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
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt rank among world’s top 10 arms importers: SIPRI Middle East countries made up more than a fourth of the top 40 global arms importers from 2018 to 2022, according to a new report. Legacy: Gulf
Turkey’s opposing camps seek to broaden base ahead of May elections The rapprochement between Erdogan’s People’s Alliance and the Kurdish Islamist Huda-Par, seen as the successor of Hezbollah, annoys nationalists, while the move toward arch-conservative New Welfare alarms women. Turkey
Russia to host Turkey, Syria, Iran diplomats on Wednesday Senior Turkish, Syrian, Iranian and Russian diplomats are set to meet to advance the stalled rapprochement between Ankara and Damascus. Turkey
MidEast freedom rankings: Syria worst, Tunisia in decline, says Freedom House Syria remains to be the least and Israel the best performing country when it comes civil and political freedoms while the biggest one-year decline has been observed in Tunisia. Turkey
Erdogan’s challenger faces delicate balancing act to win over Turkey's Kurds The compromise that salvaged Turkey’s opposition bloc from collapsing this week lays the ground for enlisting Kurdish support as well, but not without fragilities and risks on the way. Turkey
Turkey’s election races officially begin as Erdogan sets vote for May 14 The country’s executive presidential system will be the focal point of the campaigning period. Turkey
Turkey, Sweden and Finland agree to more talks on NATO accession President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s spokesman and foreign affairs adviser Ibrahim Kalin, who took part in Thursday’s talks, described the meeting as “positive.” Turkey
Turkey’s earthquake victims at heart of International Women's Day marches The earthquakes that ravaged 11 provinces in southern Turkey also amplified the socio-economic inequalities between men and women in the region. Turkey
Turkey, Syria, Iran to hold 'technical talks' in Russia next week The technical meeting is aimed at achieving progress in the stalled high-level dialogue process between Ankara and Damascus. Turkey
Iran's top diplomat to visit Turkey in post-disaster diplomacy The top Iranian and Turkish diplomats are also expected to discuss the Syrian, Nagorno-Karabakh and bilateral files during their meeting. Turkey
Support for Kilicdaroglu grows among Turkey’s wider opposition Having been nominated by six-strong bloc, other parties indicate support for Kemal Kilicdaroglu in May presidential election Turkey
Turkey's earthquake victims hit by exorbitant rent spikes, topping 60% Turkey’s Justice Ministry is working on a draft amendment that would introduce jail terms of two to five years for landlords gouging prices in times of natural disasters. Turkey