Newsletter: Turkey Turkey navigates Gulf rivalries while Kurdish peace efforts resurface Turkey hosts a flurry of regional diplomacy while fresh debate over Abdullah Ocalan’s future exposes new tensions in the Kurdish peace process. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: City Pulse Istanbul EU spotlights digital art in Ankara Also this week: A new chef’s table, ceramics and institutional debuts By Nazlan Ertan In Izmir and Istanbul, reporting on culture
Turkey, Japan launch defense industry partnership with eye on drones The initiative could eventually lead to joint UAV development and production as Japan looks to expand drone capabilities amid regional tensions. Turkey
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Hezbollah commanders killed as renewed strikes test Lebanon-Israel talks Israeli strikes in Beirut and southern Lebanon raise new doubts over a fragile ceasefire ahead of expected talks in Washington. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing US pauses Hormuz escort mission as Trump cites progress on Iran talks By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Erdogan's 'soldiers' and their threat to dissent After a controversial decree introducing judicial immunity for citizens involved in the suppression of terrorist acts, many in Turkey are concerned that it will be used to shield pro-government vigilantes. Turkey
Tension keeps rising in Cairo over Turkey-Sudan island pact The Turkish-Sudanese deal over Suakin Island has sparked angry reactions to the possibility of Turkey building a military base on the island, posing a threat to Egypt’s national security. Egypt
Turkish forces take fire in Idlib Unnamed forces attacked a Turkish military convoy in Idlib today in the wake of Sunday's car bomb that killed 34. Syria
Turkey is becoming new hub for Salafist-jihadi exodus from Syria Turkey is emerging as the unwilling heir apparent to Salafist-jihadi networks as they are forced out of neighboring countries. Syria
Rouhani on defense after attack on hard-line 'fraudulent institutions' Reformists sidelined in Iran's street protests; reactions in Iraq and Turkey; Iran rebuilds ties with Hamas via Hezbollah. Palestine
Turkey’s aspiring young artists seek base of their own Graduates of Turkey’s fine arts schools parade their work in the country’s cultural capital, Istanbul, sporting their agenda involving the issues of immigration, domestic violence and poorly planned urbanization. Turkey
Turkey in 2018: The war of the presidents Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sees his predecessor, Abdullah Gul, as a rival and potential threat to his authority in the coming year. Turkey
Erdogan takes total control of Turkish defense industry With yet another emergency status decree, Turkey's president makes himself top gun of the country's entire defense industry. Turkey
Turkish government blames protests in Iran on the West Turkey’s pro-government media say an American-Israeli conspiracy to destabilize Iran has brought Iranian protesters to the streets. Turkey
Cinema bloggers of the Middle East boast free, unbiased voice Middle Eastern cinema bloggers gain popularity on social media, critiquing films on numerous Arabic-language blogs. Saudi Arabia
Culture Alert: Art mingles with diplomacy, feminism and sport The Middle East's cultural scene at the start of 2018 is almost as lively as its political landscape, as art flirts with feminism, diplomacy and sport. Egypt
Demirtas steps down as Turkey's Kurds ponder new strategy Selahattin Demirtas plans to relinquish his post as co-chair of the Peoples' Democratic Party, as Ankara continues to repress political opposition. Syria