Turkey
200,000 displaced Syrians flee towards Turkey
Pressure is mounting on Turkish authorities to open their borders to more than 200,000 refugees from Syria. What prevents the refugees from entering is a 764-km wall Turkey has built along the border, in fear of Kurdish "terrorists".
Turkey preparing for possible US sanctions over S-400s
Turkey’s defence minister said it was preparing for potential US sanctions over its purchase of Russian S-400 missile defence systems, even while he said there was some improvement in talks with the United States over buying F-35 fighter jets.
Barnier urges Ankara to show restraint in Cyprus drilling spat
The European Union on Monday (20 May) called on Turkey to show restraint and respect the sovereign rights of Cyprus in a dispute over exploiting energy wealth off the Mediterranean island.
Tensions mount over Turkey’s drilling off Cyprus
Turkey launched a major naval exercise on Monday (13 May) in a show of force that comes amid mounting tensions over its plans to start drilling off Cyprus.
Dwindling Turkish economy looms large over Istanbul mayoral election
Turkish economy has been faced with one of the most challenging times in its history. The re-run decision of İstanbul mayoral election has unnerved financial markets and put pressure on the already ailing lira, which tumbled to its weakest level in eight months at 6.2460.
Re-run of Istanbul election: same candidates, different strategies
Istanbul is getting ready for a re-run of the mayoral election that has laid bare Turkey’s deep political divisions and raised concerns about its democracy. People are canceling vacations, and holiday resorts published spoofs about heavy snows expected on 23 June.
Erdogan obtains re-run of Istanbul election, opposition denounces ‘dictatorship’
Turkey’s High Election Board (YSK) has ordered a rerun of Istanbul's mayoral elections, accepting the ruling AK Party's objection 36 days after a stunning opposition victory in the country's biggest city.
Tensions mount in Turkey ahead of Istanbul election verdict
Turkey's highest electoral body is expected to rule in the coming hours on the appeal by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s AKP party, for a re-run of the Istanbul local elections, five weeks after a stunning opposition victory in the city.
Russian S-400s due in Turkey in July, despite US opposition
Russia will start the controversial delivery of the S-400 missile defence systems to Turkey in July, the head of Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport said, even though Washingon has threatened sanctions if the deal goes through.
Turkey’s opposition takes office in Istanbul, re-run appeal still pending
Turkey's main opposition candidate took office as Istanbul mayor on Wednesday (17 April) after a stunning victory over President Tayyip Erdogan's AK Party, but the new head of the country's largest city still faces an appeal for the vote to be re-run.
Erdogan’s party submits appeal for rerun of Istanbul elections
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s AK Party on Tuesday (16 April) submitted its promised appeal for the annulment and rerun of Istanbul’s municipal elections, over what it said were irregularities that marred the March 31 vote.
Turkey says it will look to Russia if US won’t sell F-35s
Turkey warned on Wednesday (10 April) that it could buy jets and additional air defense systems from Russia if it cannot get Patriot missile shields and F-35 jets from Washington, raising the prospect of ever deeper defense ties between Moscow and a NATO member.
Erdogan calls for annulment of Istanbul election
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said electoral authorities should annul Istanbul’s local elections due to irregularities, notably over the appointment of ballot box officials, the pro-government Sabah newspaper reported on Wednesday (10 April).
Erdogan says Russian S-400s delivery may be brought forward
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said the delivery of Russian S-400 missile defense systems may be brought forward from July, the Sabah newspaper reported on Wednesday (10 April), sticking to a purchase which has put Turkey at odds with NATO...
Erdogan’s AK Party to seek recount of all Istanbul votes
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's AK Party is seeking a full recount of all votes cast in local elections in Istanbul, a senior party official said on Sunday (7 April), a week after initial results showed a narrow victory for Turkey's main opposition party.
US halts F-35 equipment to Turkey, protests its plans to buy from Russia
The United States has halted delivery of equipment related to the stealthy F-35 fighter aircraft to Turkey, marking the first concrete US step to block delivery of the jet to the NATO ally in light of Ankara’s planned purchase of a Russian missile defense system.
Erdogan loses hold over Ankara and Istanbul, blames it on the economy
Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan suffered a severe setback as his ruling AK Party lost control of the capital Ankara for the first time in a local election and he appeared to concede defeat in the country’s largest city, Istanbul.
US may pause preparations for delivering F-35s to Turkey
The United States could soon freeze preparations for delivering F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, officials told Reuters, in what would be the strongest signal yet by Washington that Ankara cannot have both the advanced aircraft and Russia’s S-400 air defence system.
Local and geopolitics intrude in Israel’s attempt to supply Europe with gas
Israel is moving quickly with the help of the US in a bid to transform Europe’s energy market. But geopolitics – and a large dose of local activism – could change the economic calculation for the EastMed pipeline, writes Joseph Dana.
Erdogan accuses Women’s Day march of disrespecting Islam
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Sunday (10 March) accused a women’s march in central Istanbul on Friday of disrespecting Islam by booing the Islamic call to prayer.
Erdogan says Turkey will not go back on missile defence deal with Russia
Turkey will not go back on its agreement to buy S-400 missile defence systems from Russia, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Wednesday (6 March), adding that Ankara may subsequently look into buying S-500 systems.
Egypt hits back at Turkey over EU-Arab summit criticism
Egypt hit back Wednesday (27 February) at Turkish criticism of EU leaders for meeting their Arab counterparts in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh just days after Cairo executed nine people. The foreign ministry accused Turkish President Recep Tayyip...
Greece, Turkey vow to defuse tensions through dialogue
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras stressed Tuesday (5 February) they planned to resolve disputes between their two countries through dialogue.