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
Over 400 detained in Istanbul’s May Day protest as Turkey restricts transit The demonstrations, which marked the first major opposition rally since mass protests roiled the country last month over the Istanbul mayor’s arrest, were met with tight restrictions. Turkey
Turkey convicts Swedish journalist of insulting Erdogan with terror trial next Joakim Medin will remain behind bars awaiting prosecution on terror-related charges that press freedom groups say aim to silence the free press. Turkey
Turkey’s Erdogan rebukes Syrian Kurds over decentralization calls, but keeps tone mild The Turkish president's restrained comments hint at an evolving strategy toward Kurdish forces in Syria. Turkey
Erdogan, Meloni ink deals with focus on drones, Italy-Turkey defense ties The Turkish president’s visit to Rome has strengthened Turkey-Italy ties through cooperation deals, including in the defense sector. Turkey
Saudi Arabia, Israel, Turkey rank in top 20 global military spenders: What to know Regional military spending saw a significant increase in 2024, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, amid conflicts in Israel, Gaza and Lebanon, though it found that Europe drove the overall hike in global expenditures. Saudi Arabia
Turkey's Erdogan to meet Meloni in Italy as ties deepen: What to know The Turkish president’s visit follows a landmark deal between a leading Turkish drone maker and Italy’s defense giant Leonardo for joint production. Turkey
Turkey detains 52 in second wave of arrests in Imamoglu probe The main opposition links the detention of more Istanbul municipality employees to the Canal Istanbul project. Turkey
Analysis On Eurofighters, Turkey hedges bets as it awaits Merz's decision in Germany With the government of the incoming chancellor poised to decide the fate of the deal, analysts debate whether it will survive and suggest possible alternatives. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis Syria’s Kurds reap benefits of Erdogan’s 'terror free Turkey' as Ankara halts attacks Turkey’s softened stance signals a strategic shift in its approach to Syria’s Kurds and the PKK. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Newsletter: Turkey Is Istanbul ready to manage an even bigger earthquake? By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: City Pulse Istanbul Palestine from Above: Examining land and loss in Istanbul By Nazlan Ertan In Izmir and Istanbul, reporting on culture
Russia, Turkey to hold talks as Moscow seeks to keep Syria military bases: What to know The talks come after Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa reiterated his openness to negotiating with Moscow over the future of Russian military bases in Syria. Turkey