Crisis Chronology

TURKEY

03/06/2923

Opposition parties unite to nominate Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) to run against Erdogan. Kilicdaroglu, 74, is a former civil servant. Polls suggest that Erdogan is vulnerable, but there is some worry that Kilicdaroglu is a colorless candidate.

01/08/2024

On a trip to the Mideast, US Secretary of State says that several Arab nations have expressed interest in helping plan for Gaza in the post war including: Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.

11/08/2023

EU report on Turkey’s application to become part of the EU says that the country is backsliding on democratic standards, rule of law, human rights, and justice.

11/05/2023

The Republican People's Party elects MP Özgür Özel as its new leader following the party's loss in the recent parliamentary election.

10/06/2023

Azerbaijan is now renewing longstanding calls to create an Azeri-controlled “corridor” across southern Armenia to Nakhchivan, a part of Azerbaijan that is separated from the rest of the country by a thin sliver of Southern Armenia. When Armenia cut Azerbaijan’s overland ties to Nakhchivan during the 1991 war, Azerbaijan created routes through neighboring Iran and Turkey to Nakhichevan.. Turkey, which has always strongly supported its ethnolinguistic cousins, the Azeris, also likes the idea. Linking Azerbaijan, Nakhchivan, and Turkey would create a pan-Turkic entity spanning from the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean.

09/07/2023

Extremely heavy rainfall causes fatal flooding in Greece, Turkey, and Bulgaria.

07/13/2023

Turkey President Erdogan and Greece Prime Minister Mitsotakis meet and agree to work to improve relations.

07/10/2023

Turkey agrees to allow Sweden to join NATO after serious discussions with the US.

07/08/2023

Turkey allows Azovstal fighters to return to Ukraine, violating an agreement he had made with Russia eight months ago not to allow them to return until the war was over. It is not clear why he chose to do this, but it seems to underline Putin’s diminished power.

06/22/2023

Central bank raises interest rates, a shift in economic policy probably dictated by new economy minister Simsek and new central bank chief Hafize Gaye Erkan. However, the lira continues to fall.

06/03/2023

Erdogan names cabinet, with former economy chief and internationally respected ex-banker Mehmet Simsek as treasury and finance minister. Simsek’s more conservative views on managing the economy may clash with Erdogan’s.

05/28/2023

Erdogan reelected

Erdogan wins about 52% of the vote to Kilicdaroglu’s 47%.

05/22/2023

inan Ogan, who was third in recent election, says he supports Erdogan in the runoff vote.

05/14/2023

In an outcome disappointing to the opposition, Erdogan wins 49.5% of the vote for president to Kilicdaroglu’s 44.5%. Since neither has a majority, a runoff will be held on 5/28.

05/11/2023

Opposition candidate Muharrem Ince withdraws from election race after he said to be involved in sex tapes. He denies any ethical wrongdoing. Though his support was not large, he was criticized for siphoning off votes from Kilicdaroglu, who was also given a 5% lead in a poll taken before Ince’s withdrawal. The main issues remain earthquake response and relief and the economy. Kilicdaroglu accuses Russia of spreading lies and deep fake deceptions about the election in support of Erdogan.

05/08/2023

Erdogan facing the strongest challenge to his regime in election 5/14. Polls report a race that is tied as the opposition has united for candidate Kilicdaroglu.

04/30/2023

In run-up to 5/14 election, polls give Kilicdaroglu a lead. Erdogan becomes ill on live television and halts campaigning for three days due to gastroenteritis, according to his campaign. There is speculation that Erdogan might not accept the outcome if he loses.

03/31/2023

Finland joins NATO after the Turkish parliament votes unanimously to affirm their entry, the last NATO country to so approve.

03/19/2023

Erdogan says he will allow Finland to join NATO, but not yet Sweden. Hungary follows suit, saying Sweden’s admittance will be taken up later.

02/06/2023

Major earthquake and subsequent aftershocks kill at least 4000 in southwestern Turkey and at least 2500 in northwestern Syria.

01/23/2023

Finland calls for a pause in three-way talks with Sweden and Turkey over joining NATO and suggests that Finland should perhaps join NATO even if Sweden is blocked.

01/21/2023

Right-wing demonstrators burn a Quran in Sweden, causing Turkey to call a halt to meetings on Sweden’s accession to NATO.

01/18/2023

Erdogan suggests that the next presidential election will by 5/14/23.

01/09/2023

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson says that Turkey has asked for too many concessions regarding Sweden’s acceptance into NATO, saying that Sweden has done everything it promised to do, but Turkey is asking for moves that would violate the Swedish constitution and laws, such as expelling people without legal cause.

01/05/2023

Turkish President Erdogan says he is ready to meet with Syrian President Assad to discuss a peace agreement.

12/22/2022

Government increases minimum wage by 55%, still well below inflation rate.

12/14/2022

Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu is sentenced to prison and banned from political office by a court for insulting members of the Supreme Electoral Council. Imamoglu, who is considered a possible candidate for president against Erdogan, calls the judgement political. He called the cancelling of an election that elected him mayor “foolishness,” and won by a wider margin in a second election.

11/20/2022

Turkey launches attacks against Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian Army in Syria and against Kurdish forces in Iraq.

11/20/2022

Turkish President Erdogan and Egyptian President el-Sisi meet, the first meeting between the two countries since their opposition over the Egyption coup of 2013.

11/14/2022

Turkish President Erdogan urges peace negotiations in the war in Ukraine. US head of CIA William Burns meets with Russian head of the SVR foreign intelligence service in Turkey. There are also reports that US National Security advisor Jake Sullivan has had discussions with Russian counterparts.

