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Turkey

August 25, 2026

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Equality and Democracy Party lawmakers

Explainer

Turkey’s Kurdish peace process moves to implementation: What to know and what’s next

Turkey’s peace process with Kurdish militants has entered the implementation phase this week, with authorities setting up working groups to verify the Kurdistan Workers Party’s disarmament.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani (C) watches as US special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack prepares to sign an agreement in Damascus on September 16, 2025. Shaibani announced on September 16 a plan backed by Jordan and the United States to restore calm to Druze-majority Sweida province, which witnessed deadly violence in July. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP) (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA/AFP via Getty Images)

Exclusive

Israel recalibrates Syria policy, explores path to security deal

Israel is rethinking its hard-line Syria policy and seeking to repair ties with US envoy and Donald Trump's confidant Tom Barrack amid a push for a security agreement with Damascus.

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

Latest News

Analysis

Why Turkey sees Israeli strikes in Syria as warning over its military role, Mecca Pact

A Turkish soldier from the 1st Border Regiment Command looks out over the border wall to Syria during alert drills at a military outpost on the Turkey/Syria border on March 2, 2017 in Kilis, Turkey.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Analysis

Turkey bets on US deconfliction as Israel widens Syria red lines

Turkey/Syria border

Ezgi Akin

Rina Bassist

By Ezgi Akin , Rina Bassist

Analysis

Israel fears Turkey’s Syria ambitions and doubts Trump will stop them

ANKARA, TURKEY - JULY 7: U.S. President Donald Trump (L)shakes hands with with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) during a formal arrival at the Bestepe Presidential Palace during the NATO summit on July 7, 2026 in Ankara, Turkey. Leaders from NATO's 32 countries, plus NATO allies like Ukraine, gathered in the Turkish capital to discuss a range of issues involving spending targets, defense industrial production, and support for Ukraine, among other topics. (Photo by Emrah Gurel - Pool/Getty Images)

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

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

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey Mevlut Cavusoglu meets Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Istanbul, Turkey October 27, 2018. Cem Oskuz/Pool via REUTERS - RC1FE28A77A0

Russian foreign minister heads to Turkey to seal visa deal

The Turkish and Russian foreign ministers will meet in Antalya Friday to discuss a range of topics as a controversial missile deal between Ankara and Moscow threatens to further deteriorate Turkey-US ties.

A Syrian army soldier stands at a checkpoint at the Quneitra crossing between the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights and Syria, seen from the Syrian side in Quneitra, Syria March 26, 2019. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki - RC1B4F2B5A00

Iran’s seeming restraint on Golan Heights puts Arab rivals in tough spot

Iran’s adoption of a low-profile position on Trump’s recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights appears to be a calculated move to maximize Iran's regional interests.

New crossing aims to restore Aleppo’s economic status

Civilians and traders in northern Syria hope commercial activities will resume there now that the Abu al-Zandeen crossing is open, linking regime-controlled territory to Turkish-backed opposition areas for the first time.

A woman walks past a banner for the upcoming local elections in Ankara, Turkey, March 27, 2019. Banner with pictures of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Devlet Bahceli, leader of Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), reads: "People's Alliance: The unity of common sense." REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RC14BCF5B7C0

Turkey's endless election cycle

With Turkey's imminent local elections, the opposition camp is split between hopeful optimists and cynical pessimists.

Mourners attend the funeral of Armenian Patriarch Mesrob II Mutafyan at Surp Asdvadzadzin Patriarchal Church in Istanbul, Turkey, March 17, 2019. REUTERS/Umit Bektas TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC16121CA2E0

Who will decide new spiritual leader of Turkey's Armenians?

Armenians are wondering how much interference they might encounter in electing a patriarch to replace the late Mesrob II Mutafyan.

New bollard-style U.S.-Mexico border fencing is seen next to vehicle barriers in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, U.S., March 5, 2019. Picture taken March 5, 2019. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC16D209A700

Border wall fight could jeopardize funding for US bases in the Middle East

The fight over funding for President Donald Trump’s proposed border wall could impact key US bases in the Middle East.

United Arab Emirates

Pervin Buldan, co-leader of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), speaks before starting a two-day hunger strike in support of jailed Kurdish lawmaker Leyla Guven's own hunger strike against the isolation of Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan in prison, at the Turkish Parliament in Ankara, Turkey December 4, 2018. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RC17525CE770

Kurdish politicians urge protesters to spare own lives in Turkey

Five people have reportedly died this month while protesting the imprisonment conditions of the jailed leader of the banned Kurdistan Workers Party.

A Turkish military vehicle drives at Manbij countryside, Syria December 29, 2018. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi - RC11D6A7B320

Turkey relying on events to turn tide against Kurdish YPG

A Turkish military operation in northern Syria does not appear to be in the cards, but Ankara is determined to use the threat of one to curb Kurdish aspirations.

An election banner with the pictures of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and AK Party mayoral candidate Binali Yildirim is seen over the Galata bridge in Istanbul, Turkey, March 27, 2019. The slogan on the banner reads that: "Istanbul is a love story for us". REUTERS/Murad Sezer - RC1F13574C10

What’s in store for Turkish economy after local polls?

Once Turkey’s March 31 local elections are over, Ankara is expected to focus on restoring the confidence of foreign investors — an uphill task that will require bitter pills to redress economic balances.

TURKEY - APRIL 04: Falafel yoghurt plate at Ciya Sofrasi Turkish restaurant in Kadikoy district Asian side Istanbul, East Turkey (Photo by Tim Graham/Getty Images)

Yogurt: The Turks' other delight

Home-made yogurt, the common denominator in the varied Turkish cuisine, is making a comeback thanks to today's health food trends.

A Turkish army howitzer fires from a military post on the Turkish-Syrian border in Hatay province, Turkey February 26, 2018. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RC1DA3686FA0

Syrian Kurds remain wary of US plan for Turkish safe zone

While the United States is pushing for a safe zone along the Turkish border in Syria to protect both sides, analysts warn that meeting their conflicting needs may prove impossible.

Supporters of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan gather ahead of a rally for the upcoming local elections, in Istanbul, Turkey March 24, 2019. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RC1436F31AD0

Erdogan draws huge crowds, but needs more than base to win

Critics say Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is using survival and terrorism rhetoric to whip up support and distract from the economy, hoping that voters will be drawn by appeals to their political identity.