Russia to give Turkey preferential fertilizer access amid Hormuz supply crunch Ankara is expected to secure easier access to Russian fertilizer exports as the Iran war disrupts supplies from key Gulf producers. Turkey
Culture Turkish ceramicist Leyla Borovali shapes Aegean heritage into clay Named by AD Middle East as one of 11 artists from Turkey to know, Leyla Borovali belongs to a new generation building on a ceramic tradition shaped by figures from Fureya Koral and Alev Ebuzziya Siesbye to Elif Uras. Turkey
Analysis With Hurjet test, Turkey seeks defense dominance beyond drones With export revenue from the supersonic crewed aircraft, Ankara plans to fund next-generation projects and gain strategic diplomatic and military leverage across NATO and the region. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Turkey and Greece's intelligence chiefs hold rare talks: What to know The meeting comes after Turkey recently warned Greece over what it called an arms race in the Eastern Mediterranean. Turkey
Analysis Why Turkey welcomes Israel-Syria talks despite mounting red lines By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Syrian Kurdish leader: Turkey turns blind eye to ISIS Salih Muslim, the leader of the Syrian Kurdish movement PYD, gives an exclusive interview to Al-Monitor on post-Mosul developments and Turkey's alleged support for ISIS. Iraq
Iraqi Turkmen feel abandoned by Turkey Many Iraqi Turkmen claim Turkey has given priority to its relations with the Kurdistan Regional Government at their expense. Iraq
Erdogan riles Austrian hosts in visit to Vienna In his visit to rally expatriate Turks in Austria for his likely presidential campaign, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s comments annoyed Austrian leaders, a replay of the prime minister’s visit to Germany last month. Turkey
How a Turkish girl broke the heart of a shah In her latest book, Turkish novelist Nazli Eray shares the story of her mother, a woman whose beauty once stunned Middle East elites and left the Iranian shah heartbroken. Iraq
Iraqi Kurds seize control of key Syria border crossing The Syria-based Democratic Union Party (PYD) fears a return to isolation after a Kurdish rival, the Iraq-based Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), captures the Rabia border crossing. Iraq
Iraqi Turkmen take up arms in Kirkuk Iraqi Turkmen, wary of gains by both Iraqi Kurds and the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), have moved to create their own armed militia. Iraq
Iraq crisis hits Turkish economy Iraq is Turkey's second leading export market, but trade routes to Baghdad and farther south are currently blocked because of ISIS's capture of Iraqi territory. Iraq
Erdogan gets surprise presidential rival Academic Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the opposition’s joint candidate for Turkey’s presidential elections, has the potential to change the game. Turkey
Turkey's finance minister avoids politics, sticks to economy The visit of Turkish Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek to Lebanon aimed at building economic ties and avoiding more controversial foreign policy matters. Lebanon
Turkey avoids claims of 'hostage' crisis in Iraq The Turkish government is trying to downplay the ISIS detention of diplomats in Mosul. Turkey
Financial sector spurs Turkish economic growth Europe’s rising demand for Turkish exports is considered a positive sign for Turkey's economic forecast. Turkey
Turkey should close its border to ISIS The Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) has depended on the Turkish border for its operations in Syria; US Sen. Tim Kaine offers a blueprint for US-Egypt ties; Al-Monitor’s Year in Review and Back Channel. Iraq