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
Turks visit Ataturk’s mausoleum in record numbers More than a million Turks visited Anitkabir on Nov. 10, marking the 75th anniversary of the death of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founding father of modern-day Turkey, in protest of the current Islamist-based government. Turkey
Saudi Arabia cracks down on illegal immigrants The latest crackdown raises larger questions about the role of foreign labor in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Turkey's approach toward Iraq's Shiites will reduce sectarianism Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has visited the holy Shiite cities of Najaf and Karbala, as Ankara shifts its approach toward Iraqi Shiites. Iraq
Syrian Kurdish Party declares transitional government The move by the Democratic Union Party (PYD) is opposed by Turkey and the Syrian National Coalition. Syria
The Gul Alternative Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s harsh manner may lead his party to consider President Abdullah Gul to run for re-election rather than back Erdogan for president in 2014. Turkey
Crisis of democracy for Islamic parties While Islamic parties in the Middle East have been keen to use democracy as a way to reach power and maintain their authority, they do not apply democratic principles when it comes to other aspects of governance. Turkey
Iraqi security services infiltrated by terrorists Extremist militias are acquiring official security and military uniforms and equipment which allow them to further compromise the country’s already unstable security situation. Iraq
Internal disagreements could lead to al-Qaeda split Recent disagreements between al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri and ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi could lead to major splits within the organization. Iraq
Islamic militia expels criminal gangs from Aleppo The al-Qaeda-affiliated Islamic State of Iraq and al-Shams has won the praise of Aleppans after expelling criminal gangs that have looted and ravaged the city. Syria
What happened to Turkey’s Islamized Armenians? A conference on Armenians, Islamized during the genocide years, is an encouraging sign that Turks are facing up to a painful chapter of their history. Turkey
Syrian opposition split over peace conference The National Coalition of Syrian Opposition and Revolutionary Forces is meeting in Istanbul to consider participating in the Geneva II peace conference. Syria
Interior minister links coed housing with terrorism Turkish Interior Minister Muammer Guler argues that his government is concerned about coed accommodations not due to its sexual aspects, but because terrorist organizations abuse these relationships. Turkey