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Turkey

Turkey

December 30, 2025

Ankara 2:18 am

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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.

Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

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

Although Turkey does not have abundant oil and gas resources, Ankara wants to position itself as a regional gas hub linking Europe and Asia.

Latest News

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

Analysis

Eyeing Turkey, Netanyahu boosts Greece, Cyprus ties ahead of US visit

ABIR SULTAN / AFP via Getty Images

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

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

MURTAJA LATEEF/AFP via Getty Images

Iran’s FM Araghchi mobilizes against Israel in visits to Jordan, Egypt, Turkey

Iran’s foreign minister has paid visits to several countries in the region in the past weeks, with the latest stop taking him to Jordan, amid Israel’s expected retaliation for Iran's missile attack.

Cyprus' President Nikos Christodoulides (L) and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar (R) speak to reporters outside the anthropological laboratory of the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus (CMP) in the United Nations buffer zone splitting the divided capital Nicosia on July 28, 2023.

As crisis cripples region, long-divided Cyprus' leaders meet in New York

Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar and Greek Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides are meeting with the UN chief Tuesday, but recent history inspires doubt about their ability to resume the negotiations.

Israeli security and emergency personnel cordon off the site of an explosion in Tel Aviv, on Aug. 18, 2024.

Israel says August Tel Aviv suicide attack planned by Hamas office in Turkey

The Shin Bet and Israel Police revealed that they arrested nine people suspected of involvement in the August Tel Aviv suicide bomber attack, allegedly carried out under instructions from Hamas' office in Turkey.

Turkish air force fighter jets perform a military parade over the Bosphorus as Camlica mosque is seen in the background to mark the 100th anniversary of Turkish Republic in Istanbul on Oct. 29,2023.

Erdogan’s AKP postpones bill to impose credit card fees to support Turkey’s defense

Plans to collect credit card fees in a bid to boost the defense industry are put on hold after a public backlash.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of Turkey's invasion of Cyprus on July 20, 2024 in occupied northern Nicosia, Cyprus.

Turkey’s Erdogan confirms 'political softening' with pro-Kurdish party

The statement comes amid a public debate on the possible revival of a process aiming to settle the country’s 40-year-old Kurdish problem through peaceful means.

CHRISTINE OLSSON/TT/TT NEWS AGENCY/AFP via Getty Images

Turkish-American economist Daron Acemoglu wins joint Nobel Prize

Turkish-American Daron Acemoglu has become Turkey's third Nobel laureate.

(R to L) Somali Ambassador to Ankara Fathudin Ali Mohamed, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan bid farewell to the Oruc Reis departs from Istanbul.

Analysis

Turkey's hydrocarbon mission to Somalia extends its Africa influence

Turkey-Somalia ties enter a new phase as the Turkish research vessel RV Oruc Reis heads to Somali waters to prospect for oil and natural gas.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

An employee works on a steel wheel production line at a factory in Qingzhou, in eastern China's Shandong province on Sept. 27, 2024.

Turkey slaps steel tariffs on China, India, Russia, Japan as trade tensions soar

The move follows China filing a complaint against Turkey at the World Trade Organization over Turkish tariffs on imports of electric vehicles.

A Turkish Bayraktar TB2 combat drone is on view during a presentation at the Lithuanian Air Force Base in Siauliai, Lithuania, on July 6, 2022.

Albania to receive 'significant' number of drones from Turkey, PM says

Turkey pledged to send drones to Egypt earlier this year, while the Maldives recently unveiled two Bayraktar TB2 aircraft.

A man looks at high meat prices at a butcher in the historic Ulus district in Ankara on Jan. 27, 2023.

Popular steakhouse accused of pork fraud divides Turkey

While official tests revealed traces of pork, the company’s owner suggests a “dark plot.”

Supporters of the pro-Kurdish Peoples DEM Party attend a rally for the Turkish Municipal elections to be held on March 31, in Esenyurt Square, in Istanbul on Feb. 25, 2024.

Exclusive

Turkey mulls peace talks with Kurds amid fears of Israeli strike on Iran

Three well-placed sources told Al-Monitor that exploratory talks for a possible resumption of negotiations between the Turkish government and imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan were already underway.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Protesters take part in a demonstration in support of We Will Stop Femicide outside the courthouse in Istanbul on Sept. 13, 2023.

Outrage sweeps Turkey over double femicide as Erdogan pledges stricter measures

Activists are highlighting the government's failure to enforce existing laws to protect women.