Erdoğan: No peace without main regional actors

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told the Inter‑Parliamentary Union General Assembly that no framework excluding key regional actors can deliver peace and security. He called for a two‑state solution in Palestine, described the post‑WWII international system as facing a major legitimacy crisis, and reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to Africa and Sudan.

Fidan meets Syrian President al-Sharaa in Antalya ahead of diplomacy forum

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Antalya on Friday ahead of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. The meeting comes as the fifth edition of the forum opens under the theme "Mapping Tomorrow, Managing Uncertainties."

Erdoğan: European troops sent to Cyprus over Iran war should not be permanent

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman that military elements deployed to Cyprus by some European countries under the pretext of the Iran war should not become permanent. He reaffirmed Türkiye’s readiness to take all necessary steps to defend the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Türkiye convenes Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia for Antalya talks

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will host the third quadrilateral meeting of top diplomats from Türkiye, Egypt, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia on Friday in Antalya. The gathering, held on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026, will focus on regional solutions to shared challenges, particularly the ongoing US/Israel-Iran war.

Türkiye launches carbon trading amid US tariffs, Iran war energy shock

Türkiye has launched its national emissions trading system pilot in early 2026, navigating a turbulent global landscape of US tariffs, shifting EU climate debates, and an Iran-linked energy crisis. Experts say the starting price and careful market oversight will determine success. As COP31 host, Türkiye backs green transition not as idealism but “pure economic logic.”

Global debt crisis and interest trap deepen in 2026

Global debt has reached a record $348 trillion in early 2026, with OECD warning it could hit $370 trillion by year-end. Rising interest payments are consuming national revenues, forcing cuts in health and education while military spending rises. The US alone pays over $1.1 trillion annually in interest—double Türkiye’s total public expenditure.

Syria seeks Israel withdrawal to 1974 lines in security deal

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa announced Friday that Damascus is pursuing a comprehensive diplomatic initiative requiring Israel to withdraw to 1974 armistice boundaries. Speaking at Türkiye's Antalya Diplomacy Forum, the transitional leader outlined a security-focused roadmap that could eventually address the status of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights while categorically rejecting Tel Aviv's sovereignty claims over the strategic territory.

Time glorifies genocide architect Netanyahu as ‘influential leader’

Time magazine’s 2026 list of the 100 most influential people has sparked global outrage by featuring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — accused of genocide in Gaza — alongside Donald Trump as top leaders. The magazine praised Netanyahu’s political comeback and military operations, drawing fierce condemnation from human rights advocates.

US intelligence warned Iran war could widen with China, Russia support

US intelligence warned days after the US-Israeli war on Iran began that the conflict could widen, citing indications that China was considering supplying advanced radar systems to Tehran and that Russia had shared intelligence on US military positions in the Middle East.

Trump defends Pope Leo criticism, cites nuclear disagreement

US President Donald Trump defended his criticism of Pope Leo XIV, insisting he has the right to disagree after falsely claiming the pontiff backed Iran’s nuclear weapons ambitions. Trump said he supports the Pope “preaching the gospel” but not on Iran. The remarks have strained Vatican and Italian ties.

US Envoy: Selective intervention in Syria-Israel negotiations

US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack has indicated that Washington adopts a selective approach to mediating between Damascus and Jerusalem, intervening only when strategic imperatives demand. Speaking at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, the Special Envoy for Syria emphasized President Trump's preference for regional actors to assume primary responsibility for resolving local conflicts, marking a potential shift from traditional post-war American security guarantees toward a doctrine of calculated, interest-driven engagement.

Syrian president meets Aliyev, Barzani at Antalya Forum

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa held strategic talks with Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev and Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government President Nechirvan Barzani in Antalya. The encounter occurred during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, highlighting Türkiye's central role in facilitating regional dialogue. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani joined the discussions at the NEST Congress Center in Belek, underscoring Damascus's commitment to expanding diplomatic engagement with neighboring states.

