Analysis From drones to deterrence: Turkey's ICBM missile signals bigger ambitions Turkey’s planned test of a 6,000-kilometer missile could boost Ankara’s defense industry prestige, strengthen its deterrence messaging and feed a powerful domestic narrative of technological self-reliance, but it also raises questions about cost, timing and NATO protection. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
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
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 do some Turks approve of Islamic State terrorism? Turkish football fans' disruption of moments of silence for victims of Islamic State attacks in Paris and in Turkey show support for IS and stem from the domestic and foreign policies of Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Syria
How some southeast Turkey residents are struggling with mystery murders, urban warfare Residents in the southeastern Turkish town of Silvan are angry with the state and the Kurdistan Workers Party for the destruction of their town. Turkey
Women were big losers in Turkey's elections The number of women elected to parliament reached a new high in Turkey's June elections, but dropped in the Nov. 1 snap elections, especially in the victorious Justice and Development Party. Turkey
Will battle for Aleppo determine Syria’s fate? Syrian government forces advance despite heavy resistance; Arab leadership missing in battle against Islamic State; Erdogan differs with United States and G-20 on next steps in Syria; Israel rethinks "Shiite axis." Legacy: Gulf
Yazidis wary of going back to liberated Sinjar Liberation of the Yazidi Iraqi town Sinjar from 16 months of IS occupation delighted everyone except thousands of Yazidi refugees who have no intention of going back. Iraq
Is the Islamic State going global? The Islamic State is now in a position to decide to go global or stay regional, following the attacks in Paris. Syria
After IS threat, Turkey’s Alevi community on alert The Turkish police have disclosed intelligence of possible IS attacks on Alevi institutions but have yet to enforce protection measures. Turkey
Veiled women detained, handcuffed spark public outcry in Turkey The latest controversy in Turkish society places people either in favor of or against the Justice and Development Party, in the ongoing fight of the "parallel state." Turkey
Some in Turkey still balk at EU's 'indecent proposal' What's the real value of the EU's offer to pay Turkey 3 billion euros ($3.2 billion), ease visa restrictions and expedite accession negotiations in return for keeping refugees from entering Europe? Turkey
Will Nidaa Tunis' troubles boost Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt? The resignations of 32 Nidaa Tunis MPs makes Ennahda the largest parliamentary bloc, raising questions about a possible spillover effect for the Egyptian Brotherhood. Egypt
G-20 summit returns Erdogan to the world stage Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan returns to the world stage after the G-20 summit, yet it's not clear whether he will be able to rise to the occasion and change his stance domestically in order to appear less authoritarian and anti-democratic. Syria
Turkey's no-fly plan grounded at G-20 summit Despite Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's efforts to paint a picture of international support for his Syria policies, US President Barack Obama has continued to reject Turkey’s proposals for a safe zone in Syria. Syria