Analysis

Turkey's Kizilelma fighter jet redefines capability in air warfare: What to know

The unmanned fighter jet logged the first such strike by a drone against another drone in flight, underscoring Ankara’s ambition for next-generation aircraft. 

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Culture

Turkish artist Ipek Duben’s early years return to the wall

In solo exhibition “'70-,” Istanbul-born artist Ipek Duben opens the files she once kept to herself, tracing the foundations of a five-decade career shaped by identity, power, gender and belonging.

Turkey

Newsletter: Turkey

The riskiest phase

Turkey’s Kurdish peace process is entering a critical juncture, with Ankara, imprisoned leader of outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) Abdullah Ocalan and the pro-Kurdish DEM Party all dug in as the pressure mounts.

By Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

Newsletter: City Pulse Istanbul

Carving memory from stone

Also this week: Aralik’s bohemian buzz, Duben at Galerist, and Fazil Say’s ‘Mother Earth’ premiere

By Nazlan Ertan

In Izmir and Istanbul, reporting on culture

Ankara: Jailed PKK chief favors unitary Syria, no separate Kurdish defense force

The militant leader called for “police-like” security units in Syrian Democratic Forces areas during his landmark meeting with a Turkish parliamentary delegation, according to a transcript summary.

Turkey

Turkey defense firms break record with $10B in revenues: SIPRI

Turkey set a new record with five companies in the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute's Top 100 for 2024, which included nine Middle Eastern countries for the first time amid conflict-driven arms demand.

Turkey

Interview

UNRWA plans Turkey office to boost Gaza, Syria aid as pledges dip

Speaking exclusively to Al-Monitor, UNRWA’s Tamara Alrifai said the upcoming Turkey office would help the agency to expand its operations not only in Gaza but also in Syria. 

Tamara Alrifai

Culture

Young artists pull traditional Turkish art into zeitgeist

A new generation of young artists in Istanbul is transforming traditional Turkish arts — from miniature to tile — into sharp contemporary tools for exploring dystopia, environmental anxiety and social fragmentation.

Turkey

Analysis

Trump’s Muslim Brotherhood move reignites Israel’s battle over Raam

Israeli officials hailed the decision by President Donald Trump to start the designation process of Muslim Brotherhood chapters, though the move risks generating havoc within Israeli politics.

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Exclusive

Top PYD official Aldar Khalil: 'Syria is telling Kurds to separate'

Al-Monitor spoke exclusively to Aldar Khalil, a member of the executive council of the Democratic Unity Party (PYD), which shares power in the Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria, about the halted talks between Syria’s transitional government and the Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria.

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Newsletter: City Pulse Istanbul

Turkey’s emerging artists take center stage at BASE 2025

Also this week: Georgian flavors, Buyuktasciyan’s new show, and 40 films at the Crime & Justice Fest

By Nazlan Ertan

In Izmir and Istanbul, reporting on culture

In first foreign visit, Pope Leo meets Erdogan, urges Turkey to uphold pluralism

On his inaugural foreign visit to Turkey, Pope Leo called for respect for pluralism after meeting with the Turkish president.

Turkey