Turkey is in advanced discussions to join the strategic defense agreement signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, according to a Geo News report. The talks have reportedly progressed significantly, and a formal agreement could follow. The existing pact between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia stipulates that an attack on one will be considered an attack on both nations.

The report suggests that Turkey’s potential inclusion could pave the way for a new security alliance, potentially altering the balance of power in the Middle East and beyond. The discussions come at a time when questions have been raised about the reliability of the United States as a security partner.

Pakistan and Turkey already share a long-standing military relationship, collaborating on several defense projects. Ankara has supplied corvette warships to Pakistan’s navy and is working with both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia on drone technology and a fifth-generation fighter jet program. The original Pakistan-Saudi agreement, known as the SMDA, was signed on September 17 of the previous year during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Saudi Arabia.

Turkey’s security forces arrested 85 suspected members of the militant group ISIS during separate anti-terror operations across the country’s eastern regions on Friday. The arrests took place in multiple provinces, including Şanlıurfa, Ağrı, and Istanbul, as part of a coordinated effort to dismantle ISIS-linked networks.

In Şanlıurfa, eight suspects were detained for allegedly posting content on social media praising ISIS. In Ağrı province, police arrested ten individuals accused of having ties to the group and seized banned books and digital materials. Istanbul’s chief public prosecutor’s office detained 67 more suspects. Authorities also transferred 32 individuals to repatriation centers after determining they posed a threat to national security. One alleged leader was identified for conducting illegal classes and recruiting supporters.

The operations followed a December 29 terrorist attack that killed three police officers, prompting Turkey to intensify its counterterrorism measures nationwide.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sharply criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the Gaza crisis, comparing him to Pharaoh. Speaking to reporters in Istanbul after Friday prayers on January 2, Erdogan said the cries and suffering of children in Gaza were shaking the world, yet Israel continued to block humanitarian aid. He added that children living in wind, rain, and mud had no tents, and Turkey’s attempts to send container shelters were being obstructed by Israel.

Erdogan praised the large pro-Palestinian rally held on January 1 at Istanbul’s Galata Bridge, calling it proof that Palestine is not alone. He pledged that Turkey and the Islamic world would stand firmly with Gaza. Turkish media outlet Hurriyet Daily News reported his remarks.

Since the conflict began in October 2023, Turkey has reduced trade with Israel, banning the export of over 1,000 products in April and later suspending all exports, imports, and transit trade between the two countries.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that he will hold a telephone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump on January 5 to discuss the Gaza crisis and the ongoing war in Ukraine. Erdogan made the statement on January 2 in Istanbul after Friday prayers, according to a report by Turkey-based Hurriyet Daily News.

Erdogan also said that Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will attend a high-level meeting in France next week with the coalition of Kyiv’s allies known as the “coalition of the willing.” Before that, on January 3, a meeting of security advisers from allied countries will take place in Ukraine. Erdogan noted that he maintains regular communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, President Trump, and European leaders, with discussions covering both the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the situation in Palestine.

The upcoming call underscores Turkey’s continued diplomatic engagement with major global actors amid overlapping crises in Gaza and Ukraine.

Turkey has announced that Chinese citizens will be allowed to enter the country without a visa for tourism and transit purposes starting January 2, 2026. The decision, published in the Official Gazette through a presidential decree, was reported by Turkey-based Hurriyet Daily News. Under the new rule, holders of passports from the People's Republic of China can stay in Turkey for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa.

The move is expected to boost bilateral tourism and strengthen economic ties between Turkey and China. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1971 and elevated to a strategic cooperation level in 2010. In recent years, trade and investment relations have expanded significantly, with bilateral trade rising from 1 billion dollars in 2001 to 48 billion dollars in 2024.

According to the Turkish Statistical Institute, Turkey exported goods worth 3.4 billion dollars to China in 2024, while imports reached 44.9 billion dollars. The two nations have also been exploring cooperation in electric vehicle production and raw material processing, with Chinese automaker BYD already signing a deal to establish a production facility in Turkey.

On January 1, 2026, around 520,000 people gathered on Istanbul’s Galata Bridge to express solidarity with Palestine. The rally and march were organized by Turkey’s Humanitarian Alliance and National Will Platform under the slogan “We will not be silent, we will not forget Palestine.” More than 400 civic and social organizations joined the event, which began with morning prayers at major mosques including Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, Sultanahmet, Fatih, Suleymaniye, and Eminonu Yeni Cami. Participants carried Turkish and Palestinian flags, wore keffiyehs, and chanted slogans supporting Palestinian resistance and freedom.

