Hakan Fidan

Force in Play

Warned that Black Sea attacks by Russia and Ukraine threaten shipping

A drone hit the Comoros-flagged cargo ship Khoryv about 13 nautical miles off Romania's Constanta port on Oct. 23, killing at least one of its 13 Ukrainian and Azeri crew. Nine sailors were rescued, three are still missing, and President Nicușor Dan said the strike was part of Russia's escalation in its war in Ukraine.

Updated Oct 25

Force in Play

Met Saudi and Pakistani foreign ministers in Istanbul on October 23; Turkey's role remains defensive

Turkey's parliament is considering the Mecca defense agreement after the government sent it for ratification on October 20. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia finished their own approval processes by October 23, leaving Turkey as the last of the three to sign off.

Updated Oct 24

Force in Play

As of September 2026: Member of the Monitoring Board

Turkish intelligence is now monitoring 72 PKK camps along the Iraq border, and a government board has set up four working groups to verify disarmament. The peace process with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has entered its implementation phase.

Updated Sep 7

Force in Play

As of August 2026: Called for international pressure on Israel over the Abu al-Duhur strike

Syria and Israel held US-mediated talks in Jordan on August 23, the highest-level session yet between the two governments. Syria's foreign minister led a delegation that included army and intelligence chiefs, but the meeting did not stop the attacks: Israel bombed targets near Damascus and in Lebanon days later.

Updated Aug 27

Force in Play

As of May 2026: Leading diplomatic response to missile incidents and mediating broader conflict

For the fourth time since late February, a ballistic missile fired from Iran crossed into Turkish airspace before NATO defenses destroyed it. The March 31 interception over eastern Turkey followed previous shootdowns on March 4, 9, and 13 — a pattern spanning one month. Turkey summoned Iran's ambassador again, stating 'all necessary measures are being taken decisively' against threats to its territory.

Updated May 30

Force in Play

As of May 2026: Leading Turkish diplomatic response to the interception

Israeli naval commandos boarded roughly 20 vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters off Cyprus on Monday. The convoy of more than 50 boats was the largest civilian sea-borne challenge to Israel's blockade since the 2010 Mavi Marmara raid that killed 10 Turkish activists.

Updated May 18

Force in Play

As of May 2026: Emerging as a key regional broker, pressing for sequencing that prioritises Palestinian governance and policing before Hamas disarmament; simultaneously negotiating CAATSA sanctions relief with Washington

Hamas's October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel triggered a war that lasted more than two years. A U.S.-brokered ceasefire took effect October 10, 2025. At least 460 Palestinians have been killed and over 1,200 injured since the truce began.

Updated May 10