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

Turkey

Turkey

February 17, 2026

Ankara 4:03 pm

13°C

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan looks on as Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (not pictured) addresses the media during a joint press conference at the Presidential Complex, Ankara, Turkey, Feb. 11, 2026.

Turkey’s Erdogan heads to Ethiopia amid tensions over Horn of Africa

The Turkish leader is expected to raise Ankara’s concerns over Somalia’s territorial integrity while discussing ways to deepen bilateral ties with Addis Ababa.

This photograph taken on Jan. 20, 2026, organized by the Saudi-backed Yemeni government, shows Saudi-backed Yemeni forces in the city of Mukalla in Yemen's coastal southern Hadhramaut province.

Saudi-UAE rift complicates Israel's counter-Iran efforts, normalization

Israel fears that the rivalry between the UAE and Saudi Arabia will further push Riyadh toward countries that espouse political Islam policies.

Photo of a waving Turkish flag in the sky with a jet flyover behind, and a crowd below holding flags, captured on Izmir's liberation anniversary.

Analysis

Turkey courts Saudi Arabia on Kaan, but stealth fighter deal faces hurdles

Turkey is pitching Saudi Arabia on a potential role in its Kaan stealth fighter program, but analysts say Riyadh is more likely to deepen cooperation with Ankara on drones, helicopters and air defense.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Latest News

Culture

Israeli, Turkish stars named to NBA All-Star World team: What to know

SAN ANTONIO, TX - JANUARY 03: Deni Avdija #8 of the Portland Trailblazers drives over the San Antonio Spurs in the second half at Frost Bank Center on January 3, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)

Exclusive

Direct Turkey-Armenia land trade to begin amid US-led Caucasus peace push

Several trucks carrying humanitarian aid cross the border between Armenia and Turkey at the village of Margara, Armenia, on March 21, 2025.

Ezgi Akin

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

Greek PM Mitsotakis offers rare nod to Ataturk in Turkey amid maritime row

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (L) gestures as he addresses the media during a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, on Feb. 11, 2026.

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

Israel's Foreign Minister Eli Cohen gives a press conference in Larnaca on December 20, 2023 talking about a humanitarian aid corridor from the Mediterranean island to war-torn Gaza. (Photo by Elisa AMOURET / AFP) (Photo by ELISA AMOURET/AFP via Getty Images)

Interview

Gaza calm could revive East Med Forum, Israel-Jordan projects: Cohen

In an interview with Al-Monitor, Israeli Energy Minister Cohen estimated that the mega gas deal between Israel and Egypt would reinforce the peace treaty and pave the way for stronger security cooperation in combating Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated groups and Hamas.

Eli Cohen

Eli Cohen

Israeli Energy Minister

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) gestures as he welcomes Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman (R) during an official ceremony at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, on June 22, 2022.

Analysis

Amid Saudi-UAE rivalry, Turkey courts Riyadh without crossing Abu Dhabi

Turkey is moving closer to Saudi Arabia on key regional security files from Yemen to Gaza, while carefully avoiding a rupture with the United Arab Emirates.

Ezgi Akin

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

ATTA KENARE / AFP via Getty Images

Turkey's Fidan says Israel ties harden SDF stance as Syria clashes grow

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Thursday blamed the Syrian Democratic Forces’ ties with Israel for what he cast as the group's increasingly uncompromising posture in Syria.

ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images

Erdogan denies Turkey informed of US exile offer for Maduro prior to capture

While denying knowledge of a US exile plan for Nicolas Maduro, the Turkish president has been reluctant to directly criticize Washington over the Venezuelan leader’s capture.

This photograph taken on April 26, 2023 shows the construction of the Russian-built Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant in Mersin Province. - Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will try to offset his absence from the campaign trail weeks before crucial elections by unveiling the nuclear plant by video link. (Photo by OZAN KOSE / AFP) (Photo by OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Mideast nuclear energy goals tested as Turkey, Saudi Arabia eye breakthroughs

Though the region’s nuclear energy boom was supposed to be in full swing by 2025, key projects have all fallen behind schedule or fizzled entirely — but new momentum could be emerging.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Somalis celebrate the victory of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after he won the presidential run-off election during the celebration organized by the government in Mogadishu, on May 29, 2023.

Analysis

Turkey casts Israel’s Somaliland move as overreach, but Somalia’s fragility poses risks

Israel’s recognition of Somaliland is widely dismissed in Ankara as a strategic overreach, but it is nevertheless exposing the limits of Turkey’s influence in Somalia.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Lay Ren

Interview

Youth, strong AI adoption make MENA leading region for smartphones: OPPO

The Chinese mobile phone manufacturer's Lay Ren, who heads up the company's business in the Middle East and North Africa regions, said the Gulf is the epicenter of regional growth but stressed that North Africa is poised to follow.

Lay Ren

Lay Ren

President of OPPO MENA

YASIN AKGUL/AFP via Getty Images

Culture

Turkish museums celebrate banner year for history, architecture, art

From Italian architect Renzo Piano’s Istanbul Modern to a restored mansion in Izmir, Turkey’s museums swept awards for architecture and visitor experience.

Residents wave Somaliland flags as they gather to celebrate Israel's announcement recognizing Somaliland's statehood in downtown Hargeisa, on Dec. 26, 2025.

Analysis

Israel’s Somaliland gamble: Redrawing influence in the Horn of Africa

The United States was the only country Monday to defend Israel at the United Nations Security Council over its decision last Friday to recognize breakaway Somaliland.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

US President Donald Trump and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan gesture as they pose for a photo during a world leaders' summit on ending the Gaza war on Oct. 13, 2025 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

Analysis

Trump-Erdogan ties pay off for Turkey in 2025 as Ankara pushes for F-35s

Leader-level diplomacy between Ankara and Washington produced selective gains but failed to break the deadlock over defense sanctions imposed for Turkey’s S-400 purchase.

Ezgi Akin

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

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