Bilal Erdoğan, chairman of the Ilim Yayma Foundation, addressed the crowd, emphasizing growing solidarity among Turkish citizens with Palestinians and calling for prayers for the freedom of Palestine and Jerusalem. Other political and religious leaders, including AK Party Istanbul branch head Abdullah Ozdemir and Onder Imam Hatipliler Association president Abdullah Cilan, also joined the march. Participants carried banners calling for justice for Palestine and condemned Israeli actions. Police maintained tight security, and organizers described the event as a peaceful demonstration of public support.

Many participants expressed hope that 2026 would bring justice, peace, and relief to Gaza, calling the rally a powerful message of solidarity from Istanbul to the world.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Ankara is taking transformative steps in the defense sector to ensure regional and global stability. He made the remarks during a phone call with soldiers gathered at the Artillery and Missile School Command in Polatlı, Ankara, on New Year’s Eve. Erdogan stated that Turkey is engaged in a strong struggle to establish stability in the world.

He emphasized that Turkey’s actions align with the foreign policy principle of the Republic’s founder, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, of “peace at home, peace in the world.” Highlighting efforts to strengthen internal unity, Erdogan said the country is striving to ensure stability both within its region and beyond. He detailed Turkey’s growing military capabilities, including tanks, howitzers, helicopters, drones, missiles, air defense systems, warships, submarines, and unmanned sea vehicles.

Erdogan added that despite serious challenges, Turkey has seized a “historic opportunity” to turn recent achievements into lasting success. He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to building a stronger and greater Turkey for future generations.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended a ceremony in Hatay province on December 27 to hand over the 455,000th new home built for survivors of the 2023 earthquakes that devastated southern Turkey. The February 6 quakes, measuring 7.8 and 7.5 in magnitude, killed more than 53,000 people and displaced millions across southern Turkey and northern Syria. Erdogan said over 55,000 housing units were delivered in Hatay and about 22,000 in Kahramanmaraş, slightly exceeding his earlier pledge of 453,000 units.

During the event, Erdogan criticized opposition parties, calling them “earthquake tourists” who sought political advantage from the disaster. He emphasized that his administration had rebuilt infrastructure in affected provinces including Adıyaman and Gaziantep. The president also linked Turkey’s internal stability to the broader Middle Eastern situation, warning against “merchants of blood and chaos” seeking to destabilize the region.

Erdogan reiterated that Turkey’s progress depends on a strong ruling party and national unity, highlighting solidarity with neighboring peoples in Syria, Palestine, and Iraq. The 2023 earthquakes were the deadliest in two decades, destroying over 35,000 buildings and severely damaging 200,000 more.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sent a written message to the annual Muslim American Society conference held in Chicago on December 26–27. In his message, he emphasized the importance of global Muslim unity and praised the role of the Muslim American community. Erdogan expressed hope that the conference would yield positive outcomes for the Islamic world and thanked the organizers for their invitation.

The conference’s theme, “Faith Under Trial: Standing Firm in Turbulent Times,” reflected the challenges facing the Muslim world, particularly Palestinians. Organizers said the event aimed to raise voices against international silence and support for Israel amid ongoing violence in Gaza since 2023. Erdogan highlighted that unity and mutual trust were essential to overcoming crises and conflicts affecting Muslim regions.

From Turkey, Tugba Isik Ercan, head of the ruling Justice and Development Party’s women’s branch, attended the conference. She outlined Turkey’s humanitarian diplomacy, including calls for ceasefire, enforcement of international law, and the opening of aid corridors. She also noted Turkey’s suspension of trade with Israel as part of Erdogan’s “justice-based foreign policy.”

A state funeral was held in Ankara on Saturday morning for five Libyan military officials who died in a plane crash earlier in the week. Among the victims was General Muhammad Ali Ahmed al-Haddad, a top commander from western Libya. The private jet, carrying the officials and three crew members, crashed after taking off from Ankara en route to Tripoli, killing all on board. Libyan authorities stated that a technical fault caused the accident.

General al-Haddad had played a key role in United Nations-mediated efforts to unify Libya’s armed forces. The delegation had been returning home after discussions aimed at strengthening defense cooperation between Turkey and Libya.

Turkey’s defense minister and senior military officials attended the funeral, where the coffins, draped in Libyan national flags, were honored before being sent to Libya. Special prayers were offered for the deceased.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with a Hamas delegation led by Khalil al-Hayya in Ankara to review the latest developments in Gaza and discuss the second phase of the Gaza peace plan, according to the Turkish Foreign Ministry. Fidan reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to defending Palestinian rights and briefed the delegation on Ankara’s ongoing humanitarian and housing assistance for war-torn Gaza.

