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Turkey

Turkey

August 16, 2026

Ankara 11:21 am

22°C

Fireworks explode over Islamabad

Analysis

How Israel's rivalry, defense deals prompted Turkey to join Mecca pact

Turkey’s growing rivalry with Israel and mounting regional instability are driving its defense alignment with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, despite risks of strategic entanglement and friction with NATO partners.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Latest News

Exclusive

Turkey set to sign charter for Saudi-led Red Sea coalition on Friday

Servicemen of Yavuz class, TCG Turgutreis (F-241), warship stand at attention on the deck as they participate in the live-fire phase of the "Blue Homeland-2026" (Mavi Vatan) tactical military exercises in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, in Antalya on April 9, 2026.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Explainer

Three ways China benefits from Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan pact: What to know

SPA

Samuel Wendel

Senior Market Research Analyst

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

TATYANA MAKEYEVA/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey detains 40 ISIS suspects amid reports Moscow terror suspect came from Istanbul

Turkey has recently rounded up 40 suspected Islamic State militants just as reports emerge that one of the suspected perpetrators of last week's Moscow concert attack had traveled to Russia from Turkey.

This photo taken on Oct. 29, 2023, in Istanbul shows a Bayraktar TB-2 drone and helicopters on the Turkish navy's L-400 Anadolu warship, during a naval military parade on the Bosphorus to mark the 100th anniversary of the Turkish Republic.

Turkey's military scorecard: Naval and aerial advances but lacks money, speed

If Turkey wants to play in the "big leagues" with the United States, Russia and China, it has to provide its military-industrial complex with greater pace and resources.

Turkish minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Simsek is surrounded by journalists after making a statement during the group meeting of Justice and Development (AK) Party at the Turkish Grand National Assembly in Ankara, on June 21, 2023. (Photo by Adem ALTAN / AFP) (Photo by ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images)

How Turkey's economic, inflation policy hinges on upcoming local elections

The outcome of Turkey’s March 31 local polls is likely to influence Erdogan’s decision on whether to enact the tough disinflation measures favored by the economic leadership.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan speaks as he announces Murat Kurum as his ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) candidate in Istanbul's upcoming mayoral election in March, in Istanbul on Jan. 7, 2024.

Turkey hits back after Israel protests Erdogan's comments cursing Netanyahu

The Israeli foreign minister told the Turkish president to “be quiet" after Erdogan said he was leaving Netanyahu "in the Lord's hands" at a Thursday election rally.

Kurdish communities in Turkey gathered in Sirnak, Cizre, to commemorate Nowruz, March 20, 2024.

Turkey detains hundreds of Kurds for wearing ‘forbidden’ colors at Nowruz rallies

The government's actions come ahead of nationwide elections in which the pro-Kurdish DEM Party is fielding its own candidates.

Turkey GCC trade ministers

GCC, Turkey launch talks on free trade agreement

According to the Turkish trade minister, the new free trade agreement will create one of the world’s largest free trade areas.

A teller holds Turkish lira banknotes at a currency exchange office in Istanbul, Aug. 13, 2018.

In surprise move, Turkey’s Central Bank hikes interest rates to 50%

The move comes after the bank announced last month that it was pausing the hikes.

A Kurdish man wearing a mask flashes the "V" sign.

PKK claims to down 15 Turkish drones in Nowruz announcement

The announcement comes one day ahead of the Kurdish New Year, or Nowruz, which is celebrated by millions of Kurds worldwide, and less than two weeks before Turkey's local elections that are due to be held nationwide on March 31.

A photograph taken on Oct. 22, 2011, shows a Turkish military helicopter flying over a mountain in Yemisli, in the Hakkari province

PKK kills Turkish soldier in northern Iraq as Ankara threatens major offensive

The militant group killed one Turkish soldier and wounded four others in northern Iraq, as Turkey threatened a major offensive to "annihilate" the Kurdish militant group by summer.

This picture taken on Sept. 30, 2020, shows logos of social-networking websites displayed on a mobile phone's screen in Istanbul.

Turkey hands Meta $148K daily fine over antitrust violation

Turkey’s competition watchdog also imposed an interim measure to suspend data-sharing between Instagram and Threads.

Relatives mourn over the caskets of 11 people killed in Turkish air strikes during their funeral in al-Malikiyah (Derik) in Syria's northeastern Hasakah province, on November 21, 2022. - Turkey hit dozens of targets in northern Syria as well as northern Iraq overnight into Sunday, a week after a deadly attack in Istanbul which Ankara has blamed on the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). (Photo by Gihad DARWISH / AFP) (Photo by GIHAD DARWISH/AFP via Getty Images)

Baghdad's PKK ban marks win-win for Iraq, Turkey but warning to Iran

The move could ease Turkey's military operations in northern Iraq while at the same allowing Baghdad to extend its presence and control over its territory.

US Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Rey White

Turkey hopeful on $1.4 billion reimbursement from US for F-35 deals

Turkey can get its money back, Turkish defense officials say, as ties with Washington strengthen following Sweden’s admission to NATO and Ankara’s F-16 purchase.