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Recep Tayyip Erdogan

The latest news and top stories on Recep Tayyip Erdogan, known for his extensive political career, he has served as Turkey’s President since 2014, following an impactful tenure as Prime Minister from 2003 to 2014. Previously, he was Mayor of Istanbul (1994-1998), addressing urban challenges. His work has involved significant economic development and a shift to a presidential system, expanding executive powers. He actively engages in international diplomacy, mediating conflicts and asserting Turkey’s global influence, including recent steps towards normalising relations with Armenia. Areas of expertise include political strategy, economic policy, and foreign affairs, though his leadership has faced criticism.

Turkey

Police in Turkey force ousted opposition out of headquarters as crisis deepens

Police stormed the offices of the main opposition CHP party, firing rubber bullets and tear gas in a bid to evict ousted leader Ozgur Ozel.

25 May 2026 - 3:21AM

Turkey

Court rules to oust leadership of Turkey’s main opposition party

22 May 2026 - 11:24AM

Israel-Gaza war

Israel intercepts Gaza aid flotilla, denies using live ammunition

20 May 2026 - 10:49AM

US, Israel war on Iran

Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt: the Middle East’s new power brokers?

‘Fear of US abandonment’ is helping forge a new Middle East – but don’t expect an Islamic Nato just yet.

25 Apr 2026 - 1:30PM

(From left) Foreign Ministers Badr Abdelatty of Egypt, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, Ishaq Dar of Pakistan and Hakan Fidan of Turkey meet to discuss regional de-escalation in Islamabad, Pakistan, on March 29. Photo: Turkish Foreign Ministry/Reuters

Social media

Turkey passes bill to restrict social media access for under-15s

It comes a week after a 14-year-old boy killed nine students and a teacher at a middle school in southern Turkey, in a gun attack.

23 Apr 2026 - 4:59PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Turkey’s Erdogan urges Iran, US to use ceasefire to push for lasting peace

At the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey, Erdogan also stressed the importance of acting with ‘prudent understanding’ to end the Iran war.

17 Apr 2026 - 11:20PM

Ukraine war

Ukraine and Syria pledge security cooperation as Zelensky expands Middle East tour

Zelensky and Sharaa discuss drone defence and food security as Kyiv seeks to export its military expertise.

6 Apr 2026 - 9:50AM

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus. Photo: Reuters

Ukraine war

Ukraine and Russia trade fatal strikes as Zelensky travels to Turkey

The war began in February 2022 after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s troops invaded Ukraine.

4 Apr 2026 - 11:48PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Turkey says Iran feels ‘betrayed’ by US attacks during nuclear talks

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan says Tehran still ‘open to any sensible backchannel diplomacy’, vows to keep Ankara out of the war.

15 Mar 2026 - 11:15AMvideocam

Middle East

Demand for change in Turkey cannot be stopped, jailed Istanbul mayor says

Support for the opposition has been growing, amid increasing fatigue with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s rule, Ekrem Imamoglu says.

8 Mar 2026 - 3:50PM

A supporter of Turkey’s main opposition CHP holds a poster of jailed Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu with a slogan reading “CHP will succeed, Turkey will win!”, during a rally in Istanbul in November 2025. Photo: Reuters

Israel-Iran conflict

Turkey says missile launched from Iran destroyed by Nato

A Turkish official said the missile had been ‘aimed at a base in Greek Cyprus but veered off course’.

5 Mar 2026 - 12:40AM

Turkish soldiers surround a munitions fragment identified as belonging to the air defence munitions that intercepted the threat after it was destroyed in the air, in the Dortyol district in Hatay. Photo: AFP/DHA

China-Middle East relations

Exclusive | Why has a Nato member reaffirmed its Brics ambitions? Its envoy elaborates

New Turkish ambassador Selcuk Unal says the country is seeking deeper ties with China while bridging Asia and Europe.

5 Feb 2026 - 9:07AM

Syria

Syrian deal unravels as sides clash and Isis prisoners escape

Integration agreement with the SDF falters amid reports that hundreds of militants fled prison as government forces moved in.

20 Jan 2026 - 12:24PM

Turkey

Pope warns ‘piecemeal’ third world war ‘threatening’ humanity

In Ankara, Pope Leo urged for global peace amid rising conflicts and geopolitical tensions during his first trip outside Italy.

27 Nov 2025 - 10:25PM

Pope Leo speaks at the National Library of the Presidential Palace, during his first apostolic journey, in Ankara, Turkey on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

Ukraine war

‘Issues remain’: US-Ukraine talks advance, but Europe cautious on Russia deal

Trump hails ‘big progress’ in talks, while Germany confirms US plan was modified with Nato and territorial demands removed.

