Explainer Bilal Erdogan, floated as father’s possible successor, visits Lebanon: What to know Bilal Erdogan, the son of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is in Lebanon for a three-day visit that will include meetings with officials and religious leaders, as well as stops in Sunni-majority cities. Lebanon
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
Newsletter: FutureVerse Does Middle East have Nvidia problem? By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Ruins of Gaza airport tell sad tale Twelve years have passed since Israel destroyed Gaza's international airport, and there's no hope it will be rehabilitated anytime soon. Palestine
Tehran Stock Exchange plunges, baffling investors Why is Iran’s stock exchange falling under President Hassan Rouhani and after the easing of sanctions? Turkey
Erdogan visit to Iran to address Syria, economic ties The visit of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Tehran will offer an opportunity to defuse tensions on Syria while expanding economic relations. Syria
Russia can't lose in oil deal with Iran Russia is seeking to expand trade ties with Iran and is angling to benefit from any lifting of international sanctions on Iran. Turkey
Erdogan accuses TUSIAD chairman of treason Muharrem Yilmaz, chairman of the Turkish Industry and Business Association, had accused the prime minster of imposing tax penalties against political opponents. Turkey
Iranian TV breaks taboo on music performance Although musicians on a TV show on Jan. 19 were only shown for a few seconds, it has created a stir and rekindled debates about Islam and music. Turkey
Egypt warns Qatar about interference Egyptian authorities have been frustrated by official statements from Doha expressing Qatari concern about increasing violence in Egypt, as Cairo considers it interfering in its internal affairs. Qatar
Russia's Kurdish dilemma Russia seeks to place its Kurdish policies in the broader context of a changing Middle East. Iraq
Turkey deals with terrorist blowback on Syria Turkey may be resetting its regional policies in response to popular discontent and the threat from terrorist groups operating in Syria. Syria
Turkey under pressure over jihadists on border The recent terrorist bombing at the border and the acrimonious exchange between the Turkish and Syrian foreign ministers at Geneva II hints at the extent to which Turkey has become embroiled in the Syria conflict. Syria
Erdogan briefs EU on ‘rule of judiciary’ danger During a trip to Brussels, Erdogan tells EU leaders about Gulenist activities in the judiciary, where the community wields huge influence, and explains his vision for Syria. Turkey
Turkey seals border against al-Qaeda Turkey has closed its gates after al-Qaeda captured three border crossings into northern Syria, with potential implications for armed groups operating in Syria. Syria