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Turkey

Turkey

August 28, 2026

Ankara 9:40 am

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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

Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), speaks during a rally to mark the end of his 25-day long protest, dubbed "Justice March", against the detention of the party's lawmaker Enis Berberoglu, in Istanbul, Turkey July 9, 2017. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RTX3AQZT

No time for rest as Turkey's Justice March reaches Istanbul

The Turkish opposition's Justice March has ended in a triumphant rally of over a million people, but can Kilicdaroglu leverage the march into a coalition broad enough to challenge the Justice and Development Party in the 2019 elections?

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a news conference to present the outcome of the G20 leaders summit in Hamburg, Germany July 8, 2017. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTX3ANAV

Erdogan readies for show of strength on anniversary of botched coup

The ceremonies planned for the anniversary of last year’s coup attempt in Turkey represent not only a condemnation of military coups but also a drive to sanctify the new political order that Ankara has sought to install since the putsch.

Turkish military vehicles drive east of al-Bab town, Syria March 9, 2017. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi - RTS126QM

Turkey potential spoiler of US-Russian progress on Syria

Turkey may find common ground with Damascus and Tehran in its concerns about Syrian Kurds; UNHCR notes trend of "spontaneous returns" in Syria; Turkey seizes property of ancient Christian community.

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Istanbul’s dog days

First loved and then massacred during the days of the Ottoman Empire, stray dogs in modern Turkey still can't find much peace.

Supporters of Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu walk during the 22nd day of a protest, dubbed "justice march", against the detention of the party's lawmaker Enis Berberoglu, near Dilovası in Kocaeli province, Turkey, July 6, 2017. REUTERS/Osman Orsal - RTX3A9RJ

Opposition leader's 'Justice March' will change Turkey's political landscape

Millions around the globe hope Turkey's main opposition's "Justice March" will mark the beginning of a new societal movement.

Turkish soldiers surrender their weapons to policemen during an attempted coup in Istanbul's Taksim Square, Turkey, July 16, 2016. REUTERS/Murad Sezer TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTSI83F

One year on, Turkey's coup attempt has impacted economy

Turkey's state of emergency since last year's coup attempt has been instrumental in averting a serious economic crisis, while also marking a process of "wealth transfer" through the seizure of hundreds of private companies.

Fans mourn death of Turkey’s somber cartoonist

Galip Tekin, who was found dead in his apartment in Istanbul July 6, was well-known for his fantasy and science fiction comics and dystopian comic novels that portrayed everyday events and characters in Turkey.

Turkey's Minister for EU Affairs Omer Celik reacts during an interview with Reuters in Ankara, Turkey, March 14, 2017. Picture taken March 14, 2017. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RTX3127J

EU parliament votes to halt accession talks with Turkey

The European legislature’s decision to break off Turkey's membership negotiations has no legal bearing, but it does indicate where a line might be drawn in Europe.

Women pose with Turkish and Qatari flags during a demonstration in favour of Qatar in central Istanbul, Turkey, late June 7, 2017. REUTERS/Murad Sezer - RTX39JA3

Qatar becoming another diplomatic debacle for Turkey

Experts question the logic behind Ankara’s decision to station troops in Qatar and anger key Arab powers, just as matters are coming to a head in Syria and Iraq.

Two Syrian refugees walk along fences in Nizip refugee camp, near the Turkish-Syrian border in Gaziantep province, Turkey, November 30, 2016. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RTSU1PW

Mob justice reveals anti-Syrian sentiment in Turkey

Two violent incidents on the same day have ignited a storm of anti-Syrian rhetoric over Turkish social media, exposing the fear and suspicion still prevalent in the world's largest host of Syrian refugees.

Russian soldiers, on armoured vehicles, patrol a street in Aleppo, Syria February 2, 2017. Picture taken February 2, 2017. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki - RTX30GQ1

The Kremlin’s contradictory behavior in Syria

Russia and Turkey consider establishing a military base in Idlib, Syria, as Moscow encourages the Collective Security Treaty Organization to deploy peacekeepers.

Parchment down to last maker in ancient Turkish birthplace

Parchment, the game-changer in the ancient library war between Alexandria and Pergamum, is at risk of extinction in modern-day Bergama, where an 85-year-old man is the last surviving craftsman.