Aug 9, 2026
Turkey has begun restricting commercial ship traffic in the Black Sea and called on Russia and Ukraine to impose a moratorium on attacks against vessels in the region, following a surge in drone strikes on civilian cargo ships, including Turkish-linked vessels, in early August 2026.
Turkey has begun restricting commercial ship traffic in the Black Sea and called on Russia and Ukraine to impose a moratorium on attacks against vessels in the region, following a surge in drone strikes on civilian cargo ships, including Turkish-linked vessels, in early August 2026.
Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi forces launched deadly missile and drone strikes on the city of Marib, killing at least 30 government soldiers and civilians, prompting UN warnings that Yemen is at its greatest risk of renewed major conflict since the 2022 ceasefire. The escalation comes as Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey signed a NATO-style mutual defense pact in response to regional threats.
The three nations signed the 'Mecca Joint Defence Agreement' establishing that an armed attack on one signatory would be considered an attack on all, as regional tensions intensify with the ongoing US-Iran war. Turkey clarified the pact does not contradict its NATO commitments.
Foreign ministers from Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Qatar, UAE, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey released a joint declaration criticizing Israel's military campaign in Gaza, particularly attacks on healthcare facilities, and warning that continued strikes threaten peace implementation efforts.
Two Turkish-owned roll-on/roll-off cargo vessels were struck by drone attacks near Russia's Novorossiysk port in the Black Sea, leaving three crew members seriously injured. Turkey has called on both Russia and Ukraine to ensure safe navigation for commercial shipping in the region.
Turkey and Iraq have signed a one-year agreement to maintain operations of the Iraq-Turkey crude oil pipeline to Ceyhan port, with capacity for 750,000 barrels per day. The deal provides Baghdad with a critical northern export route as ongoing tensions continue to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Former Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has reached an agreement in principle to join Turkish club Besiktas on a contract running until 2027, with an option for an additional year. The deal, reportedly worth €12 million, is expected to be finalized and announced in the coming days.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan presented each NATO leader attending the alliance's summit in Ankara with a Turkish-made Gumusay revolver and ammunition as parting gifts. The unexpected firearms created logistical and legal complications, with some leaders like Belgian PM Bart De Wever discovering the weapons in their luggage upon return, while UK PM Keir Starmer left his behind due to British gun laws.
President Donald Trump doubled down on his push for U.S. control of Greenland during a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, threatening to undermine allies if they don't comply. Republican Representative Don Bacon publicly rebuked Trump's comments as 'foolish,' having previously suggested the president could face impeachment over any invasion attempt.
President Trump said he would remove Syria from the state sponsor of terrorism designation during a bilateral meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the NATO summit in Turkey, clearing the way for private-sector investment in Syria.
President Donald Trump announced the end of a ceasefire with Iran during a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, while also meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Syria's leader. Despite the controversial Iran declaration and threats to Spain, Trump praised the summit's 'tremendous unity.'
President Trump exhibited sharply contrasting behavior at a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, publicly lambasting allied leaders over defense spending and threatening to leave the alliance, while privately reassuring them 'We want to remain with you' and later claiming to feel 'tremendous love' from western leaders.
President Donald Trump said at a NATO summit in Turkey that the United States will give Ukraine a license to manufacture Patriot air defense system interceptors, marking a significant shift in his approach to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump acknowledged he had not yet informed defense contractors Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, who produce the Patriot system.
President Donald Trump used the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey to attack Spain as a 'terrible partner,' renew demands for U.S. control of Greenland, and declare the Iran ceasefire 'over,' before surprising allies by praising the alliance's unity as he departed the meeting.
NATO leaders convened in Ankara for their annual summit amid escalating tensions, as Russian attacks on Ukraine killed seven people and U.S. President Donald Trump rejected proposals for new sanctions against Russia, highlighting divisions within the alliance.
