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

Turkey

Turkey

June 27, 2026

Ankara 10:21 am

23°C

Members of the Jerusalem Armenian community hold placards as they march during commemorations for the 94th anniversary of mass killings of their kin under the Ottoman Empire, Jerusalem's Old City, April 24, 2009.

Explainer

Israel's Armenian genocide recognition marks new front against Turkey

Analysts say the expected vote for recognition is not morally motivated, but intended to spite the Turkish leader.

One of the first three US-made F-35 aircraft in Polish Air Force colors taxis along the runway at the 32nd Tactical Air Base in Lask, central Poland, while fire-fighting vehicles perform a water salute on May 22, 2026.

Trump hints at F-35 breakthrough with Turkey ahead of NATO summit

The administration is moving ahead with planned jet engine sales to Ankara ahead of next month’s NATO summit despite congressionally mandated sanctions on Turkey's defense industry.

Responders arrive to a demolished building at San Bernardino after a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck Venezuela and other regions in the Caribbean on June 24, 2026 in Caracas, Venezuela.

Israel, Turkey, Iran offer aid as Venezuela’s 2 quakes kill at least 188

Iran, Turkey and Israel were among the first countries to offer assistance to earthquake-hit Venezuela despite their varying diplomatic relationships with Caracas.

Latest News

Turkey detains 233 ahead of NATO summit, including LGBTQ+ activist Yildiz Tar

Demonstrators take part in a rally against the upcoming NATO Summit early July in Ankara, on June 13, 2026.

Culture

Amid political setbacks, Kurds shine at the World Cup

Germany's forward #26 Deniz Undav (2nd R), an ethnic Kurd, scores his team's first goal during the 2026 World Cup Group E football match between Germany and Ivory Coast at the Toronto Stadium in Toronto on June 20, 2026.

Analysis

Turkey eyes gains from US-Iran deal as Ankara balances Tehran, Washington

This photograph shows a Turkish national flag at the Razi-Kapikoy border crossing with Iran next to a black flag on the Iranian side, following the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in eastern Turkey on March 2, 2026.

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

Demonstrators wave Turkish flags as they shout slogans demanding the extradition of U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom the Turkish government blame for a failed coup attempt last week, during a protest near the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, July 19, 2016. REUTERS/Osman Orsal - RTSIOIV

Turkish legislators press case for Gulen extradition

A group of parliamentarians from Turkey visited Washington to try to ease tensions with the United States following a failed July 15 coup attempt.

People gather on a main square of Kurdish-dominated city of Diyarbakir during the "No to Coup! Democracy Now Rally" organised by pro-Kurdish opposition Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), Turkey, July 31, 2016. REUTERS/Sertac Kayar - RTSKGUU

Turkey’s Kurds excluded from post-coup national unity

Turkey’s Kurds, largely excluded from efforts at national unity after the failed coup, have appealed for reconciliation and revival of talks to end the Kurdish conflict.

Students of Turkish military high school of Kuleli stand before a Turkish flag during their performance in Inonu Stadium May 19, 2001, to celebrate Youth and Sports Day. Turkey is celebrating Youth and Sports Day with parades by students and military throughout the country.

FS/WS - RTRIHY6

Gulen movement's youngest victims speak out in Turkey

Will the failed coup in Turkey ultimately help redeem students who were discharged from military schools in the past decade as alleged punishment for refusing to fall in with the Fethullah Gulen Terrorist Organization?

Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan (R) meets with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at the Group of 20 (G20) leaders summit in the Mediterranean resort city of Antalya, Turkey, November 16, 2015. REUTERS/Kayhan Ozer/Pool - RTS7AJJ

Can Turkey really turn to Russia?

Despite anger at the West after the recent failed coup, the strategic ties some desire with Russia do not appear realistic.

U.S. based cleric Fethullah Gulen at his home in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, U.S. July 29, 2016. REUTERS/Charles Mostoller - RTSKAI2

Why it's so difficult to decipher the Gulenist network

Foreign media continues to be confused about the Gulen movement because of their disregard of its covert networks.

Pro-Islamist demonstrators hold Egyptian flags and posters of former President Mohamed Mursi during a protest in support of him at the courtyard of Fatih mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, May 17, 2015. An Egyptian court on Saturday sought the death penalty for former president Mohamed Mursi and 106 supporters of his Muslim Brotherhood in connection with a mass jail break in 2011. Mursi and his fellow defendants, including top Brotherhood leader Mohamed Badie, were convicted for killing and kidnapping policemen, a

Why Turkey and Egypt won’t reconcile anytime soon

Following the failed coup attemp in Turkey, Egyptian officials have launched diplomatic assaults against the Turkish leadership, fearing that Egypt's own Islamists could re-emerge.

Turkish demonstrators rally against the coup attempt in Turkey at the White House in Washington, U.S., July 17, 2016. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts - RTSIFL5

Lobbying 2016: Turkey deploys lobbyist army to shut down Gulen

The Ankara police headquarters is seen through a car's broken window caused by fighting during a coup attempt in Ankara, Turkey, July 19, 2016. REUTERS/Baz Ratner TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RTSIQPK

After massive purge, what’s next for Turkish Armed Forces?

The major structural changes the Turkish Armed Forces is facing following the July 15 coup attempt could have big implications for the army’s strategic culture and Turkey's foreign policy.

People shout slogans and wave Turkish national flags as they have gathered in solidarity night after night since the July 15 coup attempt in central Ankara, Turkey, July 27, 2016. The banner on the right reads "Chief (Erdogan) I came to die". REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RTSJZ33

Is Erdogan really stronger after failed coup?

Contrary to the prevailing view that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has emerged stronger from the failed coup attempt, a seasoned eye can discern signs that Turkey’s strongman feels less powerful.

U.S. based cleric Fethullah Gulen at his home in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, U.S. July 29, 2016. REUTERS/Charles Mostoller - RTSKALB

Cause or cult? What it means to be a Gulenist

What really motivates Fethullah Gulen's movement — tolerance and peace or blind ambition?

Members of al Qaeda's Nusra Front ride on a tank as they head towards their positions during an offensive to take control of the northwestern city of Ariha from forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, in Idlib province May 28, 2015. The Syrian army has pulled back from the northwestern city of Ariha after a coalition of insurgent groups seized the last city in Idlib province in northwestern Syria near the Turkish border that was still held by the government. REUTERS/Ammar Abdullah - RTR4XXNO

Al-Qaeda affiliate’s desperate 'switch' validates US Syria policy

Fear of US and Russian airstrikes on eve of Syrian offensive a sign that Jabhat al-Nusra may be feeling the heat; Turkey’s de-Gulenification campaign in context; retired Saudi general probes Israeli commitment to peace settlement.

Turkey celebrates before being defeated by Russia in their women's quarterfinal basketball match at the Basketball Arena in London during the London 2012 Olympic Games August 7, 2012. REUTERS/Mike Segar (BRITAIN - Tags: SPORT OLYMPICS SPORT BASKETBALL) - RTR36EGF

How much should Turks pay for gold medal at Rio Olympics?

The Turkish public's interest in the upcoming Rio Olympics is suffering because of the attempted coup and concerns about whether Turkey's team is Turkish enough.