Analysis Saudi Arabia's Houthi crisis tests alliances with Trump, Turkey and Pakistan As the Houthis tighten their grip on the Bab al-Mandeb, Saudi Arabia is turning to new regional alliances while Washington resists calls to intervene. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
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
Analysis With Hurjet test, Turkey seeks defense dominance beyond drones By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Burns to Al-Monitor: 'No illusions' about nuclear diplomacy with Iran In an exclusive interview, Deputy Secretary of State William Burns discusses leading the US back channel to Iran, the upcoming Geneva II conference on Syria, the role of secret diplomacy and 32 years in the US foreign service. Saudi Arabia
Syrian Kurds aim to benefit from Islamist infighting Syrian Kurdish forces navigate the fighting between the Free Syrian Army and the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham to gain ground in northern Syria. Syria
Turkey's Christians fear possible hate campaign An aggressive campaign against Christmas and New Year’s festivities in Turkey last month, including the circumcision of Santa Claus, has sparked fears that deadly attacks on Christians may begin anew. Turkey
Chechnya's silent diplomacy in the Middle East Russia is working to turn domestic challenges into opportunity. Turkey
Gul calls for reset of Turkey’s Syria policy Turkish President Abdullah Gul's call for a "recalibration" of the Syria policy is a thinly veiled rebuke to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. Turkey
Israel should reach out to separatist Syrian Kurds Israel should consider the Kurdish achievement of establishing an autonomous region in Syria and reach out to those groups which fight extremist Islamic powers in the country. Israel
Rule of law casualty of AKP-Gulen conflict Measures by the AKP government to expunge the Gulen movement’s strength in the judiciary are endangering Turkey’s qualifications as a state of law and order. Turkey
Elif Shafak: 'Turkey is a country of collective amnesia' In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, acclaimed novelist Elif Shafak discusses her new book, literature, politics and identity in Turkey. Turkey
Erdogan takes on the Internet The Turkish government is drafting legislation to restrict public access to certain websites. Turkey
Islamic Front no answer for Syria conflict The ascendance of the Islamic Front, while contributing to the recent military defeats of the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS), may also be a setback for Geneva II and a political solution to the conflict. Syria
The new pulse of Geneva II The trend in the Geneva II process shifts to cooperation on humanitarian and counterterrorism issues; Erdogan under fire in Turkey. Saudi Arabia
Will Turkish corruption scandal lead to return of military to politics? The Turkish military is showing signs of dissatisfaction with the government’s response to the corruption scandal. Turkey