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tr48ISIS operative claims 2015 Ankara bombing was unauthorized, alleges contacts with Turkish government
Senior ISIS operative Ömer Deniz Dündar, a defendant in the 2015 Ankara train station bombing case, told investigators that the attack which killed 109 people was initiated by a local commander without ISIS leadership authorization, during a period of alleged indirect negotiations between ISIS and Turkish authorities. Dündar also revealed assassination plots against Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, American pastor Andrew Brunson, and LGBTQ communities. The claims revive longstanding allegations of Turkish intelligence (MİT) links to ISIS operatives, including İlhami Balı, who allegedly met with MİT officers. Dündar described a network called the 'Faruk Office' coordinating ISIS cells across Turkey, the Caucasus, Kosovo, and Europe.
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ISIS operative claims 2015 Ankara bombing was unauthorized, alleges contacts with Turkish government
Senior ISIS operative Ömer Deniz Dündar, a defendant in the 2015 Ankara train station bombing case, told investigators that the attack which killed 109 people was initiated by a local commander without ISIS leadership authorization, during a period of alleged indirect negotiations between ISIS and Turkish authorities. Dündar also revealed assassination plots against Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, American pastor Andrew Brunson, and LGBTQ communities. The claims revive longstanding allegations of Turkish intelligence (MİT) links to ISIS operatives, including İlhami Balı, who allegedly met with MİT officers. Dündar described a network called the 'Faruk Office' coordinating ISIS cells across Turkey, the Caucasus, Kosovo, and Europe.
Senior ISIS operative Ömer Deniz Dündar, a defendant in the 2015 Ankara train station bombing case, told investigators that the attack which killed 109 people was initiated by a local commander without ISIS leadership authorization, during a period of alleged indirect negotiations between ISIS and Turkish authorities. Dündar also revealed assassination plots against Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, American pastor Andrew Brunson, and LGBTQ communities. The claims revive longstanding allegations of Turkish intelligence (MİT) links to ISIS operatives, including İlhami Balı, who allegedly met with MİT officers. Dündar described a network called the 'Faruk Office' coordinating ISIS cells across Turkey, the Caucasus, Kosovo, and Europe.
tr48Turkish-owned ships safely depart Strait of Hormuz after 100-day closure
Background: The Strait of Hormuz standoff, triggered by US-Israeli attacks on Iran, stranded 20,000 seafarers and saw ship transits plummet. On June 26, 2026, 15 Turkish-owned ships with 99 personnel safely departed the region after over 100 days of closure, as confirmed by the Turkish transport minister. Three other Turkish vessels chose to remain for commercial activities.
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Turkish-owned ships safely depart Strait of Hormuz after 100-day closure
Background: The Strait of Hormuz standoff, triggered by US-Israeli attacks on Iran, stranded 20,000 seafarers and saw ship transits plummet. On June 26, 2026, 15 Turkish-owned ships with 99 personnel safely departed the region after over 100 days of closure, as confirmed by the Turkish transport minister. Three other Turkish vessels chose to remain for commercial activities.
Background: The Strait of Hormuz standoff, triggered by US-Israeli attacks on Iran, stranded 20,000 seafarers and saw ship transits plummet. On June 26, 2026, 15 Turkish-owned ships with 99 personnel safely departed the region after over 100 days of closure, as confirmed by the Turkish transport minister. Three other Turkish vessels chose to remain for commercial activities.
tr43Turkey blocks over 1.5 million websites, expands internet censorship, report finds
A report by the Freedom of Expression Association (İFÖD) documents that Turkish authorities had blocked access to over 1.5 million websites and domain names by end of 2025, through more than 1.28 million court and administrative decisions. The report describes a multilayered censorship system combining court orders, bandwidth throttling, content removals, and platform compliance, increasingly used against opposition groups, journalists, and activists. It notes a significant rise in blocks under Article 8/A of Turkey's internet law between 2024 and 2025, and that Constitutional Court rulings overturning blocks are often ignored by lower courts. The government is also preparing legislation requiring social media users to log in with national ID numbers and regulating VPNs.
