Turkey News & Analysis

Latest Turkey news and analysis, covering foreign policy, economics, politics, international relations, and current affairs.

List of Turkey News & Analysis articles

Erdogan Bey, a 70-year-old man wearing a black pinstriped suit and sunglasses, sits on a stool under an umbrella for shade. The Turkish flag hangs from a garage door behind his back.
Erdogan Bey, a 70-year-old man wearing a black pinstriped suit and sunglasses, sits on a stool under an umbrella for shade. The Turkish flag hangs from a garage door behind his back.

How Erdogan’s Supporters Are Thinking About the Runoffs

As Turkey's centennial nears, its founding secularism may no longer be in fashion—but nationalism is.

Pro-Turkey demonstrators wave Turkish flags in front of the Permanent Representation of Turkey to the European Union.
Pro-Turkey demonstrators wave Turkish flags in front of the Permanent Representation of Turkey to the European Union.

Turkey Is the EU’s Only Hope

Granting Turkey membership in the EU would offer Europe the chance to redefine both itself and its raison d’être.

A Turkish flag, a Russian flag, a United Nations flag, and a Ukrainian flag stand next to each other.
A Turkish flag, a Russian flag, a United Nations flag, and a Ukrainian flag stand next to each other.

Erdogan Is a Key Player in Ukraine—on Both Sides

Why Ukrainians are ambivalently watching Turkey’s election.

People look from their windows as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks at his final election campaign rally in Beyoglu, the district of his childhood, in Istanbul.
People look from their windows as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks at his final election campaign rally in Beyoglu, the district of his childhood, in Istanbul.

Adam Tooze: Why in Turkey It’s Not the Economy, Stupid

Erdogan’s monetary policy is a disaster, but Turks keep voting for him.

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Ones-And-Tooze-podcast-series-1500x1000-site (1)
Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hold a banner of his portrait outside the Justice and Development Party headquarters after polls closed in Turkey's elections in Ankara.
Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hold a banner of his portrait outside the Justice and Development Party headquarters after polls closed in Turkey's elections in Ankara.

What Does Turkey’s Election Mean for the World?

Erdogan’s strong first-round showing could mean five more years of headaches for Washington and NATO.

Election officials prepare ballot papers for counting after the voting process on May 14, 2023 in Istanbul Turkey.
Election officials prepare ballot papers for counting after the voting process on May 14, 2023 in Istanbul Turkey.

Why Turkey Experts Got the Election All Wrong

Erdogan’s better-than-expected showing is a reminder that hope isn’t analysis.

A campaign poster for Turkish opposition candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu is seen across the street from an earthquake-scarred building in Antakya, Turkey.
A campaign poster for Turkish opposition candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu is seen across the street from an earthquake-scarred building in Antakya, Turkey.

Erdogan’s Support Is Shakiest in Turkey’s Quake Belt

Millions of voters return to shattered towns hoping for a new president this weekend.

People wave flags near an election kiosk for Kemal Kilicdaroglu, presidential candidate and leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP), in Istanbul on May 11.
People wave flags near an election kiosk for Kemal Kilicdaroglu, presidential candidate and leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP), in Istanbul on May 11.

Rigging the Vote Won’t Be Easy for Erdogan

Ahead of Turkey’s election, civil society organizations have mobilized a record number of volunteers to monitor and protect the polls.

A Turkish voter waves Turkish flags as she make her way to the polling station at the Turkish Consulate in Berlin on May 9.
A Turkish voter waves Turkish flags as she make her way to the polling station at the Turkish Consulate in Berlin on May 9.

The Other Turkish Voters Who Could Be Crucial

Diaspora voters in Germany and elsewhere backed Erdogan overwhelmingly last time around. Will they deliver for him again?

Turkish citizens wait in line outside the consulate during early voting in the Turkish general elections in Berlin.
Turkish citizens wait in line outside the consulate during early voting in the Turkish general elections in Berlin.

How Turkey’s Opposition Seeks to Swing Diaspora Voters

In communities abroad, the Erdogan regime has a head start. Democratic activists are responding to repression with mobilization.

A crowd of supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's political party sit at a table in front of an Erdogan sign in Istanbul's Zeytinburnu district, home to a majority of Turkey's Afghan community, on May 5.
A crowd of supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's political party sit at a table in front of an Erdogan sign in Istanbul's Zeytinburnu district, home to a majority of Turkey's Afghan community, on May 5.

‘New Turks’ Are All in for Erdogan

Afghans, Syrians, and others have been given Turkish citizenship. They’ll say thanks at the polls.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivers a speech at the Turkish Grand National Assembly in Ankara, Turkey, on March 29.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivers a speech at the Turkish Grand National Assembly in Ankara, Turkey, on March 29.

Yes, Erdogan’s Rule Might Actually End This Weekend

Elections still matter in Turkey, and not every strongman is strong.

IZMIR, TURKEY - APRIL 30: Supporters listen CHP Party presidential candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu during a campaign rally on April 30, 2023 in Izmir, Turkey. CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu is holding campaign rallies across Turkey ahead of the countries May 14, 2023 presidential and parliamentary elections. The Kilicdaroglu-led Nation Alliance is representing six opposition parties in next month's election against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's 20-year rule. (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images)
IZMIR, TURKEY - APRIL 30: Supporters listen CHP Party presidential candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu during a campaign rally on April 30, 2023 in Izmir, Turkey. CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu is holding campaign rallies across Turkey ahead of the countries May 14, 2023 presidential and parliamentary elections. The Kilicdaroglu-led Nation Alliance is representing six opposition parties in next month's election against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's 20-year rule. (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images)

Is this the End of Turkey’s Erdogan?

How to understand one of the most important elections of 2023.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan tours the site of destroyed buildings during his visit to southeast Turkey.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan tours the site of destroyed buildings during his visit to southeast Turkey.

What You Need to Know Ahead of Turkey’s Election

The opposition could win. But what happens if Erdogan loses?

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FP-Live-podcast-foreign-policy-site-1500x1000

The Most Important Election in 2023?

Why Erdogan isn’t favored to return to power in Turkey.

Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of Turkey’s Republican People’s Party and the opposition’s main presidential candidate, gestures to supporters at a campaign rally in Tekirdag, Turkey, on April 27.
Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of Turkey’s Republican People’s Party and the opposition’s main presidential candidate, gestures to supporters at a campaign rally in Tekirdag, Turkey, on April 27.
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6 Books That Explain Turkey

FP contributors’ top titles to make sense of the country ahead of its most important election

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