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Turkey

Turkey

Ships navigate the Bosphorus Strait on May 02, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey. Since the outbreak of the US-Israeli war against Iran, forcing the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and together with the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, global shipping routes have been severely impacted. Soaring shipping costs, lengthening delivery times and less efficient routes have seen increased pressure on energy markets and supply chains worldwide. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Analysis

Why Turkey sees opportunity in Hormuz crisis to boost Middle Corridor

Ankara seeks to exploit transport disruptions from the Iran, Ukraine wars to push the corridor, but high costs, logistical bottlenecks and South Caucasus politics pose obstacles.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Mazloum Kobane, commander-in-chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), speaks during the pan-Kurdish "Unity and Consensus" conference in Qamishli in northeastern Syria on April 26, 2025.

Interview

Syrian Kurdish commander Kobane says Turkey visit ‘in the making,’ Ocalan meeting possible

The SDF commander-in-chief reflected on a fragile integration deal with Damascus, growing Kurdish backlash and ongoing talks with Turkey as questions mount over Rojava’s political future.

Mazloum Kobane

Mazloum Kobane

SDF commander in chief

Latest News

Turkey, Armenia to launch direct trade in normalization push: What to know

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, and Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan shake hands before a meeting at Prague Castle in Prague, Czech Republic, Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022.

New Turkey maritime draft bill fuels EastMed tensions with Greece, Cyprus

The helicopter of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan lands on Abdulhamid Han drill ship, the fourth built by Turkey, in Mersin on Aug. 9, 2022, before being sent for gas exploration to an undisputed area in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Gazipasa.

Turkey's border reopening unlocks new sphere of influence in Syria

Turkish Red Crescent's cars and trucks cross the Turkish border as they leave the Syrian city of Tel Abyad on Oct. 19, 2019, in Akcakale, Turkey.

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 Free Syrian Army fighter sits at his checkpoint as civilians walk along a passageway separating Aleppo's Bustan al-Qasr, which is under the rebels' control and Al-Masharqa neighborhood, an area controlled by the regime, June 5, 2013. Picture taken June 5, 2013. REUTERS/Aref Hretani (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS CONFLICT MILITARY CIVIL UNREST) - RTX10DHX

Syrian Rebels Clash With Kurdish Militias

Fights erupted between Kurdish militias and groups affiliated with the Free Syrian Army (FSA) in northern Syria after allegations the Kurds did not support an embargo on two Shiite villages in Aleppo.

An anti-government protester perches on a monument during a protest at Kizilay Square in central Ankara, June 9, 2013. Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan told thousands of cheering supporters on Sunday that his patience had its limits after days of protests, while tens of thousands of anti-government demonstrators gathered at a rival rally in central Istanbul. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic (TURKEY - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) - RTX10HL6

Young Turks use 'disproportionate wit' to shake up Erdogan

The peaceful protests and accompanying satire have plunged Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan into uncharted waters.

Intellectuals and artists, who are anti-Mursi protestors, carry pictures of some of the popular Egyptian artists and writers stand in front of the Ministry of Culture to demonstrate against what they claimed are increasing influence of the Muslim Brotherhood over the Ministry of Culture, in Cairo June 9, 2013. Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi increased the influence of his Muslim Brotherhood over government in a cabinet reshuffle in May that replaced two ministers involved in crucial talks with the IMF over

Will Egypt Have Its Second Revolution on June 30?

There is speculation about massive protests to occur on the anniversary of President Mohammed Morsi’s first year in power.

Lebanese and Syrian supporters of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad celebrate in Qusair June 9, 2013, after the Syrian army and Lebanese Hezbollah fighters took control of the town from rebel fighters in this handout photograph released by Syria's national news agency SANA. REUTERS/SANA/Handout via Reuters (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS PICTURE IS DISTRIBUTED

Syrian Opposition Divided Over Geneva II Conference

While the Syrian government and the internal opposition are ready to seek a political solution, the external opposition is refusing to attend Geneva II.

