Turkey
What the region's press reported about Turkey, who holds its top offices, and MEF's latest analysis.
As of October 17, 2026, 8:38 a.m. ET. Readout items through the capture of October 17, 2026. Officeholders from the Government Graph file of October 6, 2026. MEF articles through October 13, 2026.
In the Region's Press
Foreign Minister Fidan protests Israel
Haberturk reported that Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan left the hall during Israeli President Isaac Herzog's speech at the CICA summit in Baku.
Iran's representative left during Herzog's speech, Emir of Qatar stayed: the unusual summit - and the aerial sting maneuver toward Turkey
Ynet reported that President Herzog spoke at the CICA summit in Baku, Iran's deputy foreign minister left during his speech and an Azerbaijani flight crossed Turkish airspace.
Deputy Minister of National Defense Kavaklıoğlu's exclusive statement to CNN Türk: CAATSA will be resolved in a very short time
Hurriyet reported that Deputy Minister Alpaslan Kavaklıoğlu told CNN Türk Turkey and the United States are improving defense ties and he expects CAATSA sanctions to be resolved soon.
Countries: Turkey, United States
PKK evacuated 4 more camps: a new phase in the Terörsüz Türkiye process
Yeni Safak reported that the PKK withdrew from Hebat, Yajk, Sabri and Sason sites in Metina as part of a new phase in the "Terörsüz Türkiye" process.
Countries: Turkey
Neçirvan Barzani on Terörsüz Türkiye
Hurriyet reported that IKBY President Neçirvan Barzani said the "Terörsüz Türkiye" initiative is a significant effort and appears to be moving forward.
Countries: Turkey
Israel gripped by IMEC concern: Turkey’s moves unsettle Tel Aviv
Yeni Safak reported that Israeli media said Turkey has engaged the United States to prevent a planned India Middle East Europe corridor from including Israel.
Countries: Israel, Turkey, United States
Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia "in the strongest terms" condemned the Houthis' attacks in Riyadh
Anadolu reported that Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia "in the strongest terms" condemned the Iran-backed Houthis' attacks on Riyadh.
Countries: Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Egypt, Turkey
Condemnation from Turkey of Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia
Hurriyet reported that Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs sharply condemned an attack by the "Iran-backed" Houthi movement in Yemen on two Saudi airports.
Countries: Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Turkey
Foreign Minister Fidan received Hamas Political Bureau Chief Hayye and accompanying delegation
Hurriyet reported that Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with the political bureau chief of "Hamas", Halil Hayye and the delegation in Ankara.
Countries: Palestinian Authority and Gaza, Turkey
National Intelligence Organization head İbrahim Kalın met with Syrian Foreign Minister Esad Hasan Şeybani in Ankara
Anadolu reported that İbrahim Kalın, head of Turkey's National Intelligence Organization, held talks in Ankara with Syrian FM Esad Hasan Şeybani.
Minister Fidan met with his Syrian counterpart Şeybani in Ankara
Hurriyet reported that Turkey's foreign minister Hakan Fidan held talks with Syrian counterpart Esad Hasan Şeybani in the Turkish capital.
Report: Turkey expected to deploy armed forces in Saudi Arabia in the near future
N12 reported Turkey plans to deploy armed forces, technical teams and air defense crews to Saudi Arabia soon to help defend against Houthi attacks.
Countries: Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Turkey
Turkish armor to Mecca.
Yeni Akit reported that the Riyadh meeting put the Mecca Defense Alliance into operation and agreed that partner forces and equipment would be deployed to Saudi Arabia promptly.
Countries: Saudi Arabia, Turkey
Will Turkey send troops to Saudi Arabia to fight the Houthis: 'Constitutionally not yet possible'
Cumhuriyet reported that the Makkah Agreement's joint statement that "military forces will be rapidly deployed to Saudi Arabia" would still require TBMM approval.
Countries: Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Turkey
“Makkah Defense Alliance” activates deterrence measures in face of threats
Asharq Al-Awsat reported that Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey decided to move immediately to implement the Makkah Defense Alliance's commitments and provide forces.
Countries: Saudi Arabia, Turkey
US thanked Turkey for decision to send troops to the region: "We are grateful that you resisted Iranian aggression"
Karar quoted US Representative Joe Wilson as saying the alliance "could become the NATO of the Middle East" and thanked allies for resisting Iran-backed actions.
Countries: Iran, Turkey, United States
Will they join the fighting? Turkey and Pakistan will deploy forces in Saudi Arabia
Israel Hayom reported that Turkey, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia reached an agreement for swift deployment of troops and assets to the kingdom amid the Yemen crisis.
Countries: Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Turkey
Saudi Arabia: Makkah Covenant Committee Agreed on "Collective Deterrent Measures" Against Ansarallah
Entekhab reported the Saudi defense minister said the Makkah Covenant committee agreed to activate "collective deterrent measures" against Ansarallah, with Turkey and Pakistan participating.
Countries: Saudi Arabia, Turkey
Ministers Fidan and Güler in Riyadh
Haberturk reported that Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Defense Minister Yaşar Güler participated in a Riyadh meeting of the Makkah Agreement Strategic Political and Defense Committee.
Countries: Saudi Arabia, Turkey
Turkish and Pakistani aid.. and Sudanese mercenaries: Riyadh prepares for the attack.. and Sanaa tightens the siege on Taiz
Al-Akhbar reported that Sanaa forces captured the town of Turbah, tightened a siege on Taiz and warned of a Saudi assault involving ‘‘Makkah’’-allied units.
