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Turkey

Turkey

August 26, 2026

Ankara 11:33 am

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Top EU court says Kavala case exposes erosion of judicial independence in Turkey

Europe's top human rights court has renewed its call for Turkey to immediately release jailed philanthropist Osman Kavala, saying his imprisonment reflects a broader “systemic problem” over independence and impartiality of the judiciary.

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

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 man sits in front of poster flags of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey, near spice bazaar at Eminonu district on April 19, 2018 in Istanbul. - President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on April 18, 2018 called snap elections in Turkey for June 24, bringing the polls forward by over a year-and-a-half after a call from his main nationalist ally. (Photo by OZAN KOSE / AFP) (Photo credit should read OZAN KOSE/AFP/Getty Images)

Turkey's ruling party offers big payouts ahead of critical vote

Despite its deepening financial woes, Turkey’s government has rolled out an unprecedented $6 billion package to court favor with voters ahead of the June 24 polls.

Presidents Hassan Rouhani of Iran, Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey and Vladimir Putin of Russia hold a joint news conference after their meeting in Ankara, Turkey April 4, 2018. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RC17DDDED670

Iran, Turkey and Russia hope they’re all on same page

The three guarantors of the Astana peace talks seek to affirm the stability of the talks as well as the trio itself.

Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), meets with Iyi Party leader Meral Aksener in Ankara, Turkey April 25, 2018. Adem Altan/Pool via Reuters - RC15F0D58B90

Turkish opposition joins forces for parliament vote

Four of Turkey's opposition parties, including the largest, are forming an alliance to challenge the ruling party for parliamentary seats.

Former Turkish President Abdullah Gul is seen with Saadet Party leader Temel Karamollaoglu during a ceremony in Istanbul, Turkey April 24, 2018. Picture taken April 24, 2018. REUTERS/Huseyin Aldemir - RC1A875ACB30

3 reasons Turkey's ex-president never had chance at re-election

The opposition to former President Abdullah Gul’s candidacy shows a despairing, fractured opposition ahead of Turkey's snap elections.

A money changer counts Turkish lira bills at an currency exchange office in central Istanbul, Turkey, August 21, 2015. REUTERS/Murad Sezer/File Photo - S1BETTHGKMAB

How Turkey's 'doping-induced' growth backfired into hasty elections

The Turkish government’s rush to hold elections in June is driven by economic woes that even its attempts at "doping-induced" growth have failed to overcome.

Turks mark May Day far from traditional rallying site

The Turkish authorities have arrested dozens of protesters for violating a ban on May 1 demonstrations at Istanbul’s Taksim Square.

(From L) Turkey's Foreign Affairs minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo sit at the opening of a Foreign ministers meeting at the Nato headquarters in Brussels on April 27 2018. (Photo by JOHN THYS / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOHN THYS/AFP/Getty Images)

Pompeo's meeting with Turkish FM fails to calm tensions

Mike Pompeo's first meeting as secretary of state with his Turkish counterpart failed to bring a breakthrough in Ankara-Washington ties, as the Syrian city of Manbij remains a potential flashpoint in relations between Turkey and the United States.

Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan (2nd R), Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu (R), former President Abdullah Gul (4th R) and Chief of Staff General Hulusi Akar (2nd L) attend the funeral of Fehmi Sahin and Ali Koc, two of the 14 police officers who were killed during Tuesday's bombing in Igdir province in eastern Turkey, at Kocatepe Mosque in Ankara, Turkey, September 9, 2015. Daily clashes between Kurdish militants and security forces in southeast Turkey have cast doubt on whether a credible election can be he

Did Erdogan's men ask ex-president not to run?

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his top brass have not denied reports that he sent his spokesman and the chief of general staff to talk former President Abdullah Gul out of running in the upcoming presidential race.

Turkey's university faculties unite against being divided

Turkish academia is in upheaval following the government’s decision to split up 13 major universities to form new ones, while university departments say that the proposal is fueled by ulterior motives and that resources are already spread too thin.

Iran, Russia, Turkey close ranks on Syria coordination amid US pressure

Moscow and its partners in Tehran and Ankara move to strengthen coordination on Syria as the Trump administration signals an intention to up the stakes.

Meral Aksener, the leader of the Iyi Party, speaks during a news conference at her party headquaters in Ankara, Turkey April 24, 2018. REUTERS/Murad Sezer - RC13C89C3680

Turkey’s lone 'she-wolf' leaves opposition fractured

Turkey’s Good Party leader Meral Aksener has inspired hope among many that she could beat President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the June polls, but others fear she's standing in the way of a united opposition challenge.

Turkey still working to get Altay tanks rolling

After 12 years, things are finally falling into place for Turkey's indigenous Altay tank, but it can't get far without an engine.