Syrian Kurds demonstrators hold flags and portraits of jailed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan during a protest in Derik, Hasakah November 1, 2012. Around 1,000 Syrian Kurds protested in the north-eastern Syrian town of Derik on Thursday, demanding the re-opening of Kurdish-language schools they said were closed by President's Bashar al-Assad's regime. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani (SYRIA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT EDUCATION) - RTR39VNY

Russia Enlists Syrian Kurds For Geneva II

The Supreme Kurdish Council of Syria is ready to participate in the Geneva II conference.

People practice yoga in Gezi Park at Taksim Square in Istanbul June 7, 2013. Istanbul's Gezi Park, yoga practitioners stretch and students read in a makeshift library - a statement of their intent to stay on after a week of protests. At night demonstrators taunt riot police from beyond barricades on the streets around Taksim Square. Those in its Gezi Park hold sit-down protests and discuss Turkey's future. REUTERS/Osman Orsal (TURKEY - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS SOCIETY) - RTX10FAH

Turkey’s Twilight Zone

Prime Minister Erdogan has taken Turkey to a dangerous crossroads.

Protesters shout anti-government slogans during a demonstration at Taksim Square in Istanbul June 6, 2013. Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan denounced those behind a week of violent demonstrations on Thursday, causing a sell-off on the Turkish stock exchange from investors worried that his defiant rhetoric will further enflame public wrath. REUTERS/Osman Orsal (TURKEY - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS) - RTX10E50

Erdogan Not Yielding to Protesters

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is determined to go ahead with his plan of building the Ottoman Artillery Barracks at Taksim Square.

A Turkish secret service agent walks past an image of Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan before his arrival at Istanbul's Ataturk airport June 6, 2013. Erdogan told thousands of cheering supporters on Friday his authority came from the ballot box and urged them not to be drawn into violence, in a show of ruling party strength after a week of fierce anti-government protests. Addressing crowds at Istanbul airport from an open-top bus after returning from a trip to North Africa, Erdogan called on his ruling

Will Erdogan Choose to Fight?

Signals from Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan raise concerns that he will be hardening his stand.

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan gestures during the Ministry for European Union Affairs' EU-Istanbul Conference in Istanbul June 7, 2013. Erdogan called on Turks on Friday to distance themselves from lawless protests and said accusations of the excessive use of police force during days of unrest were being investigated. REUTERS/Osman Orsal (TURKEY - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) - RTX10F6W

Is Turkey Heading Toward Civil War?

The risk of deepening social unrest hovers over Turkey as the prime minister refuses to acknowledge the grievances of demonstrators.

Turkey's President Abdullah Gul smiles during a visit to the Swedish parliament in Stockholm March 11, 2013, in this picture provided by Scanpix. REUTERS/Henrik Montgomery/Scanpix (SWEDEN - Tags: POLITICS)

ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. IT IS DISTRIBUTED, EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS. SWEDEN OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN SWEDEN. NO COMMERCIAL SALES - RTR3EUKN

Abdullah Gul Steps Up During Turkish Crisis

Turkey’s president may emerge as the new face of the ruling AKP.

Turkish soldiers salute during a ceremony marking the 85th anniversary of Victory Day at the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey, in Ankara August 30, 2007. Turkey's military, stern upholders of secularism, failed to keep former Islamist Abdullah Gul from winning the presidency, but it is likely to try to make life difficult for him and the ruling AK Party. Almost no one expects a military coup, given the strong support for the Islamist-rooted AK Party in general elections in July,

Turkish Military Faces Morale Crisis

The Turkish military needs reform to boost morale.

Turkey's Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan (2nd L) waves to supporters after arriving at Istanbul's Ataturk airport early June 7, 2013. Erdogan called on Turks on Friday to distance themselves from lawless protests and said accusations of the excessive use of police force during days of unrest were being investigated. Addressing thousands of supporters at Istanbul airport after returning from a trip to North Africa, Erdogan said the protesters had looted shops and damaged businesses and urged his supporters not

Erdogan Returns to Crowds, Crisis in Turkey

Istanbul is on the threshold of a dangerous confrontation.