11/13/2022

A bombing in a highly trafficked street in Istanbul is bombed. Turkish authorities accuse the outlawed Kurdish Workers Party.

11/03/2022

Inflation reaches 85%, the highest since 1997.

11/02/2022

Russia renews grain shipping agreement after talks with Turkey.

10/29/2022

Russia says it will not renew grain shipping agreement with Turkey because of the attack on the fleet in Sevastapol. Ukraine says that it was not a signatory to this agreement and is therefore waiting for Turkey’s response.

10/27/2022

Israel and Turkey relaunch formal security ties after a decade.

10/21/2022

Turkey President Erdogan says Putin is “more open” to negotiations regarding Ukraine.

10/13/2022

Turkey’s President Erdogan and Russian President Putin. However, there is no official result except in regard to Turkey providing more gas for Europe.

10/05/2022

Annual inflation hits 83.5%, a 24-year-high. The economy is growing, but the lira is falling against the strong dollar.

09/29/2022

Turkey objects to Greece deploying military vehicles on two Aegean islands, which Turkey says breaches a military agreement.

09/09/2022

Turkey captures senior Islamic State leader, whose nom de guerre is Abu Zeyd, real name Bashar Hattab Ghazal al-Sumaidai.

08/17/2022

Israel and Turkey resume diplomatic relations after four years.

07/19/2022

Putin meets with Turkish President Erdogan and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Supreme leader Ali Khamenei. Iran expresses support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. No progress on the shipping of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea.

06/28/2022

After meeting with Finnish President Sauli Niinsto and Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, Turkey’s President Erdogan drops his opposition to those countries joining NATO. Turkey says that the countries will expel Kurds, but Sweden and Finland say they only agreed to examine the Kurds Turkey has named.

06/22/2022

Mohammed bin Salman visits Turkey, the first official contact with the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.

06/08/2022

UN warns of global food shortages unless Ukrainian wheat and oil is allowed to be exported. Turkey and Russia announce a plan to allow Russia continues to insist that sanctions be lifted because while food exports are exempt from sanctions, restrictions on its ships and banks make it impossible to deliver grain. Also that Ukraine remove the mines from shipping lanes in the Black Sea. Russia also says it will not attack shipments of food and grain, but Ukraine dismisses its promise, since so many other promises have been broken.

06/01/2022

Turkey cancels discussions with Greece, accusing Greece of violating its airspace.

06/01/2022

UN agrees to change from “Turkey” to “Türkiye.”

05/29/2022

Turkey continues to balk at admitting Sweden and Finland to NATO, saying it should not admit countries that support terroristic groups.

05/25/2022

Sweden and Finland hold discussions with Turkey over their NATO application.

05/14/2022

Turkish government spokesmen say that Turkey has not decided to bar Sweden and Finland from joining NATO, but that those countries support of Kurdish rebels is “unacceptable.”

05/13/2022

Turkey says it does not support Finland and Sweden joining NATO. New members must be approved unanimously.

05/13/2022

Turkey says it does not support Finland and Sweden joining NATO. New members must be approved unanimously.

05/05/2022

Inflation in April was a 22-year high, 70%.

04/29/2022

Turkey’s President Erdogan visits Saudi Arabia.

04/28/2022

Greece and Turkey squabble over airspace violations.

04/25/2022

Turkey closes its airspace to Russian planes flying to Syria for three months.

04/18/2022

Turkey launches new offensive against Kurds in Syria.

04/06/2022

Court suspends trial of Khashoggi’s assassins at the request of a prosecutor, because warrants could not be issued for the accused. He also requested that the trial be transferred to Saudi Arabia, which would almost certainly end it.

04/03/2022

Inflation continues to rise, hitting 61% in 3/22.

03/01/2022

Six opposition parties agree to restore the parliamentary system and limit the powers of the president if they win the election in 2023. Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), Ali Babacan who heads the Democracy and Progress Party (DEVA), Gultekin Uysal of the Democrat Party (DP), Ahmet Davutoglu who leads the Future Party (FP), Meral Aksener of the IYI (Good) Party and Temel Karamollaoglu, the leader of the Felicity Party (SP), signed the agreement.

03/01/2022

Turkey invokes a 1936 Montreux Convention, which allows it to limit the passage of warships through the Dardanelles and Bosphorus straits and warns other countries’ warships against requesting permission to enter.

03/01/2022

Six opposition parties agree to restore the parliamentary system and limit the powers of the president if they win the election in 2023. Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), Ali Babacan who heads the Democracy and Progress Party (DEVA), Gultekin Uysal of the Democrat Party (DP), Ahmet Davutoglu who leads the Future Party (FP), Meral Aksener of the IYI (Good) Party and Temel Karamollaoglu, the leader of the Felicity Party (SP), signed the agreement.

02/03/2022

Turkish President Erdogan visits Kyiv and offers to mediate situation with Russia and its possible invasion of Ukraine.

02/03/2022

Erdogan says Israeli President Isaac Herzog will visit Turkey in 3/22.

01/23/2022

In voting today in Northern Cyprus for the Assembly of the Republic, the pro-Turkey, rightist National Unity Party (UBP), led by Ersin Tatar, wins about 40% of the vote. Two seats short of a majority, it will need to form a coalition to govern. The centrist Republican Turkish Party (CTP) is second. The UBP favors a two-state solution to the Cypriot problem and the CTP negotiation with the Greek part of the island, but the election focused mainly on the economy, hit hard by a drop in tourism due to COVID-19 and the decline in the value of the Turkish lira.

