The Latest Breaking News from Ankara

Turkey urges Biden administration to be 'decisive' over F-16 deal as Congress objects

Turkey on Wednesday urged the Biden administration to be decisive in its bid to sell F-16 warplanes to Turkey and convince the U.S. Congress to drop its opposition to a planned $20 billion deal.

Reuters · Jan 18, 2023

Türkiye, Iran Support Syria's Territorial Integrity, Unity

Türkiye and Iran have reiterated their support for a political solution in Syria and preserving its unity and territorial integrity. They also stressed the need to solve the many problems of the Syrian crisis within the framework of the Astana track. “Türkiye and Iran support Syria’s territorial integrity and political…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Jan 18, 2023

What’s at Stake in Türkiye’s Upcoming Elections?

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is aiming to extend his 20-year rule in elections that will decide not just who leads Türkiye but how it is governed, where its economy is headed and what role it may play to ease conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East. The presidential and parliamentary…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Jan 18, 2023

Turkish Mobilization in Northern Syria Signals Stalled Normalization with Syrian Regime

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a phone call conversation on Monday, discussed developments in Syria. Turkish and Iranian media reported that Iran’s top diplomat, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, might be visiting Ankara on Tuesday to meet with his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu. Meanwhile, developments in northern…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Jan 17, 2023

Turkish President Erdogan keeps the world guessing on NATO expansion

Six months after Turkey agreed to NATO allies inviting Sweden and Finland to join the alliance, the expansion has stalled as Ankara holds out on ratifying the applications.

Tribune News Service · Jan 16, 2023

Clashes Escalate in Northern Syria amid Ankara-Damascus 'Normalization' Talks

Clashes escalated between the Turkish forces and the regime forces in northern Syria, amid preparations for the foreign ministers meeting of Türkiye, Syria, and Russia, within the framework of the second phase of normalizing relations between Ankara and Damascus. A Turkish soldier was killed, and others were injured, after the…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Jan 15, 2023

Turkish official gives June date for Nordic NATO expansion

A senior Turkish official says Sweden and Finland are unlikely to be able to join NATO before June

The Independent UK · Jan 14, 2023

Turkey pushes back vote on Sweden and Finland’s Nato accession

Ratification will have to wait at least until after elections in May or June, says senior official

The Guardian - UK · Jan 14, 2023

Erdogan aide says time running out to ratify Sweden, Finland NATO bids

Turkey is running out of time to ratify NATO membership bids by Sweden and Finland before it holds elections expected in May, a Turkish presidential spokesman said on Saturday.

Reuters · Jan 14, 2023

Turkish prosecutors to probe Erdogan effigy incident in Sweden -state media

Turkey's foreign minister said on Friday Ankara expected firm action from Sweden after an incident in Stockholm in which an effigy of President Tayyip Erdogan was strung up, adding further diplomatic strain to Sweden's bid to join NATO.

Reuters · Jan 13, 2023