Newsletter: Turkey Erdogan’s new rival The week’s biggest bombshell came from Ozgur Ozel, the ousted opposition CHP leader, who said he will probably form a new party. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Newsletter: City Pulse Istanbul Yoko Ono comes to Istanbul Also this week: Contemporary art, Pink Martini and Balat mysteries By Nazlan Ertan In Izmir and Istanbul, reporting on culture
Trump taps Russia-born investor to oversee $200M+ fund backing Armenia-Azerbaijan corridor The appointment of Chicago-based investor Konstantin Sokolov to oversee a $200 million fund marks a new phase for Washington's proposed trade and transportation route linking Azerbaijan, Armenia and Turkey. United States
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran declares 'existential war' as US strikes reach near Tehran By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Why Iran, US are drifting back to conflict By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
How close are we to a solution in Syria? As the Syrian Democratic Forces launch a new phase in the operation to liberate the city of Raqqa from Islamic State control, many questions remain about the military and political situation on the ground. Syria
All eyes on Pompeo as CIA chief arrives in Ankara Though Turkish hopes for a closer US alliance are soaring as CIA Director Mike Pompeo meets with top Ankara officials, it's unlikely that the US administration will agree to weaken its ties to the Kurdish groups it depends on badly in Syria. Syria
Turkey steps up action against Salafi networks Turkey has substantially increased operations against Salafi-jihadi groups in 2017, but Ankara’s real problem is deciding whether to keep them under control or eradicate them. Turkey
Turkey’s wealth fund is less about wealth and more about debt Turkey’s newly established sovereign wealth fund is expected to throw life preservers to companies involved in the government’s “mega-projects” and primarily owned by AKP cronies. Turkey
Trump urged to name religious freedom envoy to smooth out bumpy Mideast policy Former ambassadors say Donald Trump is in dire need of an expert to "school" him on Islam. Iraq
Why Turkey’s approach to Syria may again push it to sidelines Diplomats fear that Ankara may have decided to play a reactive and obstructive role in the Syrian peace talks, rather than a positive and proactive one. Syria
Trump, Erdogan discuss Syria cooperation in first presidential call In their first call since Donald Trump became president, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pushed for an end to the US alliance with the Kurdish People's Protection Units. Syria
Turkey’s top Kurdish politician faces up to 143 years in jail The leader of Turkey’s main Kurdish party faces up to 143 years in jail on terror-related charges and is languishing in jail as the country heads to a fateful referendum. Turkey
How Circassians maintain identity in changing Golan Many Circassians who lost their homes in Quneitra, Syria, opened their doors to Al-Monitor at nearby Madinat al-Baath, where they recounted their stories. Palestine
Ankara shifts public assets to sovereign wealth fund In a move critics say is financially risky and intended to concentrate money into corrupt hands, the Turkish government has created a sovereign wealth fund to finance its infrastructural projects as the lira falls. Turkey
How embracing 'Ottomania' may backfire on Turkey's ruling party As the April referendum approaches, the pro-Erdogan camp’s calculation to benefit from the Ottoman dream is shattered with a member of the dynasty demanding reparations and the throne. Turkey
Ottoman princess stumps for Erdogan Support for the constitutional amendment meant to clear Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s path to an executive presidency is weakening in the polls, and the descendant of an Ottoman emperor is helping finesse nostalgia for the empire's glory days. Turkey