Türkiye

Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey signed the "Mecca Joint Defence Agreement" on August 7, 2026, committing to collective defense—treating an armed attack on any one as an attack on all. The pact, signed amid the U.S.-Israel war with Iran and Strait of Hormuz disruptions, aims to de-escalate regional tensions, protect maritime routes, and enhance defense cooperation. It leverages Saudi financial power, Turkey’s military capabilities, and Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, signaling a shift in West Asian security architecture.

10 reports · 4 sources · Updated Aug 17, 02:13 PM UTC

Greece has approved over €3 billion for the Achilles Shield, an integrated air- and missile-defense architecture designed for modern warfare dominated by drones and precision weapons. The Greek Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defence approved total armament programs worth €4.2 billion. Athens will acquire three complementary Israeli systems: Spyder AiO for short-range threats, Barak MX for intermediate coverage, and David's Sling for longer-range missiles. The architecture will be connected through an AI-supported command-and-control system with modern radars. This move replaces aging Russian-made Tor-M1 and Osa-AK systems, which have become difficult to maintain due to the war in Ukraine. The program complements the earlier €656 million PULS rocket artillery system contract, which includes precision-guided missiles and loitering munitions for deployment on Aegean islands. Greece's cooperation with Israel is structural, involving joint exercises and industrial programs. While Athens officially states the shield is not directed against any country, Türkiye's expanding missile and drone capabilities remain a key factor, raising concerns about a regional arms race.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 07:12 AM UTC

This analysis from the German Marshall Fund argues that the Middle Corridor—linking Central Asia, the South Caucasus, Türkiye, and Europe—should be viewed by the EU not merely as a transport route but as a strategic instrument to advance multiple policy objectives. Driven by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Red Sea disruptions, and supply-chain resilience concerns, the corridor supports EU economic security, diversification of supply chains, access to critical raw materials, and deeper engagement with Central Asia and the South Caucasus. The article emphasizes that the corridor's value lies in creating strategic options rather than competing with maritime routes. It also highlights Türkiye's vision of becoming a regional logistics and connectivity hub, and the importance of connectivity for Central Asian and South Caucasus countries to diversify partnerships and strengthen economic sovereignty. The EU is urged to actively engage through investment and regulatory cooperation rather than passively allowing other actors to shape the corridor's governance.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 08:03 PM UTC

This analysis from the German Marshall Fund argues that the Middle Corridor, linking Central Asia, the South Caucasus, Türkiye, and Europe, should be viewed by the EU not merely as a transport route but as a strategic instrument to advance multiple policy objectives. Driven by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Red Sea disruptions, and supply-chain resilience concerns, the corridor supports EU economic security, diversification of supply chains, and access to critical raw materials from Central Asia and the South Caucasus. The article emphasizes that the corridor's value lies in creating strategic options rather than competing with maritime routes. It also discusses Türkiye's ambition to become a regional connectivity hub and the importance for Central Asian states to diversify partnerships. The EU is urged to engage actively through investment and governance to counterbalance other actors' influence.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 08:03 PM UTC

Belgium's Defence Minister Theo Francken has declared the joint Dutch-Belgian Anti-Submarine Warfare Frigate (ASWF) programme, led by Dutch shipbuilder Damen, is moving 'completely in the wrong direction' on both delivery dates and price. The programme, intended to replace ageing M-class frigates with four ships (two per navy), faces a design crisis after the original hull proved insufficient, leading to a larger, more expensive design and delays pushing commissioning from 2031 to potentially 2033-2034. Francken announced Belgium will launch a Request for Information (RFI) to European frigate builders in Italy, France, Germany, Spain, and Türkiye, signaling a willingness to explore alternatives beyond the current bilateral cooperation with the Netherlands. He emphasized that no final schedule or budget clarity exists, and a key decision point is expected in autumn 2026. The remarks follow two parliamentary hearings where Francken detailed the programme's 'rough waters' and the urgent need to avoid a capability gap for the Belgian Navy.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 02:18 PM UTC

