Newsletter: City Pulse Istanbul Icons and imagination at Pera Palace Also this week: lahmacun loyalties, new exhibitions across Istanbul and a cookbook deep dive By Nazlan Ertan In Izmir and Istanbul, reporting on culture
Analysis Why Iran regime’s potential collapse spells more risk than benefit for Turkey Iran’s leadership faces its most serious unrest in years, and rising Kurdish mobilization makes the prospect of regime collapse particularly risky for Turkey. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
In call with Araghchi, Turkey's Fidan urges Iran to negotiate with US The top Turkish diplomat held back-to-back calls with Iranian and US officials as Ankara watches developments in Iran with mounting concern. Turkey
Turkey's Fidan to visit UAE as Iran unrest, Gulf tensions intensify The top Turkish diplomat’s UAE visit coincides with heightened Gaza diplomacy, growing tensions between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, and escalating unrest in Iran. Turkey
Analysis Trump dials up risky Iran tariffs that would hit China, UAE and others: What to know By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Interview Gaza calm could revive East Med Forum, Israel-Jordan projects: Cohen Eli Cohen Israeli Energy Minister
Analysis Amid Saudi-UAE rivalry, Turkey courts Riyadh without crossing Abu Dhabi By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Currency tumult hits Turkey’s credit-driven revival Apprehension is rife in Turkey that a loan-driven economic warm-up could devolve into major turmoil in the fall, with Ankara’s dubious management of the coronavirus pandemic feeding the unease. Turkey
Turkey to use 'all available' tools as currency plunges Turkey’s Central Bank says it's ready to use “all available instruments” to calm the market as the Turkish lira drops to new depths, and an interest rate hike is one of the most obvious. Turkey
Turkey mulls withdrawing from violence against women treaty Turkey would be the first member state to withdraw from the Council of Europe's 2011 Istanbul Convention. Turkey
State Department remains concerned by Turkey’s proxy fighters in northern Syria Turkey-allied fighters have faced widespread accusations of arbitrary detentions, extrajudicial killings and other abuses in northern Syria. Syria
Turkish lira slides 2% amid reserves concerns Turkey’s currency slumped 2% against the dollar Wednesday as concerns linger over Central Bank policies and depleted reserves. Turkey
Full-fledged military escalation looms large in Idlib Developments in southern Idlib suggest that a five-month truce could soon come to an end with a fresh regime offensive to capture Syria’s last rebel stronghold. Syria
Rumors swirl in Turkey as former presidential candidate reportedly seeks to form new political party Muharrem Ince, a former presidential candidate for Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), reportedly expressed interest in establishing a breakaway party, fueling rumors analysts say might serve as a trial balloon for future political maneuvers. Turkey
Intel: Syria to build Hagia Sophia replica with Russian backing With support from Russian officials and the Orthodox Church, Syria will begin construction on a small-scale replica of the Hagia Sophia that will serve as an Orthodox cathedral. Syria
Cairo denounces Hagia Sophia move, develops Egypt's Christian sites Days after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared Istanbul’s historic Hagia Sophia a mosque, Egypt announced ambitious restoration plans for South Sinai's Saint Catherine area. Egypt
Turkey joins Syria in slamming oil agreement between US firm, Syrian Kurds Ankara has spoken out against a new oil agreement between an American-based company and the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria. Syria
Ankara to host interfaith dialogue expo as Hagia Sophia controversy heats up The Turkish capital’s only contemporary museum is slated to host an exhibition that highlights interfaith dialogue amid controversy over Hagia Sophia's conversion. Turkey
Turkish health officials watch for COVID-19 cases to rise after holiday Turkish health officials are calling for increased precautions to limit the spread of COVID-19 as citizens conclude festivities for the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha. Turkey