Analysis Even as Erdogan befriends Putin, Turkey and Ukraine ink major free trade deal The two countries are finalizing the ratification of the free-trade agreement they signed weeks before the Russian invasion started in February 2022. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
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
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
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
North Cyprus leader pushes for two-state solution, agrees to informal summit North Cyprus President Ersin Tatar reiterated support for a two-state solution as the island’s two leaders agreed to participate in an informal summit during talks with UN envoy Jane Holl Lute Tuesday. Turkey
Cash-strapped Turkey relies on Qatari investments In only five years, Qatar has come to account for 15% of all foreign direct investments in Turkey, second only to deep-rooted Dutch investors. Turkey
What do Turkey's Kurds expect from Biden's presidency? Pro-Kurdish political parties in Turkey are keeping their hope for Joe Biden’s presidency with utmost caution. Turkey
Turkish labor leaders criticize state COVID-19 response as cases surge Turkish officials introduced tighter curfew measures to curb a national surge in COVID-19 rates, drawing criticism from labor rights leaders over exemptions for production workers. Turkey
US confirms Greece is seeking to buy F-35s amid tensions with Turkey The US acknowledgment follows a report earlier this month that Athens formally requested to buy as many as 24 of the advanced fighter aircraft. Turkey
Turkey opens secret channel to fix ties with Israel The Biden administration will not be as lenient on Turkey as the outgoing administration has been, and Recep Tayyip Erdogan finds his country increasingly isolated. Turkey
Despite tension, Turkey attracts more Egyptians than ever Istanbul has been a hot destination for Egyptians for many years and the trend is only increasing despite the tensions between the two countries. Egypt
Erdogan weighs new reality in US-Turkey ties under Biden The Turkish president, after backing Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabagh, could feel emboldened to move in Syria, but anticipating the next administration may give pause. Turkey
As EU mulls sanctions against Turkey, East Med allies to begin joint drills Egypt, Greece and Cyprus are preparing to conduct joint military exercises in the Mediterranean Sea as a European summit is expected to impose sanctions on Ankara amid escalating tensions over maritime borders and gas exploration rights. Turkey
Turkey's Erdogan crushes hopes of reform, lashes out at AKP veteran In an address before parliament, the president said there "is no Kurdish problem" in Turkey and took aim at fellow AKP member Bulent Arinc over the latter's comments supporting the release of a jailed Kurdish leader. Turkey
Is Turkey gearing up for military move against Syrian Kurds? A marked increase in Turkish military activity in the area between Ain Issa and Tall Tamer in northern Syria has raised the specter of a fresh Turkish military move to curb the Kurds before Trump leaves the White House. Syria