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Turkey blocks over 1.5 million websites, expands internet censorship, report finds
A report by the Freedom of Expression Association (İFÖD) documents that Turkish authorities had blocked access to over 1.5 million websites and domain names by end of 2025, through more than 1.28 million court and administrative decisions. The report describes a multilayered censorship system combining court orders, bandwidth throttling, content removals, and platform compliance, increasingly used against opposition groups, journalists, and activists. It notes a significant rise in blocks under Article 8/A of Turkey's internet law between 2024 and 2025, and that Constitutional Court rulings overturning blocks are often ignored by lower courts. The government is also preparing legislation requiring social media users to log in with national ID numbers and regulating VPNs.
A report by the Freedom of Expression Association (İFÖD) documents that Turkish authorities had blocked access to over 1.5 million websites and domain names by end of 2025, through more than 1.28 million court and administrative decisions. The report describes a multilayered censorship system combining court orders, bandwidth throttling, content removals, and platform compliance, increasingly used against opposition groups, journalists, and activists. It notes a significant rise in blocks under Article 8/A of Turkey's internet law between 2024 and 2025, and that Constitutional Court rulings overturning blocks are often ignored by lower courts. The government is also preparing legislation requiring social media users to log in with national ID numbers and regulating VPNs.
tr43Turkey shifts from ideological alignment to transactional bargaining ahead of NATO summit
Background: The 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara was previously confirmed for July 7-8, with Turkey positioning itself as a mediator and key ally. A new analysis published on June 18, 2026, argues that Turkey's foreign policy has shifted from ideological alignment to transactional bargaining, particularly with the US under President Trump. Key issues include CAATSA sanctions, the F-35 program, engines for the KAAN fighter jet, and regional security in the Black Sea and Syria. Turkey aims to use its host status to demonstrate its indispensability to NATO, advance defense industry interests, and engage in side diplomacy with European leaders, pursuing concrete gains rather than a return to a classic Western orientation. The analysis notes that Turkey's approach is now characterized by less identity and belonging, and more transaction and gain.
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Turkey shifts from ideological alignment to transactional bargaining ahead of NATO summit
Background: The 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara was previously confirmed for July 7-8, with Turkey positioning itself as a mediator and key ally. A new analysis published on June 18, 2026, argues that Turkey's foreign policy has shifted from ideological alignment to transactional bargaining, particularly with the US under President Trump. Key issues include CAATSA sanctions, the F-35 program, engines for the KAAN fighter jet, and regional security in the Black Sea and Syria. Turkey aims to use its host status to demonstrate its indispensability to NATO, advance defense industry interests, and engage in side diplomacy with European leaders, pursuing concrete gains rather than a return to a classic Western orientation. The analysis notes that Turkey's approach is now characterized by less identity and belonging, and more transaction and gain.
Background: The 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara was previously confirmed for July 7-8, with Turkey positioning itself as a mediator and key ally. A new analysis published on June 18, 2026, argues that Turkey's foreign policy has shifted from ideological alignment to transactional bargaining, particularly with the US under President Trump. Key issues include CAATSA sanctions, the F-35 program, engines for the KAAN fighter jet, and regional security in the Black Sea and Syria. Turkey aims to use its host status to demonstrate its indispensability to NATO, advance defense industry interests, and engage in side diplomacy with European leaders, pursuing concrete gains rather than a return to a classic Western orientation. The analysis notes that Turkey's approach is now characterized by less identity and belonging, and more transaction and gain.
tr43Romania receives first new warship in 30 years, a Turkish-built corvette, boosting Black Sea security
Romania received the corvette ROS Contraamiral August Roman, its first new warship in 30 years, purchased from Turkey under a €223 million government-to-government contract. The vessel, originally built for the Turkish Navy, is equipped with a 76mm gun, radar, sonar, and electronic warfare systems. The transfer underscores growing defense cooperation between Turkey and Romania, with plans for further upgrades including air-defense missiles and NSM anti-ship missiles. Both countries emphasized the importance of Black Sea security as part of Euro-Atlantic security.
