The Takeaway: Erdogan weighs risks of Afghan mission against benefits for US ties

Also: Gulf airline race takes off; Islamic State steps up Iraq attacks; Fortnite fatwa riles Egyptian gamers; is Israel’s army too small?; child beggars in Gaza’s cemeteries; Iraq unearths 4,000 year old city; and more! All in only about 1,500 words.

Turkey

Five years after coup attempt, Turkey to vote on extending emergency powers

Turkey's parliament is set to vote on an omnibus bill that includes measures to extend state-of-emergency powers three more years. 

Turkey

Turkish mobster claims AKP supporters secretly armed after putsch

The latest bombshell by fugitive Turkish crime boss Sedat Peker has stoked calls for an investigation.

Turkey

Stream of Afghan asylum seekers reported in eastern Turkey 

As the United States continues its troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, disputed reports indicate a rising number of asylum seekers of Afghan origin are crossing Turkey’s eastern border. 

Turkey

Taliban renew demand that Turkey leave Afghanistan

American and Turkish officials are still ironing out the last details on how to secure Kabul's airport.

Turkey

Will Turkey use Syrian mercenaries in Kabul?

Turkey is allegedly planning to use Syrian fighters in its proposed mission to guard and run Kabul’s airport, but this time recruitment is expected to proceed via private security firms.

Turkey

Turkey's 'babyfaced' fraud suspect in jail after three years on run

Mehmet Aydin, wanted since early 2018, is back in Turkey to face an online fraud case that has raised questions about how he remained free for so long in South America.

Turkey

Turkish sexologists attract following on social media

As the ruling AKP tries to shut down the conversation on sexuality, Turkey's public finds new ways to gather and speak openly about their lives and desires. 

Turkey

Exiled Turkish journalist attacked outside home in Germany

The attack on Erk Acarer following his columns on mafia-state links has alarmed other Turkish journalists in exile who have urged the German government to take a stance against "Erdogan’s arm."

Turkey

Turkey’s inflation spirals out of control

Soaring prices lie at the core of Erdogan’s sagging popular support and he seems to have few tools to curb the unruly uptick.

Turkey

Turkey's ruling party elites love to splurge while preaching frugality

Turkey's Justice and Development Party is preaching belt-tightening to a suffering public, but will party leaders' often profligate spending cancel out the economic — and political — message?

Turkey

After gestures to US, Turkey turns to placating Russia

Turkey is back to its balancing act between Moscow and Washington after a series of moves to win favor with the Biden administration at the expense of irritating Russia.

Turkey