Turkey's FM in UAE to discuss Yemen war, Hormuz closure: What to know The top Turkish diplomat was set to stress Ankara's support for a peaceful and “united Yemen” amid renewed Houthi advances. Turkey
Turkey widens $18B fund probe as fallout hits ruling party, free speech More than 50 people have been detained in connection with the investigation into the fund scandal, the ruling party’s deputy chair has resigned, and the X accounts of dozens of journalists and economists have been blocked. Turkey
Analysis Why Turkey is drawing the line at defense in its support for Saudi Arabia Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia are forcing Mecca pact signatories to quickly operationalize their agreement, but are unlikely to draw Turkey into direct action against the Iran-backed group. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis Can Turkey’s Bashiqa withdrawal pave the way for deeper Iraq ties? Ankara hopes the planned handover of its Bashiqa base will deepen security cooperation with Baghdad and unlock broader economic ties, but implementation hinges on restoring Iraqi state authority in Sinjar, where previous efforts to remove armed groups have stalled. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Newsletter: Turkey Turkey’s UNGA scorecard By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: City Pulse Istanbul Galerist turns 25 with a ‘Labour of Love’ By Nazlan Ertan In Izmir and Istanbul, reporting on culture
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Xi, Trump set to talk Iran By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Iraqi security services infiltrated by terrorists Extremist militias are acquiring official security and military uniforms and equipment which allow them to further compromise the country’s already unstable security situation. Iraq
Internal disagreements could lead to al-Qaeda split Recent disagreements between al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri and ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi could lead to major splits within the organization. Iraq
Islamic militia expels criminal gangs from Aleppo The al-Qaeda-affiliated Islamic State of Iraq and al-Shams has won the praise of Aleppans after expelling criminal gangs that have looted and ravaged the city. Syria
What happened to Turkey’s Islamized Armenians? A conference on Armenians, Islamized during the genocide years, is an encouraging sign that Turks are facing up to a painful chapter of their history. Turkey
Syrian opposition split over peace conference The National Coalition of Syrian Opposition and Revolutionary Forces is meeting in Istanbul to consider participating in the Geneva II peace conference. Syria
Interior minister links coed housing with terrorism Turkish Interior Minister Muammer Guler argues that his government is concerned about coed accommodations not due to its sexual aspects, but because terrorist organizations abuse these relationships. Turkey
Erdogan's unwelcome intervention in college life The Turkish prime minister’s legislative attempts to interfere in the private lives of citizens reveal a mindset that places his will above the law. Turkey
US official on Syria: 'half the population is suffering' US Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees and Migration Anne Richard discusses the Syrian humanitarian crisis with Al-Monitor. Jordan
Turkish hijab activist calls on state to keep out of private life In an interview, Merve Kavakci-Islam, who was elected to Turkey’s parliament in 1999 but was unable to serve because of wearing a headscarf, said that Turkey is moving toward a “more citizen-friendly, Muslim-friendly, woman-friendly secularism.” Turkey
Syrian Kurdish leader: Turkey may end proxy war In an interview, Saleh Muslim, co-chairman of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), says that Turkey is ceasing its proxy war against the PYD by ending its support for jihadist groups in Syria. Syria
Turkey's stalled constitution In the post-Gezi Park protests era, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is being pressured to give up on writing a new constitution, at least until the March elections are over. Turkey
Liberman slams South Africa as 'anti-Israel' The harsh remarks emanating from Turkey and South Africa indicate that it's OK to criticize Israel while strengthening ties with Iran. Israel