Newsletter: Turkey SDF’s Kobane says Ankara trip in the works Mazlum Kobane says he could travel to Turkey and potentially meet jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump says removing Iran’s uranium is more about optics Trump downplays Iran uranium removal after China talks, the UAE moves to bypass Hormuz and Iraq ends months of political deadlock. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Interview Syrian Kurdish commander Kobane says Turkey visit ‘in the making,’ Ocalan meeting possible The SDF commander-in-chief reflected on a fragile integration deal with Damascus, growing Kurdish backlash and ongoing talks with Turkey as questions mount over Rojava’s political future. Mazloum Kobane SDF commander in chief
Turkey, Armenia to launch direct trade in normalization push: What to know The move removes a decades-old reexport mechanism routed largely through Georgia as Ankara and Yerevan step up normalization efforts. Turkey
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Trump rejects Iran's latest proposal By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis From drones to deterrence: Turkey's ICBM missile signals bigger ambitions By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Raki bottles tell story of Turkey's changes The story of raki under the Justice and Development Party is the story of Turkey’s Islamic conservative transformation in a nutshell. Turkey
Russia pins downed plane on Israel, will add missiles in Syria Russia’s decision to deploy its S-300 air defense systems in Syria is a major step toward dominating Syrian airspace, but to what extent will it affect Israel? Syria
Erdogan in Germany: A controversial but successful visit Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Germany has been an achievement as he managed to return to Turkey without committing himself to improve the human rights and democracy record of his country while getting what he wanted. Turkey
Diyanet flexes its muscles to back Erdogan’s soft power in Syria In Syria, Diyanet assumed a role beyond religious diplomacy in coordinating various aid, vocational and religious education agencies, all to win the hearts and minds of the locals. Syria
Dramatic demographic changes loom for Turkey, experts warn Turkey’s demographic fabric is expected to change dramatically in the coming decades, driven by a combination of factors, including the influx of migrants with high birth rates and Turkey’s own economic and political woes. Turkey
Saudi association to provide aid, training to Syrian town The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center partners with Istanbul-based Ihsan to open a youth support center in al-Atarib, west of Aleppo Saudi Arabia
Manbij government denies Turkish patrol as Ankara pushes for access The local council of Manbij has denied Ankara's claim that Turkish forces will enter the city and conduct joint patrols with US forces, saying Turkey is looking for an excuse to keep a presence there. Syria
Turkey’s glitzy shopping malls in dire straits amid currency woes Turkey’s once bustling shopping malls are grappling with severe financial woes, with many facing an uncertain future. Turkey
Medicine shortages leaving Turks desperate for help Patients who depend on pharmaceutical imports for the treatment of cancer and other chronic illnesses suffer as the government fails to reach a price agreement with suppliers. Turkey
Is Erdogan doing U-turn on jailed US pastor? Andrew Brunson’s continued detention in Turkey risks deepening the breach with the US, with unforeseen consequences for Western security amid continued conflict in Syria and rising tensions with Iran. Turkey
After Idlib deal, Turkey sets sight on Kurdish-held areas Following a compromise with Russia in Idlib, Turkey has again raised the specter of a military intervention in Kurdish-held zones, hoping to extract new gains from the complex situation in northern Syria. Syria
Civilians in Syria's Idlib welcome truce, hoping it holds The Free Syrian Army and civilians in rebel-held Idlib province are grateful for a reprieve from the regime offensive. Syria