turkey seizes opposition Halk TV as crackdown widens: What to know

Halk TV is a pro-opposition broadcaster and one of Turkey’s most-watched news channels.

A shop owner assists one of his customers at Malta bazaar in the Fatih district in Istanbul, on Dec. 6, 2024.

Iran mum as Azerbaijan’s school hijab ban, Israel ties test alliance with Turkey

Azerbaijan’s restrictions on Islamic dress in schools have sparked an unusual public spat with Turkey, exposing tensions beneath the allies’ close political and security ties.

Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) fighters arrive in the northern Iraqi city of Dohuk on May 14, 2013, after leaving Turkey as part of a peace drive with Ankara.

Explainer

PKK pulls out of Metina in northern Iraq amid Turkey peace process

The withdrawal comes as the peace process between Turkey and the militant group gains momentum alongside increasing security cooperation between Ankara and Baghdad.

A cargo ship at the Port of Trabzon, Turkey

Analysis

Pragmatic politics: Why Turkey avoids blaming Russia for Black Sea attacks

Beyond economics, Ankara’s approach is also shaped by maintaining its role as an indispensable mediator between the Kremlin and the West.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Latest News

Rubio signals US push to ease Greece-Turkey cable tensions

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) meets with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (L) during a visit on Oct. 7, 2026, in Athens, Greece.

Turkey to send Mecca pact to parliament, opening path to Saudi deployment

Turkish Navy infantry soldiers take part in the Denizkurdu-I/2026 Exercise in the Eastern Mediterranean, off the coast of Aksaz, at Marmaris in Mugla, on Sept. 24, 2026.

Latest defection hands Erdogan’s AKP control of Turkey’s third-largest city

Izmir Mayor Cemil Tugay (R) his wife Oznur Tugay and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan acknowledge the audience after the mayor announced joining the ruling Justice and Development Party during a meeting with AKP lawmakers in Ankara, on Oct. 7, 2026.

Erdogan aide named suspect in Turkey financial scandal

Turkey's Family Minister Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya speaks to media after arriving at the Ataturk International airport on March 12, 2017, in Istanbul.

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

A journalist stands in front of a poster featuring jailed businessman and philanthropist Osman Kavala on Oct. 31, 2018.

Council of Europe starts disciplinary process for Turkey over Kavala

Rights groups are calling for Osman Kavala's immediate release, while Ankara calls the Council of Europe’s decision to start the lengthy process “malicious” and “politically motivated.”

Supporters and parliamentarians of Republican People's Party demonstrate against corruption and bribery on Dec. 17, 2014, in Ankara.

Turkey sinks on corruption index as activists point to public tender system

Transparency International says there has been a “significant decline” in Turkey’s tackling of graft over the last decade.

SERGEI ILYIN/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images

Ankara reassures Moscow on eve of Erdogan’s Ukraine visit

With its president set to visit Ukraine, Turkey has reassured Russia by reiterating its commitment for a key maritime treaty safeguarding Russia's rights in the Black Sea.

An Iranian worker stands in front of gas pipelines next to the flags of Turkey (R) and Iran.

Iran’s gas cut exposes Turkey’s vulnerability to energy risks

Ankara’s energy preparedness for the winter and its capacity to secure alternative supplies have come under question after a halt in the gas flow from Iran sparked an unprecedented energy crunch in the country.

BULENT KILIC/AFP via Getty Images

Erdogan tightens grip on media with circular on family values

A midnight circular from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan calls on media outlets and regulatory groups to take decisive steps to protect youth and children from Western-inspired programs and certain symbols.

Turkey Ukraine

Crisis in Ukraine: the Middle East connections

Also: Oman's foreign minister says dialogue is essential in dealing with Iran, Yemen and Syria; keeps focus on two-state solution.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan watch honour guards passing by during a welcoming ceremony prior to their talks in Kiev on Feb. 3, 2020.

Turkish drones boost Ukrainian spirits amid fears of Russian invasion

Turkey's drones are a big morale booster for Ukraine as a potential Russian invasion looms.

Tourists shop inside spice bazaar at Eminonu district in Istanbul on Dec. 16, 2021.

Independent Turkey economists face court action over inflation figures that challenge official data

ENAGrup is sued over calculations that put yearly price rises at 83% and told to halt work refuting state agency’s rate.

A picture taken on Dec. 7, 2021 in Istanbul shows Turkish lira banknotes.

Turkey’s central bank continues window dressing with currency swaps

Hit by a foreign reserves drain, Turkey’s central bank eyes fresh currency swap deals, including with the central banks of Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Libya.

People walk through snow in front of the Blue Mosque in the Sultanahmet District on Jan. 25, 2022 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Istanbul residents get stuck in snow as politicians throw blame at each other

The coldest weather in decades cripples life and transportation in Istanbul, with stranded passengers staging protests at Istanbul airport.

Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Why Turkey wants to mediate in Ukraine crisis

Erdogan’s offer to mediate between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders reflects Ankara’s growing fears over the conundrums it could find itself in should war materialize.

Turkish broadcast journalist Sedef Kabas (C), speaks to media members after her trial on Oct. 6, 2015, in Istanbul.

Turkish court jails journalist over proverb that 'insulted' Erdogan

TV media figure Sedef Kabas is the latest among tens of thousands to be investigated over insulting the president during Erdogan's time in office.