Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Friday condemned the burning of the Turkish flag during a torchlit march in Armenia’s capital, calling the act a “provocation” that risks escalating tensions.

According to the state news agency Armenpress, Pashinyan criticized the incident that took place during a march organized by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun), describing it as “clearly provocative and inciting.”

In a statement to Armenpress, the prime minister’s spokesperson, Nazeli Baghdasaryan, said Pashinyan views such actions as “irresponsible and unacceptable,” emphasizing that the burning of the flag of an internationally recognized state, particularly that of a neighboring country, cannot be justified.

The incident comes amid fragile relations between Armenia and Türkiye, as both countries have engaged in intermittent efforts to normalize ties in recent years.

The two countries share a complex history. Armenia, for a long time, has accused Türkiye, or rather, the Ottoman Empire, of committing “genocide” against the Armenian population in the country during World War I. Türkiye has repeatedly denied the claims, although it has acknowledged a high number of deaths among Armenians due to isolated incidents and diseases.

The “genocide,” as Armenia calls it, is a thorn in the bid to normalize relations between Türkiye and Armenia. Türkiye rejects Armenian discourse on the 1915 mass deaths of Armenians living in the Ottoman Empire and has repeatedly urged its neighbor to leave the matter to historians and not let it overshadow ties.

Armenia pursues normalization efforts with Azerbaijan and Türkiye, a process accelerated particularly after Azerbaijan’s victory over Karabakh, a territory occupied by Armenia for years.

Relations began to thaw after the 2020 Karabakh war, with both sides appointing special envoys to pursue normalization talks and negotiating the reopening of their land border. So far, limited agreements have allowed third-country citizens and diplomats to cross, but a full reopening remains elusive.

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Türkiye and the United Kingdom on Thursday signed a Strategic Partnership Framework Document during Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s visit to London, marking a significant step in deepening ties between the two NATO allies.

The agreement, signed by Fidan and British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper on the first day of Fidan’s two-day visit, aims to strengthen the existing strategic partnership and broaden cooperation built on close bilateral dialogue.

In a joint statement, the two countries described the document as a “solid foundation” for enhancing collaboration between allies that share “a historic friendship, excellent bilateral relations, and a common perspective on a wide range of international issues and global challenges.”

The statement emphasized a shared commitment to security and stability, particularly in the Middle East, and highlighted the growing importance of NATO in an evolving geopolitical landscape.

“NATO’s Strategic Concept, as well as its core tasks of deterrence and defense, will continue to form the basis of our cooperation in ensuring Euro-Atlantic security,” the statement said, adding that strong transatlantic relations remain essential for peace and stability in Europe.

Expanding trade

The framework also confirms both countries’ intention to boost bilateral trade and investment, including ongoing negotiations to update their existing Free Trade Agreement. Officials say a more comprehensive deal is expected to support joint economic growth and reflect changing global economic conditions.

Cooper underscored Türkiye’s importance on the global stage, describing it as “an indispensable partner for global security” in a post on social media. She added that the two sides agreed to deepen cooperation as NATO allies while strengthening economic ties to promote shared prosperity.

Fidan’s visit comes amid a period of intensified engagement between Ankara and London, with high-level contacts increasing in recent months. The growing momentum in relations has been particularly visible in defense and trade.

Defense industry

One of the most notable developments has been Türkiye’s agreement to purchase 20 Eurofighter fighter jets, alongside efforts to finalize a new free trade deal. The Eurofighter jets are produced by a multinational consortium including British firms, and the deal reflects expanding defense industry cooperation between the two countries.

Türkiye is also exploring additional acquisitions of Eurofighter aircraft from Qatar and Oman, which, if completed, would significantly expand its fleet.

Beyond defense, both sides aim to deepen cooperation in key sectors such as energy and the broader economy. As two NATO members outside the European Union, Türkiye and the UK share similar strategic positioning, which has further encouraged closer alignment, particularly after Britain’s departure from the EU.

Post-Brexit framework

Following Brexit, Ankara and London moved quickly to safeguard trade by signing a provisional agreement covering goods in 2020. Current negotiations seek to replace that deal with a more modern and comprehensive framework. Officials confirmed that the fourth round of talks was completed in March, signaling steady progress.

