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Turkey

Turkey

April 21, 2026

Ankara 6:57 pm

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Members of Iraq's security forces stand guard on the the al-Rabia border crossing with Syria on April 20, 2026.

How Syria's border opening with Iraq redefines Turkey-Kurd balance

After years of closure, the reopening of al-Yaaroubiya crossing is redrawing Kurdish economic leverage and reinforcing Turkey’s regional strategy.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni shake hands during the press conference following their meeting at Villa Doria Pamphilj, on April 29, 2025, in Rome, Italy.

Analysis

Italy’s TB3 drone deal signals turn toward Turkey amid US-NATO tensions

Italy’s expected TB3 drone purchase highlights a rapidly deepening, interest-driven alignment with Turkey on defense and geopolitics.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Latest News

Analysis

Is Syria’s Sharaa poised to outdo Turkey in formalizing gains for Kurds?

Kurdish people waving Kurdistan flags gather to celebrate Nowruz on the hill of Urkesh in the countryside of Amuda in northeastern Syria on March 18, 2026. Nowruz, meaning "new day," is an ancient festival that marks the start of spring and the new year on the vernal equinox, which usually falls on March 20 or 21. It is celebrated by more than 300 million people worldwide and has been observed for over 3,000 years across regions including the Middle East, Central Asia, the Caucasus and parts of Eastern Euro

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

At least 9 killed in Turkey’s second school shooting in 24 hours

YASIN AKGUL / AFP) (Photo by YASIN AKGUL/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Inside Turkey’s role in the US-Iran ceasefire

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) walks with Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif upon his arrival during an official ceremony at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, Turkey on June 1, 2022. (Photo by Adem ALTAN / AFP) (Photo by ADEM ALTAN/AFP via 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

Banner supporting Mahsa Amini.

Turkish celebrities, including jailed Kurdish politician, cut hair for Mahsa Amini

Women activists, celebrities and jailed Kurdish politician Selahattin Demirtas cut their hair in solidarity with Mahsa Amini, the Iranian Kurdish woman who died in detention by Iran’s morality police.

A B model of Bayraktar AKINCI TİHA (Assault Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) in the sky on March 2, 2022, in Corlu, Turkey.

Are Turkish drones complicating disputes in Central Asia?

Kyrgyzstan’s use of Turkish drones in a border dispute with Tajikistan leaves Turkey in a tight spot on how to balance its ties in Central Asia, a region where it has long sought to expand its influence.

Supporters attend a congress to launch the "Labour and Freedom Alliance", a six party coalition led by the HDP, in Istanbul on Sept. 24, 2022.

Third alliance enters the fray ahead of Turkish elections

The leftist Labor and Freedom Alliance pledges to undo injustice but could risk a split in the opposition vote.

A woman enjoys the sea as a Greek army rib returns from patrol.

Turkey protests US, Greece over ‘violating non-military status’ of Aegean Greek islands

Eastern Mediterranean conflict is steadily turning into a fresh strain in already-troubled US-Turkey ties, as Erdogan lashes out at Washington and Athens over the military buildup in the Dodecanese islands.

Mabel Matiz

Culture

Queer singer tries to create space for discussion in Turkey

As the government ramps up its anti-LGBTQ stance, Mabel Matiz, one of Turkey’s most popular queer artists, says he will continue to write songs that inspire public conversation on taboos.

A giant banner of the Russian national Mir card payment system.

Halt of Mir use deals blow to rising Putin-Erdogan cooperation

The specter of Western sanctions could curb other economic activities between Turkey and Russia as the surging bilateral trade comes under growing scrutiny.

A worker sorts out plastic waste collected at a plastic recycling factory in Kartepe, district of Kocaelion, Turkey, May 11, 2022.

Health of Turkey’s plastic waste workers under threat as European imports grow

A report by Human Rights Watch finds Turkish authorities are not enforcing a law to protect vulnerable workers and local residents from toxic fumes.

A corn vendor waits for customers on a street in Istanbul on Sept. 6, 2022.

In shock move, Turkey cuts interest rates again

Inflation is historically high in Turkey, but President Erdogan continues to defy economic wisdom as the country's central bank slashed policy rates further.

Turkey drone

UAE receives first batch of Turkish armed drones

Turkey’s delivery of 20 armed drones to the United Arab Emirates showcases the rapid advance in Ankara’s regional fence-mending.

Russian "Marina" shows her Russian passport as she poses for a photo in a hostel in Belgrade, on March 17, 2022.

Turkey braces for fresh influx of Russians as Putin announces mobilization

Prices of international flights from Russia to countries where Russians can visa-free travel skyrocketed within hours following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s partial mobilization announcement.

DENIS LOVROVIC/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey’s Erdogan tours world stage but misses royal funeral

The Turkish president’s foreign trips are widely seen as a way of boosting his image at home.

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Why Erdogan’s Shanghai ambitions are risky business

President Erdogan’s statement that NATO-member Turkey is targeting membership in the Shanghai club is more geared toward domestic consumption than reality, particularly after a top Russian diplomat said NATO and the SCO are incompatible.