Newsletter: Turkey Turkey navigates Gulf rivalries while Kurdish peace efforts resurface Turkey hosts a flurry of regional diplomacy while fresh debate over Abdullah Ocalan’s future exposes new tensions in the Kurdish peace process. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: City Pulse Istanbul EU spotlights digital art in Ankara Also this week: A new chef’s table, ceramics and institutional debuts By Nazlan Ertan In Izmir and Istanbul, reporting on culture
Turkey, Japan launch defense industry partnership with eye on drones The initiative could eventually lead to joint UAV development and production as Japan looks to expand drone capabilities amid regional tensions. Turkey
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Hezbollah commanders killed as renewed strikes test Lebanon-Israel talks Israeli strikes in Beirut and southern Lebanon raise new doubts over a fragile ceasefire ahead of expected talks in Washington. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing US pauses Hormuz escort mission as Trump cites progress on Iran talks By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Is Erdogan’s Communications Directorate failing him? Fancy buildings and growing budgets at Turkey's Communications Directorate have failed to improve Erdogan’s global image. Growing rumors about his health and discussions over possible transition figures are a red flag for Turkey’s economic and political welfare. Turkey
Ankara hints at new Syria operation after spate of attacks near border Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said the nation “would do what is necessary” to clear Syrian border areas of Kurdish militants after missile attacks killed two Turkish police officers Sunday. Turkey
Is Erdogan testing Biden with request to buy more F-16s? Ankara’s surprise request to purchase F-16 jets from the United States looks like a rational decision dictated by military realities, but some suspect it might well be a gambit to set the stage for warplane negotiations with Russia. Turkey
Erdogan-linked foundation faces fresh barrage of accusations of nepotism, abuse A whistleblower has made claims that, in addition to hundreds of job hirings made at TUGVA's request, the organization was also allocated over 1,000 government-owned buildings to use as dormitories for its members. Turkey
Ankara looks other way as money flows to tax havens A Turkish law passed in 2006 to tackle money transfers to tax havens remains inapplicable on the ground due to Ankara’s failure to name the countries it considers as tax havens. Turkey
Iraq seeks to attach strings to arms purchases from Turkey Talks on the sale of Turkish armed drones and combat helicopters to Iraq have hit snags amid Iraqi efforts to extract concessions on contentious issues in bilateral ties. Turkey
Istanbul’s war on street waste collectors threatens migrants Police raids on the unregulated recycling sector are targeting some of the poorest members of Turkish society, including undocumented refugees with few other options to survive. Turkey
Infrastructure aid won't help Turkish city maintain welcome for half-million Syrians A new waste management facility in Gaziantep aims to help the city cope with the challenges of half a million Syrian refugees, but it is unlikely to fix the growing local resentment toward them. Turkey
Geopolitical rivalry in Caucasus gets militarized The geopolitical power struggle in the Caucasus is growing increasingly militarized as converging interests pit Iran and Armenia against Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey and Israel. Turkey
Tensions between Erdogan and opposition-run Istanbul municipality turn violent The standoff between the municipality and police sparked violence at the historic ferry dock. Turkey
Istanbul street dog becomes social media influencer Boji the street dog has amassed thousands of followers, including a politician or two. Turkey
Territorial spats reheat ahead of Turkey-Greece talks Citing disputed territorial claims, the Turkish navy twice blocked research missions by a Greek Cypriot-contracted vessel as Turkey and Greece prepare for bilateral talks in Ankara on Oct. 6. Turkey