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Turkey

Turkey

April 24, 2026

Ankara 4:49 pm

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US Ambassador to Turkey Thomas Barrack attends a meeting with President Donald Trump and President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Oval Office at the White House on Sept. 25, 2025, in Washington, DC.

Trump envoy Barrack’s embrace of 'strong leaders' sparks fury in Turkey

Turkish opposition members say envoy Tom Barrack’s remarks praising “strong leaders” and monarchies undermine Turkey’s democratic tradition and embolden President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Members of Iraq's security forces stand guard on the the al-Rabia border crossing with Syria on April 20, 2026.

How Syria's border opening with Iraq redefines Turkey-Kurd balance

After years of closure, the reopening of al-Yaaroubiya crossing is redrawing Kurdish economic leverage and reinforcing Turkey’s regional strategy.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni shake hands during the press conference following their meeting at Villa Doria Pamphilj, on April 29, 2025, in Rome, Italy.

Analysis

Italy’s TB3 drone deal signals turn toward Turkey amid US-NATO tensions

Italy’s expected TB3 drone purchase highlights a rapidly deepening, interest-driven alignment with Turkey on defense and geopolitics.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Latest News

Analysis

Is Syria’s Sharaa poised to outdo Turkey in formalizing gains for Kurds?

Kurdish people waving Kurdistan flags gather to celebrate Nowruz on the hill of Urkesh in the countryside of Amuda in northeastern Syria on March 18, 2026. Nowruz, meaning "new day," is an ancient festival that marks the start of spring and the new year on the vernal equinox, which usually falls on March 20 or 21. It is celebrated by more than 300 million people worldwide and has been observed for over 3,000 years across regions including the Middle East, Central Asia, the Caucasus and parts of Eastern Euro

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

At least 9 killed in Turkey’s second school shooting in 24 hours

YASIN AKGUL / AFP) (Photo by YASIN AKGUL/AFP via Getty Images

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

A general view of Atmeh camp for the displaced, in Atmeh town, Idlib province, Syria May 19, 2019. Picture taken May 19, 2019. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi - RC1638EEED70

Erdogan warns of 'annihilation' in Syria’s Idlib

Turkey’s president is lamenting the bombardment of Syria’s last opposition bastion as the latest cease-fire is tested and trapped civilians may be forced to flee across the border.

A motorbike burns after an airstrike in this screen grab taken from a social media video said to be taken in Idlib, Syria on July 16, 2019. Picture taken July 16, 2019. White Helmets/social media via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. - RC1FFC6630A0

US calls on Russia to cease Idlib fight amid terror strikes

The Pentagon called for Russia to halt its offensive into Syria’s Idlib province as the United States launched strikes into the contested region aimed at al-Qaeda leaders.

People shop at a bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey, May 29, 2019. REUTERS/Murad Sezer - RC1904437D30

Key economic data suggests Turkey turning corner

Slowing inflation and a smaller-than-expected contraction in the economy could mean Turkey is emerging from a year-long downturn.

Daring new TV show offers close glimpse into mysterious Ankara nightlife

Nightclubs, or pavyons as they are called in Turkish, form a well-known but evasive culture with its extravagance and debauchery in Turkey's capital.

Syrian pistachio farmers watch crops wither as Turks fire on border region

Turkish gunfire is preventing pistachio growers in the border areas of Kobani and Manbij from harvesting their crops.

Despite fresh forces, Syrian opposition losing ground in Idlib

The Turkish-supported Free Syrian Army is sending more forces from its National Army to shore up the opposition in its fight against Syrian regime troops in Idlib province.

The bitter legacy of Turkey in Afrin

Afrinis fear the destruction of religious and historic sites, and ethnic cleansing in Turkish-controlled Afrin is helping in the resurgence of Islamic State and other al-Qaeda affiliated groups.

Ahmet Turk, 74, a veteran Kurdish politician, welcomes guests at his home after he was released from prison where he was held for more than two months as part of a terrorism investigation, in Kiziltepe, a town in southeastern province of Mardin, February 5, 2017. REUTERS/Sertac Kayar - RC1999B22780

Ousted HDP mayors react as Erdogan promises judicial action

Three dismissed opposition mayors responded as the Turkish president said new judicial actions would address their alleged terror activities in the upcoming parliamentary session.

An Israeli police officer stands outside the Turkish embassy in Tel Aviv August 17, 2010. A Palestinian man known to Israeli police was shot and wounded by Turkish embassy security guards on Tuesday after breaking into the mission in Tel Aviv and holding hostages. REUTERS/Nir Elias (ISRAEL - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) - GM1E68I0AH701

Will rancor or realism prevail in Turkish-Israeli ties?

While there continues to be a large political gap between Turkey and Israel, economic ties continue to be strong despite the lack of a gas pipeline deal.

A masked Uighur boy takes part in a protest against China, at the courtyard of Fatih Mosque, a common meeting place for pro-Islamist demonstrators in Istanbul, Turkey, November 6, 2018. REUTERS/Murad Sezer SEARCH "SEZER NOURMUHAMMED" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY. - RC1EFCCF5820

Uighurs no longer feel safe in Turkey

Despite the brotherhood accorded to them as kinsmen and coreligionists, Uighurs in Turkey increasingly live in fear of deportation to China.

A Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jet is seen in its hanger at Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Maryland October 28, 2015. REUTERS/Gary Cameron - GF20000036669

Pentagon may consider Turkey rejoining F-35 if it ditches Russian missile system

Defense Secretary Mark Esper said today that the United States would “consider” letting Turkey back into the F-35 program if it got rid of the Russian S-400 system.

A general view of residential and commercial areas in Ankara, Turkey, April 1, 2019. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RC1129626470

How cultural war made Ankara an architectural battleground

Ankara’s austere and minimalist flavor is a shock to many who are more accustomed to architecture around the Bosphorus, but for local residents, the city's gray buildings are icons from a cherished era.