Analysis Why Saudi Arabia, Egypt are wary of Turkey’s proposed 4-way defense pact with Pakistan The proposed framework faces major hurdles and fault lines, ranging from NATO constraints to Israeli opposition and weak military integration. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Turkey’s Baykar tests K2 swarm kamikaze drones for first time: What to know Baykar tested its K2 and new loitering drones, featuring AI-driven swarm capabilities and the ability to operate under GPS jamming. Turkey
Newsletter: City Pulse Istanbul Contemporary art takes over restored Byzantine cistern Also this week: Istanbul rooftops, Balat’s art scene and women-led cinema By Nazlan Ertan In Izmir and Istanbul, reporting on culture
Trump envoy Barrack’s embrace of 'strong leaders' sparks fury in Turkey Turkish opposition members say envoy Tom Barrack’s remarks praising “strong leaders” and monarchies undermine Turkey’s democratic tradition and embolden President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey
Analysis Italy’s TB3 drone deal signals turn toward Turkey amid US-NATO tensions By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Newsletter: Turkey Turkey eyes gains as US exits Syria By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Newsletter: City Pulse Istanbul Izmir opens new art center backed by Centre Pompidou By Nazlan Ertan In Izmir and Istanbul, reporting on culture
Local election defeat bodes more foreign woes for Erdogan The irreparable setback Turkey’s president suffered in the March 31 municipal polls, coupled with the country’s economic crisis, leaves him in a weaker position vis-a-vis Washington, Moscow and the European Union. Syria
Turkey’s state-run news agency under fire for irregular poll coverage Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency is under fire for its bizarre coverage of the Istanbul mayoral race, during which the agency stopped reporting polling results when it became clear the opposition was bound for victory. Turkey
Pentagon holds out hope of salvaging military sales to Turkey Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said today that he expects the Pentagon to deliver the Patriot air defense system to Turkey even as Ankara eyes a fall installation date for the Russian S-400. Turkey
Will local election defeat force Erdogan to improve ties with West? Turkey needs better ties with the United States and Europe to heal the ailing Turkish economy, but experts are not optimistic that Erdogan will do this. Turkey
Uighur debate shows shifting influence in Turkish policies Differences of opinion within the Turkish security bureaucracy on how to react to China’s treatment of Uighur Turks reveal competing camps. Turkey
As AKP loses big cities, has Erdogan overplayed his hand? In an interview with Al-Monitor, American social anthropologist Jenny White describes the challenges that lie ahead for the abashed ruling party and the triumphant opposition after Turkey's electoral upset. Turkey
Turkey’s milestone elections shatter Erdogan’s air of invincibility Turkey's local elections on March 31 broke the glass ceiling for the Turkish opposition, ending the perception that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is invincible. Turkey
Turkey's ruling AKP loses Ankara, Istanbul as opposition springs to life Turkey's ruling party lost big in the municipal elections and the main opposition party took Ankara and Istanbul, which the Justice and Development Party and its Islamist forerunners had controlled for the past 25 years. Turkey
Intel: How Turkey's local elections mark rebuke for Erdogan's one-man rule Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party appears to have lost control of city hall in Ankara and may lose Istanbul as well, where unofficial results put the opposition slightly ahead. Turkey
Syria's Kurds increasingly isolated as Arab tribes cut deals with regime As Damascus recovers more territory, Arab tribes throughout Syria are increasingly open to working with Damascus to restore security. Syria
As tensions rise with Israel, PA halts medical transfers The Palestinian Health Ministry in Ramallah decided to halt the transfer of patients from the West Bank to Israeli hospitals — an expense the PA covers — after Israel slashed the PA's budget amid rising tensions. Palestine
Did Trump’s decision on Golan undercut Putin mediation on Syria? Russian President Vladimir Putin thought he had a deal in Helsinki; Turkey rethinks Syria ties over Kurds. Israel