Erdogan

The price of delusion: Trump’s Syria policy and the approaching storm - opinion

The Trump administration’s policy toward the region is built upon a house of cards constructed from major delusions.

|ByAMED MARDIN
A group of detainees gather at al-Hol camp after the Syrian government took control of it following the withdrawal of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in Hasaka, Syria, January 21, 2026.
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is seen at parliament last Wednesday. The president’s consolidation of power since 2016 has reshaped institutions, narrowed civil liberties, and placed entire communities, particularly Kurds, under intensified repression and persecution, the writer says.

Coup to crackdown: Erdogan’s unfinished war on Turkey’s Kurds - opinion

Fifteen percent of the Turkish population, approximately 16 million, are Kurds, and Erdogan needs to accept that they have a right to live their lives as they see fit.

|ByALON BEN-MEIR
US President Donald Trump speaks, during a charter announcement for his Board of Peace initiative, in Davos, Switzerland, January 22, 2026

Including Turkey, Qatar in Gaza’s Board of Peace undermines Hamas demilitarization - opinion

For Ankara and Doha, Gaza is not a humanitarian responsibility – it is a strategic asset.

|ByYARON BUSKILA
US President Donald Trump and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim ibn Hamad Al Thani attend a world leaders’ summit on ending the Gaza war, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, late last year.

Trump's board of folly: Why putting Turkey, Qatar in charge of Gaza is a farce - opinion

To place Ankara and Doha – two of the most vocal enablers of Hamas – in charge of shepherding Gaza toward peace is akin to appointing the tobacco lobby to run the World Health Organization.

|ByMICHAEL FREUND

WATCH: Pikachu goes viral fleeing Turkish police at anti-Erdogan protest

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said this week that nearly 1,900 people had been detained since the protests began, adding that courts had jailed 260 of them pending trial as of Thursday.

MARCH 30, 2025ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD, REUTERS
A person in a Pikachu costume takes part in a protest against Chile's government, in Santiago, Chile October 2, 2020.

Large crowds rally in Istanbul over jailing of Erdogan's main rival

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan calls protests a “show” as anger over jailing grows.

MARCH 29, 2025ByREUTERS
People wave Turkish flags during a rally to protest against the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu as part of a corruption investigation, in Istanbul, Turkey, March 29, 2025.

Tensions rise in Turkey as police clash with student protesters

Police intervened forcefully during the protest, and demonstrators took cover behind dumpsters before being detained. 

MARCH 27, 2025ByTHE MEDIA LINE STAFF
People protest against the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu as part of a corruption investigation, in Istanbul, Turkey, March 26, 2025.

Six year legal fight: how Istanbul's mayor became Erdogan's prime target - explainer

The combination of election success and legal battles has now cemented Imamoglu's status as Erdogan's main rival and biggest threat to the president's more than 22-year reign.

MARCH 25, 2025ByREUTERS
A digital bilboard displays a picture of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and a slogan which reads, "The nation is standing up for its will", on the day Imamoglu was jailed as part of a corruption investigation, in Istanbul, Turkey, March 23, 2025.

Turkey’s NATO veto against Israel undermines global security against Russia, Iran - opinion

Ankara’s veto signals that its geopolitical priorities increasingly diverge from those of the alliance, providing NATO’s adversaries – particularly Russia and Iran – opportunities to exploit.

MARCH 25, 2025BySHAY GAL
(L-R) Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Benjamin Netanyahu seen over flags of Turkey and Israel, respectively (illustrative)

Istanbul mayor Imamoglu denies terrorism charges, court document shows

Mayor Imamoglu is a key opposition figure and potential challenger to longtime President Tayyip Erdogan.

MARCH 22, 2025ByREUTERS
20 June 2024, North Rhine-Westphalia, Duesseldorf: Ekrem Imamoglu, Mayor of Istanbul, stands in front of a Turkish flag at a reception in the city hall.

Turkey detains Erdogan's main rival on array of charges

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, of the Republican People's Party (CHP), faces two separate investigations that also include charges of leading a crime organization, bribery and tender rigging.

MARCH 19, 2025ByREUTERS
20 June 2024, North Rhine-Westphalia, Duesseldorf: Ekrem Imamoglu, Mayor of Istanbul, stands in front of a Turkish flag at a reception in the city hall.

Ankara pushes for closer cooperation, seeks Erdogan-Trump meeting

Turkish President Erdogan is seeking a White House meeting with Trump, aiming to strengthen ties and discuss regional stability, including conflicts in Ukraine and Syria.

MARCH 18, 2025ByTHE MEDIA LINE STAFF
US President Donald Trump and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan leave the stage after family photo during the annual NATO heads of government summit at the Grove Hotel in Watford, Britain December 4, 2019

Abdullah Ocalan calls on PKK to dissolve, regional leaders react

Regional leaders welcome calls for the PKK to lay down arms and dissolve.

FEBRUARY 27, 2025ByREUTERS
Syrian Kurds hold flags as they gather after Turkey's jailed militant leader Abdullah Ocalan called on his Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) to lay down its arms on Thursday, a move that could end its 40-year conflict with Ankara and have far-reaching political and security consequences for the region,

Syrian Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa concludes landmark visit to Turkey

Al-sharaa's visit to Turkey marks the highest-level meeting since 2009, signaling a potential shift in Syrian-Turkish relations.

FEBRUARY 10, 2025ByRIZIK ALABI/THE MEDIA LINE
Syria's newly appointed president for a transitional phase Ahmed al-Shaara meets with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, February 4, 2025.