Explainer Turkey slams France-Cyprus military pact as East Med rivalries deepen Ankara says a defense deal between France and the Republic of Cyprus risks upsetting the island’s delicate balance, as defense ties among Cyprus, Greece, Israel and France deepen. Turkey
Analysis As Trump admin drops Halkbank case, S-400 last big hurdle in US-Turkey ties The move eases a key source of friction with Turkey ahead of a NATO summit in Ankara. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran says US strikes render April ceasefire ‘meaningless’ Fresh US strikes and Iranian retaliation deepen regional tensions, while Washington tightens sanctions, France pushes for a larger role in Lebanon, and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Business & Tech Gulf investors eye payday ahead of SpaceX IPO The IPO could leave Saudi investors holding a combined stake worth well over $15 billion in one of the world’s most coveted technology companies. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump says Iran will 'pay the price’ for dragging out talks By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis Turkey's probe into pro-secular tycoon goes beyond crude Kurdish joke By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Gulenists likely losers in Turkish power struggle Standing strong against corruption accusations, the AKP appears poised to rule Turkey for another decade as the Gulenists are likely to lose their political clout soon and the opposition remains weak. Turkey
The beginnings of an Israel-Iran reset? Israel may be reassessing the Iranian threat, as Iran shows its reach in Palestinian politics. Palestine
Pressure grows for Gul to be more assertive There are some who see Abdullah Gul as a better bet than Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan for the presidency and the future of the Justice and Development Party. Turkey
Relations among Syrian Kurdish parties hit new low The Kurdistan National Council (KNC) and the Democratic Union Party (PYD) are in dispute over power-sharing arrangements. Syria
Iran opens new chapter in relations with Russia While Moscow and Tehran have historically been neither friend nor foe, and challenges remain, shared interests on Syria, counterterrorism, security and energy could move Iran and Russia increasingly toward more comprehensive strategic cooperation. Turkey
Syrian Kurds courting Turkmens Security and the future role of Syrian Turkmens depend on alliance with Kurds. Syria
Hamas unfazed by Fatah outreach to Iran Syria is still a sticky issue between Hamas and both Fatah and Iran. Palestine
Journalists become the story in Egypt International and social media coverage may have resulted in improved prison conditions for detained journalists. Qatar
Iran, Israel and the politics of gesture Iranian and Israeli officials are listening to each other at international conferences. Israel
Satirical Turkish site on trial for insulting religion Turkish prosecutors are busily pursuing “insults” to Islam, while hate speech against Jews and Christians goes largely unnoticed. Turkey
Israeli security officials recognize change in Iran Although Israel is keeping its military option on the table, Israeli defense officials privately acknowledge that Iran is undergoing a "historic" change. Israel
Turkey-Israel ties may be linked to gas pipeline Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is inching toward normalization of Turkey-Israel relations. Israel