The rise of the Eurasianist vision in Turkey

The Eurasianist vision for Turkey has gone beyond rhetoric, gaining weight especially with regard to defense and security, but its proponents are themselves divided on what the country’s Eurasian future should mean.

Turkey

DC think tank accused of bending over backwards for Erdogan

Washington tongues are wagging as prominent think tank the Atlantic Council prepares to receive Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, with whom its leadership has enthusiastically pursued relations.

Turkey

Ankara hunger strikers reach 70 days without food

A researcher and an elementary school teacher have quietly been on hunger strike for 70 days now to protest the post-coup purges that led to their dismissals.

Turkey

Erdogan’s foreign policy leaves Turkey in the doldrums

Turkey gives the impression of a beleaguered country that is losing ground on all fronts.

Turkey

Insulting Ataturk still serious crime in Turkey

Here is the key question that very few Turks ask: Should disrespectful speech about an important person constitute a crime?

Turkey

If push comes to shove, will Turkey defend Qatar against Iran?

Turkey's main opposition party has lots of questions about what message Ankara would be sending to Iran, and others, by deploying troops in Qatar.

Qatar

Expectations low as Erdogan arrives in DC

In tomorrow's meeting, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will seek to persuade US President Donald Trump to reverse the decision to arm Syrian Kurdish militia, but Trump is unlikely to reverse course on the closest he has to a sure thing: victory in Raqqa.

Syria

Will arming of YPG help open Kurdish corridor in Syria?

The US decision to provide heavy weapons to the YPG for the Raqqa operation provides hope to Kurds in Syria, but Turkey worries that the arms will be used to establish a Kurdish corridor.

Syria

Police officers become victims of torture in Turkey

The families of several Turkish police officers, rounded up as part of the crackdown on the Gulen community, have sought help from human rights activists in a rare example of willingness to speak out on torture allegations that have been rife since the coup attempt last year.

Turkey

Setting low bar for Trump-Erdogan meeting

With US-Turkey relations in crisis, the meeting of the US and Turkish presidents will be about appearances over substance; Saudis will press Trump on Iran; storm clouds over Sinjar; Hamas clamps down on journalists.

Saudi Arabia

Turkish chef carves out international markets

While Salt Bae, a restaurateur and butcher with 7 million followers on Instagram, prepares to open a steakhouse in New York after opening one in the United Arab Emirates, critics at home chop him to pieces.

Turkey

Will US-Kurdish deal force Turkey back to PKK negotiation table?

As Turkey's conflict with the PKK drags on and the United States has made obvious its support for Syria's Kurds, now would be an opportune time to restart negotiations with the PKK.

Syria