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Turkey

Turkey

August 26, 2026

Ankara 7:53 am

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Top EU 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.

Equality and Democracy Party lawmakers

Explainer

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

Turkey’s peace process with Kurdish militants has entered the implementation phase this week, with authorities setting up working groups to verify the Kurdistan Workers Party’s disarmament.

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)

Exclusive

Israel recalibrates Syria policy, explores path to security deal

Israel is rethinking its hard-line Syria policy and seeking to repair ties with US envoy and Donald Trump's confidant Tom Barrack amid a push for a security agreement with Damascus.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Latest News

Analysis

Why Turkey sees Israeli strikes in Syria as warning over its military role, Mecca Pact

A Turkish soldier from the 1st Border Regiment Command looks out over the border wall to Syria during alert drills at a military outpost on the Turkey/Syria border on March 2, 2017 in Kilis, Turkey.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Analysis

Turkey bets on US deconfliction as Israel widens Syria red lines

Turkey/Syria border

Ezgi Akin

Rina Bassist

By Ezgi Akin , Rina Bassist

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

BULENT KILIC/AFP via Getty Images

Bowing to Erdogan’s pressure, Turkish Central Bank makes risky rate cut

Turkey’s Central Bank has delivered a rate cut long sought by the president, who's counting on stimulating economic growth to patch up his sagging popular support.

Iraqi fighters of the Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation units) stand next to a wall bearing the Islamic State (IS) group flag as they enter the city of al-Qaim, in Iraq's western Anbar province near the Syrian border as they fight against remnant pockets of Islamic State group jihadists on Nov. 3, 2017.

How an Islamic State suspect lived as a shopkeeper in Turkey

The Turkish judiciary’s weakness in dealing with Islamic State suspects comes under the spotlight after a bombshell report on how a Syrian man suspected of ordering the burning to death of two Turkish soldiers in 2016 walked free from court and lived as a shopkeeper in Turkey.

A volunteer rests as flames rise from a forest burning in the background near Akcayaka, a town in the Mugla province, on Aug. 6, 2021.

After summer of severe floods and fires, Turkey to ratify Paris Agreement

In his address at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the Paris Climate Agreement would be submitted to Turkey’s parliament for approval next month.

A student sleeps in front of Gumushane University in Gumushane, Turkey, Sept. 20, 2021.

Turkish university students camp in parks to protest rent hikes

Citing trouble finding affordable housing ahead of the fall semester, student groups across Turkey are organizing campout events in protest of rising rental prices.

Syrian Kurds carry flags and a portrait of Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan as they demonstrate on June 10, 2021, in the northeastern Syrian city of Qamishli, against the Turkish offensive on PKK areas in northern Iraq.

Turkey's latest attack on PKK militant in Iraqi Kurdistan meant as show of strength

In recent months, Turkish drones have picked off a string of mid-level commanders in Iraqi Kurdistan and northeast Syria.

Turkish protest

Turkish civic groups protest abductions, forced disappearances

Civic groups and legal experts say reports of abduction and forced disappearances of opposition party members are on the rise.

Hevra Synagogue

Turkish synagogues get makeover as Izmir strives for UNESCO stamp

An ambitious effort to revive Izmir’s Jewish heritage is paying off as the Turkish city vies for a place on the UNESCO heritage list.

Idlib

Turkey’s blind eye to jihadis worsens its predicaments in Syria

Turkey is seeking to downplay the jihadi threat that its troops face in Idlib, the last Islamist stronghold in Syria, opting to turn the spotlight to the Kurds instead.

US Vice President Joe Biden (L) and Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I light candles during Biden's visit to the Church of St. George on Nov. 23, 2014 in Istanbul.

Constantinople Patriarch Bartholomew I set to meet Biden at White House

The patriarch will also meet Ankara's US ambassador while in Washington.

AFP via Getty Images

Ankara calls on EU to help Afghanistan’s neighbors

Turkey's president told German President Steinmeier that the EU member states should provide swift assistance to Afghanistan’s neighbors to cope with irregular migration.

People look at military weapons on May 9, 2017, during the opening day of the 13th International Defense Industry Fair in Istanbul.

Turkey’s defense industry suffers setback but future remains promising

The Turkish defense industry saw a significant decline in its revenues last year according to newly released data, but companies in the sector remain optimistic about their growth prospects.

People demonstrate in protest against the coronavirus vaccine on Sept. 11, 2021 in Istanbul.

Anti-vaxxer Turks protest Bill Gates at Istanbul rally

Thousands of Turks came together in Istanbul to protest vaccinations, mandatory testing and other coronavirus measures while the country's overworked doctors lashed out at authorities for allowing the demonstration.