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Turkey

Turkey

August 27, 2026

Ankara 3:35 pm

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Top European 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

Turkey claims 'no need' for US, EU as Western ties deteriorate

After a week of sparring with the United States, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused European allies of undermining Turkey and dared them to walk away from EU membership talks.

U.S. President Donald Trump meets with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey during the U.N. General Assembly in New York, U.S., September 21, 2017. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque - RC1E8D1A64B0

Current crisis could ignite long-smoldering US-Turkey relations

Longtime observers of Washington and Ankara's tense relationship won't be surprised by recent escalations.

Iraq's Kurdish Regional Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani prays in front of the coffin of former Iraqi president Jalal Talabani at Sulaimaniya Airport, Iraq October 6, 2017. REUTERS/Ako Rasheed - RC19229B2540

Iran Quds commander pays respects at Talabani's tomb as Kirkuk crisis escalates

Qasem Soleimani in Iraqi Kurdistan; Turkey looks to Syrian tribes for allies; UN Syria envoy seeks to build on cease-fire progress with "realism."

Brides and bridegrooms wait for the start of their mass wedding ceremony in Ankara August 18, 2007. 207 couples were wed in the annual ceremony organised by Ankara municipality. REUTERS/Umit Bektas (TURKEY) - GM1DVYNPJSAA

Turkish government revives its anti-divorce report

The Turkish government has relaunched a debate on its controversial investigative report that seeks to prevent divorce and strengthen family unity.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gestures as he speaks during a joint press conference with Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic (not in the picture) after their meeting in Belgrade, Serbia, October 10, 2017. REUTERS/Marko Djurica - RC13E9624A90

Erdogan’s antics keep Russia on its toes

Turkey’s president takes actions that sometimes seem like self-sabotage, like surprising Moscow with his recent statements on the Crimean Peninsula and his decision to complicate Russia’s export procedures.

Jailed Kurdish leader keeps in touch with supporters through arts, literature

Selahattin Demirtas, the jailed leader of Turkey’s Kurdish political movement, tells Al-Monitor from prison how arts and literature have become his way of resisting oppression and despair.

Turkish armoured military vehicles patrol on the Turkish-Syrian border line in Reyhanli, Hatay province, Turkey, October 8, 2017. REUTERS/Osman Orsal - RC19C08D1DE0

Will new tribal council ease Turkey's load in Syria?

Twenty-nine tribes and clans in the areas liberated during Operation Euphrates Shield announced the formation of a tribal council with the support of Turkey.

US Ambassador to Turkey John Bass delivers a press conference in Ankara on October 11, 2017.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed on October 10 that Turkish officials will boycott the US ambassador, deepening one of the worst rifts in decades between the NATO allies. Erdogan said Turkey no longer regarded outgoing envoy John Bass as the US representative to Turkey after American missions in the country stopped issuing visas.
/ AFP PHOTO / STR (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images)

Is Erdogan's blame for ambassador overture to Trump?

As Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan rains blame on US Ambassador John Bass for the crisis between Ankara and Washington, some analysts wonder if Erdogan's tirades are an attempt to offer the "unique" US administration a way out of its visa move.

Turkish telecom giant may end up in government hands again

The 2005 privatization of Turkish telecommunication company Turk Telekom, the largest in Turkey’s history, may go to waste as the majority stakeholders are struggling to repay loans.

Turkey convicts WSJ journalist of terror propaganda

A Turkish Wall Street Journal columnist has been sentenced in absentia to two years in prison for engaging in terrorist propaganda, the latest dual citizen to be caught up in the government's sweep of remotely critical journalists.

International boycott hits labor meeting in Istanbul

Protesting Ankara’s crackdown on dissent, two of the largest international labor organizations and dozens of national trade unions have boycotted a major multilateral meeting in Istanbul.

Are we headed for Turkish-American breakup?

Former diplomats and analysts warn that Turkish-US ties could be heading for a point of no return.