During the meeting, Hamas representatives claimed they had fulfilled the ceasefire conditions but accused Israel of continuing attacks on Gaza to block progress toward the peace plan’s next stage. They also highlighted severe shortages of essential goods, medicine, shelter materials, and fuel, saying current humanitarian aid remains insufficient. Both sides condemned Israeli strikes and settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank as unacceptable.

The meeting underscores Turkey’s continued diplomatic engagement in the Gaza conflict, seeking to position itself as a mediator while maintaining strong support for Palestinian causes amid ongoing regional tensions.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has sharply criticized Israel for obstructing humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza, accusing it of using fabricated excuses to maintain the blockade. Speaking at a Justice and Development (AK) Party meeting in Ankara, Erdogan denounced what he called Israel’s failure to uphold the ceasefire agreement that took effect on October 11, saying the humanitarian situation in Gaza has not improved.

Erdogan emphasized Turkey’s continued support for Palestinians, pledging to increase aid and maintain diplomatic pressure. He reiterated that while Turkey supports peace, it will not tolerate injustice or oppression. His remarks come amid growing international concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where aid agencies report severe shortages of food, medicine, and fuel.

Analysts view Erdogan’s statement as part of Turkey’s broader effort to position itself as a leading voice for Palestinian rights in the Muslim world. The comments may further strain Ankara’s already tense relations with Israel, while reinforcing Turkey’s regional diplomatic stance on the Gaza conflict.

In 2025, Turkey’s long-term strategic patience paid off as it successfully balanced relations between Russia and the West amid ongoing global conflicts. Despite early fears that Ankara would be forced to choose sides following the 2022 Russia-Ukraine war, the country maintained diplomatic flexibility, turning crises into opportunities. Through initiatives such as the Antalya peace talks, the Black Sea grain deal, and the Istanbul peace process, Turkey positioned itself as a key mediator while sustaining trade with Moscow under Western sanctions.

Turkey’s defense industry gained global recognition, particularly for its Bayraktar drones used in Ukraine and Azerbaijan’s Nagorno-Karabakh operations. The country also benefited from shifting regional dynamics, including the fall of the Assad regime in Syria and emerging peace prospects between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Improved ties with the EU, the U.S., and Gulf nations further strengthened Turkey’s geopolitical standing. Analysts suggest that Ankara’s pragmatic diplomacy and defense partnerships could accelerate its EU integration talks and restore its role in the F-35 program, marking 2025 as a pivotal year for its global influence.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has announced the establishment of the country’s first hyperscale cloud region, marking a major step toward positioning Turkey as a regional digital hub. The announcement came during the 2025 awards ceremony of the Scientific and Technological Research Council and the Academy of Sciences in Ankara. A strategic memorandum of understanding has been signed to support the initiative, with operations expected to begin between 2028 and 2029.

The project, developed under a partnership between Ankara-based telecom company Turkcell and Google Cloud, will feature multiple data centers offering extensive computing, storage, and networking capabilities. Erdoğan emphasized that the initiative will connect Europe, Asia, and the Middle East through a digital bridge, strengthening Turkey’s role in data-driven innovation. He also highlighted the importance of aligning scientific and technological progress with national identity and praised researchers across diverse disciplines for their contributions.

Analysts view the hyperscale cloud region as a key component of Turkey’s digital transformation strategy, potentially boosting data sovereignty, cybersecurity, and AI development. The project could also attract international investment and enhance regional connectivity once operational.

Libya’s Chief of Staff, General Mohammed Ali Ahmed al-Haddad, was killed in a plane crash in Turkey on Tuesday night, according to the Libyan Prime Minister. The Falcon-50 aircraft departed Ankara’s Esenboğa International Airport at 8:12 p.m. local time bound for Tripoli but lost contact 42 minutes after takeoff. Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that the aircraft had requested an emergency landing before communication was lost.

General al-Haddad had been in Ankara for an official meeting with Turkey’s Chief of Staff and was returning to Libya when the crash occurred. Four others were reportedly on board the aircraft. Turkish and Libyan authorities have launched a joint investigation to determine the cause of the incident, with early reports suggesting possible technical failure.

The death of General al-Haddad is expected to have significant implications for Libya’s fragile military command structure. Analysts note that his loss could complicate ongoing defense coordination with Turkey, a key ally in Libya’s post-conflict stabilization efforts.