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
Hezbollah escalates rhetoric against Riyadh While Hezbollah and Saudi Arabia have been at odds for months over their opposing positions in the Syrian war, Hezbollah has recently escalated its rhetoric, directly accusing Riyadh of waging open warfare against the party. Saudi Arabia
Kurdish peace process is on knife edge — again Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) members kidnapped four Turkish soldiers on Sunday only to release them early Monday; this has caused people to question the progress of talks with PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan. Iraq
Omani rejection of GCC union adds insult to injury for Saudi Arabia The Omani stance may force the kingdom to pause in its regional policies. Saudi Arabia
Will Russia play the Kurdish card? Russia’s connections to the region’s Kurdish communities present both opportunities and risks for Moscow’s interests in the Middle East. Syria
Turkish fighter jet: Rolls Royce ambitions with Rover resources? Turkey may seek to boost its defense industry with a program to build its own fighter jet. Turkey
Erdogan getting hit in AKP-'Cemaat' war Critical news of the AKP-Cemaat war leaked to the media on the eve of elections strains Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey
Turkish journalist charged with espionage The Turkish Prime Ministry, National Security Council and the National Intelligence Organization all filed criminal cases against the daily Taraf and its staff writer Mehmet Baransu for publishing a highly classified state document. Turkey
Syrian Kurds discuss differences over Geneva II At the core of Syrian Kurd differences is tension between Kurdistan Democratic Party leader Massoud Barzani and Kurdistan Workers Party leader Abdullah Ocalan. Iraq
Turkey's highest court boosts credibility by watershed ruling A landmark ruling by Turkey's Constitutional Court is causing discomfort within the ruling Justice and Development Party. Turkey
Turkish anarchists turn to Kemalism Turkish youth, whom Ataturk referred to as the guardians of the republic, have turned him into an unlikely anti-establishment symbol, challenging not only Islamists but also the secular opposition. Turkey
Turkey recasts approach to armed groups in Syria Intelligence reports of al-Qaeda threats against Turkey are causing concern. Syria
Baghdad-Erbil oil dispute: Agreeing to disagree, for now As the Erbil-Baghdad oil controversy drags on, it remains unclear how ties will be affected between Ankara, Erbil and Baghdad. Iraq