Countries: Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Turkey
Cooperation with France in defense
Yeni Safak reported that Turkey and France signed a Defense Cooperation Roadmap to deepen strategic dialogue and develop mutually beneficial defense cooperation.
Countries: Turkey
The meetings sponsored by Ankara between the Authority of Sharia and Hezbollah continue and are "more smooth" | Turkey in Lebanon: growing influence that does not provoke Riyadh
Al-Akhbar reported that Ankara has hosted talks that continue to bring the Authority of Sharia and Hezbollah together and were described as "more smooth".
Countries: Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Turkey
DMM denies claim that "Syrian government officials and Hezbollah leaders met in Turkey"
Hurriyet reported that the DMM within Turkey's Presidential Communications office said allegations that Syrian officials and Hezbollah figures met in Turkey under MİT auspices are unfounded.
An 8-point declaration was published after a critical National Security Council (MGK) meeting. Emphasis on "Terörsüz Türkiye" and "Terörsüz" Region
Sabah reported that an 8-point declaration followed the National Security Council meeting, emphasising the "Terörsüz Türkiye" initiative and fight against PKK, FETÖ and ISIS.
Countries: Turkey
Russia: We are discussing the removal of S-400s from Turkey
Diken reported that Russia said contacts with Ankara are ongoing to discuss redeploying the S-400 air defence systems from Turkey to another country.
Countries: Turkey
Saudi Arabian Council of Ministers approved the visa exemption agreement with Turkey
Anadolu reported that the Saudi Council of Ministers approved a mutual visa exemption agreement with Turkey for holders of diplomatic and special passports.
Countries: Saudi Arabia, Turkey
12,000 Turks applied for asylum to EU countries
Sozcu reported the EU Asylum Agency's January, June 2026 report showed 332,000 asylum applications and 12,000 applications from Turkish nationals to EU countries.
Countries: Turkey
Fidan is going to the UAE
Yeni Safak reported that Hakan Fidan is traveling to the UAE today to hold talks on bilateral partnership, maritime security and Gaza ceasefire efforts.
Countries: United Arab Emirates, Palestinian Authority and Gaza, Turkey
Lavrov's statement on the S-400
Yeni Safak reported that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Turkey's S-400 systems could be moved to another country, subject to Russian approval and 'friendly relations'.
Countries: Turkey
Iranian President Pezeşkiyan said the Mecca alliance is a step taken for the unity of Muslims
Anadolu reported that Iranian President Mesud Pezeşkiyan said the Mecca Defense Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan is a step toward Muslim unity.
Countries: Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey
Hakan Fidan's statement on the Başika base: "We will gradually reduce our presence"
Sozcu quoted Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan as saying Turkey will 'gradually reduce' its presence at the Başika base as Iraq's disarmament roadmap is implemented.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan: Israel's massacres no longer go unpunished
Hurriyet quoted Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan as saying that Israel's 'oppression and massacres' no longer remain consequence-free and 'has to pay very heavy prices'.
Turkey responds to Netanyahu's statements at the third secretary level
Hurriyet reported that Turkey replied to Netanyahu's UN speech at the third secretary level, saying it "categorically rejects" accusations against Turkey and President Erdoğan.
Breaking News | Saudi Arabia called the chiefs of staff of Turkey and Pakistan to an urgent meeting
Halk TV reported that Saudi Arabia summoned Turkish and Pakistani military chiefs for an urgent meeting to discuss backing Riyadh under the joint defense agreement.
Countries: Saudi Arabia, Turkey
Erdogan stated Turkey's efforts to restore grain corridor // Erdogan: Turkey intensified work to resume grain corridor
Kommersant quoted President Recep Tayyip Erdogan saying Turkey has intensified efforts to restore the Black Sea grain corridor, speaking at the Turkish House in New York.
Countries: Turkey
Agreement between Baghdad and Ankara on Turkey handing over a camp in northern Iraq
Asharq Al-Awsat reported an agreement between Baghdad and Ankara for Turkey to hand over a camp in northern Iraq to the Iraqi government.
Turkey and Iraq agreed: PKK will leave Sincar, Turkish Armed Forces will hand over its compound
Diken reported that Turkey and Iraq agreed the PKK will leave Sinjar and Turkish Armed Forces will hand over its Başika-Zilkan compound.
President Erdoğan met with the Prime Minister of Iraq
Haberturk reported that President Erdoğan met Iraqi Prime Minister Ali ez-Zeydi and they agreed on establishing state authority in Sinjar and ending prohibited armed elements' presence.
President Erdoğan: Our strategic cooperation with the US is developing in every field
Anadolu reported that President Erdoğan said Turkey and the US are expanding strategic cooperation across multiple areas and want it to include economic and commercial ties.
Countries: Turkey, United States
Concern about Turkey Grows: The Defense Establishment's New Recommendation
Srugim reported that the defense establishment recommended expanding Israel's submarine fleet in response to Turkey's naval buildup and regional capabilities.
From MEF
The U.S. and Israel Should Close Aviation Sanctions Loopholes on Russia and Iran
Turkey’s Deepening Somalia Partnership Has Political Limits
Turkish President Erdoğan's Government Appears to Have Enabled the Rise of the New Alleged Mafia Powerbroker
Turkish Intelligence Linked to Counterfeit Glock Distribution Networks Across Europe
Libya’s Government Openly Shelters the Next Osama Bin Laden
How Did Turkey Interpret the U.S. Secretary of State’s Messages from Athens?