01/14/2022

Turkey and Armenia begin talks to normalize relations in Moscow after decades of animosity due to 1915 mass killing Armenians by Ottoman Empire.

12/17/2021

Trading is halted on the stock market and the lira hits a new low and stocks crash.

12/07/2021

Qatar and Turkey agree to boost economic cooperation.

12/03/2021

Central bank sells dollars from its reserve to stabilize the lira.

12/02/2021

Finance minister quits after Erdogan insists that there will be further rate cuts. The lira has reached a new low. Central Bank president, however, says that the rate reductions may be slowed.

11/17/2021

Despite high inflation and the decline in the value of the lira, central bank cuts interest rates for the third consecutive month, at the urging of Erdogan.

11/12/2021

At Turkey’s request, Belarussian airlines bars refugees from Syria, Yemen, and Iraq from flying out of Turkey.

11/04/2021

Government delaying incursion into Kurdish-held regions of Syria due to complications of US, Russian, and Syrian military forces in the larger region. In 2019, Turkey vowed to seize all of the east bank of the Euphrates because of the activities of the largely Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) were working alongside the Peoples’ Protection Units (YPG) which Ankara said were tied to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), all of which were putting Turkish citizens in danger. Areas of Turkey are regularly shelled and car bombs have killed hundreds in the last three years. Though Russia had agreed to disarm the Kurdish forces, it has not done so.

10/25/2021

After most of the countries in question issue statements that they respect international restrictions for involvement in local affairs, government rescinds order ejecting diplomats.

10/25/2021

Lira falls to a new low.

10/22/2021

Government expels diplomats from ten countries for their call for the release of philanthropist Osman Kavala, whom the government believes supported what it calls a coup attempt in 2016.

10/20/2021

Turkey expanding its influence and participation in Africa.

10/12/2021

Erdogan, complaining of cross-border raids, signals the possibility of new military action against the YPG in Syria.

10/07/2021

France and Greece sign mutual defense pact, which pledges each to come to the defense of the other if attacked, even by a NATO member. For Greece, this seems to be aimed at NATO member Turkey. It could be invoked if there is an attack on each country’s territorial waters. Greece also signed a mutual defense pact with the UAE in 11/20. France sees Turkey as a rival for influence in North Africa.

09/29/2021

Turkey and Russia agree to work together on weapons and energy, although they are in conflict about various foreign policy issues.

08/12/2021

Central bank resists Erdogan’s call to reduce interest rates. Lira gains.

07/20/2021

Erdogan calls for US support in protecting Kabul airport.

07/20/2021

Erdogan says that Cypriot peace talks can only occur between “the two states” on the island.

05/31/2021

Greek and Turkish foreign ministers meet to reduce tensions in eastern Mediterranean.

04/26/2021

Trial of 108 members of the pro-Kurdish Kurdish People’s Democratic Party, including some legislators, on charges related to protests in 10/14, in which 37 people were killed. Also, prosecutors issue arrest warrants for more than 500 charged with participating in what the government calls a coup attempt in 2016. Most are active military.

04/05/2021

Ten generals are arrested on suspicion of forming a coup. They signed a letter criticizing Erdogan’s proposed Istanbul Canal.

03/22/2021

Lira drops to near its all-time low after Erdogan removes head of the central bank and replaces him with an ally.

03/22/2021

Lira drops to near its all-time low after Erdogan removes head of the central bank and replaces him with an ally.

02/15/2021

Turkey substantially increasing its drone reconnaissance and missile delivery capability to counter Russia’s influence in the region.

02/14/2021

A Turkish military operation in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq results in the death of scores of PKK fighters and three Turkish military and thirteen Turks kidnapped by the PKK, according to Turkish authorities, who were executed by the PKK. Turkey subsequently accuses the US of supporting the PKK.

02/10/2021

Turkey offers to restrict or delay its use of Russian missile system, in a deal similar to the one with Greece in 1997.

01/26/2021

Discussions about eastern Mediterranean, the first time since the dispute arose in 2016.

01/04/2021

Economy crashing. The dinar was devalued in 12/20, and the government is running out of money.

12/22/2020

Greece buys 18 fighter jets from France as distrust of Turkey continues.

12/14/2020

US sanctions trade with Turkey because of its use of a Russian air defense system.

11/24/2020

The peace agreement on Nagorno-Karabakh leaves Azerbaijan in control of its whole border with Iran. Iran is unhappy with the deal because Israel and Azerbaijan share intelligence, The deal also allows Turkey access to the Caspian Sea. Russia’s support of its ally Armenia seems half-hearted, giving Turkey more room to maneuver in the Middle East.

11/18/2020

Turkish parliament approves troop deployment to Nagorno-Karabakh.

11/18/2020

Turkish parliament approves troop deployment to Nagorno-Karabakh.

11/15/2020

An unofficial, but urged by some authorities, boycott of Turkish goods is gaining ground in Saudi Arabia.

10/29/2020

Second knife attack kills three in France. It follows a decapitation by an Islamist in France and French government denunciation of Islamist radicals. Turkey and Pakistan denounce Islamophobia as the attacks become an international controversy.

10/28/2020

Turkey and Russia increasingly fighting proxy wars – in Syria, Libya (fighting now halted) and Nagorno-Karabakh.

10/27/2020

Lira plunges again as central bank fails to raise interest rates and instead raises its lending rate. There is double-digit inflation in the country.

