Following a phone call with Turkish President Erdogan, Trump is reportedly considering lifting sanctions and approving F-35 sales to Turkey, alongside F-16 upgrades, contingent on Turkey relinquishing its Russian S-400 systems. The move could mark a significant thaw in U.S.-Turkey defense ties
Tag: Turkey
A 57-year-old Queensland man faces charges for allegedly helping Sayit Erhan Akca, a suspected drug smuggler tied to the Dural caravan fake terror plot, flee Australia in 2023. Police say the escape involved a boat journey from Thursday Island to Phuket, part of a broader organized crime scheme linked to antisemitic hoaxes across Sydney.
The European Commission has extended the express visa program for Turkish citizens visiting Greece’s Aegean islands for another year, starting April 1, 2025. The seven-day visas, issued at island ports, now include Patmos and Samothrace alongside ten other islands, boosting tourism and strengthening ties between the two nations.
Thousands of supporters of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) have gathered for the second consecutive day outside the Istanbul Municipality to show their support for Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul, who was arrested on charges of corruption and terrorism. The rallies are expected to continue until at least Sunday.
In a shocking turn of events, a football match at the Turkish Commando Training Center in Isparta spiraled into chaos as Somali soldiers clashed with their Turkish trainers. The violent brawl left 51 Somalis injured, one critically, amid rumors of insults igniting the fray in Turkey’s famed “City of Roses.”
A Greek consortium tasked with constructing Athens’ new metro Line 4 has sparked outrage after digging a 160-meter tunnel in the wrong direction under Katehaki Avenue. The blunder, revealed by Communist Party MP Christos Katsotis, has raised safety fears over potential subsidence near hospitals and public buildings. Overseen by Elliniko Metro, the error went unnoticed for six months, prompting fierce criticism of the AVAX-Ghello-Alstom consortium and government oversight, though officials insist the mistake poses no major structural risk.
Tripoli appears to follow the beginning of the median line between Greece and Libya rather…
On March 19, 2025, Istanbul erupted in chaos as authorities seized the construction company of jailed Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a leading opposition figure, following his arrest on charges of bribery and terrorism ties. The move, branded a “coup attempt” by CHP leader Ozgur Ozel, ignited massive protests despite a ban, with police clashing with crowds near Taksim Square. As Turkey braces for further unrest, Imamoglu’s wife vowed to resist what she called a plot to erase the nation’s “future president.”
Arms companies from the US, UK, and Turkey will be excluded from a new €150bn…
The European Union will exclude defense companies from the USA, UK, and Turkey from a new €150 billion defense fund unless their countries sign security agreements with Brussels. Open only to EU firms and third countries with defense pacts, the initiative also bans advanced weapons systems like the U.S.-made Patriot, pushing a “Buy European” approach amid concerns over U.S. reliability.
The arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has triggered strong reactions from foreign governments, with Germany calling it a “serious setback” for Turkish democracy and France expressing deep concern over its potential consequences. Amid allegations of fraud and bribery, the detention of the prominent opposition figure, seen as a key rival to President Erdogan, has intensified political tensions in Turkey.
The Greek government is set to resume surveys in April for the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI), a subsea electricity cable linking Greece and Cyprus, despite technical delays and Turkish opposition. The project aims to enhance energy security and integrate renewable energy in the Eastern Mediterranean, with Greece asserting its rights in international waters.
Turkish authorities have detained Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu days before his expected presidential nomination, citing corruption and terror-related charges. The move, denounced by the opposition CHP as a “coup,” has sparked political tensions and caused the Turkish lira to hit an all-time low.
Turkey is preparing to ratify framework military agreements with Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia, enhancing its presence in the region and expanding its influence around Greece. These agreements, signed in 2024, aim to deepen military relations and address regional security threats amidst heightened geopolitical tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Turkey has restricted access to multiple social media platforms including X, YouTube, Instagram and TikTok…
Turkish sources report that a large security force has surrounded İmamoğlu’s home. Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality…
The 3+1 scheme, supported by Greece, Cyprus, and Israel with the assistance of the USA,…
Ankara will once again demand from Brussels the lifting of sanctions against Syria “unconditionally” and…
A Metron Analysis survey, presented at the Circle of Ideas conference, reveals deep concerns among Greeks about the economy (63%) and rule of law (46%), with democracy rated a mere 4.1 out of 10. Amid pessimism and anger, citizens see Turkey (52%) and Trump (31%) as key threats, favor EU autonomy (63%), and signal a crisis of trust in politics, with calls for judicial reform and coalition governance growing louder.
U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held their first call since Trump’s January 2025 inauguration, discussing peace efforts for Ukraine, lifting sanctions on Syria to aid refugee returns, and easing CAATSA sanctions on Turkey to advance military deals, including F-16 purchases and F-35 reinstatement.