Analysis From drones to deterrence: Turkey's ICBM missile signals bigger ambitions Turkey’s planned test of a 6,000-kilometer missile could boost Ankara’s defense industry prestige, strengthen its deterrence messaging and feed a powerful domestic narrative of technological self-reliance, but it also raises questions about cost, timing and NATO protection. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Culture How ‘dog mom’ vacuum cleaner ad sparked culture war in Turkey A Mother’s Day advertisement featuring a “dog mom” triggered a backlash from conservative media, government officials and regulators, turning a soft consumer campaign into a flashpoint over motherhood, declining birth rates, stray dogs and even antisemitism. Turkey
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
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Hezbollah commanders killed as renewed strikes test Lebanon-Israel talks 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
Intel: US blames ‘scheduling issue’ for no Pompeo-Erdogan meeting A State Department official said Pompeo's "tight schedule" will keep him from meeting Turkish officials when in Istanbul next week. Turkey
Desperate doctors call for lockdown in Istanbul Turkish medical associations as well as the mayor are appealing to the Turkish government to close down Istanbul as daily deaths reach April levels. Turkey
Art perseveres in Istanbul despite coronavirus The city’s traditional fall art season is underway as curators take new approaches to exhibit work safely and sustainably during the coronavirus pandemic, despite confusing government restrictions about what would be allowed to go ahead. Turkey
Turkish lira makes gains on renewed optimism After hitting a series of record lows, Turkey’s currency rebounded more 7% this week as investors expect sharp policy reversals by the nation’s newly appointed economy team. Turkey
South Caucasus deal echoes plan from 30 years ago Although some in Turkey see Russia as the real winner of the Russian-brokered truce between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the deal has elevated Turkey to a regional power in the south Caucasus. Turkey
Screws tighten on Gray Wolves, Erdogan’s European guard France’s decision to outlaw the Gray Wolves marks a new milestone in Erdogan’s showdown with Europe over Turkish migrant groups, which he uses as a tool to advance his political agenda. Turkey
Turkey bans public smoking in virus mitigation effort Turkey has been recording more than 2,000 cases of COVID-19 a day for weeks, and there are concerns the government is underreporting virus deaths. Turkey
Greece, Egypt expect Biden will be 'decisive' in Mediterranean dispute, Greek PM says Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' comments came as Turkey announced it was extending exploratory work in the contested waters. Egypt
Who really won in south Caucasus? While the conventional wisdom is that Russia allowed Turkey to soften Armenia for the kill, then swooped in and imposed its own terms, talk of Russia’s big win may be somewhat overstated. Turkey
Erdogan’s change of economy team signals snap election plan The Turkish president’s replacement of key economy officials, including his son-in-law, resonate as preparations for snap elections before the political cost of Turkey’s economic turmoil becomes irredeemable. Turkey
No love left for Erdogan’s son-in-law The resignation of the Turkish president's son-in-law Berat Albayrak as finance minster has elated journalists, bureaucrats and academics as well as elites in the ruling party. Turkey
Amid market tumult, Erdogan appoints new finance minister Investors are watching for policy shifts as Turkey’s Former Deputy Prime Minister Lutfi Elvan takes the helm of the nation’s Finance Ministry following the surprise resignation of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s son-in-law Berat Albayrak. Turkey