Turkey

The economy is advancing major infrastructure projects and attracting foreign investment. Ground was broken on a new offshore Black Sea airport, and BlackRock's fund is steering towards Turkish stocks with a 10% exposure. Turkish Airlines also reported a record passenger year for 2025.

• 2Turkish Airlines flew record 92.6 million passengers in 2025
• 1IEA chief says gas remains crucial, prices will fall
• 1Explosion reported at oil refinery in NW Turkiye
• 1Volkswagen launches 30 new models to regain market share in China
• 1BlackRock fund steers to Turkish stocks with 10% exposure: Report

Turkish foreign policy is intensely focused on Gaza diplomacy and managing relations with the US and Iran. President Erdoğan and Foreign Minister Fidan are engaged in talks with Hamas and Iranian officials, while also participating in Trump's proposed Gaza peace board, a move that has caused tension with Israel.

• 15Trump invites foreign leaders to Gaza peace board, causing tension with Israel
• 6Erdoğan tells Trump Venezuela must not become unstable
• 6Erdogan discusses Gaza and Venezuela with Trump in phone call
• 5Hamas meets with Turkish officials to discuss next phase of Gaza ceasefire
• 4Turkey’s Erdogan welcomes ceasefire agreement in Syria

Security posture is defined by a military partnership with Syria against the PKK/YPG and a naval mission in the Black Sea. Turkey welcomed Syria's operations against the PKK and has deployed radar in Syria, while its navy began a mission in the Black Sea amid regional drone attacks.

• 4Security protocols activated after 'bomb threat' detected on Turkish Airlines' Barcelona flight
• 3Libya top general's plane 'intact' before Ankara crash: Preliminary report - Region - World
• 3Turkey radar deployment in Syria may limit Israel air ops
• 3After Sharaa signs decree affirming Kurds' rights in Syria, military launches op against PKK, SDF
• 1Court rejects Minnesota's bid to block ICE raids

The dominant societal tension revolves around state control over Kurdish-majority areas and related humanitarian access. Authorities banned rallies in a Kurdish-majority city and blocked an aid convoy to a besieged Kurdish town in northern Syria, actions reported by an NGO and an MP.

• 2Turkish carriers cancel flights to Iran amid protests
• 1First cow in Europe infected with bird flu virus
• 1Turkish Historical Society opens free access to 50,000 digital books
• 1Letter from Istanbul: Erdogan pushes us toward burnout
• 1In Istanbul, fire broke out every 19 minutes last year