10/26/2020

Russian airstrike in northern Syria kills dozens of rebels supported by Turkey.

10/19/2020

Greece finalizes plan to build a wall on its border with Turkey to stop illegal immigration.

10/02/2020

EU threatens sanctions on Turkey over eastern Mediterranean dispute.

10/01/2020

Fighting continues. Both sides reject mediation. Armenia, which is in a military alliance of former Soviet countries, has accused Turkey of sending Syrian mercenaries to fight for Azerbaijan, which denies the charge.

09/29/2020

Greece contracts with the US to upgrade its jet fighters, in stated response to Turkey’s “aggressiveness.”

09/24/2020

Central bank raises interest rates for the first time in two years, lifting the lira.

09/22/2020

Turkey now has about 15,000 troops in Idlib to counter Syrian and Russian attack.

08/30/2020

Turkey demands that Greece withdraws its troops from the Aegean island of Kastellorizo, saying Greece had violated the 1947 peace treaty, which called for the formerly Italian-occupied Kastellorizo to be demilitarized, with a recent troop deployment. The Greek government says the event was a "routine troop rotation."

08/27/2020

Greece ratifies maritime boundary agreement with Egypt allowing each country to seek maximum benefit from the resources available in an exclusive economic zone, including oil and gas reserves.

08/26/2020

Turkey extends the mission of its seismic research vessel Oruc Reis and says it will hold gunnery exercises in the eastern Mediterranean northeast of Cyprus.

08/26/2020

Greece ratifies maritime boundary agreement with Italy allowing each country to seek maximum benefit from the resources available in an exclusive economic zone, including oil and gas reserves.

08/21/2020

Turkey announces discovery of a large natural gas deposit in the Black Sea. It will take some years to develop. Turkey continues to assert its right to explore for oil in the eastern Mediterranean continuing a tense standoff there with Greece.

08/07/2020

Turkey announces it will resume oil exploration in the eastern Mediterranean, saying that Greece has violated their agreement.

07/10/2020

Government makes landmark structure Hagia Sophia into a mosque. It was finished in 537 by Justinian I as a Christian church, was converted into a mosque in 1453 under the Ottoman Empire, and became a museum in 1934.

07/10/2020

Russia and China veto a UN resolution to continue aid to Syria via Turkey. A second resolution passes after removing one of the two access points for aid, as demanded by Russia.

06/17/2020

Government launches an all-out air and land attack on Kurds in Iraq.

04/12/2020

Government announces stay-at-home order of 48 hours.

03/25/2020

Court indicts Saudi suspects in the killing of Adnan Khashoggi.

03/11/2020

Turkey confirms its first two cases of COVID-19.

03/05/2020

Turkey and Russia agree on a cease-fire in Idlib in Syria, to begin at midnight.

03/02/2020

Syrian rebels backed by Turkish forces recapture thirty towns in Idlib.

03/02/2020

Erdogan announces talks with Russian Pres Putin on 3/5 aimed at a cease-fire in Idlib.

03/02/2020

Greece deploys military to stop migrants from Turkey and they fire on some, killing one.

03/02/2020

Syrian rebels continue advances in Idlib. Turkey maintains military pressure on Syrian army.

03/01/2020

Turkey continues attacking Syrian positions in Idlib.

03/01/2020

Greece ends its asylum program for refugees from Turkey, barring them from entering Greece.

02/29/2020

Turkey attacks other Syrian bases.

02/27/2020

In an uptick of violence, thirty-three Turkish soldiers are killed in Syria during a bombing attack in Idlib. Russian planes have been flying most of those missions, but Turkey blames the Syrian forces. Turkey attacks Syrian forces in response, vows to drive Syrian forces away from its observation posts in Idlib and calls for a no-fly zone there. Turkey formally triggers Article 4 of the NATO treaty, rquiring consultation with other members about military situation.

02/27/2020

Government says it will not stop refugees from going to Europe, after a large influx due to the fighting in Syria.

02/19/2020

Erdogan warns Syria more strongly against pushing further into Idlib after talks with Russia do not produce the “desired result.”

02/16/2020

India tells Turkey not to interfere in Indian domestic matters after Erdogan and Pakistani PM Khan issue a joint statement condemning the lockdown in Jammu and Kashmir.

02/12/2020

After the UN Security Council passes a resolution calling for a cease-fire in Libya, Hiftar’s forces say they will not allow the UN to use the only functioning airport in Tripoli. The UN has said that flight restrictions are hampering humanitarian efforts in Libya. Though Hiftar has not been able to breach Tripoli’s defenses, he has air superiority because of UAE-supplied drones, which cover all of Libya. Turkey has supplied the Tripoli government with drones. Libyan army denies that they are blocking UN planes, saying that the planes can land at Misrata, but they will not allow landings at an airport “controlled by a colonizer (Turkey).”

02/10/2020

After five Turkish soldiers are killed by Syrian forces, Turkey launches airstrikes against dozens of Syrian targets that “neutralize” about a hundred soldiers. In its agreement with Russia, Turkey has twelve observation posts in Idlib to prevent Syrian from retaking the province, which would drive many refugees into Turkey. Syrian forces continue to advance, securing the highway from Aleppo to Damascus for the first time since 2012.

02/10/2020

After five Turkish soldiers are killed by Syrian forces, Turkey launches airstrikes against dozens of Syrian targets that “neutralize” about a hundred soldiers. In its agreement with Russia, Turkey has twelve observation posts in Idlib to prevent Syrian from retaking the province, which would drive many refugees into Turkey. Syrian forces continue to advance, securing the highway from Aleppo to Damascus for the first time since 2012.

