Turkey

Europe

Germany

Economics

Military & Security

Politics

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Nov. 17 amid tensions over the Israel-Hamas war, Turkey's delay in approving Sweden's NATO bid and the Turkish acquisition of Eurofighter jets, Reuters reported the same day.

Turkey, Germany: Meeting Between Erdogan and Scholz May Advance Turkey-EU Relations

Israel

During a meeting of Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called Israel a "terrorist state" for its targeting of hospitals and schools, and he reiterated his stance on the Palestinian militant group Hamas, Hurriyet Daily News reported on Nov. 15.

Turkey: Erdogan Calls Israel a 'Terrorist State'

Egypt

The head of the Sovereign Fund of Egypt announced that the state would sell seven hotels in Egypt by the end of 2023, Reuters reported on Nov. 9.

Egypt: Government Will Sell State Assets, Expand Trade to Curb Economic Crisis

Turkey's top appeals court filed criminal complaints against Constitutional Court judges after they issued a ruling in October calling for the release of Can Atalay, an opposition figure who was elected to the National Assembly in May, from prison on grounds of parliamentary immunity, Reuters reported on Nov. 8. 

Turkey: High Court Clash Will Likely Hinder Foreign Investment

Turkey's Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said the government's judicial reform proposals would be ready by the end of 2023 and that the government was pushing ahead with efforts to replace the 1982 constitution, Hurriyet Daily News reported on Nov. 7.

Turkey: Government Prepares Judicial Reforms as Opposition Party Elects New Leader

United States

Iraq

Jordan

Palestinian Territories

During U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's tour of the Middle East, he proposed humanitarian pauses in the Israel-Hamas war, increased aid, reduced civilian casualties, and the inclusion of Palestinians in post-war governance discussions, Reuters reported on Nov. 4.

U.S., MENA: Blinken's Proposal for Humanitarian Pauses in Gaza Falls Flat

Hundreds of thousands of Turks attended a pro-Palestinian rally Oct. 28 in Istanbul where Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Israel of committing war crimes in Gaza and criticized Western allies for not facilitating a cease-fire, Reuters reported Oct. 28.

Turkey: Pro-Palestinian Rally in Istanbul, Israel Recalls Diplomats

Sweden

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sent a bill that would approve Sweden's NATO membership to the National Assembly for ratification, Reuters reported on Oct. 23.

Turkey, Sweden: Bill on Sweden's NATO Membership Sent to National Assembly

Assessments

Funeral prayers in absentia are held for those who lost their lives in the deadly blast at a Gaza hospital on October 18, 2023, in Ankara, Turkey. 

Domestic pressure to take a more definitively pro-Palestinian stance following the Gaza hospital blast will impede Anakra's ability to mediate between Hamas and Israel.

Rising Anti-Israel Anger Tests Turkey's Ability to Serve as a Mediator in Gaza

Iran

Armenia

Azerbaijan

Russia

A photo taken on Oct. 3, 2023, shows a military position that was recently retaken by Azerbaijani troops in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

With the world distracted by other crises, Azerbaijan may be tempted to seize parts of southern Armenia. But for Baku, the potential benefits of such an operation are still unlikely to outweigh the costs.

Assessing the Prospect of Azerbaijan Invading Armenia

Bahrain

Kuwait

Lebanon

Morocco

Oman

Qatar

Saudi Arabia

Syria

Tunisia

United Arab Emirates

Yemen

Students from the American University of Beirut (AUB) rally in support of Palestinians outside the main gate of the university in the Lebanese capital on Oct. 9, 2023. 

Social Issues

Israel's likely ground invasion in Gaza will alienate many Muslims in the Middle East, pressuring their governments to respond in support of Palestinians.

Gauging the Regional Response to the Gaza Conflict

Slovakia

The U.S. Capitol on Dec. 22, 2022, in Washington.

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended RANE articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: Turkey's Parliamentary Session, a U.S. Government Shutdown

Columns

On Geopolitics

Sub-Saharan Africa

China

Taiwan

North Macedonia

Ukraine

Georgia

Belarus

India

An old map labels African countries and regions by their colonial names.

Shifting national identities have always led nations to adopt new names, and in this evolving multipolar world, modern states are no different.

National Identity and the Geopolitics of Choosing a Name

Armenians protest outside the government building in central Yerevan to urge the government to respond to the Azerbaijani military operation launched against the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region on Sept. 19, 2023.

With Nagorno-Karabakh in hand, Azerbaijan will increasingly pressure Armenia to grant concessions amid ongoing peace negotiations, and Russia's influence in the region will continue to decline.

