Israel conducted airstrikes on the Abu al-Duhur airbase in Syria, claiming it was to prevent a Turkish military buildup. The strike drew criticism from the US, Turkey, and Syria, with Turkey denying any military presence and Syria calling the attack unjustified. The incident has heightened tensions between Israel and Turkey over Syria, with the US seeking a deconfliction mechanism.

In an August 17 phone call with US President Donald Trump, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed concern over Israel's increased actions against Palestinians and highlighted the Mecca Joint Security Agreement signed with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan on August 7. Erdogan warned that Turkey would not shy away from war if attacked, a message he had also conveyed in a recent Al Jazeera interview. The call did not address Turkey's arms sales to Ukraine or F-35 purchases, indicating a shift in priorities. The conversation comes amid regional tensions involving Israel, Iran, and the US, with Erdogan urging Trump to restrain Israel as Israeli elections approach. During the call, Erdogan also discussed the Gaza war, the Turkey-Saudi Arabia-Pakistan defense pact, and bilateral ties. He noted that Israeli attacks on Palestinians had increased during the second phase of Trump's peace plan, and reiterated Turkey's support for peace efforts and rebuilding Gaza.

Background: Turkey's parliament passed the 'Law on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration' on August 10, 2026, providing a legal framework for the PKK's disarmament and dissolution, with conditional sentence suspensions and oversight mechanisms. The law entered into force after being signed by President Erdoğan and published in the Official Gazette. Today: The board established under Law No. 7595, chaired by Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, will hold its first meeting on Aug. 24, 2026, to set working procedures, principles, and establish subcommittees for the disarmament process. The board will coordinate efforts among ministers and government institutions, and may discuss issues requiring inter-agency coordination. Implementation is contingent on Turkish security authorities confirming that PKK/KCK groups have effectively ended their presence and surrendered weapons, with that determination confirmed by the National Security Council and published in the Official Gazette. A six-month application period will follow for those seeking benefits. The law excludes individuals convicted of intentional killing and senior PKK leaders like Abdullah Öcalan from deferrals. Public officials carrying out duties under the law will not bear criminal liability. The board will prepare monitoring reports, and further legislative steps may be considered, including changes to Turkey's Law on Execution of Sentences, Anti-Terror Law, Turkish Penal Code, and Political Parties Law.

Background: Russia warned Turkey and the US over a proposed transfer of US-made weapons to Ukraine, including ATACMS missiles and cluster munitions, demanding explanations. Today: Turkey's planned $283 million transfer of US-origin weapons to Ukraine, including 70 M39 ATACMS missiles, 12 M270 MLRS launchers, 2,524 M26 rockets, and 47,000 M509A1 artillery shells, has drawn a sharp Russian warning, straining Ankara-Moscow relations. Turkey stated the transfer aims to reduce its inventory of older defense equipment and fund modernization. The US State Department notified Congress on August 6, 2026, with a 15-day review period. The move signals Turkey's growing alignment with the West, alongside reduced Russian energy purchases: July 2026 imports from Russian Black Sea ports were about 900,000 tons, down from 1.2 million tons in June, and Russian gas now makes up under 40% of Turkey's mix, down from over 50% in 2018. Despite this, Rosatom continues building the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, with first unit commissioning expected in 2026. Erdogan and Putin last spoke by phone on April 3, 2026.

Turkey's ruling AK Party spokesperson Ömer Çelik sharply criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing his government of fueling instability and conflict across the region. Çelik linked Israel's actions in Gaza with its policies in the West Bank, Iran, Lebanon, and Syria, and called for international accountability. He also accused Israel of targeting Syria whenever its government takes steps to strengthen territorial unity.

Turkish civil society groups, led by the Palestine Support Platform, announced a global campaign called 'Voice of Humanity' to demand greater humanitarian access to Gaza on World Humanitarian Day. Events will take place in over 17 countries across five continents on Aug 19. Organizers called for a humanitarian corridor, criticized Israel for restricting aid and violating the cease-fire agreement, and urged international organizations to ensure aid delivery.

Background: In June 2026, Türkiye unveiled its 2026-2030 AI Action Plan, targeting $10 billion in investments and training 10,000 advanced AI specialists. On August 20, 2026, President Erdoğan announced a new initiative to train 3,000 high-tech specialists over five years, starting with 550 doctoral students selected via a centralized exam at 20 research universities. The program focuses on AI, cybersecurity, semiconductor technologies, and advanced computing, aiming to strengthen Türkiye's technological self-sufficiency and align with the 2026-2030 AI Action Plan. This initiative supports Türkiye's broader tech sovereignty goals and complements ongoing efforts to expand university programs in emerging technologies.

Background: Forecasters had warned of a potentially historic El Niño event, with scientists estimating a 35% chance that 2026 becomes the hottest year on record. New development: Turkish climate scientist Levent Kurnaz warned that a strengthening El Niño, combined with a positive Indian Ocean Dipole, could push global temperatures to record highs in the coming months. Sea surface temperatures in the Nino 3.4 region are already 2.1°C above average, indicating a very strong El Niño event comparable to 1997-98 and 2015-16. The effects could include increased drought risk in Indonesia, eastern Australia, and southern Africa, and heavier rainfall in parts of the eastern Pacific and western South America. For Türkiye, the pattern may contribute to continued heat anomalies and an extended wildfire season.