02/04/2020

Turkey bombs Syrian positions, saying that a million refugees have crossed from Idlib in Syria to Turkey since the Syrian offensive began.

02/03/2020

First conflict between Syrian army and Turkish military in Syria, with some Turks killed.

01/28/2020

Head of parliament in eastern Libya, Aguila Saleh, says Turkey’s sending troops to Libya is “unacceptable.”

01/17/2020

EU cuts some aid to Turkey in retribution for illegal gas drilling off Cyprus.

01/09/2020

Russia and Turkey announce a cease-fire in Idlib.

01/07/2020

Turkey and Russia open TurkStream pipeline, which will make Turkey an energy provider to the EU. However, the two countries, while moving closer, still differ over Syria and Libya. The pipeline will also provide natural gas to Bulgaria, bypassing Ukraine.

12/26/2019

Turkey says it will deploy troops in Libya in support of Government of National Accord.

12/18/2019

Pres Putin and Pres Erdogan discuss the situation in Libya. The internationally recognized Libyan government has been supported by Italy, Qatar, and Turkey. Haftar has been supported by France and some Arab countries including the UAE, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. Russia has been accused of supporting Hiftar, but denies it.

12/18/2019

Pres Putin and Pres Erdogan discuss the situation in Libya. The internationally recognized Libyan government has been supported by Italy, Qatar, and Turkey. Haftar has been supported by France and some Arab countries including the UAE, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. Russia has been accused of supporting Hiftar, but denies it.

12/15/2019

Turkey threatens to close Incirlik military base, where the US stores nuclear missiles, if the US imposes new sanctions on Turkey.

12/10/2019

Turkey and Libya announce an agreement allowing Turkey to drill for natural gas in the eastern Mediterranean. Greece announces that it has filed a formal protest with the UN over the agreement.

12/04/2019

Erdogan drops his demand that NATO name the YPG terrorists.

12/03/2019

Turkey threatens to block NATO plan for the protection of Baltic countries unless NATO designates Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) as terrorists.

12/02/2019

On eve of NATO meeting, Pres Macron criticizes the alliance as “brain dead” for its response to Turkey’s operation in Syria.

11/25/2019

Planned meeting between representatives of Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots.

11/12/2019

Turkey asserts it will continue drilling in the eastern Mediterranean off Cyprus despite EU sanctions, saying that Cyprus is a divided country in which it has rights.

11/11/2019

Turkey begins repatriating Islamic State fighters back to their home countries.

11/11/2019

EU Council adopts a framework for sanctions on those conducting unauthorized drilling off Cyprus.

11/07/2019

Cyprus signs exploitation license with the Aphrodite consortium, Noble Energy, Shell and Delek Drilling. The plan calls for an undersea pipeline that will transport the Aphrodite field’s natural gas to Egypt’s Idku LNG plant, where it will liquified and exported to European and international markets.

11/07/2019

Victor Orban of Hungary meets with Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Hungary has defended Turkey’s invasion of Syria and hopes to keep Turkey’s Syrian refugees from being released to Europe. Turkey needs an ally among EU countries.

10/31/2019

http://crisischSyrian, Turkish, US, and Russian troops now all patrolling parts of northern Syria. Fighting between Syrian and Turkish troops.ronology.com/admin/events/add#

10/23/2019

US removes sanctions on Turkey, saying the cease-fire is permanent.

10/23/2019

Turkey halts its incursion of Syria after agreement with Russia.

10/22/2019

Erdogan and Putin agree to police the border zone required by Turkey. Russian military and police will ensure that all Kurdish fighters are out of the 22-mile zone, though it is not clear if that zone extends from Syria’s eastern border to its western border, a much longer zone than the US had agreed to. Turkey will retain possession of territory taken so far. They make no statements about non-combatant Kurds in the zone. The agreement also affirms the “territorial integrity” of Syria. Assad has asserted that he wants to reconquer all of the former Syria.

10/18/2019

There is sporadic fighting in the zone that Turkey has invaded, but the halt in fighting appears to take hold. 10/17/19. Second day of protests against new taxes, especially on internet

10/17/2019

Erdogan and Pence announce a temporary halt to the incursion in Syria. Turkish forces will stand down for five days to allow the Kurds to leave the buffer zone. When they do, the incursion will end. In return, the US relieves sanctions on Turkey. Both countries agree to continue to fight the Islamic State. The Kurds were not involved in the discussions, but agree to it.

10/16/2019

Erdogan rejects calls for a cease-fire and demands that Syrian Kurds lay down their weapons. US Vice-president Pence in Ankara for talks. The lira rises, probably because US sanctions are lighter than feared.

10/15/2019

Russian forces enter Syria to create a buffer between Turkish and Syrian military where possible. With Syrian support, Kurds slow Turkish advance elsewhere.

10/14/2019

US imposes sanctions on two Turkish ministries and three government officials.

10/13/2019

Syrian Kurds agree with Syrian government to allow it to enter the north and protect the borders. Details of the agreement are not clear.

10/12/2019

Turkish incursion expands. Its forces now include Arab militias including former adherents of the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda, who are indiscriminately killing citizens. They are moving close to US military positions. Kurdish prisoners including adherents of ISIS are breaking out or being broken out of detention. Kurds ask Assad to deploy troops at the border.

10/12/2019

US withdraws its last troops from northern Syria.

10/12/2019

Germany bans new weapons sales to Turkey.

