Northern Syria takes step toward new judicial system

The Turkish-built Palace of Justice and an even larger prison were inaugurated in al-Rai last month with the expectation of a new judicial system to begin functioning in mid-October in place of unsanctioned courts controlled by the Free Syrian Army.

Syria

Turks wake up to animal cruelty

Animal rights activists in Turkey seek harsher penalties, including additional fines and imprisonment, against those who commit violence against animals.

Turkey

Fate of missing Saudi journalist puts Turkey in ironic position

As mystery remains over the fate of a missing dissident Saudi journalist, Ankara finds itself in a position in which it may try to rescue a foreign journalist at a time when more than 100 journalists are behind bars in Turkey.

Saudi Arabia

Diyarbakir book fair returns after 4-year hiatus

Diyarbakir’s book fair, one of the main cultural events of the region, had been stopped due to security reasons in 2015. Now that it is back, thousands of residents from Diyarbakir and region came to pick up a book or two.

Turkey

Turkish inflation spooks Erdogan loyalists

Inflation has scaled new heights in Turkey, prompting grumbles from even pro-government media commentators.

Turkey

How can Turkey survive US sanctions on Iran?

At the United Nations, Turkey repeated its intention to ignore US sanctions. How the Erdogan administration will calculate costs and benefits of subverting the US sanctions remains a mystery.

Turkey

Turkey steps up ties with Palestinian Authority

Turkey and the Palestinian Authority have signed new agreements, indicating Ankara intends to broaden official dealings with the PA, but limit its financial assistance to the Gaza Strip to relief agencies.

Palestine

Cyprus deal to turn Egypt into major gas exporter to Europe

Egypt is hoping to rely less on natural gas imports after signing a deal with Cyprus to transport gas from the small Mediterranean island before it is liquefied in Egypt for exporting to European countries.

Egypt

Brunson affair becomes litmus test for Turkish-US ties

Uncertainty remains over whether the American pastor will be released from detention next week by a Turkish court.

Turkey

Intel: The Pentagon won’t abandon Turkey despite tensions

Turkey

Will Iran, Turkey jointly confront US influence east of the Euphrates?

Iran and Turkey are gearing their policies in Syria toward jointly tackling the current status quo in northeastern Syria, where US-backed forces constitute a common threat to both Turkish and Iranian interests.

Syria

EU votes to withhold funding as Turkish democracy limps

The European Union will withhold 70 million euros over Turkey's failure to stop its democratic decline in a blow sure to hurt Ankara where it counts.

Turkey