Turkey detains 233 ahead of NATO summit, including LGBTQ+ activist Yildiz Tar The operation included alleged militant suspects as well as LGBTQ+ and leftist activists, raising concerns over the scope of the crackdown. Turkey
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
Analysis Erdogan-Netanyahu war of words signals deeper rivalry for regional influence By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Turkish companies flout law for cheap Syrian labor Unemployment in Turkey has reached 11.3%, and Syrian refugees have become a convenient scapegoat. Syria
Erdogan comes face to face with US, Russia in Syria Turkey may have gone into Syria to push back Syrian Kurds, but it now finds itself confronting both Russia and the United States. Syria
Why Russia isn’t rushing to lift sanctions on Turkey Russia appears to be in no hurry to remove all of its sanctions against Turkey, even though it’s been a year since they were imposed. Turkey
Did IS kill Turkish troops in Syria? The Turkish government is remaining silent while some say the Islamic State — not the Syrian air force, as Ankara claims — was responsible for an attack on Turkish forces in northern Syria. Syria
What do Kurds expect from Trump? Turkey's Kurds are wondering what kind of policy President-elect Donald Trump will follow on Turkey's Kurdish problem. Turkey
How Ankara plans to manage Kurds' religious affairs After firing hundreds of imams in Turkey's southeast region, the Religious Affairs Directorate wants to hand-pick preachers that will help the Kurds remember "real Islam." Turkey
Turkey moves full throttle toward one-party state Turkey’s authoritarian shift may be institutionalized in a matter of months, as few obstacles remain before a referendum on a presidential system. Turkey
Why does President Erdogan admire Belarus? Erdogan prefers the self-styled “democracy” of Belarus and hails it against the failures and double standards of the West. Turkey
Why Turkey issued arrest warrant for this Kurdish leader Ankara issued an arrest warrant for PYD leader Salih Muslim, which appears to be part of an all-out war against Rojava. But will it work? Syria
Erdogan blocks child rape bill as EU Parliament votes on bid freeze After a public outcry, Turkey's ruling party scrapped its controversial bill pardoning child rapists who marry their victims in what could be a sign that common sense still has some sway in President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s "New Turkey," but likely has more to do with an expected EU move to freeze Turkey's membership bid. Turkey
Turkey’s 'big bosses' gather courage to speak out on economy Turkey’s most powerful business group, TUSIAD, long silenced by the government, seems to be regaining its voice as the country’s economic downturn worsens. Turkey
Will Israeli-Turkish relations leave Hamas in the cold? It remains unclear how Hamas-Turkish ties will be affected by the move by Turkey and Israel toward a resumption of full diplomatic relations. Israel