Belgium's Defence Minister Theo Francken has declared the joint Dutch-Belgian Anti-Submarine Warfare Frigate (ASWF) programme, led by Dutch shipbuilder Damen, is moving 'completely in the wrong direction' on delivery dates and price. The project, intended to replace ageing M-class frigates for both navies, faces a design crisis after the original hull proved insufficient, leading to a larger, more expensive design and delays pushing commissioning from around 2031 to potentially 2033-2034. Francken announced Belgium will launch a Request for Information (RFI) to other European frigate builders, explicitly naming Italy, France, Germany, Spain, and Türkiye, signaling a serious search for alternatives. He emphasized that Belgium may need to make other strategic choices to avoid a capability gap, with a key decision expected in autumn 2026.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 02:18 PM UTC

Volvo Cars reported a Q2 2026 profit, swinging from a net loss of Skr8.10bn a year earlier to net income of Skr417m, driven by cost savings and a stabilizing US market. Revenue fell to Skr77.67bn from Skr93.49bn, partly due to a one-off effect. The company achieved its Skr5bn full-year cost savings target six months early, aided by a headcount reduction of about 3,000 roles. Fully electric vehicles made up 25% of sales, up from 21%, while electrified models (including plug-in hybrids) accounted for 52%. The US market showed growth in May and June after a prolonged decline, and Europe held up despite competition. However, China weakened markedly, affecting both Volvo and the broader industry. The company expects stronger sales in the second half of 2026, driven by Europe and US recovery, and plans to unveil two new models later this year.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 11:20 AM UTC

The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) Irving Fisher Committee on Central Bank Statistics (IFC) has announced its 5th workshop on 'Data Science in Central Banking', to be held in Istanbul, Türkiye from 23-25 March 2027. Co-hosted with the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye (CBRT) and supported by the Bank of Italy (BoI), the workshop will focus on the theme 'From efficiency to effectiveness: AI-augmented human expertise in central banks'. It will explore AI applications across central bank functions, including generative AI, agents, and language models, as well as data science for economic analysis, technological solutions for scaling AI, and information governance. The event is open to practitioners from central banks, statistical offices, international organizations, academia, and the private sector. Submissions of papers and presentations are invited by 30 November 2026, with accepted contributions to be published in a special issue of the IFC Bulletin. Virtual participation is available for non-presenters.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 05:59 AM UTC

The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) Irving Fisher Committee on Central Bank Statistics (IFC) has announced its 5th workshop on 'Data Science in Central Banking', to be held in Istanbul, Türkiye from 23-25 March 2027. Co-hosted with the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye (CBRT) and supported by the Bank of Italy (BoI), the workshop will focus on the theme 'From efficiency to effectiveness: AI-augmented human expertise in central banks'. It will explore AI applications across central bank functions, including generative AI, language models, and machine learning for economic analysis, statistics, and financial stability. The event targets practitioners from central banks, statistical offices, international organizations, academia, and the private sector. Submissions of papers and presentations are invited by 30 November 2026, with accepted works to be published in a special issue of the IFC Bulletin. The workshop offers both in-person and virtual participation options.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 05:59 AM UTC

The U.S. State Department has approved a potential $80.1 million sale to Greece of 350 Switchblade 300 Block 20 loitering munitions, along with 35 fire control systems and Switchblade 600 anti-armor variants. Manufactured by AeroVironment, the Switchblade 300 is a portable, tube-launched drone that can loiter for over 20 minutes before striking a target. The deal reflects Greece's efforts to modernize its military amid ongoing tensions with Türkiye over Aegean Sea disputes. The weapon's combat record in Ukraine, where over 700 units have been used, has driven global demand. Congressional notification is the first step, and the sale is unlikely to face opposition as Greece is a NATO ally. The package requires no additional U.S. personnel in Greece, indicating local familiarity with the systems.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 12:45 PM UTC

