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Recep Tayyip Erdogan

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.
(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
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.

Social media

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

US, Israel war on Iran

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

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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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’.

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.

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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.

Syrian government forces stand guard outside al-Aqtan prison on the outskirts of Raqqa. Photo: AP
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.

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.

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.

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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.

A rescuer carrying a person at the site of a Russian strike in Ternopil on Wednesday. Photo: Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky/Telegram/EPA
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.

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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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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.

A branch of Halkbank in central Istanbul, Turkey. Photo: Reuters
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.

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Pedestrians wait as the presidential motorcade of US President Donald Trump drives by during the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York City on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters
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.

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.

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.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev (right) with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during their meeting on the sidelines of the 17th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization in Azerbaijan on July 4. Photo: Azerbaijani Presidential Press Office/AP
Middle East

3 mayors arrested in opposition crackdown in southern Turkey

Opposition presidential candidate and Mayor of Istanbul Ekrem İmamoğlu was previously arrested in March over allegations of corruption.

A supporter holds a flag of Istanbul’s detained Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and the First President of the Republic of Turkey Mustafa Kemal Ataturk during a rally protesting the 100th day of his detention, in Sarachane Square, Istanbul, on Tuesday. Photo: AFP
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