25 Nov 2025 - 1:03AM

Servicemen of the 148th Separate Artillery Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine fire a Caesar howitzer at Russian troops near Pokrovsk in Donetsk on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

Ukraine war

US and Ukraine refine draft of peace plan under Trump deadline pressure

Talks on a 28-point proposal to end Russia’s war held in Geneva after Trump set a Thursday deadline for Ukraine to approve the plan.

24 Nov 2025 - 3:09PM

Ukraine war

Zelensky’s peace mission in Turkey overshadowed by deadly Russian strikes

Amid the ongoing attacks and new peace talks, Moscow declined to comment on a US media report of a secret Russian-US plan to end the war.

19 Nov 2025 - 10:38PM

Turkey

Turkish prosecutor seeks 2,000-year jail term for Istanbul mayor

Ekrem Imamoglu has been accused of leading a vast corruption network, amid a crackdown on President Erdogan’s critics and rivals.

12 Nov 2025 - 5:26AM

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu speaks during a reception in Duesseldorf, Germany, in June 2024. Photo: dpa

Aviation accidents

Turkey says 20 troops killed in military plane crash in Georgia

Video showed the aircraft corkscrewing towards the ground and then bursting into flames.

12 Nov 2025 - 4:20PM

Turkey

In the Middle East’s diplomatic drama, Turkey takes centre stage

Once censured by the West, Ankara is now the go-to go-between for Washington, Europe and Damascus in a fast-changing region.

8 Nov 2025 - 4:00PMvideocam

Israel-Gaza war

Turkey and Muslim allies say Palestinian self-rule is key to Gaza’s future

Turkey hosts ministerial meeting to discuss US-brokered Gaza ceasefire and long-term solutions to the conflict.

4 Nov 2025 - 11:04AMvideocam

The rubble of destroyed buildings in Gaza City. Photo: Reuters

Cyprus

Turkish Cypriots elect pro-talks leader, renewing hope for Cyprus unity

Tufan Erhurman wins in a landslide, campaigning on a return to negotiating a two-zone federation after an eight-year stalemate.

20 Oct 2025 - 11:15AM

Supporters of newly elected leader Tufan Erhurman celebrate after winning the leadership election in the Turkish occupied northern part of Cyprus’ divided capital Nicosia on Sunday. Photo: AP

Israel-Gaza war

Trump hails ‘peace in the Middle East’ as leaders sign Gaza declaration

US president signs document with the leaders of Egypt, Turkey and Qatar, capping a major diplomatic breakthrough in the Israel-Gaza war.

14 Oct 2025 - 12:32PMvideocam

Turkey

US Supreme Court rejects challenge by Turkey’s Halkbank to prosecution

The state-owned Turkish bank is accused of helping Iran evade US sanctions, which has caused diplomatic tensions between the US and Turkey.

7 Oct 2025 - 12:55PM

South Korea

South Korea’s Lee among leaders stuck in New York traffic by Trump’s motorcade

During the chaos of the UN summit, France’s Macron and Turkey’s Erdogan were also delayed by traffic as Trump’s motorcade took priority.

26 Sep 2025 - 5:20PMvideocam

Donald Trump

Trump hosts Erdogan as US considers lifting ban on F-35 sales to Turkey

The US is concerned about the Nato ally’s relationship with Moscow, including the purchase of a missile system and the buying of Russian oil.

26 Sep 2025 - 5:33AM

US President Donald Trump welcomes Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the White House on Thursday. Photo: dpa

Middle East

Syria’s future tied to Israel peace deal as billions in investment set to arrive

Gulf Arab, Turkish and Western firms have pledged to invest in Syria to rebuild the war-torn country.

17 Jul 2025 - 5:33PM

Azerbaijan

From colony to kingmaker: Azerbaijan redraws Eurasia’s balance of power

The ex-Soviet republic aims to play a bigger role in the Caucasus and is willing to upset Moscow and Tehran in the process, analysts say.

13 Jul 2025 - 5:00PM

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Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Police in Turkey force ousted opposition out of headquarters as crisis deepens

Police stormed the offices of the main opposition CHP party, firing rubber bullets and tear gas in a bid to evict ousted leader Ozgur Ozel.

Court rules to oust leadership of Turkey’s main opposition party

Israel intercepts Gaza aid flotilla, denies using live ammunition

Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt: the Middle East’s new power brokers?

‘Fear of US abandonment’ is helping forge a new Middle East – but don’t expect an Islamic Nato just yet.