10/11/2019

Turkey pushes further into Syria, shelling US forces still there. Although Turkey says it was a mistake, it has detailed location information about American positions.

10/10/2019

Erdogan threatens to release thousands of migrants into Europe if the EU condemns his invasion of Syria.

10/10/2019

More than a hundred thousand people said to flee Kurdish areas in Northern Syria. Most of the world condemns the invasion.

10/09/2019

Turkey invades Syria

Turkey begins invasion of northern Syria, attacking and bombing Kurdish positions there.

10/06/2019

US removes troops from northern Syria ahead of Turkish invasion aimed at Kurds who are holding territory there.

10/03/2019

Cyprus protests against a Turkish drilling ship, escorted by warships, that will look for gas deposits off southern Cyprus. Cyprus has licensed French and Italian companies to search for hydrocarbon deposits in the area, but Turkey claims that the area is partly within its continental shelf and also that it is under the jurisdiction of Turkish Cypus. Turkey does not recognize Greek Cyprus.

09/16/2019

Russia, Turkey, and Iran announce the formation of a commission to rewrite the Syrian constitution.

09/16/2019

Russia, Turkey, and Iran announce the formation of a commission to rewrite the Syrian constitution.

09/09/2019

Cyprus, overwhelmed by influx of asylum seekers, asks EU for help. Because Turkey recognizes the Turkish Republic of Nothern Cyprus, refugees in Turkey can travel there legally.

09/08/2019

Turkish forces begin patrols in Northern Syrian Buffer Zone Agreement. Syria condemns the patrols as a violation of international law. Erdogan accuses the US of being more interested in a buffer zone for “a terrorist organization” than for Turkey.

08/27/2019

Turkey and Russia meet to discuss the war in Syria, especially recent Syrian attacks on Turkish forces. They announce an agreement to “normalize” the situation without further details.

08/04/2019

Erdogan threatens military incursion into Kurdish-held parts of Syria.

07/15/2019

EU penalizes Turkey for gas drilling off Cyprus.

07/12/2019

Turkey receives Russian air defense system, contrary to US demands.

07/08/2019

Erdogan abruptly removes head of central bank for maintaining interest rates as a hedge against inflation and replaces him with a loyalist. The lira falls even further.

06/20/2019

Turkey sends a second ship to Cyprus to drill for natural gas. Cyprus protests.

06/16/2019

Syrian army and Turkish army exchange fire outside of Idlib. Turkey accuses Syria of a deliberate attack.

06/01/2019

Winners of mayoralities in eastern turkey barred from taking office by Turkey’s Supreme Electoral Board.

05/17/2019

Support for governing Law and Justice Party drops after release of a film about sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. Law and Justice is strongly associated with the church, but has called for stronger laws against pedophilia. Nonetheless, poll support for the European Coalition is up.

05/06/2019

The High Election Board orders a re-vote for mayor of Istanbul, won by opposition candidate Ekrem Imamoglu of the Republican People’s Party (CHP). A new election will be held 6/23.

04/25/2019

Talks between Russia, Iran, and Turkey on Syria end with no progress on the composition of a constitutional committee.

04/09/2019

Justice and Development demands a new vote for mayor of Istanbul. The election commission, which is not completely independent of the ruling party, rejected a recount of the entire vote, although it did allow a recount of invalid ballots. It may allow a new election.

04/02/2019

US blocks sale of fighter planes to Turkey to protest its purchase of Russian missile defense system.

04/02/2019

AKP formally contests results of mayoralty race in Ankara and Istanbul, both of which were won by the People’s Republican Party (CHP) with more than 50% of votes.

04/01/2019

Initial results suggest that Justice and Development has also lost the mayoralty of Istanbul. The ruling party will contest at least some of the results in the elections.

03/31/2019

Justice and Development Party suffers substantial losses in local elections, including the mayoralty of Ankara, and possibly in Istanbul, where the race is extremely close.

03/13/2019

EU parliament votes to suspend consideration of admitting Turkey, due to human rights violations and transgressions of the rule of law. Turkey dismisses the criticisms and says it still wants to be part of the EU.

03/11/2019

Turkey’s economy reported to have fallen into recession in the fourth quarter of 2018.

03/05/2019

Increasing dissatisfaction with the governing party as the economy continues to slump and prices to rise. Erdogan remains highly popular. The AKP lost its parliamentary majority in the last elections and may see further decline in the elections of 3/31.

01/23/2019

US and other countries recognize Guaidó as the legitimate executive of Venezuela. Maduro cuts diplomatic relations with US. There are large protests in Caracas and elsewhere. Russia, China, and Turkey denounce US interference in Venezuela affairs and support Maduro.

01/14/2019

Ukraine agrees to buy combat drones from Turkey.

01/14/2019

Trump and Erdogan discuss creating a “security zone cleared of terrorism,” Turkish officials say, in northern Syria.

01/13/2019

US threatens economic reprisals if Turkey attacks Syrian Kurds.

01/08/2019

Erdogan, rejecting a meeting with John Bolton, says that Bolton made a “serious mistake” to call for new conditions on US troop withdrawal from Syria.

01/06/2019

National Security Chief John Bolton says that withdrawal of US troops from Syria was dependent on Turkey pledging not to attack Kurds and ISIS is completely defeated, effectively nullifying Pres Trump’s announcement.

12/28/2018

Syrian Kurds ask Assad for protection against Turkish assault.

12/18/2018

Trump tweets that ISIS is defeated in Syria and therefore the US will withdraw all its troops from Syria. US security advisors and allies are dismayed. Russia and Turkey welcome the move, and some conjecture that Trump made the move after discussion with Erdogan. Others conjecture that the US may not withdraw all its troops. Syrian Kurds are left with few options for independence and will probably have to negotiate with Assad.