The U.S. State Department has approved a potential $80.1 million sale of 350 Switchblade 300 Block 20 loitering munitions to Greece, along with 35 fire control systems and Switchblade 600 anti-armor variants. The portable drones, built by AeroVironment, can be launched by a single soldier and used for precision strikes against personnel or armored vehicles. The deal reflects Greece's ongoing military modernization amid tensions with Türkiye over Aegean Sea disputes. The Switchblade's combat record in Ukraine, where over 700 units have been used, has driven demand among U.S. allies. Congressional notification is the first step, and the sale is unlikely to face opposition given Greece's NATO membership.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 12:45 PM UTC

This German Marshall Fund compendium examines the growing debate over the role of Middle Powers in a multipolar world. US Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby recently argued that Middle Powers lack a coherent basis for alignment, dismissing collective Middle-Power strategy as flawed. The article presents two contrasting perspectives: Özgür Ünlühisarcıklı contends there is no 'Middle Powers Movement' and that these states are national-interest-driven, cooperating only on overlapping interests rather than shared ideology. Dr. Carrie Lee counters that a Middle-Powers movement is a realistic balancing strategy, warning Washington that its retreat from leadership and bullying of allies is driving previously staunch partners to explore alternatives that reduce US leverage. The piece builds on GMF's long-standing research, including the Global Swing States project and Pivotal Powers reports, highlighting countries like Brazil, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Türkiye as key actors shaping global governance, security, and technology outcomes.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 17, 05:10 PM UTC

This German Marshall Fund compendium examines the growing debate over the role of Middle Powers in a multipolar world. US Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby argued on July 14, 2026, that Middle Powers lack a coherent basis for alignment, dismissing collective Middle-Power strategy as flawed. The article features two contrasting analyses: Özgür Ünlühisarcıklı contends there is no unified 'Middle Powers Movement,' as these states are national-interest-driven and cooperate only on overlapping interests, not shared ideology. Dr. Carrie Lee counters that a Middle-Powers movement is emerging as a realist balancing strategy against US policy shifts, warning that Washington's retreat from leadership and bullying of allies is driving partners to seek alternatives that reduce US leverage. The piece builds on GMF's long-standing research, including the Global Swing States project and Pivotal Powers reports, highlighting countries like Brazil, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Türkiye as pivotal actors.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 17, 05:10 PM UTC

This compendium from the German Marshall Fund examines the growing role of Middle Powers in a multipolar world. It features analysis from multiple experts, including a response to US Under Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby's skepticism about a coherent Middle Powers alignment. Özgür Ünlühisarcıklı argues that while Middle Powers like Brazil, India, Indonesia, and Türkiye are gaining influence, they do not form a unified bloc like the Non-Aligned Movement; their cooperation is interest-driven and often minilateral. Dr. Carrie Lee offers a realist perspective, warning that US attempts to bully allies are driving European Middle Powers to seek alternatives that reduce American leverage. The report builds on GMF's long-standing research into how pivotal states are shaping global governance, security, and technology outcomes.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 17, 05:10 PM UTC

This weekly newsletter covers key security events in Central and Eastern Europe from a Polish perspective. The UK pledges €300 million to help deliver 16 Swedish Gripen E fighter jets to Ukraine by 2029, including pilot and engineer training. The NATO summit in Ankara sees Canada commit to higher defence spending and propose a $134 billion Defence, Security and Resilience Bank. Ukraine expands its diplomatic and commercial footprint in Africa, offering drone and counter-disinformation expertise. NATO selects Anduril's Lattice platform for enhanced air command and control. Türkiye considers transferring its Russian S-400 systems to a third country to rejoin the F-35 programme. The EU extends temporary protection for Ukrainians until March 2028 but may exclude new arrivals who evade military service. Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries cause petrol shortages, forcing Moscow to import fuel. The ORKAN 26 exercise in the Baltic Sea tests responses to hybrid threats from Russia's shadow fleet. Germany funds approximately €90 million for 50,000 strike drones for Ukraine.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 17, 08:03 AM UTC

