Newsletter: City Pulse Istanbul Nisantasi beyond the shop windows Also this week: Hopdaddy burgers, Ara Guler’s photographs and Istanbul’s apartment stories. By Nazlan Ertan In Izmir and Istanbul, reporting on culture
Costa Rica's Grynspan extends lead in UNSG poll as Nusseibeh places fourth The Costa Rican candidate received 12 encourage votes in Thursday's UN Security Council straw poll. United Arab Emirates
Turkey’s parliament ratifies Mecca pact in boost to Saudi Arabia Turkey will now decide the scope of military support for Saudi Arabia amid ongoing Iran-backed Houthi attacks on the kingdom. Turkey
Can Erdogan’s Baku visit fix Turkey-Azerbaijan rift? A dispute over religious dress in schools has exposed deeper tensions between the two allies, with energy, arms sales, Israel and financial interests adding to the strain. Turkey
With Gulf charm offensive, Turkey’s Erdogan sets up dealmaking deluge across defense, energy A Turkish drone factory is coming to Saudi Arabia following a $3.1 billion deal with defense firm Baykar — one of many key deals that should soon take flight across numerous sectors as Turkey deepens cooperation with former Gulf rivals. Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
First cargo ship to challenge Russian blockade reaches Turkey from Ukraine Joseph Schulte became the first civilian vessel to safely travel from Ukraine to Turkey after Russia’s withdrawal from a deal that had granted safe passage to commercial and civilian ships amid escalating tensions in the Black Sea. Turkey
US sanctions Turkey-backed Syrian militias over rights abuses in Afrin Washington has accused the Suleiman Shah Brigade, the Hamza Division and their leadership of committing serious rights abuses in the Kurdish-majority enclave of Afrin. Turkey
Turkey roasts as extreme weather fuels wildfires, disrupts air traffic In Turkey’s Mediterranean province of Antalya, soaring humidity levels have also disrupted air travel. Turkey
Istanbul mayor announces reelection bid in Turkey’s upcoming local polls Ending a heated public debate, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu said he would not seek Turkey’s main opposition leadership, but he implicitly linked the success of his reelection bid as mayor in the local polls to main opposition party leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu’s resignation. Turkey
Moody’s upgrades outlook for Turkish banks amid economic U-turn The US-based rating agency projected Turkey's economic growth to be 4.2% at the end of 2023, falling from 2022’s 5.6%. Turkey
Turkey captures alleged conspirator in 2016 murder of Russian ambassador Turkish authorities continue to arrest suspects seven years after Russia's ambassador to Ankara was slain by an alleged Gulenist. Turkey
Turkey dismisses Assad’s tirade, says withdrawal from Syria 'unimaginable' now Turkey's defense minister says withdrawal of Turkish troops from Syria would be "unimaginable" before his country’s national security concerns are addressed. Turkey
Why Turkey's Erdogan sings the same tune with Russia's Putin in Africa Turkey’s efforts to expand its influence in Africa often align with those of Russia, with both Ankara and Moscow holding back from condemning military coups and seeking to capitalize on post-colonial resentments. Turkey
Why did Turkey restrict gold imports as it rolled new economic measures? Observers believe Turkey’s new economic leadership is unlikely to take strong measures to curb inflation before Erdogan gets through local elections in March 2024. Turkey
Turkey-Syria reconciliation slips away as Assad bashes Erdogan The top diplomats of Syria and Turkey met in Moscow earlier this summer, but little substantial progress seems to have been made in their path toward reconciliation. Turkey
Analysis After Saudi drone deal, Turkey’s defense industry eyes record export year Turkey’s military exports could hit a record $7.5 billion this year after a major deal with Saudi Arabia. By Eray Gorgulu