Turkey hosts Libya’s Hifter, Erdogan meets Tripoli PM as unity push gains pace Ankara is expanding ties with Libya’s eastern leadership while seeking to protect its agreements with Tripoli under a potential power-sharing arrangement. Turkey
Watchdog urges Turkey to tighten digital asset rules for $144B crypto economy A review of Turkey’s crypto-asset regulations by the Financial Stability Board acknowledged significant progress made by local authorities but called for further measures to address potential risks. Turkey
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran war shadows Turkey’s COP31 summit World leaders began arriving in Antalya on Wednesday to take part in the COP31 climate conference, which Turkey is hosting for the first time. By Gabrielle Debinski In New York City, reporting on the Middle East
Turkey’s banking watchdog chief submits resignation amid fund scandal Turkey’s government is facing growing criticism over regulators’ failure to prevent a fund scandal involving more than $20 billion. Turkey
Newsletter: FutureVerse Does Middle East have Nvidia problem? By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Syrian opposition can learn from Ukraine The Syrian opposition should reassess its strategy in light of Russia's position in both Syria and Ukraine. Syria
Internet, social media a ‘scourge’ for Erdogan The Turkish prime minister’s campaign against the Internet is worrying democracy and free media advocates. Turkey
Egypt caught between Russia, Saudi Arabia Egypt is struggling to find a way to leverage its ties with both Russia and Saudi Arabia to its own advantage. Saudi Arabia
Still banned from Turkey For the second time since 2007, Turkey denied an Al-Monitor contributor entry because of his work as a journalist on Kurdish issues. Iraq
Hamas debates technocrat government in Gaza The loss of financial support from Iran has reportedly contributed to Gaza's current crisis, according to Hamas sources. Palestine
Watch Trendlines “Blowback?: Ukraine and the Middle East" The next PBS NewsHour-Al-Monitor web special will focus on the implications of the crisis in Ukraine for US policy in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia
GCC rift another blow to Erdogan’s Mideast policies Turkey is increasingly isolated in the region, more so as Qatar is on the outs with other members of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Saudi Arabia
In latest tape, Erdogan calls judiciary Leaked tapes suggest Recep Tayyip Erdogan interfered directly in the judiciary to curb press freedom. Turkey
Saudi-Qatar tensions divide GCC The announcement by Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates that they are withdrawing their ambassadors to Qatar is a further sign of the deterioration in Saudi-Qatar ties and the fragmentation of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Saudi Arabia
US-Russia Mideast cooperation in balance over Ukraine? In the absence of a diplomatic settlement between the West and Russia over Ukraine, Moscow may seek to capitalize on recent gains in the Middle East at US expense. Near East
Russia has Mideast options in response to Ukraine As the United States weighs its options in response to Russia’s moves in Crimea, Russia holds its own cards, especially with Syria and Iran. Syria
Alevis want back places of worship seized by Ataturk The return of Alevi places of worship could be a milestone in Turkey’s democracy. Turkey