Turkey brokers intra-Somalia talks as federal rifts test Ankara’s influence Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland and Jubaland states reportedly declined to join the talks, as Ankara is ramping up efforts to shore up support for Somalia’s federal institutions. Turkey
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran hits Gulf, warns Hormuz will reopen on its terms Lebanese president meets US envoy; Russia eyes Tartous logistics hub in Syria; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Trump 'undecided' on Turkey's F-35s as Congress seeks answers on S-400 Top Democratic lawmakers say the ball is in Ankara’s court on rejoining the US-led F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, but suggest that Turkey offshoring its Russian-made S-400 system won’t be enough. Turkey
Feature Armenia's Pashinyan keeps Iran close while wooing Trump, Turkey and Azerbaijan As Yerevan pursues normalization with Turkey and Azerbaijan and backs a US-led transport corridor, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is working to reassure an increasingly assertive Iran that its interests won't be threatened. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump says Iran deal is ‘over’ By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump says US will lift CAATSA sanctions on Turkey By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Turkish parliamentary committee approves Finland's NATO bid A Turkish parliamentary committee has unanimously approved Finland's NATO membership. Turkey
Meet Kemal Kilicdaroglu, Turkey’s long-derided opposition head who could dethrone Erdogan The leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party, who will face off against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in presidential elections May 14, is a far more complex figure than meets the eye. Turkey
Germany's DW closure in Turkey sparks fears of pre-election media clampdown Deutsche Welle, which produces news in Turkish, will close its office next week after the government refused it permission to operate. Turkey
Increased gold reserves help stabilize Turkey's currency ahead of May elections The value of Turkey's gold reserves have reached an all-time high of $50.6 billion and account for almost 40% of the central bank's gross foreign assets. Piero Cingari
Turkey’s pro-Kurdish party won’t field challenger to Erdogan, boosting opposition’s chances The pro-Kurdish HDP announced that it will not field a candidate in the May 14 presidential elections and will run under the banner of the Green Left Party to circumvent a potential closure and political ban that it faces. Turkey
Turkey, Greece take strides in Ankara meeting as aid diplomacy continues A meeting of senior Turkish and Greek diplomats in Ankara is the latest diplomatic contact spurred by post-disaster diplomacy, and the fourth meeting of the “Positive Agenda” initiative. Turkey
18 contenders jump into Turkey's two-horse presidential race to unseat Erdogan While voting will be between incumbent Recep Tayyip Erdogan and challenger Kemal Kilicdaroglu, May’s election will see a colorful assortment of would-be presidents. Turkey
Turkey, Iraq laud cooperation, but major disagreements remain Sudani on his first visit to Ankara, stressed the importance of Iraq’s sovereignty in the two countries' fight against terrorism. Turkey
Culture 2023 Mideast happiness rankings: UAE, Israel happiest as Lebanon hits bottom The Middle East and North Africa region remains the least happy region after sub-Saharan Africa globally, but several regional nations have become happier in comparison to the previous period. Legacy: Gulf
EU raises $7.5 billion for Turkey, Syria earthquake victims Erdogan tells donors that Turkey will continue to facilitate the land and air transfer of humanitarian aid materials from third parties and other countries to the quake victims in Syria. Turkey
US announces $50 million in earthquake aid for Syria, Turkey The funding announcement brings the total US contribution since the Feb. 6 disaster to $235 million. Turkey
Qatar loses 'World’s Best Airport' to Singapore, Turkey's Istanbul climbs to 6 Most Gulf Cooperation Council city airports went up in rank from last year's SKYTRAX’s World Airport Awards. Legacy: Gulf