Culture How ‘dog mom’ vacuum cleaner ad sparked culture war in Turkey A Mother’s Day advertisement featuring a “dog mom” triggered a backlash from conservative media, government officials and regulators, turning a soft consumer campaign into a flashpoint over motherhood, declining birth rates, stray dogs and even antisemitism. Turkey
Newsletter: Turkey Turkey navigates Gulf rivalries while Kurdish peace efforts resurface Turkey hosts a flurry of regional diplomacy while fresh debate over Abdullah Ocalan’s future exposes new tensions in the Kurdish peace process. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: City Pulse Istanbul EU spotlights digital art in Ankara Also this week: A new chef’s table, ceramics and institutional debuts By Nazlan Ertan In Izmir and Istanbul, reporting on culture
Turkey, Japan launch defense industry partnership with eye on drones The initiative could eventually lead to joint UAV development and production as Japan looks to expand drone capabilities amid regional tensions. Turkey
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Hezbollah commanders killed as renewed strikes test Lebanon-Israel talks By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing US pauses Hormuz escort mission as Trump cites progress on Iran talks By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Why the PKK is so interested in Mosul The PKK is looking to join the Iraqi army and the Kurdistan Regional Government to liberate Mosul. Iraq
Turkey witnesses 'unprecedented onslaught on critical media' Since coming to power in 2002, Turkey’s ruling party has employed unprecedented means to expand pro-government media and curb critical media, acting in cooperation with crony businessmen and using public funds. Turkey
April showers bring … growing violence in southeast Turkey? Both the Turkish government and the Kurdistan Workers Party are feverishly preparing for expected heavy clashes in the spring. Turkey
Will government seize Turkey's largest bank? Isbank, Turkey's largest private bank, is seen as a government takeover target. Turkey
What’s in store for the future of journalism in Turkey? Cengiz Candar says he is retiring from journalism in Turkey in a farewell article published by Radikal on April 6 after the publication abruptly shut down. Turkey
The collapse of Iraq's Shiite alliance Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr co-opts popular reform movement; Erdogan’s bid for empowered presidency linked to war with PKK; Turkey feels pressure to intensify fight against Islamic State; Backlash over Egyptian government crackdown on media. Egypt
Pro-Erdogan media take precautions against Panama Papers Vladimir Putin and his supporters are not the only ones who see a CIA conspiracy behind the Panama Papers. Turkey
Why the Turkish government seized this Armenian church The Justice and Development Party’s rhetoric and legislation differ on the expropriation of Armenian churches in Sur, causing further frustration among locals and diaspora Armenians. Turkey
Are Amman-Ankara ties in crisis? Deep divisions remain between King Abdullah and President Erdogan, who have not met in more than three years. Jordan
Can the Islamic State be defeated without Kurds? Turkey insists Rojava's People's Protection Units must be excluded from the fight against the Islamic State on the Menbic-Jarablus front. Syria
Private collectors fuel demand for looted Mideast antiquities Archaeological experts say social dislocation and terrorism are increasing the ability of organized gangs to traffic artifacts to clients in Europe, Asia and the United States. Yemen
Can Turkey break its Russian gas habit? With no end to bilateral tensions in sight, Turkey is making plans to significantly cut down Russia’s majority share of its natural gas supply. Turkey