Diplomatic sources said Fidan’s agenda in London also includes preparations for an upcoming NATO summit scheduled to take place in Ankara on July 7-8. His visit follows recent talks in Ankara with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

Recent bilateral engagement has extended across multiple levels of government. Defense ministers Yaşar Güler and John Healey met in London in March, while Trade Minister Ömer Bolat held talks earlier this year to advance free trade negotiations.

Despite growing cooperation, both countries face shared challenges in their relations with the European Union. Applications by Türkiye and the U.K. to participate in the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) program, a 150 billion euro ($175 billion) defense financing initiative, were rejected. The issue is expected to feature prominently at the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara.

Regional and global security issues also featured prominently in Fidan’s discussions with his British counterpart. Talks addressed ongoing tensions in the Middle East and the Russia-Ukraine war, with both sides emphasizing the importance of diplomacy.

Türkiye has reiterated its support for dialogue to end the war in Ukraine, offering to host direct negotiations and provide assistance to both parties. The issue remains a key priority in Ankara’s diplomatic efforts.

Developments in the Gulf were also discussed, including proposals by Britain and France to establish an international force to ensure free passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Türkiye has similarly stressed the importance of maintaining open transit through the strategic waterway.

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Türkiye’s envoy in Damascus on Friday praised the arrest of a key Assad-era officer linked to the 2013 Tadamon massacre, describing it as one of the most horrific atrocities of the Syrian war.

“Amjad Youssef, the suspect in the 2013 massacre carried out in Tadamon, where Turkmens also live densely, was captured in Hama by the Syrian Internal Security Forces,” Nuh Yılmaz said in a post on X.

Congratulating the security forces, Yılmaz described the Tadamon massacre as one of the most horrific atrocities of the Syrian war, noting that 288 people were executed blindfolded, thrown into a pit and burned, with the killings filmed.

“I congratulate the Syrian Internal Security Forces for this operation,” he added.

In a statement, Syria’s Interior Ministry said internal security forces captured Youssef, identifying him as the primary perpetrator behind mass killings in the Tadamon neighborhood of Damascus.

The Tadamon case drew international attention after video footage documenting the killings surfaced during the Syrian war.

On April 27, 2022, The Guardian published footage it said had been leaked by a conscript in a pro-government militia showing members of the Military Intelligence Branch 227 executing at least 41 people and burning their bodies.

The video showed an intelligence officer, identified as Youssef, shooting blindfolded and bound detainees.

The massacre took place on April 16, 2013, when at least 41 people were killed near the Othman Mosque in the Tadamon neighborhood and their bodies were thrown into a pit in an empty street, in what became one of the most widely documented atrocities of the conflict.

The current Syrian administration has repeatedly announced arrests of individuals accused of committing abuses against civilians during the 2011-2024 conflict as part of efforts to pursue accountability.

Former President Bashar Assad, who ruled Syria with an iron fist for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia, bringing an end to the Ba’ath Party’s decades-long rule that began in 1963. A transitional administration led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa was formed in January 2025.

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Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Israel has become a “direct threat to global security,” urging a collective international response and warning that rising instability can no longer be seen as merely regional.

Speaking at Oxford University on global reordering on Friday, Fidan said the world is experiencing not merely a geopolitical transition but a deeper transformation.

“What we are witnessing today is not a transition, but it’s rather a transformation,” he said, arguing states can no longer “outsource their security, their diplomacy or their strategic imagination.”

Referring to the Iran war, which began with U.S. and Israeli strikes, Fidan said the conflict dealt “a heavy blow to global prosperity, security and stability.”

“Israel’s systemic threat to destabilize the region has exceeded local borders and now constitutes a direct threat to global security,” he said, adding that such actions “demand a collective response from the international community as a whole.”

Fidan also said “the distinction between regional and global crises has truly disappeared,” arguing that conflicts can no longer be treated as isolated.

He said such uncertainty has increased the relevance of middle powers, describing them as states with “strategic geography,” diplomatic reach and political will to produce outcomes.

