Newsletter: City Pulse Istanbul Carving memory from stone Also this week: Aralik’s bohemian buzz, Duben at Galerist, and Fazil Say’s ‘Mother Earth’ premiere By Nazlan Ertan In Izmir and Istanbul, reporting on culture
Ankara: Jailed PKK chief favors unitary Syria, no separate Kurdish defense force The militant leader called for “police-like” security units in Syrian Democratic Forces areas during his landmark meeting with a Turkish parliamentary delegation, according to a transcript summary. Turkey
Turkey defense firms break record with $10B in revenues: SIPRI Turkey set a new record with five companies in the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute's Top 100 for 2024, which included nine Middle Eastern countries for the first time amid conflict-driven arms demand. Turkey
Interview UNRWA plans Turkey office to boost Gaza, Syria aid as pledges dip Speaking exclusively to Al-Monitor, UNRWA’s Tamara Alrifai said the upcoming Turkey office would help the agency to expand its operations not only in Gaza but also in Syria.
Analysis Trump’s Muslim Brotherhood move reignites Israel’s battle over Raam By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Exclusive Top PYD official Aldar Khalil: 'Syria is telling Kurds to separate' By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Newsletter: City Pulse Istanbul Turkey’s emerging artists take center stage at BASE 2025 By Nazlan Ertan In Izmir and Istanbul, reporting on culture
Newsletter: City Pulse Istanbul Palestinian voices echo through Istanbul Biennial opening Cecconi’s courtyard, cat classics and Istanbul’s cone factory secrets. By Nazlan Ertan In Izmir and Istanbul, reporting on culture
Turkey, Egypt join forces for first EastMed drills in 13 years The joint exercises signal a thaw in Ankara-Cairo relations after years of tension over regional rivalries and past political disputes. Turkey
As EU tries to wean off Russian gas, pipeline imports via Turkey rise The European Union is importing more Russian gas via Turkey despite efforts to end imports from Russia. Turkey
Turkey’s spy chief in Damascus as Israel, Syria weigh new security map Ibrahim Kalin’s visit comes as Israel presses Syria on a buffer zone plan and Turkey frets over Kurdish autonomy. Turkey
Armenia's Pashinyan drops Mount Ararat from border stamps in 'concession' to Turkey Armenia’s government will stop using Mount Ararat on border stamps starting in November, a move that has stirred outrage at home and fueled debate over Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s outreach to Turkey. Turkey
Ankara shrugs as Greece, Cyprus try to block Turkey from $170B EU defense scheme The European Union faces fresh tensions as Greece resists Turkey’s effort to tap into a $170 billion defense fund, highlighting long-standing regional disputes. Turkey
Turkish markets, lira gain as Ankara delays ruling on opposition head's ouster An Ankara court adjourned a case to October 24 to ouster the opposition CHP party's chairman, as part of a long-running political crackdown by the ruling AKP party. Turkey
Analysis Will Spain’s exit from US F-35 program open the door for Turkey’s fighter fleet? As Madrid abandons its F-35 acquisition, some analysts say Turkey’s fifth-generation Kaan could be a medium term addition to Spain's fighter fleet. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis KFC’s Turkey relaunch tests Western brands’ resilience in Gaza boycott era From KFC to Carrefour, the Middle East's consumer brand landscape is undergoing significant shifts as the two-year anniversary of boycotts linked to the Gaza war approaches. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Newsletter: Turkey Fateful week ahead Turkey's opposition warns that Monday’s pivotal court hearing could mark a decisive step in Erdogan’s use of the judiciary to sideline rivals and tighten his grip on power. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: City Pulse Istanbul Biennial season in Istanbul: following the three-legged cat From Elif Uras’ ceramics to a Kadikoy café with a resident cat. By Nazlan Ertan In Izmir and Istanbul, reporting on culture
Turkish state takes over Haberturk TV, 120 other firms in fraud probe The move effectively increases Turkish authorities’ control further over Turkey’s mainstream media. Turkey