Newsletter: City Pulse Istanbul Behind Turkey’s diplomatic doors Also this week: Hona’s six-seat counter, Galerist at 25 and Contemporary Istanbul’s return. By Nazlan Ertan In Izmir and Istanbul, reporting on culture
Newsletter: Turkey Turkey’s test in Yemen As regional tensions mount, Turkey is balancing new defense commitments with its own security interests. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Turkey’s defense giants court Egypt at Alamein Airshow: What to know Three leading Turkish defense companies are participating in the El Alamein Airshow as Ankara seeks new sales and closer military-industrial cooperation with Egypt. Turkey
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
Analysis With Hurjet test, Turkey seeks defense dominance beyond drones By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Syrian Kurds courting Turkmens Security and the future role of Syrian Turkmens depend on alliance with Kurds. Syria
Hamas unfazed by Fatah outreach to Iran Syria is still a sticky issue between Hamas and both Fatah and Iran. Palestine
Journalists become the story in Egypt International and social media coverage may have resulted in improved prison conditions for detained journalists. Qatar
Iran, Israel and the politics of gesture Iranian and Israeli officials are listening to each other at international conferences. Israel
Satirical Turkish site on trial for insulting religion Turkish prosecutors are busily pursuing “insults” to Islam, while hate speech against Jews and Christians goes largely unnoticed. Turkey
Israeli security officials recognize change in Iran Although Israel is keeping its military option on the table, Israeli defense officials privately acknowledge that Iran is undergoing a "historic" change. Israel
Turkey-Israel ties may be linked to gas pipeline Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is inching toward normalization of Turkey-Israel relations. Israel
Gul, Erdogan agree on Gulenists Turkey's prime minister and president are both convinced that Gulenists organized within the state should be confronted within the confines of law, reflecting the Turkish state's unity against the Gulenists. Turkey
Why is the PKK siding with the AKP in the AKP-Gulen conflict? The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) may believe that the enemy of my friend is my enemy. Turkey
Gul proposes Turkey-Iran cooperation in Syria Turkish President Abdullah Gul is distancing himself from the political culture and foreign policy of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. Turkey
Lebanon fights back against terrorists Despite the ongoing terrorist attacks in Lebanon, the country’s authorities have made significant arrests in their war against terror. Lebanon
The Syria disconnect in US terrorism policy The US national intelligence director, James Clapper, foresees a rise in "political uncertainty and violence" in the Middle East in 2014. Syria