What's Next for the South Caucasus After Azerbaijan's Seizure of Nagorno-Karabakh

Snapshots

A ship transiting Ukrainian grain is seen off the coast of Istanbul, Turkey, on July 17, 2023, after Russia announced its withdrawal from the Black Sea grain export deal.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

If high food prices continue to harm its political popularity at home, Ankara may become more confrontational with Moscow over its blockade of Ukrainian wheat exports. 

What Russia's Refusal to Restore the Ukraine Grain Deal Means for Its Ties With Turkey 

Kenya

Indonesia

Vehicles drive past the logo of the G-20 Summit on Aug. 10, 2023, in New Delhi.

Environment, Science & Technology

Science & Technology

The Weekly Rundown: The Africa Climate Summit, the G-20 Summit in New Delhi

The entrance to the building that houses Turkey's central bank is seen on July 28, 2023, in Ankara, Turkey. 

Ankara may be tempted to revert back to less stability-oriented, pro-growth measures ahead of 2024 local elections -- and especially ahead of the 2028 general ballot.

Turkey Turns Toward More Orthodox Economic Policies. But for How Long?

Cyprus

The flags of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (L) and the Republic of Cyprus (R) are divided by a crack.

Energy

Despite Turkey-EU rapprochement, Cypriot reunification remains unlikely, but economic deals may still move forward.

Despite EU-Turkey Rapprochement, Cypriot Reunification Remains Out of Reach

Media

Podcasts

What does the EU-Turkey rapprochement mean, and could it reunify Cyprus?

Essential Geopolitics: Is EU-Turkey Rapprochement an Opportunity for Cypriot Reunification?

Graphics

A teller uses a machine to count Turkish lira banknotes at a foreign exchange office in Ankara, Turkey, on July 20, 2023.

Scarce foreign currency reserves are creating more debt liability for Turkey amid a volatile lira.

Turkey Wavers Under the Weight of its Debt Load

<p>The Republic of Turkey straddles Europe and Asia, forming a land bridge that links the Levant, Iran and the Caucasus with Southeastern Europe. In stark contrast to its predecessor, the Ottoman Empire, modern Turkey is confined largely to the semi-arid, mountainous terrain of the Anatolian Peninsula and the capital-rich lands surrounding the Sea of Marmara. This low-lying region contains the large cities of Istanbul and Izmir and the two chokepoints linking the Black Sea to the Mediterranean &mdash; the Bosporus and the Dardanelles. This area is the core of Turkey&#39;s population and economy. Turkey&rsquo;s geographic challenge is expanding the economic stability and development of this core into the eastern region of the country. Anatolia&rsquo;s rugged geography and mountainous terrain make economic and infrastructure development difficult, but has historically helped to prevent land invasions from the east and south. Modern Turkey is working to integrate this largely rural, poorer hinterland into the political and economic mainstream in an attempt to link its current Islamist government to its neighbors in the broader Middle East. However, significant challenges remain. Turkey has fought a decades-long Kurdish insurgency in its southeastern regions, where the Taurus Mountains and the Eastern Anatolian plateau give sanctuary to Kurdish separatist militants. Turkey&rsquo;s position at the crossroads between East and West provides the country with several geopolitical possibilities. The country is working to serve as a transit state linking the exports of its energy-rich eastern neighbors to consumer markets in Europe. Its location also invites a series of constraints, as reflected by Turkey&rsquo;s position surrounded by Europe&rsquo;s economic decline, Iranian ambitions in Syria and Iraq, and Russian interests in the Caucasus.</p>

Turkey's Resurgence

Rebalancing Power in the Middle East

SITUATION REPORTS

Turkey, Germany: Meeting Between Erdogan and Scholz May Advance Turkey-EU Relations

Turkey: Erdogan Calls Israel a 'Terrorist State'

Egypt: Government Will Sell State Assets, Expand Trade to Curb Economic Crisis

Turkey: High Court Clash Will Likely Hinder Foreign Investment

Turkey: Government Prepares Judicial Reforms as Opposition Party Elects New Leader

U.S., MENA: Blinken's Proposal for Humanitarian Pauses in Gaza Falls Flat

Turkey: Pro-Palestinian Rally in Istanbul, Israel Recalls Diplomats

Turkey, Sweden: Bill on Sweden's NATO Membership Sent to National Assembly

Forecasts

ANALYSES

SECTIONS

Explore

Subscribe

Help & Support