The NATO summit in Ankara marked a significant shift in Canada's defence policy under Prime Minister Mark Carney. Ottawa pledged to meet NATO's new 5% GDP defence spending benchmark by 2035 and proposed establishing the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB), a multilateral institution to mobilize private capital for defence investment, potentially unlocking $134 billion in financing. The DSRB, launched with eight founding members including Albania, Greece, Türkiye, and Ukraine, aims to provide low-interest loans and loan guarantees for defence projects. The initiative overlaps with the UK-led Multilateral Defence Mechanism (MDM), prompting a joint statement emphasizing complementarity. Canada's proactive role contrasts with the previous Trudeau government's resistance to NATO spending targets, signaling a reorientation from passive ally to institutional architect within the Alliance.

1 reports · 1 sources

Trillion Energy International Inc. has finalized plans for a 40-kilometre 2D seismic survey on its M47c,d oil block in southeastern Türkiye, with acquisition targeted for late summer 2026. The program covers three priority exploration areas: the South Lead and the North field discovery area around the Çetinkaya-1 and Çetinkaya-2 wells. The survey builds on a recently completed gravity study that confirmed significant fault-related structures. The North Discovery carries a 2C Contingent Resource of 27.6 million barrels, with an unrisked NPV-10 of US$733.5 million. Trillion's three prospects hold total unrisked resource potential of 51.6 million barrels net to the company. The company expects to complete the seismic acquisition over approximately six weeks, with data interpreted afterward to finalize new well locations for upcoming drilling programs.

1 reports · 1 sources

The European Union has opened accession negotiations with Moldova in the fields of foreign policy and defence, also covering trade policy and humanitarian aid. Irish Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence Thomas Byrne announced the milestone during the Irish Presidency, noting that the pace of work demonstrates the EU's commitment to enlargement. Moldova has held EU candidate status since June 2022, with formal accession negotiations launched in June 2024. In June 2026, negotiations began on the 'fundamentals' cluster, covering rule of law, fundamental rights, justice, freedom, security, democratic institutions, public administration reform, and market economy functioning. The article lists current EU candidate countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Moldova, Serbia, Türkiye, and Ukraine. The accession process remains lengthy and requires extensive reforms, with the latest decision opening two clusters for Ukraine and Moldova.

1 reports · 1 sources

The French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, NATO's only nuclear-powered carrier outside the US Navy, has been training to support the alliance's eastern flank. Defence24.pl was the only Polish media outlet to witness the operation firsthand. The carrier, flagship of the French Navy, embarked on deployment La Fayette, originally focused on northern and eastern Europe as a signal to Russia. However, the mission was interrupted when the strike group was withdrawn following the US-Israeli campaign against Iran. Despite this, the carrier participated in NATO's Neptune Strike exercise in late April, focusing on maritime and air operations including long-range strikes and countering uncrewed systems. The article provides detailed technical specifications of the carrier, its air wing, and its role in NATO exercises.

1 reports · 1 sources

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, ahead of the July 7-8, 2026 Ankara summit, emphasized delivering on the alliance's 5% GDP defense spending target and sending a clear message to Russia. He credited U.S. President Trump for driving over a trillion dollars in increased European and Canadian defense spending. The summit will include Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, focus on defense industry innovation, and aim to smooth tensions with Trump over issues like the Iran war and Greenland. Rutte expects tens of billions in new arms contracts and a credible path to the 5% target by 2035.

64 reports · 22 sources · Updated Jul 14, 06:00 PM UTC

At the NATO summit in Ankara, Secretary General Mark Rutte announced over $50 billion in new defence deals, including the purchase of up to 10 Saab GlobalEye aircraft to replace AWACS, up to five MQ-4C Triton drones, and expansions of the A400M and A330 MRTT fleets. Allies also pledged €35 billion for counter-drone capabilities, launched space initiatives, and discussed increasing defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2035.

