Analysis Saudi Arabia's Houthi crisis tests alliances with Trump, Turkey and Pakistan As the Houthis tighten their grip on the Bab al-Mandeb, Saudi Arabia is turning to new regional alliances while Washington resists calls to intervene. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Newsletter: City Pulse Istanbul Behind Turkey’s diplomatic doors Also this week: Hona’s six-seat counter, Galerist at 25 and Contemporary Istanbul’s return. By Nazlan Ertan In Izmir and Istanbul, reporting on culture
Newsletter: Turkey Turkey’s test in Yemen As regional tensions mount, Turkey is balancing new defense commitments with its own security interests. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Turkey’s defense giants court Egypt at Alamein Airshow: What to know Three leading Turkish defense companies are participating in the El Alamein Airshow as Ankara seeks new sales and closer military-industrial cooperation with Egypt. Turkey
Analysis With Hurjet test, Turkey seeks defense dominance beyond drones By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Intel: What’s behind Putin’s arms sale proposal to Saudis Putin's offer of defense missile systems for the Saudis was political but there's more to this in the runup to his visit to Riyadh. Saudi Arabia
Don't read too much into Turkey's gag order reversal, warn free press advocates Turkey’s highest court has struck down a reporting ban surrounding a 2013 corruption probe, but some human rights defenders warn the win for press freedom may prove minor. Turkey
How latest Astana talks between Turkey, Russia, Iran went beyond Syria What the Astana guarantors agreed upon in Ankara will have implications for Syria but the way the leaders communicated past each other each is even more telling. Saudi Arabia
Lawyers urge Turkish court to free top Kurdish politician A Turkish appeals court has approved the release of jailed opposition politician Selahattin Demirtas, but he and his lawyers are pessimistic that the judiciary will act independently of political pressure to keep him behind bars. Turkey
Is Turkish presidential system helping cause fall in AKP membership? Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s realized goal for Turkey to have an executive presidency may be fast becoming his worst mistake: His party is losing members at the top and from the base and former colleagues are challenging him directly. Can Erdogan survive his party’s decay? Turkey
Turkey going full speed ahead with ambitious drone projects The Turkish defense industry continues intensive work to develop long-range armed drones and cruise missiles, seeking to gain preemptive strike capability to eliminate threats at their source. Turkey
Can trade dialogue help improve Turkish-US ties? Amid the lingering threat of US sanctions on Turkey over its purchase of Russian missiles, US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross paid a long visit to Turkey, leading many to believe bilateral trade will be set apart from the political rows between the two countries. Syria
Can new Turkish posts calm Idlib? The Turkish army is preparing to build more observation posts in Syria’s Idlib, where a fragile cease-fire is violated daily. Syria
Rich Ottoman recipes grace Istanbul tables A restaurant in Istanbul's historical district of Fatih has revived 500-year-old Ottoman recipes, including a special goose dish that help develop lasting relationships with regional farmers. Turkey
Turkey eyes amphibious jets after forest fire fiasco Following Ankara's embarrassing failure to control forest fires this summer, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan appears to be negotiating to purchase Russian firefighting planes. Turkey
Turkey slashes interest rates to kickstart economy Turkey's central bank has cuts interest rates more than expected after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan promised that the measure would reduce inflation and ease Turks' pain. Turkey
New pipeline in works to transport Iraqi oil to Turkey Iraq and Turkey are building a brand-new pipeline that will transfer Kirkuk oil to Turkey and tie into Iraq's existing pipeline network. Iraq