Fidan pointed to Türkiye’s geographic position, institutional reach as a NATO member and EU candidate, and mediation efforts – from the Black Sea grain initiative to diplomacy in the Horn of Africa – as examples of Ankara’s role in crisis management.

He also called for global institutional reform and a regional order in the Middle East based on cooperation rather than “domination or submission,” advocating “regional solutions to regional problems by regional countries.”

In response to recent remarks by the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Fidan said her statements were “unfortunate,” adding that the issue has since been addressed through diplomatic channels.

“The President’s remarks were unfortunate; we have necessary communications, so I think we have fixed it, corrected.”

His comments came in response to a speech delivered by von der Leyen earlier this week in Hamburg, where she was marking the 80th anniversary of the newspaper Die Zeit.

Addressing the question of EU enlargement, she said: “We must succeed in completing the European continent so that it is not influenced by Russia, Türkiye, or China.”

In a later statement, Fidan said he believes key sticking points in negotiations over nuclear issues could soon be overcome, as diplomatic talks are set to resume during the weekend in Islamabad.

“As talks on Iran war set to resume tomorrow, I believe that one or two issues-particularly those that had been deadlocked in the nuclear dossier-can be resolved,” Fidan told journalists after his program at Oxford University.

Fidan said Türkiye was in almost daily contact with all parties involved in the negotiations and welcomed recent steps toward extending a fragile ceasefire.

“We welcomed the initial two-week ceasefire, but we also said at the time that it would not be enough to reach a final agreement,” he said. “That ceasefire has now been extended.”

“We are trying to contribute positively and provide encouragement to all sides,” he added.

He noted that progress in the nuclear talks could also ease wider regional tensions, including those related to the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

Hormuz Strait: diplomacy or escalation

Outlining two possible scenarios for the Gulf waterway, Fidan said the first involved a negotiated return to the previous status quo, ensuring free maritime passage without restrictions or additional costs.

“The second scenario is that if negotiations fail to produce results, the war continues, or other problems arise, the issue becomes how to address the problematic areas in the Strait of Hormuz. The concept of identifying problematic areas in the Strait of Hormuz is a different concept. There are aspects that align with our foreign policy and aspects that do not. Our President is clear on this matter,” he continued.

“If Iran and the Americans reach an agreement and peace is achieved, a coalition could carry out technical work there, including mine clearance,” he said.

He added that Türkiye would not oppose such humanitarian and technical operations in a post-conflict environment.

However, he cautioned that Ankara would take a different stance if any operation appeared to involve taking sides in a renewed conflict.

“Our sensitivities are clear,” he said. “If there is a situation where we are seen as part of a conflict again, our position would be different.”

Fidan said partners understood Türkiye’s approach and reiterated that mine clearance remained the immediate priority, describing it as a humanitarian task benefiting all sides.

Iran-U.S. talks came after Pakistan brokered a two-week ceasefire on April 8, which was later extended by Trump without a specified timeline. The developments come amid ongoing tensions since the outbreak of war on Feb. 28, with efforts focused on reaching a broader agreement to end hostilities.

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President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan warned that wars and persecution continue to grip the region despite ongoing efforts to restore peace, stressing that innocent children are the ones who most often bear the cost, as he addressed the 48th TRT International Children’s Festival.

Highlighting the human toll of conflicts, Erdoğan said Türkiye is working to stop violence and wipe away children’s tears, underlining that the ultimate goal is for all children to live in peace, security and brotherhood across the world. He emphasized that a life free from war, conflict, deprivation and poverty is “the most natural right” of every child.

Erdoğan also said Türkiye feels the pain, sorrow and disappointment caused by such crises “with full weight in its heart,” whether in its region or beyond, reaffirming Ankara’s commitment to standing with victims of conflict and advocating for a more just and compassionate global order.

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A new report by Türkiye’s National Intelligence Academy was published Friday warning that rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI) are fundamentally transforming cyber threats and require a coordinated, whole-of-society response to safeguard national security, public trust and critical infrastructure.

The report, titled “Cybersecurity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence and Türkiye’s Strategic Priorities,” said AI is no longer just a tool for boosting efficiency, automation and decision-making, but a “force multiplier” that is simultaneously increasing the scale, speed and complexity of cyberattacks.