9 reports · 3 sources · Updated Jul 9, 07:26 AM UTC

The 5th Universal Science Fiction and Fantasy Film Festival, organized by the International Science and Art Creators Association and supported by Turkey's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, concluded with an award ceremony at the Tarık Zafer Tunaya Cultural Center. The event showcased productions from Türkiye, Germany, the USA, Russia, and Finland across 14 cities. Key awards included Best Feature Film and Best Screenplay for "Itu Ninu," while "Ceremony" won Best Short Film and Best Artificial Intelligence Film. Dmitry Nikolanko received Best Director for "My Boyfriend, A Mannequin," with Anastasiya Panova winning Best Actor. Special recognition was given to Iranian director Nafiseh Laleh for her contribution to the genre, while late Turkish actor Sadri Alışık and historian İlber Ortaylı were honored for their contributions to cinema and science, respectively. Festival President Filiz Dağ emphasized the role of sci-fi in nourishing intellectual production, and Director Dr. İren Dicle Aytaç highlighted the festival's diverse international selection and university-based outreach.

1 reports · 1 sources

According to the latest data from the Rainbow Map, Spain has become the European country with the strongest legal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals, ending Malta's decade-long reign at the top of the rankings. The survey assesses 49 European nations based on their laws and policies affecting the queer population. Following Spain, the top five includes Malta, Iceland, Belgium, and Denmark. Conversely, Belarus, Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Russia occupy the bottom positions, with Russia ranking last amid increasing crackdowns on LGBTQ+ organizations. Spain's ascent to first place is attributed to recent legislative advances, including the 2023 Trans Law, which banned conversion therapies, allowed gender self-determination from age 16, and depathologized trans identities within the health system. Additionally, the Spanish government established an independent authority to combat discrimination and resisted ultra-right attempts to roll back these rights. However, the report cautions that the Rainbow Map measures legal frameworks rather than lived experiences, noting that a significant gap remains between statutory progress and the daily reality for LGBTQ+ people in Spain.

1 reports · 1 sources

The 21st session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) has concluded at the UN headquarters in New York. The meeting was chaired for the past two years by İsmail Belen, Chief Inspector of Turkey's General Directorate of Forestry. In her closing remarks, Belen thanked Turkish ministries for their support and expressed confidence in the forum's future cooperation. She emphasized Turkey's active role in the UNFF and its strong historical relationship with the organization. Belen highlighted Turkey's success in increasing forest coverage by approximately 4 million hectares since 1973, contrasting this global trend of deforestation with Turkey's afforestation efforts. She attributed this success to robust forestry legislation, education, and public acceptance, noting that Turkey possesses twelve forest faculties, a unique feature globally. Furthermore, she asserted Turkey's leadership in combating forest fires. The UNFF serves as a high-level intergovernmental platform established in 2000 to promote sustainable forest management and international policy harmonization.

1 reports · 1 sources

A Turkish court has sentenced Niyazi Nefi Kara, the former mayor of Manavgat in Antalya, to more than 46 years in prison. Kara, a former member of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), was found guilty of charges including corruption, money laundering, and leading a criminal organization. The former deputy mayor also received a 40-year sentence. This verdict is part of a broader series of legal proceedings against CHP municipal officials following recent local elections, where the ruling AKP party lost control of several key cities. The CHP characterizes these trials as a politically motivated campaign and judicial manipulation by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s government. Conversely, Erdoğan denies any influence over the judiciary. The case highlights escalating tensions in Turkish politics, paralleling the high-profile prosecution of former Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who faces potentially millennia in prison. Kara had previously resigned from the CHP months after his removal from office. The proceedings underscore the deepening rift between the opposition and the state apparatus in Turkey.

1 reports · 1 sources

The Iran national football team is conducting pre-World Cup training in Turkey amid significant visa uncertainties for the 2026 tournament in the United States. Following recent military strikes and heightened geopolitical tensions, US visas remain unissued for the squad. FIFA officials are meeting with Iranian representatives in Istanbul to reassure them of their participation, despite diplomatic strains and entry bans for some officials. While Iran seeks logistical solutions like local fingerprinting, FIFA insists on keeping matches in the US, highlighting the complex intersection of international sports and ongoing Middle East conflicts.