President Donald Trump stated he will lift sanctions on Turkey and make a decision on selling F-35 fighter jets to Ankara during a bilateral meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at a NATO summit. The move represents a significant policy shift despite concerns from Israel and questions about Turkey's S-400 missile defense system.
A wave of Russian missiles and drones struck Kyiv, killing 19 people and heavily damaging apartment blocks and other buildings. The attack occurred on the eve of a NATO summit in Turkey and has highlighted widening gaps in Ukraine's air defence capabilities.
President Donald Trump is traveling to Ankara, Turkey, for the annual NATO summit this week, where he will focus on enforcing defense spending pledges that alliance members made at last year's summit in response to his demands.
NATO leaders gathered in Ankara, Turkey for a summit focused on demonstrating increased European defense spending commitments to President Donald Trump. Alliance members announced at least $50 billion in defense industry deals while Trump renewed demands for Greenland and weighed allowing Turkey to purchase F-35 fighter jets.
Russia launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine's capital Kyiv early Monday morning, killing at least 7-10 people and injuring dozens more with waves of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones. The deadly assault came just hours before a critical NATO summit in Turkey that U.S. President Donald Trump plans to attend.
Turkish authorities detained more than 100 people, including protesters, journalists, academics and left-wing activists, in the days before Ankara hosts a major NATO summit. US President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian and Syrian leaders on the sidelines of the alliance gathering.
US President Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a lengthy phone call discussing Ukraine and potential peace negotiations, just as NATO leaders gathered in Ankara for their summit. The call, in which Trump positioned himself as a peacemaker, comes amid uncertainty over how to bring Putin to the negotiating table.
President Donald Trump is attending the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, this week to enforce defense spending pledges secured last year, while also meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to push for an end to the Ukraine war. Trump has criticized the alliance as 'one-sided' and suggested the U.S. relationship with NATO is 'not reciprocal,' even as he shifts focus from financial contributions to demanding loyalty from allies.
NATO's deputy commander calls for increased defense spending and Ukraine support ahead of next month's Turkey summit, as President Trump renews threats to leave the alliance during a meeting with Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the White House.
Australia secured a 2-0 victory over Turkey in their World Cup 2026 Group D match, with goals from Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe. The win marked Turkey's return to the World Cup after a 24-year absence and positioned Australia atop Group D alongside the USA.
The U.S. military carried out strikes against Iranian positions, including missile launch sites, even as President Trump announced that negotiations for an Iran deal are progressing. Trump is demanding that multiple countries, including Saudi Arabia and Turkey, normalize relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords as a condition of any agreement, drawing criticism from pro-Israel hawks and GOP lawmakers concerned about concessions to Iran.
Germany announced it will deploy a Patriot air defense battery and approximately 150 troops to Turkey under a NATO mission, replacing a US deployment and reinforcing the alliance's southeastern flank amid the Iran conflict.
Pakistani officials report a potential 'major breakthrough' in US-Iran talks over Iran's nuclear program, with Trump saying new negotiations could resume within days. Pakistan's army chief traveled to Tehran to facilitate discussions.
An 18-year-old former student opened fire at a high school in southeastern Turkey with a shotgun, wounding at least 16 people including students and teachers before killing himself. The attack occurred in the country's southeast region.
President Trump announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran less than two hours before his 8pm deadline, following last-minute mediation by Pakistan. The agreement includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz and suspending US bombing operations.
Pakistan has presented a 45-day ceasefire proposal to end the Iran war, though Iran has indicated reluctance to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as part of a temporary truce. Multiple mediators including Turkey and Egypt are involved.
Regional mediators are pushing a two-phase ceasefire deal starting with a 45-day truce between the US and Iran, as diplomatic efforts intensify to end the conflict. Both Iran and the US have received the draft proposal.
Foreign ministers from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt met in Islamabad to prepare diplomatic groundwork for de-escalation between the US and Iran, as Pakistan positions itself as a potential mediator in the month-long conflict.