Turkey - AL-MONITOR: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Turkey

Turkey

May 16, 2026

Ankara 9:13 am

14°C

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

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.

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

The move removes a decades-old reexport mechanism routed largely through Georgia as Ankara and Yerevan step up normalization efforts.

Latest News

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.

Analysis

From drones to deterrence: Turkey's ICBM missile signals bigger ambitions

ISTANBUL, TURKEY - MAY 06: A man poses for a photograph in front of the newly unveiled, Turkish made intercontinental ballistic missile Yildirimhan at the SAHA International Defence and Aerospace Expo on May 06, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey. The International Defence and Aerospace Exhibition, showcased Turkish and foreign companies new products and technology. The expo was dominated by UAV products as modern warfare increasingly shifts to drone and unmanned technologies. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

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

Orhan Inandi protest

Turkey accused of abducting Gulen-affiliated school teacher in Kyrgyzstan

In Kyrgyzstan, a Turkish educator missing since May 31 has rights groups warning of another illegal rendition by the Turkish government.

S-400 launch in southern Russia

US, Turkey still far off on deal over Russian S-400 missiles

Is any feasible deal on the S-400 deployment in Turkey in the works?

FABIO BUCCIARELLI/AFP via Getty Images

Turkish drone sets off international buzz over 'killer robots'

The appearance of Turkish artificial intelligence-controlled drones in Libyan skies has rekindled questions on how lethal autonomous weapons will affect regional geopolitics and whether they should be banned.

Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) co-chair Pervin Buldan delivers a speech during the party's parliamentary group Meeting in Ankara on June 8, 2021. (Photo by Adem ALTAN / AFP) (Photo by ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Top Turkish prosecutor refiles case to shutter pro-Kurdish party

The pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), Turkey’s third largest party, faces the threat of closure once more after a top prosecutor refiled an indictment late Monday seeking to ban nearly 500 members from politics on terror-related charges.

The entrance of the UNHCR Makhmour refugee camp, controlled by the PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party), is seen Sept. 4, 2003. Journalists have been barred from the site as well as all arms since PKK militants were banned from carrying arms by the United States in Iraq.

Turkish attack near Makhmour camp extends anti-PKK operations deeper into Iraq

Days after warning of a coming operation on Iraq’s Makhmour camp, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said a senior Kurdistan Workers Party official was “neutralized” near the camp Saturday, underlining Ankara’s drive to put pressure on militants in the region.

Biden and Erdogan in 2014

Meeting with Biden looms as critical test for Erdogan

Turkey’s relationship with the United States poses the toughest test for Erdogan in the coming period, bound to sway both his foreign policy and political alliances at home.

Vendors sell dry food as people shop by a banner reading "No to Inflation" near the New Mosque area in Istanbul's Eminonu district on Nov. 6, 2018. Inflation in Turkey surged to over 25% in October from the same period the year earlier, the highest annual rate for over 15 years, official statistics showed on Monday. Prices have soared in Turkey over the last months as the lira came under pressure, stoking fears over the long-term economic health of the country.

Turkish lira remains volatile after surprise dip in inflation data

Turkey’s annual inflation unexpectedly dropped to 16.59% in May, according to data published Thursday. The news did not steady the nation’s currency, which slid on market concerns over an early interest rate cut.

Sedat Peker

Turkish mobster’s revelations extend to arms shipments to Syria

Turkish crime boss Sedat Peker speaks out about arms shipment to radical rebels in Syria in his latest barrage of allegations against figures close to the government.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivers a speech after a signing ceremony with Libyan Government of National Unity Prime Minister at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, on April 12, 2021.

Erdogan threatens to strike refugee camp inside Iraq

The rhetoric against Makhmour, a settlement where residents are overwhelmingly sympathetic to the Kurdistan Workers Party, could be part of a strategy to divert attention away from economic problems at home.

ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images

Foreign companies reinforce control over Turkey's tobacco sector

A major tobacco producer historically, Turkey has ceded its cigarette industry to foreign companies.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks during a joint press conference with Serbian President (unseen) after their bilateral meeting at the Nato Alliance's headquarters in Brussels on May 17, 2021.

Turkey’s persistent watering down of anti-Russian language leaves NATO in bind

Ankara defends its position on Moscow on the grounds that it has to manage its relationship with its powerful northeastern neighbor.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) welcomes Poland's President Andrzej Duda (R) ahead of their meeting at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, on May 24, 2021.

With ties with West strained, Turkey gets lifeline from Poland

Drawing on his rapport with the Polish president and a landmark drone deal with Warsaw, Erdogan seems to be aiming at two goals — strengthening his hand in NATO and having a close ally within the European Union.