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Romania receives first new warship in 30 years, a Turkish-built corvette, boosting Black Sea security
Romania received the corvette ROS Contraamiral August Roman, its first new warship in 30 years, purchased from Turkey under a €223 million government-to-government contract. The vessel, originally built for the Turkish Navy, is equipped with a 76mm gun, radar, sonar, and electronic warfare systems. The transfer underscores growing defense cooperation between Turkey and Romania, with plans for further upgrades including air-defense missiles and NSM anti-ship missiles. Both countries emphasized the importance of Black Sea security as part of Euro-Atlantic security.
Romania received the corvette ROS Contraamiral August Roman, its first new warship in 30 years, purchased from Turkey under a €223 million government-to-government contract. The vessel, originally built for the Turkish Navy, is equipped with a 76mm gun, radar, sonar, and electronic warfare systems. The transfer underscores growing defense cooperation between Turkey and Romania, with plans for further upgrades including air-defense missiles and NSM anti-ship missiles. Both countries emphasized the importance of Black Sea security as part of Euro-Atlantic security.
tr40Turkey targets $50 billion in exports to distant markets by 2028, raises export loan limit
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced a new target to boost Turkey's exports to distant markets to $50 billion by 2028, and raised the annual limit for rediscount loans from TL4.5 billion to TL5 billion, adding TL500 million in funding to support exporters. The announcement was made at the Turkish Exporters Assembly meeting in Istanbul, where Erdoğan highlighted exports as a key driver of Turkey's 23 consecutive quarters of uninterrupted economic growth.
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Turkey targets $50 billion in exports to distant markets by 2028, raises export loan limit
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced a new target to boost Turkey's exports to distant markets to $50 billion by 2028, and raised the annual limit for rediscount loans from TL4.5 billion to TL5 billion, adding TL500 million in funding to support exporters. The announcement was made at the Turkish Exporters Assembly meeting in Istanbul, where Erdoğan highlighted exports as a key driver of Turkey's 23 consecutive quarters of uninterrupted economic growth.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced a new target to boost Turkey's exports to distant markets to $50 billion by 2028, and raised the annual limit for rediscount loans from TL4.5 billion to TL5 billion, adding TL500 million in funding to support exporters. The announcement was made at the Turkish Exporters Assembly meeting in Istanbul, where Erdoğan highlighted exports as a key driver of Turkey's 23 consecutive quarters of uninterrupted economic growth.
tr39Hamas consults mediators on Gaza ceasefire implementation, accuses Israel of violations
Background: A senior Hamas delegation led by Khalil al-Hayya arrived in Cairo for negotiations on completing the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement and establishing mechanisms for the second phase. New development: Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem stated the group is consulting with mediators Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar to secure full implementation of the ceasefire, including completing the first phase and moving to the second phase covering Gaza governance and deployment of international forces. A Hamas delegation is expected to visit Cairo in the coming days to deliver its response to newly proposed approaches presented by Board of Peace envoy Nikolay Mladenov. Qassem accused Israel of major ceasefire violations, including restrictions on humanitarian aid and continued killings, with over 1,000 Palestinians killed since the ceasefire took effect. He called on mediators to pressure Israel and urged the entry of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza to begin relief and reconstruction.
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Hamas consults mediators on Gaza ceasefire implementation, accuses Israel of violations
Background: A senior Hamas delegation led by Khalil al-Hayya arrived in Cairo for negotiations on completing the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement and establishing mechanisms for the second phase. New development: Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem stated the group is consulting with mediators Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar to secure full implementation of the ceasefire, including completing the first phase and moving to the second phase covering Gaza governance and deployment of international forces. A Hamas delegation is expected to visit Cairo in the coming days to deliver its response to newly proposed approaches presented by Board of Peace envoy Nikolay Mladenov. Qassem accused Israel of major ceasefire violations, including restrictions on humanitarian aid and continued killings, with over 1,000 Palestinians killed since the ceasefire took effect. He called on mediators to pressure Israel and urged the entry of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza to begin relief and reconstruction.