“Artificial intelligence is not only enhancing productivity and analytical capacity, but also creating a new security domain where threats are more sophisticated and impactful,” the report said, underscoring the need to rethink cybersecurity beyond purely technical defenses.

According to the study, cyber risks can no longer be viewed solely as issues of system protection. Instead, they must be assessed in a broader framework that includes data security, institutional continuity, uninterrupted delivery of public services and the preservation of societal trust.

In a foreword to the report, academy head Talha Köse stressed that emerging AI-driven risks particularly those linked to large language model-based systems require a strategic approach that accounts for their potential impact on critical infrastructure and decision-making processes.

Köse said adapting to technological change alone is insufficient, emphasizing that institutions must anticipate risks and take preventive measures in a timely manner. He added that Türkiye’s digital transformation must advance simultaneously in areas such as regulation, coordination, security and human capital.

“The key issue today is not just keeping up with technology, but foreseeing the risks it may generate and taking the necessary institutional precautions in advance,” Köse said.

The report highlights that AI is lowering the cost of cyberattacks while increasing their effectiveness, enabling malicious actors to operate at unprecedented scale. At the same time, it notes that while AI adoption is accelerating across public institutions, the private sector and critical infrastructure, governance, oversight and security mechanisms are not evolving at the same pace.

This imbalance, the report warns, is increasing systemic vulnerabilities and deepening digital dependency. As a result, cybersecurity in the AI era must be addressed not only through technical safeguards, but also through national capacity-building, governance frameworks and strategic preparedness.

The study also identifies a new generation of vulnerabilities linked to AI systems, particularly large language models. These include prompt injection attacks, insecure output handling, sensitive data leakage, supply chain weaknesses and risks stemming from excessive system privileges or overreliance on automated outputs.

Such risks should not be treated merely as technical flaws, the report says, but as broader challenges involving data governance, accountability, auditability and the quality of institutional decision-making.

It further warns that AI-enabled cyber threats extend beyond digital systems, with direct implications for national security, institutional resilience and public confidence. One of the most pressing concerns is the rise of deepfakes and synthetic media, which can distort information ecosystems, erode institutional legitimacy and weaken public trust, particularly during times of crisis.

“AI-driven threats are not limited to cybersecurity. They also have strategic consequences for information security, public authority and social stability,” the report said.

Given these risks, the study advocates for a “human-AI collaboration model” in cybersecurity. While AI systems can rapidly detect anomalies, attack patterns and unusual behavior across large datasets, human expertise remains essential for interpreting context, filtering false positives and making critical decisions.

“The most realistic and sustainable approach is a hybrid defense model that combines the speed and scale advantages of AI with human oversight,” the report noted, adding that automation must be secure, auditable and clearly accountable.

Türkiye’s roadmap determined

The report also outlined a three-stage roadmap for Türkiye’s policy response, spanning short-, medium- and long-term priorities.

In the short-term, it calls for strengthening central coordination, establishing a unified institutional framework for AI-driven cyber risks and creating mandatory inventories of AI systems used in public institutions and critical infrastructure.

It also emphasizes the need for transparency regarding the types of data these systems process, the decisions they influence, their level of authority and their reliance on external service providers. Minimum security standards including data classification, logging, output verification and human oversight should be defined for large language models and agent-based systems.

In the medium term, the report highlights the importance of institutionalizing regulations, standards, auditing mechanisms and sectoral resilience frameworks. It recommends developing technical standards for AI systems used in critical infrastructure and public services, as well as incorporating strict requirements for security, auditability, record-keeping, incident reporting and supply chain transparency in public procurement processes.

Long-term priorities include building a strong national capacity capable of managing the security implications of reliance on foreign technologies. This involves developing testing, verification, certification and auditing capabilities, as well as strengthening the skilled workforce through sustainable cooperation between government, industry, academia and civil society.

The report also calls for supporting the development of a domestic cybersecurity and AI ecosystem, while increasing public awareness of risks such as identity manipulation, deepfakes and synthetic media.

Ultimately, the study concludes that cybersecurity in the age of AI is not just about protecting systems, but about managing state capacity, institutional decision-making quality, public trust and strategic autonomy in an integrated manner.