On July 15, 2016, Turkey witnessed a failed military coup attempt marked by tanks on the streets, air raids, and a bombing of the parliament building. Citizens responded to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s call and thwarted the coup within hours, leaving 253 people dead. The event triggered sweeping political, institutional, and foreign policy changes that continue to shape the country a decade later.

Following the coup, the government declared a state of emergency lasting until 2018 and launched the largest purge in Turkish history. Thousands of soldiers, judges, police officers, academics, and civil servants were detained or dismissed for alleged links to cleric Fethullah Gulen’s network, which authorities blamed for the coup. Critics argued the purge was used to silence dissent. In 2017, a referendum replaced the parliamentary system with a powerful presidential model, consolidating authority under Erdogan. International organizations reported declining judicial independence and press freedom, with Turkey ranking 163rd in the 2026 press freedom index.

The coup attempt also ended the military’s traditional political role, placing the armed forces firmly under civilian control. Turkey’s foreign policy became more security-focused, marked by operations in northern Syria and closer ties with Russia despite tensions with the United States and stalled EU accession talks.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has stated that Turkey will not engage in any direct military conflict with Israel. He made the remarks in an interview with UAE-based media outlet The National, following recent heated exchanges between officials of the two countries. Fidan emphasized that there is no logical reason or necessity for Turkey to go to war with Israel.

According to Fidan, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and some of his close allies are creating provocative situations to gain electoral advantage. He claimed that Netanyahu and his associates always seek an external enemy to sustain their political standing. Fidan noted that Israel is already involved in conflicts with Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran, and that some Israeli politicians now view Turkey as a new adversary for electoral purposes.

Fidan also acknowledged that not all Israeli politicians or citizens share the same mindset, expressing appreciation that there are still sensible and rational individuals in Israel who do not follow extremist views.

During an official visit to Turkey, Iceland’s Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir expressed admiration for the country’s Muslim population, highlighting their tolerance, warm hospitality, and the spiritual atmosphere she experienced. In a post on social media platform X, she said she was deeply moved by the sound of the Azan, describing it as a profound and heartfelt melody.

Frostadóttir also noted the warm welcome she received throughout her visit and shared her appreciation for the positive experiences in Turkey. She stated that she intends to return to Turkey soon, emphasizing the impression the country and its people left on her.

The remarks reflect a tone of cultural appreciation and mutual respect between Iceland and Turkey, as conveyed through the Prime Minister’s personal reflections during her trip.

Turkey’s importance in Europe’s defense and security architecture is rapidly increasing, driven by its expanding military capabilities, self-reliant defense industry, and active diplomacy. Hosting the latest NATO summit, Ankara showcased its emergence as a key partner in European security. Turkey, which has NATO’s second-largest army, now meets about 80 percent of its own defense needs and recorded over 10 billion dollars in defense exports last year. Its Bayraktar TB-2 drones, used effectively in Ukraine, have been purchased by several European nations.

Turkish defense firms such as Roketsan and Aselsan are now part of major NATO projects, developing missile and air defense systems. Diplomatically, Turkey has played mediator roles in conflicts involving Ukraine, Syria, and the Middle East. During the summit, the UK and Turkey announced a new defense and security cooperation agreement to institutionalize intelligence sharing and joint defense efforts.

Analysts cited Europe’s growing reliance on Turkey amid rising security threats from Russia. However, Turkey’s deepening defense ties with Europe may create new geopolitical challenges, including tensions with the United States and Israel over advanced fighter jet programs.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he is considering selling advanced F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. He made the remarks during a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara. Trump stated that a decision on whether to proceed with the sale would be made soon.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has opposed the potential sale, urging Trump not to sell the advanced aircraft to Turkey. Netanyahu argued that such a move could endanger Israel, given the strained relations between Turkey and Israel. His office also reported that Trump briefed him on U.S. actions in the Gulf region amid ongoing tensions with Iran.