301 reports · 51 sources · Updated Jul 7, 07:47 AM UTC

A flag-raising ceremony was conducted at Bowling Green Park in Wall Street, New York, to mark the upcoming 43rd Turkish Day Parade. The event took place under the auspices of Türkiye's Presidential Directorate of Communications and was coordinated by the Federation of Turkish American Associations (TADF). The ceremony was attended by key figures including Türkiye's New York Consul General Muhittin Ahmet Yazal, representatives from various diplomatic missions, leaders of Turkish schools, associations, non-governmental organizations, and numerous Turkish citizens. Following a moment of silence and brief speeches, the Turkish flag was raised with great enthusiasm in the heart of New York's financial district. The event also featured a performance by the mehter band, which is affiliated with the Turkish Ministry of National Defense. This ceremony serves as a prelude to the main parade scheduled to take place the following day, highlighting the cultural presence and community engagement of Turkish Americans in New York City.

1 reports · 1 sources

Bülent Turan, Turkey’s Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, emphasized Türkiye's pivotal role as a regional deterrent force during speeches in Kırşehir. Speaking at the 20th anniversary ceremony of Ahi Evran University and later at the AK Party provincial headquarters, Turan highlighted the country's robust defense industry and strong military as key assets amidst ongoing instability in the Middle East. He asserted that Türkiye would continue its path as a main actor in the region, capable of withstanding international shocks. Domestically, Turan addressed emerging security challenges, including the rise in synthetic drugs and cybercrimes linked to technology use among youth. He outlined the AK Party's election agenda, focusing on achieving single-digit inflation, creating a 'Terror-free Turkey,' and protecting societal values against cultural shocks, specifically mentioning issues like LGBT rights and disbelief. Turan also criticized political opponents for divisive rhetoric regarding Kurdish identity, urging an end to verbal hostility. The event included remarks from local governors and university officials, reinforcing themes of national strength, moral education, and political continuity ahead of the upcoming elections.

1 reports · 1 sources

This live report from Le Monde details the aftermath of a massive Russian bombing campaign against Kyiv on May 15, 2026. Emergency services confirmed that the death toll has risen to 24, including three children, prompting President Volodymyr Zelensky to order the Ukrainian military to prepare a retaliatory response. The capital observed a day of mourning as residents gathered at sites of destroyed residential buildings. Beyond the immediate conflict, the report highlights significant economic developments, noting that Russia's GDP contracted by 0.2% in the first quarter of 2026, marking its first quarterly decline in three years due to sanctions and war-related expenditures. Additionally, a diplomatic incident unfolded involving the cargo ship Panormitis, which is carrying allegedly stolen Ukrainian grain. After being rejected by Israeli importers, the vessel is attempting to dock in Turkey, with Ukrainian officials urging Ankara to refuse entry. The article combines real-time updates on civilian casualties with broader geopolitical and economic contexts surrounding the ongoing war.

1 reports · 1 sources

Türkiye’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Ahmet Yıldız, addressed the UN Security Council regarding the ongoing crisis in Syria. He strongly urged Israel to fully comply with the 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement, cease its military invasion, and avoid any new actions that could escalate regional tensions. Yıldız highlighted Israel's destabilizing activities over the past 1.5 years as a primary threat to regional stability, while acknowledging Syrian authorities' adherence to the agreement. Beyond the immediate conflict, the Ambassador emphasized the importance of integrating northeastern Syria into a unified state structure, rejecting dual administrative or military systems. He argued that a stable, united Syria is crucial for regional connectivity, particularly in energy and transportation, serving as a bridge between the Middle East, Turkey, and Europe. Furthermore, Yıldız reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to supporting UN humanitarian efforts in coordination with Syrian authorities and stressed the necessity of prosecuting individuals responsible for human rights violations under the former Assad regime to ensure justice and facilitate political transition.

1 reports · 1 sources