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
Debate over Syrian refugees gathers steam in Turkey Young Syrians celebrating New Year’s Eve in public Istanbul squares ignited false claims that Syrians are enjoying life in Turkey while Turkish soldiers die for their country. Syria
New Congress targets Turkey US lawmakers are still eyeing Turkey warily, even after it released US pastor Andrew Brunson. Turkey
Turkish opposition media ridicule pre-election 'bribe' With an eye on the March elections, the Turkish government, under the lead of the Justice and Development Party, is providing citizens with relief from credit card debt — a move the opposition deems bribery. Turkey
Fiasco in Ankara: Turkish-US friction on Syria back to square one US national security adviser John Bolton was snubbed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan because of the Trump administration's demands that Kurds not be harmed after the United States withdraws most of its troops. Syria
Turks losing trust in religion under AKP Turkish society is demonstrably distancing itself from religion in what some scholars see as quiet resistance to its power and privilege under the Islamist ruling party. Turkey
Turkey's 'horse whisperer' races ahead at the box office A cinematic homage about the record-breaking racehorse Bold Pilot and his jockey is filling Turkish theaters and bringing audiences to tears. Turkey
Turkish-US tension builds as Syria talks founder US national security adviser John Bolton left Ankara without a deal in hand that would protect Washington's allies from harm after the United States withdraws most of its troops from Syria. Syria
Turkey abandons Uighurs in favor of Chinese investment Turkey was once the Uighurs’ prime defender, offering easy citizenship to emigrants and speaking out against their mistreatment, but the recent economic rapprochement between Turkey and China has led Ankara to abandon its ethnic brothers. Turkey
Rival fiefdoms emerge in scramble over Trump's Syria withdrawal Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and national security adviser John Bolton have offered different messages about President Donald Trump’s intentions for a Syria withdrawal. Israel
Patriarch grants Ukrainian Church independence at Istanbul mass The spiritual leader of the world’s Orthodox faithful recognized a new national church of Ukraine, marking a historic split with Moscow amid a broader geopolitical dispute. Turkey
Hunger strike by Kurdish inmates spreads across Turkish prisons A hunger strike by Kurdish prisoners, initiated by a female parliamentarian to protest restrictions on visits to jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, may have dramatic consequences if Ankara sticks to its indifference, lawyers and activists warn. Turkey