Newsletter: City Pulse Istanbul From speed to substance in Istanbul’s art scene Also this week: Agata lands in Besiktas, new exhibitions across Istanbul and Mardin Biennial plans By Nazlan Ertan In Izmir and Istanbul, reporting on culture
Turkey's Fidan says Israel ties harden SDF stance as Syria clashes grow Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Thursday blamed the Syrian Democratic Forces’ ties with Israel for what he cast as the group's increasingly uncompromising posture in Syria. Turkey
Erdogan denies Turkey informed of US exile offer for Maduro prior to capture While denying knowledge of a US exile plan for Nicolas Maduro, the Turkish president has been reluctant to directly criticize Washington over the Venezuelan leader’s capture. Turkey
Analysis Mideast nuclear energy goals tested as Turkey, Saudi Arabia eye breakthroughs Though the region’s nuclear energy boom was supposed to be in full swing by 2025, key projects have all fallen behind schedule or fizzled entirely — but new momentum could be emerging. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis Turkey casts Israel’s Somaliland move as overreach, but Somalia’s fragility poses risks By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis Israel’s Somaliland gamble: Redrawing influence in the Horn of Africa By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Turkish forces in fresh offensive against PKK in Iraqi Kurdistan The latest Turkish military operation against the PKK in Iraqi Kurdistan comes at a time when Ankara finds itself increasingly under strain, both on the domestic front and in its frosty ties with Washington. Turkey
Blinken cautions Turkey against future S-400 purchases Secretary of State Antony Blinken also said that President Joe Biden's recent recognition of the Armenian genocide should not have come as a surprise. Turkey
Turkey inks deal for 50 million doses of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca announced the vaccines would begin arriving next month. Turkey
Libyan prime minister visits Ankara The visit of the prime minister of Libya's Government of National Unity highlights an ongoing, close relationship with Turkey, with implications for the Libyan political process, and a likely signal to Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. Turkey
Turkish-Armenian lawmaker threatened over genocide remarks A criminal complaint was filed against Turkish lawmaker Umit Ozdag after he threatened Garo Paylan, an Armenian deputy with the Peoples’ Democratic Party, over remarks regarding the Armenian genocide. Turkey
Turkish health experts, workers call for social support ahead of 17-day Covid lockdown As Turkey prepares for a 17-day lockdown to stem a surge in COVID-19 cases, health experts and workers’ unions urge more financial support for citizens most impacted by pandemic restrictions. Turkey
Biden's recognition of Armenian genocide exposes Erdogan's weakness President Biden’s recognition of the 1915 Armenian genocide exposed Erdogan’s weakness and the dramatic shift in Turkey’s geopolitical value in the United States' strategic outlook. Turkey
Turkey’s ambitious drone carrier project dogged by uncertainties Keen on becoming a major sea power in the region, Turkey plans to convert an amphibious assault ship into a drone carrier, a project that raises operational and technical challenges for the Turkish navy. Turkey
Turkish-Russian ties marked more by rivalry than cooperation today President Recep Tayyip Erdogan believed Russia would provide him leverage against the United States and Europe after Turkey’s ties with the West took a nosedive. Turkey
Turkey vows response to Biden's decision to recognize Armenian genocide Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin did not provide details on a reaction, but he said it will be "of different forms, kinds and degrees." Turkey
Turkey’s reaction to Biden’s recognition of Armenian genocide more bark than bite for now Turkey's foreign ministry said the US president's proclamation opened "a deep wound" that undermines Turkish-US ties, yet President Recep Tayyip Erdogan did not immediately respond. Turkey
Court case against priest evokes bitter memories for Turkey’s Assyrians Turkey’s tiny Assyrian community views a jail term handed to an Assyrian priest on “terrorism charges” as an official strong-arming tactic, while Assyrians around the world call for dismissal of the case. Turkey