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

Turkey

Turkey

September 17, 2026

Ankara 6:48 pm

18°C

Vyacheslav PROKOFYEV / AFP via Getty Images

Turkey's Erdogan to run for 'final' third term in 2028, adviser says

If Turkey's parliament votes to move the next election up during President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s second term, he could constitutionally run for third.

People swim next to the Russian-flagged cargo ship OMSKIY-107, which was attacked off the Black Sea coast and eventually ran aground off the shore of the Sile district, Istanbul, Sept. 3, 2026.

Why Turkey has few options to protect Black Sea shipping

The Russia-Ukraine drone war is hitting Turkish commercial interests, exposing the limits of Ankara’s ability to protect shipping while remaining outside the conflict.

Fighters loyal to the Houthi authorities gather during a rally to recruit more fighters in Sanaa on Sept. 10, 2026.

Analysis

Saudi Arabia's Houthi crisis tests alliances with Trump, Turkey and Pakistan

As the Houthis tighten their grip on the Bab al-Mandeb, Saudi Arabia is turning to new regional alliances while Washington resists calls to intervene.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Latest News

Turkey’s defense giants court Egypt at Alamein Airshow: What to know

El Alamein International Airshow

Russia to give Turkey preferential fertilizer access amid Hormuz supply crunch

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hold a meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek on September 1, 2026. (Photo by Kristina Solovyova / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)

Culture

Turkish ceramicist Leyla Borovali shapes Aegean heritage into clay

Leyla Borovali at her studio overlooking the Aegean

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

Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak (C) speaks to the press.

Analysis

The Takeaway: Turkey thrust into spotlight amid Ukraine-Russia talks

Turkey acts as mediator in the Russia-Ukraine crisis, Israel is on high alert after a wave of terrorist attacks, how drones are revolutionizing the battlefield, and more.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Andrew Parasiliti

Joe Snell

By Elizabeth Hagedorn , Andrew Parasiliti , Joe Snell

Le Point

International, domestic groups ring alarms on human rights in Turkey

Two reports, one from Amnesty International and another from Turkey’s Association of Journalists, have again drawn attention to Turkey’s deteriorating record on freedom of expression.

KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP via Getty Images)

Russia-Ukraine talks in Turkey yield respite but no ceasefire

Turkey played host for the second time as peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine resumed today.

A woman plays a daf drum as people peform the Halay folk dance during a gathering of Turkish Kurds for Nowruz celebrations marking the Persian New Year in Diyarbakir, southeastern Turkey, March 21, 2022.

Possible closure of political party dampens Nowruz for Turkey’s Kurds

Kurds see the case against the Peoples’ Democratic Party as the latest effort to undermine their place in society.

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson (L) and Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan (2R).

Will Ukraine crisis help Turkey dodge Western arms embargoes?

Drawing on the role of Turkish drones in bolstering Ukraine’s defense, Erdogan has urged NATO partners to lift restrictions on military sales to Turkey. But US sanctions remain a tough row to hoe.

A picture taken on Dec. 7, 2021, in Istanbul shows Turkish liras.

Turkish taxpayers outraged at cost of lira protection scheme

Turkey’s Treasury faces a hefty bill from a controversial plan to defend the Turkish lira, even as the scheme has failed to make a major impact in reducing dollarization.

US President Joe Biden shakes hands with France's President Emmanuel Macron (C,L) next to Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (L) at NATO Headquarters in Brussels on March 24, 2022.

Erdogan gets no meeting with Biden at NATO Ukraine summit

Despite reportedly intense diplomatic efforts, Turkey's president did not get to meet his US counterpart at today’s NATO summit in Brussels.

Bermuda-flagged luxury yacht "My Solaris" belonging to Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich.

Will Turkey become haven for sanctioned Russians?

Ankara is facing increasing pressure to comply with sanctions imposed on Moscow and to increase scrutiny on Turkish banks to make sure they don’t violate sanctions.

American pastor Andrew Brunson.

Wave of expulsions shakes Turkey’s tiny Protestant community

Dozens of foreign Protestant missionaries have been forced to leave Turkey based on intelligence reports classifying them as security risks.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan walks alongside UAE's Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak al-Nahyan (R).

Emirati and Turkish businesspeople discuss bilateral trade, investment

The meeting between the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Turkey’s ULUSKON business federation occurred in the context of rapprochement between the United Arab Emirates and Turkey.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) welcomes Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte (R).

Turkey, Netherlands patch up relations amid Ukraine crisis

Arriving for a top-level visit in Ankara after years of tense relations, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte says he would like Turkey to join sanctions against Russia but understands Ankara’s unique position.

People walk past the Caglayan Justice Palace courthouse in Istanbul on March 21, 2022.

Turkish court keeps philanthropist in prison ahead of final verdict in April

Renowned philanthropist and peace advocate Osman Kavala's detention is extended after his case was adjourned.