Beijing calls for responsibility as Israel-Lebanon ceasefire begins

Beijing has called on Tel Aviv and Beirut to demonstrate accountability as a fragile 10-day ceasefire comes into effect between Israel and Lebanon. The Chinese Foreign Ministry emphasized political solutions over military confrontation, urging both parties to preserve negotiation momentum despite early reports of Israeli shelling in southern Lebanese territories.

Gaza's future: Disarmament dilemma, failed peace board, and potential return to war

The Board of Peace lacks enforcement power and binding authority, functioning more as diplomatic theater than a real conflict-resolution mechanism, an analysis argues. With Israel uninterested in a genuine peace agreement, Gaza faces scenarios of unchanged humanitarian catastrophe, a return to genocidal war, or Israeli pursuit of "Greater Israel."

Families say US sailors going hungry as mail deliveries halted amid Iran war blockade

Families of US service members deployed on warships amid President Trump's war against Iran are increasingly concerned that troops are going hungry amid a halt in postal deliveries, USA Today reported. The USS Tripoli and USS Abraham Lincoln crews face sparse food trays and low hygiene supplies, with no end date for delivery suspension.

Gaza faces environmental catastrophe as garbage piles up amid Israeli restrictions

Gaza is facing a looming environmental and health catastrophe as garbage continues to pile up on streets, in residential neighborhoods and displacement camps, local authorities warned Thursday. Israel's closure of major dumping sites and restrictions on fuel have pushed the enclave's waste management system to the brink of collapse.

Israeli settlers torch Palestinian vehicles in occupied West Bank

Armed Israeli settlers launched a predawn assault on Palestinian residential areas near Hebron early Friday, destroying two vehicles by fire. The attack targeting the Abu Ali family home in the southern occupied West Bank marks the latest escalation in settler violence that has surged since October. Palestinian activists report increasing raids from nearby settlements, with hundreds of similar incidents documented monthly amid rising tensions in the occupied territory.

IEA: Middle East energy production may take two years to recover to pre-war levels

Middle East energy production may take around two years to return to pre-war levels, IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said Friday, with recovery varying across countries. The IEA stands ready to release more emergency stocks if needed, though the most important step is reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Macron welcomes Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, warns military operations could undermine truce

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon but warned that continued military operations risk undermining the fragile truce. Macron called on Hezbollah to renounce its weapons and Israel to respect Lebanese sovereignty.

Displaced Lebanese begin returning south as Israel-Lebanon ceasefire takes effect

Tens of thousands of displaced Lebanese began returning early Friday to southern Lebanon and Beirut's southern suburbs after a ceasefire with Israel took effect at midnight. The 10-day truce, announced by President Trump, follows an Israeli offensive that killed 2,196 people and displaced over 1 million.

Israeli fire kills two Palestinian brothers in Gaza, violates ceasefire

Israeli fire killed two Palestinian brothers and wounded another on Friday in Gaza City's Shujaiya neighborhood, medical sources said. The incident is among daily Israeli violations of the ceasefire, which have killed 765 Palestinians and wounded 2,140 since Oct. 10, 2025.

Trump announces 10-day Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, says Iran deal near

US President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire starting at midnight, while also saying a deal with Iran is near. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said Israel will continue to remain in occupied areas of southern Lebanon.

Iran rejects temporary ceasefire, demands full end to regional war

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh announced that Tehran rejects any temporary ceasefire and insists on a comprehensive end to hostilities across the region, from Lebanon to the Red Sea. He said Pakistan’s mediation aims for a permanent resolution, not a pause.

Palestinian minister says Gaza genocide continues unabated

Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian told the Antalya Diplomacy Forum that Israel’s genocide in Gaza has not stopped, citing ongoing killings, injuries, and a humanitarian catastrophe. She called for urgent international action, noting that five months after a ceasefire, displaced families live in flooded tents surrounded by rubble and contaminated food.

Guatemala calls Türkiye strategic partner in Latin America

Guatemala’s deputy foreign minister described Türkiye as a “strategic partner in Latin America” during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, citing strong bilateral ties, embassy openings, and growing cooperation. She also welcomed recent ceasefires in Iran and Lebanon, urging permanent dialogue and a return to negotiations.