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Turkey

Turkey

December 30, 2025

Ankara 7:15 pm

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Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Analysis

Iran threats, flattery, unresolved gaps: What Trump really gave Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago

At their meeting at Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump heaped compliments on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu but offered few concrete achievements.

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

A picture taken at the port of Dilovasi, outside Istanbul, on June 20, 2019, shows the drilling ship Yavuz scheduled to search for oil and gas off Cyprus.

Turkey eyes offshore energy pact with Syria in 2026 amid East Med isolation

Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar has offered up details on a deal with Syria that could unsettle regional rivals in the gas-rich Eastern Mediterranean.

This aerial view shows residents waving Somaliland flags as they gather to celebrate Israel's announcement recognizing Somaliland's statehood in downtown Hargeisa, on Dec. 26, 2025.

Somalia’s president heads to Turkey as Israel’s Somaliland recognition rattles region

The Somali leader’s visit comes amid a heightened Turkish-Israeli rivalry, fueled by Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, in the region and beyond.

Latest News

Australian LNG deal marks latest step in Turkey's energy diversification push

Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Analysis

Turkey's defense sector enters 2026 with naval progress — and unresolved vulnerabilities

Turkish naval forces patrol vessel TCG F 500 and an unidentified submarine (back) sail during a military naval parade on the Bosphorus in Istanbul on Oct. 29, 2023.

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

Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu.

Turkey’s opposition claims millions funneled to US through foundations close to president

CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu claims President Recep Tayyip Erdogan plans to leave Turkey in event of election defeat.

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki (R) and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu attend a press conference after meeting in the city of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank on May 24, 2022.

Turkey's top diplomat visits Palestine

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu met with his counterpart Riad al-Maliki in Ramallah and reaffirmed support for a Palestinian state before his next meeting with Israeli leaders.

Mitsotakis

Erdogan writes off Greece’s Mitsotakis, maintains stance on NATO expansion

Enraged by the Greek premier’s remarks to US Congress against arms sales to Turkey, Erdogan denounces Greece, along with Sweden and Finland, for supporting terrorism.

KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey's NATO obstinance threatens more than Nordic membership

From the vantage point of the West, giving in to Ankara’s demands from Finland and Sweden amounts to letting an autocrat design the security architecture of Europe.

Egypt's Deputy Foreign Minister Hamdi Sanad Loza (background) meets with his Turkish counterpart Sedat Onal (Foreground).

Turkey's foreign policy reset sign of Brotherhood's dwindling influence

In addition to economic concerns, the Muslim Brotherhood's dwindling influence in the region and new regional order emerged after the Abraham Accords forced Ankara to mend ties with Egypt.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (L) and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan (2R).

Turkey threatens new Syria incursion amid NATO debate

Erdogan ups the ante as NATO allies offer cool response to Ankara’s demands over Sweden, Finland membership.

Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu.

Will Turkish opposition leader's Alevi faith be hindrance at polls?

While some speculate Kemal Kilicdaroglu's faith could cost him votes in a potential runoff against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, if framed properly it could even provide an opportunity for the opposition.

People hold a giant rainbow flag during a parade on Istiklal Street.

Culture

Turkey’s Alevis to open their houses of worship to LGBTQ funerals

Turkey’s major Alevi organizations announce they will open their houses of worship to LGBTQ individuals in support of equal funeral rights.

US President Joe Biden (C) welcomes Finnish President Sauli Niinisto (L) and Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson.

Analysis

Erdogan’s high price for Sweden, Finland joining NATO

The Turkish president senses an opportunity to finally settle scores regarding perceived previous slights by NATO powers.

Week in Review

By Week in Review

KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images

UAE-Turkey reconciliation continues with trade agreement

The move follows a currency swap agreement between the two countries and the Turkish president's visit to the UAE.

OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images

Fourth Turkish drilling ship arrives from South Korea

Turkey's fourth drilling ship is set to bring the country's drilling fleet to another level.

MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

NATO allies read Turkey’s wish list as Ankara holds up membership bids

Ankara has listed the presence of what it calls terrorists in Sweden and Finland as its main objection to their accession but other factors could feature.