Turkey passes bill to restrict social media access for under-15s

It comes a week after a 14-year-old boy killed nine students and a teacher at a middle school in southern Turkey, in a gun attack.

Turkey’s Erdogan urges Iran, US to use ceasefire to push for lasting peace

At the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey, Erdogan also stressed the importance of acting with ‘prudent understanding’ to end the Iran war.

Ukraine and Syria pledge security cooperation as Zelensky expands Middle East tour

Zelensky and Sharaa discuss drone defence and food security as Kyiv seeks to export its military expertise.

Ukraine and Russia trade fatal strikes as Zelensky travels to Turkey

The war began in February 2022 after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s troops invaded Ukraine.

Turkey says Iran feels ‘betrayed’ by US attacks during nuclear talks

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan says Tehran still ‘open to any sensible backchannel diplomacy’, vows to keep Ankara out of the war.

Demand for change in Turkey cannot be stopped, jailed Istanbul mayor says

Support for the opposition has been growing, amid increasing fatigue with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s rule, Ekrem Imamoglu says.

Turkey says missile launched from Iran destroyed by Nato

A Turkish official said the missile had been ‘aimed at a base in Greek Cyprus but veered off course’.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Exclusive | Why has a Nato member reaffirmed its Brics ambitions? Its envoy elaborates

New Turkish ambassador Selcuk Unal says the country is seeking deeper ties with China while bridging Asia and Europe.

Syrian deal unravels as sides clash and Isis prisoners escape

Integration agreement with the SDF falters amid reports that hundreds of militants fled prison as government forces moved in.

Pope warns ‘piecemeal’ third world war ‘threatening’ humanity

In Ankara, Pope Leo urged for global peace amid rising conflicts and geopolitical tensions during his first trip outside Italy.

‘Issues remain’: US-Ukraine talks advance, but Europe cautious on Russia deal

Trump hails ‘big progress’ in talks, while Germany confirms US plan was modified with Nato and territorial demands removed.

US and Ukraine refine draft of peace plan under Trump deadline pressure

Talks on a 28-point proposal to end Russia’s war held in Geneva after Trump set a Thursday deadline for Ukraine to approve the plan.

Zelensky’s peace mission in Turkey overshadowed by deadly Russian strikes

Amid the ongoing attacks and new peace talks, Moscow declined to comment on a US media report of a secret Russian-US plan to end the war.

Turkish prosecutor seeks 2,000-year jail term for Istanbul mayor

Ekrem Imamoglu has been accused of leading a vast corruption network, amid a crackdown on President Erdogan’s critics and rivals.

Turkey says 20 troops killed in military plane crash in Georgia

Video showed the aircraft corkscrewing towards the ground and then bursting into flames.

In the Middle East’s diplomatic drama, Turkey takes centre stage

Once censured by the West, Ankara is now the go-to go-between for Washington, Europe and Damascus in a fast-changing region.

Turkey and Muslim allies say Palestinian self-rule is key to Gaza’s future

Turkey hosts ministerial meeting to discuss US-brokered Gaza ceasefire and long-term solutions to the conflict.

Turkish Cypriots elect pro-talks leader, renewing hope for Cyprus unity

Tufan Erhurman wins in a landslide, campaigning on a return to negotiating a two-zone federation after an eight-year stalemate.

Trump hails ‘peace in the Middle East’ as leaders sign Gaza declaration

US president signs document with the leaders of Egypt, Turkey and Qatar, capping a major diplomatic breakthrough in the Israel-Gaza war.

US Supreme Court rejects challenge by Turkey’s Halkbank to prosecution

The state-owned Turkish bank is accused of helping Iran evade US sanctions, which has caused diplomatic tensions between the US and Turkey.

South Korea’s Lee among leaders stuck in New York traffic by Trump’s motorcade

During the chaos of the UN summit, France’s Macron and Turkey’s Erdogan were also delayed by traffic as Trump’s motorcade took priority.

Trump hosts Erdogan as US considers lifting ban on F-35 sales to Turkey

The US is concerned about the Nato ally’s relationship with Moscow, including the purchase of a missile system and the buying of Russian oil.

Syria’s future tied to Israel peace deal as billions in investment set to arrive

Gulf Arab, Turkish and Western firms have pledged to invest in Syria to rebuild the war-torn country.

From colony to kingmaker: Azerbaijan redraws Eurasia’s balance of power

The ex-Soviet republic aims to play a bigger role in the Caucasus and is willing to upset Moscow and Tehran in the process, analysts say.

Exclusive | Why has a Nato member reaffirmed its Brics ambitions? Its envoy elaborates