Newsletter: City Pulse Istanbul EU spotlights digital art in Ankara Also this week: A new chef’s table, ceramics and institutional debuts By Nazlan Ertan In Izmir and Istanbul, reporting on culture
Turkey, Japan launch defense industry partnership with eye on drones The initiative could eventually lead to joint UAV development and production as Japan looks to expand drone capabilities amid regional tensions. Turkey
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Hezbollah commanders killed as renewed strikes test Lebanon-Israel talks Israeli strikes in Beirut and southern Lebanon raise new doubts over a fragile ceasefire ahead of expected talks in Washington. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Saudi FM in Turkey as Ankara, Riyadh step up coordination amid Iran war Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan’s visit to Ankara comes amid rapidly expanding Turkish-Saudi coordination as the fallout from the Iran war reshapes Gulf security dynamics. Turkey
Newsletter: Daily Briefing US pauses Hormuz escort mission as Trump cites progress on Iran talks By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis Iraq’s Zaidi offers economic promise for Turkey but unknowns loom By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Another pro-Kurdish mayor replaced as detentions continue in southeast Turkey Police detained more than 50 people on alleged terror links in southeast Turkey a day after yet another mayor with the People's Democratic Party was replaced with a state-appointed trustee. Turkey
Intel: Eastern Libya invites Egypt to intervene against Turkey-backed offensive Eastern Libya’s parliament passed a motion approving a possible military intervention by neighboring Egypt to stop an offensive by Libya’s Tripoli-based government in the west. Turkey
Roadside bomb hits Russian-Turkish patrol on key Syrian highway The Russian military said Tuesday that three Russian troops and an unspecified number of Turkish soldiers were injured in the attack. Syria
Why women’s shelters in Turkey no longer provide safety The high-profile domestic abuse case of a popular actor shows violence against women is accepted, and even defended when it comes to powerful men. Turkey
Erdogan plays out Islamic 'Reconquista' with Hagia Sophia as backdrop The reconversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque is a power move by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that betrays not only domestic but regional and even global ambitions. Turkey
European Union stiffens tone against Turkey, but calls for dialogue European diplomats consider the decision of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the Hagia Sophia to be a provocation aimed at escalating tensions between Ankara and Brussels. Turkey
Cairo cozies up to Baghdad, condemns Turkish attacks in Iraq Egypt's efforts to sideline Turkey in Iraq have expanded as Cairo cements economic and military ties with Baghdad. Egypt
Is proxy war turning to conventional confrontation in Libya? Albeit late, Turkey seems to have finally understood the importance of diplomacy in Libya. Turkey
It's not safe to insult Erdogan, even from Lebanon Ankara has successfully pressured Beirut into prosecuting a Lebanese talk show host for criticizing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in his own country. Lebanon
Turkish border province has created the country's largest potter's field to bury refugees A string of deadly incidents involving migrants has shaken Turkey’s eastern province of Van, which borders Iran and lies on a major route of human trafficking to Europe. Turkey
UN Security Council vote leaves one crossing open between Turkey, Syria The decision has closed another border point after weeks of disagreement between Russia and other member states. Syria
Erdogan: Turkey on path to ‘unstoppable power’ in region Turkish president throws his lot in again with Russia and Iran in Syria, expands plans for influence in North Africa and moves to convert the Hagia Sophia back into a mosque. Turkey