Culture Amid political setbacks, Kurds shine at the World Cup Kurdish players and clubs are making rare global gains on football’s biggest stage, offering a brief lift amid ongoing political setbacks across the region. Turkey
Analysis Turkey eyes gains from US-Iran deal as Ankara balances Tehran, Washington Turkey sees the US-Iran memorandum as a chance to reduce regional spillover risks, revive trade with Tehran and gain diplomatic breathing room. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Newsletter: City Pulse Istanbul Breathing room: Mehtap Baydu at Arter Also this week: Anatolian flavors, Ottoman fashion and festival frames By Nazlan Ertan In Izmir and Istanbul, reporting on culture
Turkey captures alleged ISIS-K media chief near Afghanistan-Pakistan border The capture comes as Turkish authorities intensify raids against Islamic State networks following recent attacks and alleged plots. Turkey
Analysis Erdogan-Netanyahu war of words signals deeper rivalry for regional influence By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Feature Turkey’s World Cup return clouded by politics, dawn kickoffs By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Can fragile Ankara-Moscow friendship survive Russian strike? Though Turkey and Russia are working ever more closely together in Syria, the two cautious allies are holding back over their policy disconnects and incidents like the Russian airstrike that killed four Turkish soldiers near al-Bab. Syria
Erdogan caught between Trump, Putin in Syria war The Turkish government's spokesman says al-Bab will be the last stop of the Turkish army in Syria, while President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkish forces will march on to Raqqa. Syria
Turkey wants safe zone, but can it maintain one? The US president is listening to Turkey’s continuing calls for a "safe zone" in northern Syria, but resistance to it is still strong, as all is not quiet in the areas already under Turkish control. Syria
The collapse of Turkish academia The Turkish government’s clampdown on the academic community has reached the country’s top faculties and scholars. Turkey
Coming soon: Erdogan 'The Chief' A hagiographic biopic on the life and times of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is scheduled for release during the runup to the constitutional amendment that could expand his authority and entrench him in power. Turkey
Turkey’s Euphrates Shield reaches critical juncture Will Turkish army advance to Raqqa, try to hold on to al-Bab or end the operation and go back to Turkey? Syria
Turkey walks fine line in dealing with 'frenemy' jihadis Turkey’s mixed messages in crackdown terrorist groups; Ankara on sidelines, again, in Syria; Syrian Kurds consider federalism, view Turkish attack on al-Bab as "fiasco." Syria
The real sultans of Istanbul: Cats A new documentary that follows seven of Istanbul's hundreds of thousands of famous cats is getting claws-up reviews from critics and viewers as screenings begin this weekend. Turkey
How close are we to a solution in Syria? As the Syrian Democratic Forces launch a new phase in the operation to liberate the city of Raqqa from Islamic State control, many questions remain about the military and political situation on the ground. Syria
All eyes on Pompeo as CIA chief arrives in Ankara Though Turkish hopes for a closer US alliance are soaring as CIA Director Mike Pompeo meets with top Ankara officials, it's unlikely that the US administration will agree to weaken its ties to the Kurdish groups it depends on badly in Syria. Syria
Turkey steps up action against Salafi networks Turkey has substantially increased operations against Salafi-jihadi groups in 2017, but Ankara’s real problem is deciding whether to keep them under control or eradicate them. Turkey
Turkey’s wealth fund is less about wealth and more about debt Turkey’s newly established sovereign wealth fund is expected to throw life preservers to companies involved in the government’s “mega-projects” and primarily owned by AKP cronies. Turkey