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

Turkey

Turkey

April 11, 2026

Ankara 6:04 pm

8°C

This picture taken on Oct. 19, 2020 in Istanbul shows Turkey's third drilling ship 'Kanuni' as it enters the bosphorus near Haydarpasa port.

Turkey launches first overseas drilling mission in Somalia: What to know

A drilling ship has reached Somalia to start Turkey's first overseas drilling mission as regional rivalry heats up in the Horn of Africa.

Yasin AKGUL / AFP via Getty Images

Turkey detains 11 over ISIS-linked attack on Israeli Consulate: What to know

The attack was likely designed to portray Turkey as protecting Israel by targeting the local police guarding the consulate, one observer notes.

Latest News

One gunman killed during attack near Israel’s consulate in Istanbul

Police officials stand among traffic as they patrol near the Israeli Consulate following a shootout between gunmen and police, Istanbul, Turkey, April 7, 2026.

Analysis

How the Iran war can help Syria manage Turkey and its regional rivals

This handout photograph provided by the Turkish Foreign Ministry press service shows Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (L) meeting with Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani (R) in Damascus on Dec. 22, 2025.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Third Turkish ship clears Hormuz as Ankara presses Tehran on safe passage

A bulk carrier sits anchored at Sultan Qaboos Port on March 23, 2026 in Muscat, Oman.

Analysis

Turkey’s expanding military role in Somalia draws scrutiny amid federal rift

Turkey's Camp TURKSOM, a Turkish military base south of Mogadishu, is seen from the window of an aircraft, on April 26, 2025, in Mogadishu, Somalia.

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

Turkey heads to local elections amid voter apathy, unclarity for Erdogan

Melting purchasing power in Turkey looms large over the upcoming local elections.

Laura

Turkish man rapes Dutch cow; Islamophobes have a field day

The incident is likely to serve as ammunition for the swelling number of Islamophobes in the country.

Attendees wearing traditional dress arrive at the Grand Palais Ephemere for the Riyadh 2030 reception event to promote Riyadh's candidacy for 2030 World Expo, in Paris on June 19, 2023. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP) (Photo by LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images)

Growing Middle East economic and investment cooperation caught between tailwinds and headwinds

Turkish police are seen raiding an apartment suspected of housing ISIS operatives, in an undated video.

Turkey expands crackdown on ISIS after Russia attack

Tuesday’s detentions brought the number of people detained in the country to more than 180 since the ISIS branch's attack on Crocus City Hall in Moscow.

Turkey's President and leader of Justice and Development (AK) Party Recep Tayyip Erdogan attends an election campaign rally in Istanbul on March 24, 2024, ahead of the March 31 municipal elections.

Erdogan snags White House invite in diplomatic win, Turkish press reports

Turkey's president seems to be finally visiting the White House in May in apparent quid pro quo for approving Sweden’s NATO membership, possibly boosting his ruling party ahead of nationwide polls.

TATYANA MAKEYEVA/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey detains 40 ISIS suspects amid reports Moscow terror suspect came from Istanbul

Turkey has recently rounded up 40 suspected Islamic State militants just as reports emerge that one of the suspected perpetrators of last week's Moscow concert attack had traveled to Russia from Turkey.

This photo taken on Oct. 29, 2023, in Istanbul shows a Bayraktar TB-2 drone and helicopters on the Turkish navy's L-400 Anadolu warship, during a naval military parade on the Bosphorus to mark the 100th anniversary of the Turkish Republic.

Turkey's military scorecard: Naval and aerial advances but lacks money, speed

If Turkey wants to play in the "big leagues" with the United States, Russia and China, it has to provide its military-industrial complex with greater pace and resources.

Turkish minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Simsek is surrounded by journalists after making a statement during the group meeting of Justice and Development (AK) Party at the Turkish Grand National Assembly in Ankara, on June 21, 2023. (Photo by Adem ALTAN / AFP) (Photo by ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images)

How Turkey's economic, inflation policy hinges on upcoming local elections

The outcome of Turkey’s March 31 local polls is likely to influence Erdogan’s decision on whether to enact the tough disinflation measures favored by the economic leadership.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan speaks as he announces Murat Kurum as his ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) candidate in Istanbul's upcoming mayoral election in March, in Istanbul on Jan. 7, 2024.

Turkey hits back after Israel protests Erdogan's comments cursing Netanyahu

The Israeli foreign minister told the Turkish president to “be quiet" after Erdogan said he was leaving Netanyahu "in the Lord's hands" at a Thursday election rally.

Kurdish communities in Turkey gathered in Sirnak, Cizre, to commemorate Nowruz, March 20, 2024.

Turkey detains hundreds of Kurds for wearing ‘forbidden’ colors at Nowruz rallies

The government's actions come ahead of nationwide elections in which the pro-Kurdish DEM Party is fielding its own candidates.

Turkey GCC trade ministers

GCC, Turkey launch talks on free trade agreement

According to the Turkish trade minister, the new free trade agreement will create one of the world’s largest free trade areas.

A teller holds Turkish lira banknotes at a currency exchange office in Istanbul, Aug. 13, 2018.

Breaking | Last Updated: March 21, 2024, 12:45 pm

In surprise move, Turkey’s Central Bank hikes interest rates to 50%

The move comes after the bank announced last month that it was pausing the hikes.