The discussions highlight the complex regional dynamics involving the United States, Turkey, Israel, and Iran, as Washington weighs its defense commitments and alliances in the Middle East.

After the NATO summit in Ankara, several world leaders were surprised to find revolvers and live ammunition among their belongings. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had presented each leader with a vintage-style Gümüşay .357 Magnum revolver and bullets as farewell gifts. The gesture was intended to showcase Turkey’s defense industry, which has become a major export sector and a key element of its foreign policy.

Photos released by Lithuania’s president’s office showed the revolver in a wooden box bearing Turkish and NATO emblems. Leaders from Spain, Belgium, Poland, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Italy, Greece, Canada, and the European Commission handled the gifts differently, with some storing them in embassies, museums, or official buildings, and others leaving them in Ankara for deactivation. The Belgian prime minister even turned his revolver over to airport police for safekeeping.

The incident drew wide attention on social media, with some viewing it as symbolic while officials treated it as a matter of customs and diplomatic protocol. Turkey’s growing small arms industry has become a strong competitor in Europe, ranking third globally in small arms exports between 2019 and 2024.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan presented each head of state and government attending the NATO summit in Ankara with a personalized revolver loaded with live bullets. Each firearm bore the recipient leader’s name engraved on it. However, the revolver inscribed with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s name was not taken to Britain and remains with British officials in Turkey. Officials said the weapon will be deactivated before being sent to the UK to ensure it cannot fire live ammunition.

Erdogan reportedly relaxed Turkey’s export control laws to allow the gifts, though importing live firearms without authorization is illegal in the UK. Downing Street did not release any images of the revolver. During the summit, Prime Minister Starmer and President Erdogan signed a defense agreement aimed at improving intelligence sharing between the two countries.

In a post-summit statement, Starmer said NATO had emerged stronger and more united, emphasizing the importance of alliance unity amid ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Iran. This was Starmer’s final major international summit following his recent resignation announcement.

A brief exchange between French President Emmanuel Macron and Turkish First Lady Emine Erdogan became viral on social media after being captured at a NATO summit dinner in Ankara. The video, published by the Times of India on Wednesday, shows Macron appearing to attempt a hand kiss during a red-carpet greeting before the dinner, while Emine Erdogan withdrew her hand. The two then continued their greeting normally. French First Lady Brigitte Macron was also present beside the French president during the moment.

The incident took place at a reception hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ahead of high-level discussions among NATO leaders. The summit focused on key issues including European security, increased defense spending, and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The video spread widely online, drawing attention to the brief interaction ahead of the formal talks among NATO member states.

US President Donald Trump has announced the lifting of American sanctions imposed on Turkey and revealed plans to sell advanced F-35 fighter jets to the country. The announcement came on Tuesday ahead of his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during a NATO summit in Turkey.

Trump said the decision ends restrictions placed under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). The sanctions were originally imposed in 2020 after Turkey purchased the Russian S-400 missile defense system, which also led to its removal from the US F-35 program. Ankara has consistently argued that the sanctions were unfair and violated international law.

According to two sources familiar with the matter, Trump may take a positive stance on the F-35 sale during his visit, though legal procedures and congressional approval remain obstacles. Trump also noted that his meeting with Erdoğan would include discussions on expanding bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced on Monday that member states will reveal several multibillion-dollar arms deals during the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara. The move aims to demonstrate to U.S. President Donald Trump that allies are making tangible progress on their defense spending commitments. The summit, attended by leaders from the 32-member alliance, follows Trump’s criticism of Europe’s response to the Iran war.

Last year, under U.S. pressure, NATO members pledged to raise defense and security spending to 5 percent of GDP by 2035. Rutte said European allies and Canada are already investing about 4 percent and will present clear plans to reach the target. He noted that combined additional investments for 2025 and 2026 total $258 billion. The summit will also feature a defense industry forum where major arms contracts will be announced.

