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August 30, 2026

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In divided Cyprus, FC Barcelona youth camp sparks new dispute: What to know

A planned Barca Academy camp in northern Cyprus has offered more fuel to the controversy over the island’s unresolved divide, rasing tensions over recognition, access and international isolation.

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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.

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

Equality and Democracy Party lawmakers

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Israel recalibrates Syria policy, explores path to security deal

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)

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

How Turkey-Iran trade deal collapsed in two years

Mutual tariff cuts and the lifting of international sanctions on Iran have failed to contain the decline in Turkish-Iranian trade, hit hard by regional rivalry and political tensions between the two neighbors.

A European Union (L) and Turkish flag fly outside a hotel in Istanbul, Turkey, May 4, 2016. REUTERS/Murad Sezer/File Photo - RTX2SH64

Will Turkey be added to European list of undemocratic countries?

While various European countries have canceled pro-referendum rallies organized by Turkish politicians, the Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has called for Turkey to be added to its list of countries considered undemocratic.

ISTANBUL, TURKEY - DECEMBER 11: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks to press after visiting the wounded police officers of the bomb attacks at Haseki Hospital in Istanbul December 11, 2016 Turkey. According to Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu, at least 38 people were killed and 166 other wounded in twin explosions outside Besiktas FC's Vodafone Arena Stadium and in nearby Macka Park a few hours after the night's soccer match on 10 December. The bombs apparently targeted police officers who were se

Next in line on Erdogan's warpath: Naughty Islamists

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is cracking down on Islamists — even peaceful ones — who fail to applaud him.

The Elbeyli refugee camp is seen near the Turkish-Syrian border in Kilis province, Turkey, December 1, 2016. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RTSU6GF

Turkey shuts down Mercy Corps' Syria aid program

International aid delivery to Syria experienced a setback March 7, when the Turkish government ordered the Syria program run by Mercy Corps from inside Turkey to close down, leaving thousands without assistance.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and German Chancellor Angela Merkel meet at the presidential palace during the first visit since July's failed coup in Ankara, Turkey, February 2, 2017. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RTX2ZBYJ

How Erdogan is dragging Merkel down with him

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has given in to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, even after his harsh remarks equating German authorities' practices with those of the Nazis.

Are pro-Erdogan groups buying arms to prep for potential coup?

A relative of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has set up a group called the "Stay as Brothers, Turkey” against a possible new coup attempt.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and German Chancellor Angela Merkel walk past a picture of Turkish Republic state founder Kemal Atatuerk before their bilateral meeting at the presidential palace during the first visit since July's failed coup in Ankara, Turkey, February 2, 2017. REUTERS/Umit Bektas TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTX2ZBPW

Erdogan’s domestic agenda leaves Turkey facing new foreign crises

Ankara is furious as European countries ban rallies by Turkish ministers aimed at getting support of expatriate Turks for Erdogan’s executive presidency.

A Turkish soldier on an armoured military vehicle surveys the border line between Turkey and Syria, near the southeastern city of Kilis, Turkey, March 2, 2017. REUTERS/Murad Sezer - RTS115IB

Turkey, US, Russia military chiefs meet to discuss anti-IS strategy

Turkey, Russia and the United States met today in Antalya, Turkey, in an attempt to find common ground in the battle against the Islamic State in Syria, but they disagree in regard to which groups in the Syrian war are terrorists.

Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan attends a Republic Day ceremony at Anitkabir, the mausoleum of modern Turkey's founder Ataturk, to mark the republic's anniversary in Ankara, Turkey, October 29, 2016. REUTERS/Umit Bektas TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTX2QYCB

What is happening in the Turkish military?

A Hurriyet article suggesting ongoing rumblings in the military appear to have been borne out by the official responses to it.

SINJAR, IRAQ - NOVEMBER 16: A Peshmerga soldier walk to place a Kurdish flag near the frontline with ISIL on November 16, 2015 in Sinjar, Iraq. Kurdish forces, with the aid of massive U.S.-led coalition airstrikes, liberated the town from ISIL extremists, known in Arabic as Daesh, in recent days. Although many minority Yazidis celebrated the victory, their home city of Sinjar lay in almost complete ruins. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

How deep is Turkey's Sinjar entanglement?

Soon after speaking with Turkey's president, Kurdistan Regional Government leader Massoud Barzani dispatched peshmerga forces to Sinjar, Iraq, which led to a clash between Kurdish forces.

Tunisia's President Beji Caid Essebsi shakes hands with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at Carthage Palace in Tunis, Tunisia, March 3, 2017. REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi - RTS11C5L

Germany's Merkel strikes immigration deal on visit to Tunisia

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has come under fire for Germany’s open-door migration policy, so striking a deal with Tunisia to bring back at least some irregular migrants was a necessary step for her to defuse some of the criticism.

Iraqi Kurdistan region's President Massoud Barzani attends a news conference with Britain's Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond in Erbil, Iraq, March 17, 2016. REUTERS/Azad Lashkari - RTSAWLE

Kurdish flag controversy continues, in Turkish court

KRG President Massoud Barzani's most recent visit to Turkey left the public at odds over the hoisting of the KRG flag.