What happened to Jamal Khashoggi?

The disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi from the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul highlights, once again, the House of Saud's division on the war in Yemen and the crown prince's decision-making.

Saudi Arabia

Europe’s big eggs in Turkey’s economic basket

Economic concerns lie at the heart of Turkey’s moves to repair ties with European countries, which, in turn, are open to Ankara’s overtures due to the significant stakes they have in the ailing Turkish economy.

Turkey

Is the Idlib buffer plan really implemented?

The Turkish-Russian deal for a demilitarized zone in Idlib is not going on as planned, with radical groups keeping their positions and lingering uncertainty on the scale of the pullout of heavy weaponry.

Syria

Can Syrian refugees in Turkey benefit from amendment to citizenship law?

The Turkish decision to ease some requirements to apply for Turkish citizenship will not help a large number of Syrian refugees in Turkey as they cannot meet the conditions required.

Syria

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