12/16/2018

Turkey says that US is working on a way of extraditing Gethullah Gullen, whom they accuse of fomenting the coup attempt in 2016

12/12/2018

Turkey says it is preparing a new offensive against Kurds in northern Syria. US warns Turkey that such action might impair the fight against the Islamic State in Syria.

11/22/2018

Turkey objects to US decision not to hold Mohammed bin Salman responsible for the murder of Khashoggi.

11/20/2018

US decides not to assert that Mohamed bin Salman was personally responsible for the killing of Khashoggi, despite a contrary assessment by the intelligence community. Pres Trump says that the arms agreements and Saudi assistance against Iran is too important to risk a break with Saui Arabia.

11/19/2018

European Court of Human Rights rules that Turkey’s pre-trial imprisonment of Kurdish leader Selhattin Demirtas since 11/16 on suspicion of committing a crime is unjustified and urged his release.

11/17/2018

Exxon Mobil begins drilling for natural gas off Cyprus in an area called Block 10. Turkey protests.

11/15/2018

Saudi prosecutor asks for death penalty for five people involved in Khashoggi killing, including the deputy head of intelligence.

11/15/2018

Saudi prosecutor acknowledges that Khashoggi’s killing was premeditated, saying it was a rogue operation, and seeks death penalty against them.

11/11/2018

Erdogan says that recordings of the killing of Khashoggi was issued to Saudi Arabia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France. Canadian PM Trudeau says that Canada has also heard the tapes. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian says that France has not heard the tapes and US Secretary of State Pompeo has not said he has heard the tapes.

10/27/2018

France. Germany. Russia. and Turkey meet to discuss Syria and agree to work toward a political process. Russia, Syria, Turkey, and Iran want the US to leave northern Syria and end its association with the YPG. Europe is angered about the US ending the nuclear and possibly destabilizing Iran’s economy and therefore nascent democratic government, and the possible increase in refugees to Europe. Assad has no interest in any change in the Syrian political structure.

10/27/2018

Saudi Arabia suggests that extradition of suspects in the Khashoggi killing is not necessary because they will be held accountable in Saudi Arabia.

10/25/2018

Saudi public prosecutor says that Turkish information suggests that Khashoggi’s murder was “premeditated.”

10/23/2018

In a state address, Erdogan accuses Saudi Arabia of planning and carrying out the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, and calls for the perpetrators to be tried in Turkey.

10/22/2018

Saudis admit that Khashoggi killing was a mistake.

10/19/2018

Saudi Arabia prosecutor says the Jamal Khashoggi was killed in a fistfight with his interrogators. The explanation is widely dismissed as not credible. The government fires five top officials and arrests eighteen others, including top intelligence officer Ahmed al-Assiri.

10/16/2018

Multiple inconclusive reports on the killing of Khashoggi. Turkey reports that the reporter was murdered in the Saudi embassy in Istanbul, but Erdogan suggests that he is willing to talk. US sends Secretary of State Pompeo to Saudi Arabia, and in their meeting Mohammed bin Salman denies any knowledge of a kidnapping/murder plot. There are rumors that Saudi Arabia will admit that Khashoggi died during a failed interrogation, but no official announcement.

10/12/2018

Turkish court frees American pastor that has been a crisis point for US. The lira gains value on hopes that US sanctions will be lifted.

10/11/2018

Turkey providing increasing economic assistance to Venezuela.

10/10/2018

Turkey says a planned buffer zone in the northwestern Syrian province of Idlib has been cleared of heavy weapons as part of a deal reached between Russia and Turkey.

10/09/2018

Turkey and Kuwait sign a mutual defense pact to share military experience and coordinate activities beginning in 2019. Kuwait has become increasingly concerned about Saudi activities in the region, and Turkey has an interest in providing protection for Qatar because of its support of the Muslim Brotherhood, a key part of Erdogan’s support. Tension between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia began in 2014, over a dispute about their common oil fields Khafji and Wafra. The Saudis unilaterally stopped product when Kuwait objected to Chevron being part of the operation, and Kuwait estimated it lost $18 billion in revenue and wants to be compensated. However the two countries have been at odds since the 1913 agreement about the breakup of the Ottoman Empire. Saudi Arabia objected to the boundaries drawn and forced the British to give them two-thirds of Kuwait’s territory.

10/09/2018

After disappearance on 10/6 of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist highly critical of Saudi government, Turkey suggests that Saudi government had him seized at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul and murdered.

10/09/2018

Turkish government attempting to combat drop in lira with internal measures, calling banks to reduce rates on outstanding loans and companies to reduce prices.

09/28/2018

Russia masses ships off the coast of Syria in anticipation of attack on Idlib. Russia is dissatisfied with Turkey’s failure to eradicate Tahrir al-Sham, the latest incarnation of the Nusra Front, in the northeast, and the Syrian government is determined to regain all its pre-war territory.

09/17/2018

Russia and Turkey agree to create a buffer zone in Idlib to enforce demilitarization there and avoid an assault by the Syrian government.

09/13/2018

Turkey’s central bank raises interest rates from 17.75% to 24%, contrary to Erdogan’s recommendation.

09/13/2018

Erdogan calls for lowering of interest rates ahead of central bank meeting. Most economists recommend higher rates for the economic situation of Turkey. Lira continues to fall.

