As Turkey agrees to let Sweden into NATO, some see a pivot back to the West
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's U-turn on Sweden's NATO membership bid is fuelling speculation that he may be pivoting back to his traditional Western allies. Until now the Turkish leader has...
View ArticleTurkey may be key to salvaging Ukraine's Black Sea grain exports
Russia's decision to walk out on a deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey to allow Ukrainian grain exports through the Black Sea has prompted fears of soaring prices and global famine. Turkey,...
View ArticleNewly reconciled, Turkey and Egypt could be a force for stability in Africa
The restoration of full diplomatic relations between Turkey and Egypt raises hope that cooperation can replace rivalry between these two regional powers. Turkey and Egypt have both been involved in...
View ArticleIstanbul facing drastic water shortages brought on by climate change
Turkey's largest city faces one of its worst droughts with record high temperatures, blamed on climate change. With many of the city's water reservoirs nearly empty, experts warn Istanbul could face...
View ArticleWith elections behind them, leaders of Greece and Turkey look to reset relations
Historic rivals Greece and Turkey look closer to a rapprochement as their leaders step up efforts to improve ties after receiving strong election mandates this year. Foreign ministers from the two...
View ArticleWest looks on as Turkey-Russia relations deepen following Sochi summit
Recent tensions in relations between Ankara and Moscow had stoked hopes among Turkey's Western allies of a rupture in the close relationship. But a summit on Monday between Turkish President Recep...
View ArticleHow one man's ship-spotting hobby is helping thwart Russian sanction-busting
Despite Russia facing ever-tightening sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine, it has managed to keep up a steady trade with international markets, thanks to the Bosphorus waterway through Istanbul. RFI...
View ArticleTurkey's Erdogan steps up efforts to save Black Sea grain deal
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is presenting himself as the man to save the Ukrainian grain export deal. The United Nations General Assembly saw Erdogan stepping up his efforts to rescue the...
View ArticleIsraeli PM eyes visit to Turkey as rapprochement efforts continue
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to visit Turkey in October or November, according to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. This as rapprochement efforts accelerate. The announcement...
View ArticleCan Turkey tip the balance of power in the Caucasus conflict?
This week's collapse in European Union peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia underlines the growing importance of Turkey in the region, as Azerbaijan blames its refusal to attend the "talks" on...
View ArticleLinks to Hamas complicate Turkey's rapprochement with Israel
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's links to Hamas are under growing scrutiny following the group's deadly assault on Israel. Erdogan has positioned himself as a mediator in securing the release...
View ArticleAs Azerbaijan and Turkey join forces, fears of Armenia conflict grow
Fears are growing of a conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia as Baku ratchets up its rhetoric against Yerevan, reiterating calls for a corridor through Armenian territory. The move comes as...
View ArticleTurkey under fire after declaring Hamas a 'liberation' group
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is on a collision course with its Western and Middle Eastern allies after vigorously defending Hamas, declaring it to be a "liberation movement" rather than a...
View ArticleTurkey, Iran put rivalries aside as Gaza conflict provides common ground
Iran's Foreign Minister visited the Turkish capital this week amid growing regional rivalry as Ankara seeks to expand its influence from the Caucasus to Central Asia. But the conflict in the Middle...
View ArticleTurkey talks tough on Israel but resists calls to cut off oil
With Israeli forces stepping up their assault on the Gaza Strip and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan continuing to ramp up his rhetoric against the government of Prime Minister Benjamin...
View ArticleIran leader to visit Turkey as rapprochement continues over Gaza war
The Iranian president's visit to Turkey this week comes amid deeply strained bilateral tensions as a result of regional rivalries. However, Israel's assault on Gaza stands to alleviate those problems...
View ArticleTurkey's embattled civil society fears worst as foreign funding dries up
Civil society groups in Turkey say their future hangs in the balance as more and more international donors pull out or cut back their support. Overseas funding is drying up as Turkish President Recep...
View ArticleTurkey's bid to join EU back on the table at upcoming summit
Turkey's decades-long bid to join the European Union will be back on the agenda as EU leaders meet at a summit later this month. They are also expected to focus on Ukrainian membership as part of an...
View ArticleSweden's Nato bid languishes as Turkey holds out in standoff with US
Swedish hopes of early Nato membership are fading as Turkey continues to hold up Sweden's bid as part of a standoff with the United States. In July, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson declared he...
View ArticleAttack on football referee exposes anti-elite resentment in divided Turkey
The assault of a referee at a Turkish professional football match has drawn international condemnation and the unprecedented suspension of all league games. But it's also brought into focus the wider...
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