Analysis How Turkey's PKK amnesty law entwines Kurds' hopes with Erdogan's ambitions The first legislation to emerge from direct negotiations with Abdullah Ocalan offers a path to ending Turkey's war with the PKK while potentially giving President Recep Tayyip Erdogan the votes he needs to remain in power for a third term. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Lebanon’s Riad Salameh hospitalized as arrest roils Beirut: What to know Lebanon's former Central Bank governor, Riad Salameh, was taken from prison to a hospital over his deteriorating health. Lebanon
Iran hangs 2 over alleged Mossad ties as executions mount: What to know Rights groups have warned that Iran may step up executions with the resumption of the war in the region. Iran
Analysis What challenges await Erdogan’s new rival and Turkey’s new opposition party? Ousted main opposition leader Ozgur Ozel's bid to challenge Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan depends on surviving a widening legal crackdown and reconciling deep ideological, nationalist and Kurdish divisions within his own coalition. By Halil Karaveli
Analysis Why Mamdani concluded he can’t arrest Israel’s PM Netanyahu By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Pentagon pushes to accelerate ISIS detainee repatriations from Syria Uncertainty about Syria’s long-term stability and the the US military’s future presence in the country have increased urgency among some Pentagon officials to further reduce the population of nearly 30,000 suspected ISIS-associated detainees in the camps. Syria
Meet David Zini, Israel's controversial next Shin Bet chief The Grunis Committee cleared his nomination despite controversies over Zini's past statements, national-religious background, and closeness to the prime minister. Israel
Syria holds first post‑Assad parliamentary vote: What to know Syria’s first post-Assad parliamentary elections — with seats chosen by local committees rather than a public vote — spark backlash as the government postpones voting in Druze- and Kurdish-majority regions. Syria
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
Turkish police storm CHP's Istanbul office as clashes erupt with lawmakers Scuffles have erupted inside and outside the CHP’s Istanbul headquarters following last week’s dismissal of the party’s provincial head and 10 people have been detained. Turkey
World's largest illegal sports streaming site shut down after Egypt arrests Streameast, believed to be the world’s largest illegal sports streaming network, was taken down in August during a sting operation conducted by Egyptian authorities in collaboration with a US anti-piracy group. Egypt
Turkey: CHP Istanbul head ousted as court escalates pressure on Ozel The court’s ruling has raised further challenges to the leadership of CHP chairman Ozgur Ozel, who led the party to victory in last year’s local elections. Turkey
Turkey detains top execs of defense firm Assan in military espionage probe The company’s 10 subsidiaries have been placed under the control of Turkey's state-run Savings Deposit Insurance Fund. Turkey
Australia expels Iran envoy, accuses Tehran of directing antisemitic attacks: What to know Iran was responsible for the arson attack against a kosher cafe in Sydney as well as the firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne, according to Australian intelligence services. Iran
Turkey’s parliamentary body on solving Kurdish issue bars Kurdish language speech Two Kurdish women invited to address the parliamentary committee were told they could not speak Kurdish during the session. Turkey
US sanctions 4 ICC officials over Israel case The sanctions against four of the court's officials come as Israel prepares for a military offensive in Gaza City. Israel
Turkey blocks Instagram account of leading LGBTQ+ group Kaos GL The ban targeting the group, a leading LGBTQ+ organization, follows earlier bans affecting its website and X account. Turkey
