Global Scans · Turkey · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Uncertainties over Turkey's eventual political position abound. With EU decisions in doubt, recent crackdown on opposition parties causing concerns, and being embroiled in complex Middle East politics and fighting terrorism on its borders and internally, which way will she swing?

• [New] Israel may be even considering scenarios in which a potential confrontation with Turkey could spill into the eastern Mediterranean and involve Cyprus. Algemeiner.com
• [New] China is forecast to be among the top five destination markets in terms of visitor spending (along with the United States, Spain, Thailand and Turkey). The Diplomat
• [New] Last month, Saudi Arabia entered into a new defence pact with Pakistan and Turkey, an early indication that stalwart American allies might seek new security arrangements. The Fort Morgan Times
• [New] In Europe, Greece continued to benefit from Turkey's vulnerability to the Iran War. DFNI
• [New] The Turkish-Israeli quasi-war in Syria will continue at a low pitch. The Washington Times
• [New] Athens argues that different treaty regimes apply to different islands, maintains that it retains the right to self-defence and says its defensive preparedness is necessary because of regional instability and what Greece regards as continuing Turkish threats. Nordic Monitor
• [New] Alongside targets for electrification, energy efficiency and the circular economy, Turkey set a goal of halving growth in global waste by 2035. Lowy Institute
• [New] Buyers in China, India, Turkey, Hungary and Slovakia would gain greater access to non-sanctioned crude, reducing their willingness to accept the legal, financial and operational risks associated with Russian barrels without demanding even steeper discounts. Rystad Energy
• [New] The central question remains whether Jerusalem's diplomatic efforts in Washington will succeed in blocking the F-35 deal, or whether Israel will be forced to prepare for a new era in which Turkey projects significant military power across both the near and more distant regional circles. Alma Research and Education Center
• [New] The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel would not tolerate a Turkish military presence that poses a threat to its security. Alma Research and Education Center
• [New] From the Eastern Mediterranean to the Horn of Africa and the wider Middle East, Turkey and Israel have conflicting policies, priorities and threat perceptions. Al Jazeera
• [New] Persistent truck driver shortages in several European countries, as well as in China, Mexico and Turkey will continue to disrupt activity. Coface
• [New] SunExpress plans to expand its Dalaman, Turkey, network from Germany and Austria for summer 2027, adding new routes and increasing frequencies to provide up to 28 X-weekly flights from 10 airports. Aviation Week Network
• [New] Iran will now be forced to redirect transactions through China, Turkey, Iraq, Oman, Central Asia, cryptocurrencies, barter arrangements, and still more complicated front companies. Armstrong Economics
• [New] NATO intercepted four ballistic missiles Iran launched towards Turkey in 2026, offering it as proof the military alliance's deterrence defence posture is strong and effective against outside threats. Al Jazeera
• [New] Turkey's President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, says he hopes more countries join a defence agreement between Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, which is aimed at stabilising a region wracked by conflict. SBS News
• [New] The defence pact does not mean that Pakistani or Turkish troops will join the war in Yemen on behalf of their ally. Al Jazeera
• [New] Ukraine could receive a significant weapons package from Turkey in the near future. SOF News
• [New] From November, exports other than to mostly rich Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development countries will be banned, and there will be tighter controls on exports to OECD member countries such as Turkey. The Guardian
• [New] Turkey Sells Critical Defence Equipment to Ukraine; War-Related GPS Jamming Could Pose Problems for Civil Aviation in Europe; Ukraine's Interceptors Against Jet-Powered Shaheds: Key Challenges; and 10+ additional developments in Ukraine and Russia. Ukraine's Arms Monitor
• [New] Turkish Central Bank Governor Fatih Karahan announced on Thursday during the presentation of the third Inflation Report of the year that the end-2027 inflation forecast remains at 15% and the end-2028 at 9%. Turkish Minute
• [New] Turkey is no longer merely a regional actor - it may be becoming the central strategic axis threatening Israel in the future. Alma Research and Education Center

Last updated: 31 August 2026