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Turkey

Turkey

August 21, 2026

Ankara 2:46 am

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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

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan pose on Nov. 21, 2021, at the Presidential Complex in Ankara.

Erdogan says Turkey seeks to clear up 'misunderstandings' with Gulf states

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made the remarks ahead of a two-day visit to Qatar.

Senior lawyers protesting against a draft bill governing the organization of bar associations sit on the ground during a rally in front of Turkish riot policemen, in Ankara on June 22, 2020.

Government critic elected to lead Union of Turkish Bar Associations

Defeating a pro-government incumbent, Ankara Bar Association Chair Erinc Sagkan was elected head of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations on Sunday, pledging to strengthen the rule of law and independence in Turkey’s legal profession.

Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu arrives to hold a news conference in Ankara, Turkey on June 26, 2018.

Turkish opposition leader barred from data center as mistrust in data grows

Turkey’s official inflation figures have fueled tensions between the government and the opposition amid growing doubts over the credibility of the data.

AMIR MAKAR/AFP via Getty Images

Erdogan vows response to Cyprus mosque arson attempt

The Turkish president said an attempt to burn down the mosque on the disputed island “will not go unanswered,” while the Cypriot press said the incident was not related to religious or ethnic strife.

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu

Can Turkey help in Ukraine crisis?

Moscow is likely to welcome a Turkish mediation effort if it serves to restrain Ukraine from a military adventure.

Turkey Erdogan

Patronage marginalizes qualified Turkish diplomats

Increase of unqualified personnel and self-serving political appointees has harmed Ankara’s ability to conduct international affairs, experts say.

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

Council of Europe initiates action against Turkey over Kavala detention

The 47-member council has agreed to invoke a rarely used mechanism against Turkey over its failure to release philanthropist Osman Kavala.

An undated image of new Turkish Finance Minister Nureddin Nebati.

Erdogan appoints champion of low interest rates as new finance minister

Nureddin Nebati, who has fiercely defended the president’s low rate policies, has replaced Lutfi Elvan as Turkey's finance minister.

A man walks past a currency exchange agency near Grand Bazaar in Istanbul on Nov. 24, 2021, in Istanbul.

Turkish Central Bank intervenes to curb 'unhealthy' lira losses

Amid a sharp slide in the nation’s currency, the Turkish Central Bank announced it would intervene in markets and sell foreign exchange reserves Wednesday to stem volatility in the Turkish lira.

A promotional image for the film "Dying to Divorce."

UK nominates documentary on femicide in Turkey for Oscars

“Dying to Divorce,” the United Kingdom’s official entry into the Academy Awards for best international feature film, tells the story of Turkey’s gender-based violence victims, femicide and the inability of the legal system to bring the perpetrators to justice.

OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey’s economy grows in third quarter, but so do risks

Turkey has posted a 7.4% growth rate in the third quarter but continues to accumulate economic risks that threaten to sharply stem growth next year.

A man walks past a fruit seller at Eminonu district near Spice Bazaar in Istanbul, on Nov. 24, 2021.

Erdogan doubles down on economic policy amid currency volatility

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated his stance against interest rate hikes Monday, sending the Turkish lira down 4% as the nation’s economy faces high inflation.