Published January 05,2026

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called for Türkiye’s re-entry into the US-led F-35 fighter jet program, saying such a step would help strengthen relations between Türkiye and the US, and also enhance NATO security.

In written responses to questions from Bloomberg, referring to his September 2025 meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House, Erdoğan described the decision to expel Türkiye from the F-35 program over its purchase of military equipment from Russia almost a decade ago as “unjust,” adding that he had personally conveyed this to Trump.

The Turkish president said Trump’s return to office had created an opportunity for relations between Ankara and Washington to move onto “a more reasonable and constructive footing.”

On the F-35 issue, Erdoğan said: “Türkiye’s receipt of the F-35 aircraft for which it has already paid, and its reintegration into the program, are important and necessary” for better ties with the US and NATO’s defense.

Regarding a possible purchase of F-16 Block 70 aircraft from the US, Erdoğan stressed that Ankara expects terms to be in line with the spirit of the NATO alliance, citing Türkiye’s purchase of Eurofighter jets as an example.

On the criminal case filed in the US against Türkiye’s state-owned lender Türkiye Halk Bankasi AS, Erdoğan stressed Türkiye considers the allegations to be misguided and has engaged in talks to ensure the bank does not face “unfair penalties.” He said: “Our hope is to reach a fair outcome that is fully consistent with the law.”

Touching on bilateral energy ties, the Turkish leader said: “We have significantly increased our LNG supplies, particularly from the US,” emphasizing that this now holds a “prominent position” in Türkiye’s supply chain.

Erdoğan underlined that Türkiye’s position is very clear, saying: “We act in line with our national interests and our energy security.”

“As a country that relies on imports for a substantial portion of its hydrocarbon requirements, we must pursue a cautious and balanced approach in all matters that may impact our energy security,” he said.

– Ankara is ‘sole actor able to speak directly’ with Moscow, Kyiv

He stressed that thanks to Türkiye’s ability to stay out of the Russia-Ukraine war, Ankara remains a possible host for future peace talks and could provide support for monitoring any ceasefire between the warring countries.

“Türkiye stands as the sole actor able to speak directly” with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Erdoğan said: “Our door remains open to all. I have conveyed this resolve clearly and on numerous occasions to both” leaders.

Erdoğan also sharply criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s actions in Palestine, stressing that a proposed International Stabilization Force expected to be established in Gaza would “struggle to achieve legitimacy” without Türkiye’s involvement.

“We are in the position of a key country for such a mission due to our deep historical ties with the Palestinian side, the security and diplomacy channels we have conducted with Israel in the past, and our regional influence as a NATO member country,” he said.

“Our political will is clear; we stand ready to take on any responsibility for a lasting peace in Gaza,” he noted.

Published January 05,2026

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Monday held a phone call with the United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, discussing bilateral relations as well as regional and global developments, the Communications Directorate said.

President Erdoğan told Sheikh Mohammed that Türkiye supports the territorial integrity, unity and solidarity of Yemen and Somalia, and is ready to contribute to efforts aimed at ensuring peace and stability.

Türkiye, Erdoğan added, is working to end the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza, stressing that steps must be taken as soon as possible for the reconstruction of the enclave.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has proposed the development of defense cooperation among Turkic states, while also denying he is proposing the creation of a military organization.

In an interview with Azerbaijani television outlets released late Monday, Aliyev recalled his proposal at the 12th summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) last October to hold joint military exercises among the organization’s members.

He highlighted the importance of bolstering one’s military potential, arguing there is “no such thing as international law in today’s world.”

He said no country or leader should do “anything wrong, should not set their sights on the territorial integrity of any country, should not occupy any country,” while advocating for military power so that “no one should even think of harming you and getting away with that.”

“That is why we are increasing our power, including our military power. We cooperate with Türkiye in the format of a formal alliance, including a military alliance … However, it would be good if the Turkic states, which are our family, also started cooperating in this direction,” Aliyev said.

He, however, clarified that he is not proposing the creation of any military organization. “We are now simply cooperating in the energy sector, in the transport sector, in trade, investment, in many areas. Why not cooperate in this area as well?”

“Considering that this is the number one issue for all countries today, my proposal is valid. We are now sending our messages through various diplomatic channels. If there is a general agreement, then we will see these exercises this year,” he added.

In his address at the 12th OTS summit, held in the Azerbaijani city of Gabala, Aliyev proposed holding joint military exercises among its member states in 2026, considering what he described as “extensive cooperation between our countries in military, defense, and security areas.”

The OTS, formerly the Turkic Council, is an international platform for Turkic countries to work together to strengthen relations and ties in all spheres.

Its members are Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, while Hungary, Turkmenistan, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) have observer status.

– GAZA PEACEKEEPING FORCE

In response to a question on whether Azerbaijan’s potential participation in any “stabilization operations” in Gaza is being considered, Aliyev confirmed Baku has received such requests, but that they must clearly understand what its mandate might be and what kind of operations it might involve before making a decision on the issue.

“Regarding the situation in the Gaza Strip, in our view, it remains unclear who will issue the mandate and what its nature will be,” Aliyev said, expressing Azerbaijan has never considered participating in “peace enforcement.”

“We have never participated in combat operations, and I would not consider participating in combat operations outside of Azerbaijan at all,” he added.

Aliyev expressed surprise over remarks late last year by US Representative to the UN Mike Waltz on Azerbaijan “signing up” to join a proposed International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza, saying Baku did not give consent to its participation.

In this context, Aliyev said, Azerbaijan informed the US administration through diplomatic channels that “such false statements are unacceptable and create a false impression.”

“We compiled a questionnaire of more than 20 questions and submitted it to the American side. Until these questions are clarified, no participation by Azerbaijan in any mission is envisioned,” he said.

Envisioned in US President Donald Trump’s 20-point ceasefire plan, the ISF is a multinational peacekeeping force set to be deployed to oversee reconstruction and security efforts in the Gaza Strip, which has been decimated by Israel’s two-year assault.

“I don’t want US troops in there, the Israeli troops going back in means full war and not going to normalization, and that’s a problem. So we’re going to have an international force, countries like Indonesia, Azerbaijan, and others that are signed up to do that,” Waltz told the Hugh Hewitt Show on Dec. 22.

Published January 06,2026

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Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) on Tuesday published an archival intelligence document concerning British officer and intelligence figure Thomas Edward Lawrence, widely known as “Lawrence of Arabia.”

Published on MIT’s official website, the document includes a photograph of Lawrence in military uniform along with intelligence assessments regarding his movements and activities across the Middle East.

According to the MIT, Lawrence traveled through Egypt, Syria and Iraq using different aliases and disguises. The document claims he stayed in Egypt under an assumed name before moving on to Syria and Iraq, later appearing in Jerusalem and subsequently relocating to Khartoum, Sudan.

The document also alleges that during his time in Jerusalem, Lawrence at times posed as a Muslim religious teacher and at other times as a Jewish rabbi, holding separate meetings with Muslim and Jewish communities. It claims he sought to influence local populations through messaging described in the document as provocative.

The archival text also includes period evaluations by Ottoman-era intelligence officials concerning British policies in Egypt, Palestine and Sudan, alleging efforts to incite unrest and influence political developments in the region.

Dated Sept. 23, 1929, the document was added to the “Documents” section of the “Private Collection” on MIT’s website.

The MIT said the publication is part of its efforts to make selected historical intelligence materials publicly accessible through its digital archives.