09/07/2018

Presidents of Russia, Turkey, and Iran meet in Teheran to discuss Syrian conflict, the assault on Idlib, the refugee problem, and those whose whereabouts cannot be identified.

08/21/2018

Shots are fired at the American embassy in Istanbul. US rejects Turkish offer to release American pastor if fines on Turkish banks are erased.

08/19/2018

Lira continues to fall after a Turkish court refuses to allow the release of the American pastor, Andrew Brunson, imprisoned for espionage. US to consider further sanctions.

08/15/2018

Qatar said to offer to invest $15 billion in Turkey, which is aimed at shoring up the currency.

08/14/2018

Erdogan calls for a boycott of US electronic goods, though he doesn’t specify how or when. Lira stabilizes somewhat for the day. Erdogan may be looking for economic support from the IMF, Russia, China, or Qatar.

08/14/2018

Erdogan calls for a boycott of US electronic goods, though he doesn’t specify how or when. Lira stabilizes somewhat for the day. Erdogan may be looking for economic support from the IMF, Russia, China, or Qatar.

08/10/2018

After US imposes sanctions on Turkey because an American pastor has been imprisoned there, the lira suffers a sharp decline.

07/24/2018

Turkey central bank holds key interest rate, and lira plunges to a new, record low.

07/19/2018

Government lifts state of emergency, as Erdogan assumes greater powers. About 250,000 state officials have been purged. Erdogan appoints his son-in-law Berat Albayrak, to be finance minister and the lira suffers its largest one-day loss against the dollar in two years. The president now has almost unfettered power over the budget, most high appointments, and can dissolve parliament at will.

07/16/2018

US files trade disputes with the World Trade Organization against China, the EU, Canada, Mexico, and Turkey in response to tariffs imposed on US goods.

07/08/2018

Turkey fires more than 18,000 police and military state employees for links to terrorist organizations.

06/24/2018

Erdogan re-elected

Erdogan is reelected with 53% of the vote. Although his party loses some seats, the coalition still holds control. However, the coalition with the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), led by Devlet Bahceli, will force Erdogan in a more nationalistic direction. Erdogan’s foreign policy has made foreign investors reluctant, hurting the lira, and the MHP may only exacerbate that.

06/08/2018

Opposition parties unite to form an alliance against Erdogan, led by Republican People’s Party (CHP) candidate Muharrem Ince. He is supported by the nationalist Iyi Party (the Good Party), led by Meral Akşener and by the Felicity Party, led by Temel Karamollaoğlu. With unemployment rising, the economy stagnant, and the lira plunging, polls suggest that it will be a close race and the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) might lose its majority in parliament.

06/04/2018

US and Turkey agree on a plan to withdraw Kurdish troops from Manbij and for US and Turkish forces to maintain stability there.

01/24/2018

US reports that Pres Trump told Pres Erdogan of concerns about the Turkish offensive in Syria and about rhetoric, but Turkey disputes those characterizations by the US, saying they did not happen.

01/19/2018

After two days of shelling, Turkey begins ground offensive against Kurdish positions in Afrin, northern Syria.

01/17/2018

Turkey and Germany resume normal diplomatic communications.

01/17/2018

Turkey and Germany resume normal diplomatic communications.

01/15/2018

US announces plans for a border security force led by Kurds in Syria. Turkey denounces plan and says it will “drown” the force.

01/05/2018

Erdogan says he is “tired” of waiting for EU to approve Turkey’s membership and Pres Macron suggests that the EU create a partnership with Turkey instead of full membership in the EU.

01/04/2018

Jailed head of main Kurdish political party People’s Democratic Party (HDP), Selahattin Demirtas, steps down, since he may be barred from political activity if convicted as a terrorist. He has been in jail for a year on terrorism charges.

12/28/2017

Erdogan attempts to mend fences with US, by resuming visa services, and Europe.

12/20/2017

Coup foiled in Qatar by Turkish forces surrounding the palace. However, opposition suggests that this story is an exaggeration designed to allow government to purge security forces.

12/07/2017

Erdogan visits Greece, the first sitting president to do so in sixty-five years. His comments about the 1923 Lausanne Treaty that established the borders of Greece and Turkey, as well as about clarifying the status of Greeks in Turkey and the Muslim minority in Greece, cause some criticism.

11/29/2017

Turkish gold trader testifies in New York about bribing Turkey economy minister in order to provide Iran with oil, in violation of US sanctions. The economy minister, Zafer Caglayan, is at large.

11/22/2017

In discussions brokered by Russia, Iran, Turkey, and Russia agree on a plan for peace in Syria. It includes a dialogue in Russia in December that would frame a constitution for an integrated Syria and elections that could include Assad as a presidential candidate. Turkey insists that Kurds be excluded from the discussion. Iran objects to military from foreign countries, including the US, in Syria. A number of Syrian negotiators resign in protest to this outline.

11/01/2017

Syrian opposition rejects peace talks sponsored by Russia in Kazakhstan, insisting on UN brokership. Turkey objects to inclusion of Syrian Kurds.

10/31/2017

Iraq takes control of border crossings between Kurdistan and Turkey and Syria.

07/14/2017

Cyprus says it will begin exploratory drilling for oil of its southern shore. Turkey protests, saying that the move violates the rights of Turkish Cyprus, where Turkey has 30,000 troops.

06/05/2017

Turkish military reported to have protected Emir al-Thani from a possible coup attempt by Saudi and UAE.

12/-0001

Lira recovers after Erdogan promises to cover local currency if closes against foreign currencies exceed banks’ interest rates.