Background: A senior Hamas delegation led by Khalil al-Hayya arrived in Cairo for negotiations on completing the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement and establishing mechanisms for the second phase. New development: Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem stated the group is consulting with mediators Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar to secure full implementation of the ceasefire, including completing the first phase and moving to the second phase covering Gaza governance and deployment of international forces. A Hamas delegation is expected to visit Cairo in the coming days to deliver its response to newly proposed approaches presented by Board of Peace envoy Nikolay Mladenov. Qassem accused Israel of major ceasefire violations, including restrictions on humanitarian aid and continued killings, with over 1,000 Palestinians killed since the ceasefire took effect. He called on mediators to pressure Israel and urged the entry of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza to begin relief and reconstruction.
tr36Turkey advances Steel Dome air defense with Siper missile tests and Aselsan contracts
Background: Italy and Türkiye deepened defense cooperation, with Italy deploying SAMP/T at Konya and Turkey testing its Siper system. Today, Turkey announced major progress in its Steel Dome air and missile defense system, including successful test firings of the Siper-1 and Siper-2 systems. The Siper-1 achieved full operational capability with the Turkish Air Force after destroying a high-speed, highly maneuverable target aircraft. The Siper-2 long-range regional air and missile defense system successfully destroyed a maneuvering target in a separate test conducted by Aselsan, Roketsan, and TÜBITAK SAGE. Aselsan secured over $4 billion in firm orders under the Steel Dome program, including a 780 million euro contract with the SSB, and is building a $1.5 billion production facility in Ankara to double mass production capacity and create 5,000 skilled jobs. Turkey plans to phase out obsolete systems like the MIM-23 Hawk and procure additional Hisar and Siper batteries, while work on Siper-3 for ballistic missile defense is expected to accelerate.
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Turkey advances Steel Dome air defense with Siper missile tests and Aselsan contracts
Background: Italy and Türkiye deepened defense cooperation, with Italy deploying SAMP/T at Konya and Turkey testing its Siper system. Today, Turkey announced major progress in its Steel Dome air and missile defense system, including successful test firings of the Siper-1 and Siper-2 systems. The Siper-1 achieved full operational capability with the Turkish Air Force after destroying a high-speed, highly maneuverable target aircraft. The Siper-2 long-range regional air and missile defense system successfully destroyed a maneuvering target in a separate test conducted by Aselsan, Roketsan, and TÜBITAK SAGE. Aselsan secured over $4 billion in firm orders under the Steel Dome program, including a 780 million euro contract with the SSB, and is building a $1.5 billion production facility in Ankara to double mass production capacity and create 5,000 skilled jobs. Turkey plans to phase out obsolete systems like the MIM-23 Hawk and procure additional Hisar and Siper batteries, while work on Siper-3 for ballistic missile defense is expected to accelerate.
Background: Italy and Türkiye deepened defense cooperation, with Italy deploying SAMP/T at Konya and Turkey testing its Siper system. Today, Turkey announced major progress in its Steel Dome air and missile defense system, including successful test firings of the Siper-1 and Siper-2 systems. The Siper-1 achieved full operational capability with the Turkish Air Force after destroying a high-speed, highly maneuverable target aircraft. The Siper-2 long-range regional air and missile defense system successfully destroyed a maneuvering target in a separate test conducted by Aselsan, Roketsan, and TÜBITAK SAGE. Aselsan secured over $4 billion in firm orders under the Steel Dome program, including a 780 million euro contract with the SSB, and is building a $1.5 billion production facility in Ankara to double mass production capacity and create 5,000 skilled jobs. Turkey plans to phase out obsolete systems like the MIM-23 Hawk and procure additional Hisar and Siper batteries, while work on Siper-3 for ballistic missile defense is expected to accelerate.