Diplomatic sources indicated that European and Canadian allies will commit at least €70 billion in military aid to Ukraine for 2026 and 2027, following reduced U.S. support. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will attend part of the summit, while Rutte emphasized continued NATO support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and air defense needs.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that Israel's 'warlike' government must not be given another chance to cause bloodshed in the region. He made the remarks on Saturday in Istanbul during a joint press conference with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif following bilateral and delegation-level meetings.

Erdogan stated that the two leaders discussed bilateral relations as well as regional and global issues. He emphasized that Turkey supports all initiatives aimed at reducing tensions and resolving problems through diplomatic means and will continue to do so in the future. The Turkish president added that Ankara will continue to work in solidarity with 'brotherly' countries like Pakistan to strengthen regional peace, stability, and prosperity.

Erdogan also expressed his desire for an environment where people of all religions and ethnicities in the region can live in peace and security. He noted Turkey’s interest in deepening cooperation with Pakistan in energy, transportation, critical minerals, and information technology sectors.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Istanbul on an official visit at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The visit aims to further strengthen relations between Pakistan and Turkey. Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, Sharif was received by Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkey Dr. Yousaf Junaid, and officials from Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.

According to an official statement, Prime Minister Sharif and President Erdoğan will hold detailed discussions on all key aspects of Pakistan-Turkey relations. The talks will focus on expanding trade and investment, promoting regional peace and security, and advancing issues of mutual interest. During his stay in Istanbul, Sharif will address a business conference highlighting investment opportunities in Pakistan’s special economic zones, energy, information technology, and privatization sectors.

The conference will be attended by leading Turkish business figures, investors, and government officials, with the goal of enhancing economic cooperation between the two nations.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that Israel has turned into a problem not only for Turkey but for the entire world. In an interview with CNN Turk, he said Israel’s current policies have made the country a burden that humanity can no longer bear. Fidan emphasized that Turkey will not change its stance on Israel and that global concern has grown because of Israel’s actions.

He further noted that Turkey was among the first countries to halt trade with Israel in protest against the ongoing war in Gaza. According to Fidan, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan suspended trade worth 10 billion dollars with Israel overnight, describing the move as a demonstration of firm and practical action.

The minister’s remarks underline Turkey’s continued criticism of Israel’s policies and its decision to maintain a strong diplomatic and economic stance amid the Gaza conflict.

Turkey’s defense and aerospace exports rose sharply between June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026, reaching 10.9 billion dollars, a 47.1 percent increase compared to the previous year’s 7.4 billion dollars. The growth was driven largely by higher demand from NATO member countries, where exports totaled 6.2 billion dollars, accounting for 57.3 percent of Turkey’s total defense and aerospace exports.

During this period, Turkey exported defense and aerospace products to 178 countries. The top three destinations were NATO allies, reflecting Turkey’s expanding defense industry cooperation within the alliance. The increase was attributed to international outreach, bilateral meetings, and defense industry diplomacy coordinated by Turkey’s Defense Industry Secretariat.

Turkey has strengthened its position not only as a supplier of defense products but also as a developer of technology, a promoter of joint production models, and a long-term partner to its allies, according to the report.

Turkey has increased transit fees for ships passing through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits by about 15 percent, effective July 1, 2026. The country’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure confirmed the adjustment to Russian news agency RIA Novosti, stating that the new rate will be 6.70 US dollars per ton, up from the previous 5.83 dollars set in 2022. The revision is part of the ministry’s annual review process.

The Bosphorus and Dardanelles are among the world’s busiest and most strategically important maritime routes. This latest increase continues a trend of fee adjustments that began in 2022, after nearly four decades of unchanged rates at 80 cents per ton since 1983. In 2022, Turkey raised the fee more than fivefold to 4.8 dollars per ton as part of a policy shift.

According to preliminary estimates by Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, Turkey expects to earn about 254 million US dollars from ship transits between July 2025 and June 2026, roughly 31 million dollars more than the previous fiscal year.