Turkey
Greece says Turkish boats tried to force migrants into its waters
Greek authorities on Tuesday (9 November) aired a video showing a rubber dinghy filled with migrants and escorted by two Turkish boats which they said were trying to force it into Greek waters.
Turkey and West climb down from brink of biggest diplomatic crisis
Turkey and its Western allies climbed down from a full-blown diplomatic crisis on Monday after foreign embassies said that they abide by diplomatic conventions on non-interference, averting a threatened expulsion of 10 ambassadors.
Erdogan threatens to expel 10 Western envoys
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Thursday (21 October) threatened to expel the US, German and eight other Western ambassadors after they issued a rare joint statement in support of a jailed civil society leader.
Turkey’s Erdogan puts Europe’s colonial past at heart of pivot to Africa
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticised Europe’s colonial past as he launched a new pitch for his country to rival Europe in the race to increase trade and investment ties with Africa.
Turkey plans military action against Syrian Kurdish YPG if diplomacy fails
Turkey is preparing for possible further military action against a US-backed Kurdish militia in northern Syria if talks on the issue with the United States and Russia fail, two Turkish officials said.
Turkey summons 10 ambassadors over calls for philanthropist’s release
Turkey's Foreign Ministry summoned the ambassadors of 10 countries, including the United States, Germany and France, over a statement calling for the release of philanthropist Osman Kavala, state-owned Anadolu agency said on Tuesday (19 October).
Greece to boost guards on Turkey border
Greece's police minister on Sunday (10 October) said 250 additional guards would be deployed on the country's land border with Turkey, where thousands of asylum-seekers tried to enter last year.
The Brief, powered by GIE — French frigates to fight German submarines in the Aegean?
The EU is quick to call for de-escalation in case of conflicts, it is ambitious about setting itself targets such as “strategic autonomy”, and it succeeds to make its voice heard in the world.
How Paris attacks prompted tougher Greek migrant checks
In a tented courtyard in the migrant camp on Greece's Leros island, a dozen new arrivals await registration after two weeks in COVID-19 quarantine.
Turkey slams Cyprus over removal of ‘Ataturk praise’ from textbook
Turkey on Wednesday (8 September) "strongly condemned" an instruction by the Cypriot administration for English teachers to rip out a page in a textbook mentioning Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic.
Turkey cannot take new refugee burden, foreign minister says
Turkey cannot take the burden of a new migrant wave from Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Sunday (29 August) after talks with his German counterpart, as concerns about a new migrant wave remain after the Taliban's taking of power.
Turkish troops leave Kabul, abandoning hopes for airport
Turkey said Wednesday (25 August) it had started pulling troops out of Afghanistan, apparently abandoning plans to help secure Kabul's strategic airport.
Turkish Cypriot leader says Nicosia is violating passport rights
Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar on Tuesday (24 August) criticised a decision by Greek Cypriot rivals to rescind his passport, saying the move was designed to undermine his community.
Cyprus says to strip passports from Turk Cypriot officials
The government of Cyprus said on Monday (23 August) it would revoke the passports from Turkish Cypriot officials in the breakaway state in the northern part of the island.
Pogroms attest of growing anti-Syrian sentiments in Turkey
Turkish police detained dozens of people on Thursday (12 August) after a mob of angry men smashed up shops and cars believed to belong to Syrian migrants in the capital Ankara.
Turkey wildfires death toll rises to eight
The death toll from wildfires in southern Turkey rose to eight following the discovery of two bodies on Sunday (1 August), officials said, as more people including tourists were evacuated to safety.
Blue Homeland: Turkey’s Strategy in the Eastern Mediterranean
The purpose of the Blue Homeland strategy is that Turkey should dominate the Mediterranean and reclaim the mercantile and maritime power once held by the Ottomans, writes Antonia Colibasanu.
Turkey courts Biden with Kabul airport offer
Turkey is offering to protect Kabul's strategic airport after US forces leave in what experts view as a high-risk bid to improve Ankara's strained ties with Washington.
Turkey detains over 200 migrants in Aegean
Turkey's coast guard has detained more than 200 migrants, including Afghans and Syrians, who were crossing the Aegean Sea on a fishing boat in an attempt to reach Greece, local media reported.
The Brief – Go home Erdogan
Cyprus is an excellent destination for holidays, but it is also a geopolitical volcano. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who doesn’t miss an opportunity to annoy the EU and infuriate Greece, is very active during this holiday season. Among other...
EU, US reject Erdogan’s plans for a two-state solution in Cyprus
Brussels and Washington have reacted strongly to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s decision to partially reopen a coastal resort town emptied of its original Greek Cypriot residents as well as his proposal for a two-state solution on Cyprus issue.
Turkish ship fires warning shots at Cyprus coastguard
A Turkish coastguard vessel fired warning shots Friday (16 July) at a Cyprus police boat on patrol for undocumented migrants near the line of control off the island's north coast, Cypriot media reported.
Women protest as Turkey quits violence-on-women treaty
Police fired tear gas at protesters in Istanbul demonstrating against Turkey's controversial exit on Thursday (1 July) from a treaty combatting femicide and domestic abuse.