Analysis How Turkish, Russian interests align in West Africa The Turkish role in East Africa contrasts with Ankara’s efforts to counter Russia elsewhere, including in Libya, Syria and Ukraine. By Cagatay Cebe In Istanbul, reporting on security and counterterrorism
Netanyahu priority may be Sinwar, not Gaza cease-fire A recap of Al-Monitor reporting from Israel, Iran, the UAE and Turkey. Palestine
Iraq downs Turkish drone over airspace violation, army says The statement comes less than two weeks after Ankara and Baghdad signed a security cooperation deal, and as Turkish officials are preparing to host Iraqi, Emirati and Qatari officials for a major trade corridor project that will connect Iraq and Turkey. Turkey
Turkey blocks multiple X accounts, cites 'terrorist crackdown' Turkey has mounted repeated attacks on the Kurdish-led region on the grounds that it is governed by terrorists. Turkey
Analysis Libya upheaval: Why Turkey is mum over heightened tensions in Tripoli By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis What Turkey's latest cruise missile means for defense industry, regional posture By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis Turkey’s security pact with Iraq: Which side came out on top? By Amberin Zaman In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Will Turkish drones help Ukraine reclaim territory? As the Ukrainian news media buzzes with speculation that Ukraine may be planning to reclaim control of Donbass by Turkish drones, direct involvement by Turkey in the Ukraine-Russia conflict would cost Ankara dearly in its relations with Moscow. Turkey
EU to sanction Turkey over gas-drilling activities At a summit in Brussels Thursday, European leaders appeared ready to impose sanctions on Turkish individuals and companies linked to energy-prospecting activities in the eastern Mediterranean Sea that have raised regional tensions over the last year. Turkey
Intel: Russia sets up military positions in Syria’s Ain Issa after shelling from Turkish-controlled side The move follows Russian talks with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces Syria
Shared interests in Iran, Caucuses push Turkey and Israel closer Ankara’s growing isolation and a combination of broader geopolitical factors, including Iran and the Caucasus, are driving a fresh bid to normalize Turkish-Israeli ties. Turkey
Turkey chooses pro-Erdogan ambassador to Israel in bid to normalize ties There has been no ambassador in either country since May 2018, when Ankara withdrew its envoy over escalating attacks on Palestinians in Gaza and Washington's decision to relocate its embassy to Jerusalem. Israel
Eastern Libyan forces intercept Turkish ship en route to Misrata Forces loyal to eastern Libyan strongman Khalifa Hifter intercepted a Jamaican-flagged Turkish ship in the Mediterranean Sea late Monday in a move that could escalate regional tensions. Turkey
Opposition turns up pressure on Erdogan over defense dealings with Qatar Turkey’s political opposition has stepped up pressure on the government over its often-opaque dealings with Qatar as the country’s tank production contract, awarded to a Turkish-Qatari joint venture, remains bogged down. Qatar
Mixed signals over Israel-Turkey relations An article published in the Tel Aviv University Turkeyscope review might suggest that Ankara wants to rehabilitate its relations with Jerusalem. Israel
Facing EU sanctions threat, Erdogan calls for dialogue once more Ahead of a European Council summit in which EU leaders will discuss sanctions on Ankara this week over energy prospecting activities in the eastern Mediterranean, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated calls for dialogue, urging bloc members not be swayed by Greek and Cypriot agendas. Turkey
Are there signs of thaw in Turkish-Saudi relations? A phone call between the Turkish and Saudi leaders generated hopes for thawing of relations between Ankara and Riyadh, but significant roadblocks must be removed to end bellicose affairs. Saudi Arabia
How realistic are Turkey’s ambitions over strategic corridor with Azerbaijan Turkey is pinning high economic hopes on a transport link that would connect it to Azerbaijan and beyond, but Russia and Iran have caveats and the viability of Turkey’s projects are open to question. Turkey
Turkish inflation creeps higher as Central Bank pressed to act Turkey’s annual inflation hit 14.03% in November, well above forecasts, raising pressure on the nation’s new Central Bank governor to impose tight monetary policies. Turkey