Lebanon seeks Turkey’s help to join Syria-Saudi rail link: What to know Beirut is seeking Ankara’s support to link its ports to a railway project aiming to link Turkey to the Gulf, through Syria and Jordan. Turkey
Analysis Despite Mecca pact, Turkey rules out direct military role in Yemen A Turkish official told Al-Monitor that Turkey will not directly intervene in the unfolding conflict between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan set Mecca Alliance into motion The three countries are moving to formalize military coordination under the newly named Mecca Alliance amid renewed hostilities between Iran and the US. Saudi Arabia
Analysis How Israel's rivalry, defense deals prompted Turkey to join Mecca pact Turkey’s growing rivalry with Israel and mounting regional instability are driving its defense alignment with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, despite risks of strategic entanglement and friction with NATO partners. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis Trump's F-35 push for Turkey runs into CAATSA — and Israel By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Cheap drones, costly threats: Why Gulf states are looking to Turkey for defense deals By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Reports on Turkey-Qatar military training accords questioned by Erdogan critics A military education agreement between Turkey and Qatar drew backlash from opposition members in Ankara after local media reporting misrepresented its content, though rumors persist. Turkey
Can Erdogan seize on Israeli-Palestinian crisis to make diplomatic gains? The flurry of diplomacy over the Israeli-Palestinian escalation has helped Erdogan break his diplomatic isolation, but he could hardly hope for far-reaching gains to help his bid at fence-mending with Arab heavyweights. Turkey
Erdogan’s reset with Egypt and the Gulf won’t be smooth The Turkish president wants a change in relations, but his efforts are seen as the result of a failed regional strategy and poor ties with the Biden administration. Turkey
Turkey faces rough road to normalization with Egypt Turkey’s reconciliation with Egypt is not likely to be easy, but progress after the first high-level meeting between the two sides could mark a new course in Ankara’s foreign policy and pave the way for its reconciliation with the Gulf heavyweights as well. Turkey
Will Turkey’s efforts to woo Egypt yield fruit? Egypt and Turkey began talks in Cairo today aimed at reseting ties after nearly eight years of a diplomatic rift. Turkey
Turkey’s good words not worth much to Saudi Arabia Turkey’s efforts to mend ties with the Gulf bloc don't pass Riyadh's tacit preconditions. Turkey
Erdogan is MENA’s most popular leader, Arab Barometer finds Turkey's promotion of cultural heritage, including through its tourism and entertainment sectors, is one reason for Erdogan's popularity. However, the perception of the Ottoman legacy is gradually shifting from one of praise to one of condemnation toward Turkish policies. News Brief
Can Turkey rely on Libyan PM to guarantee its strategic interests? Ankara’s two critical deals with Tripoli remain in limbo even though Libya’s new prime minister raised Turkish spirits during a much-hyped visit this week. Turkey
Could Turkish involvement in Yemen free Saudi Arabia? The Muslim Brotherhood and sources close to the Turkish government are arguing that Saudi Arabia could find a face-saving exit from the Yemen conflict it has been looking for by cooperating with Turkey. Turkey
Egypt-Turkey rivalry goes deeper than politics Cairo is treading cautiously on Ankara’s fence-mending overtures toward Turkey. Turkey
UAE joins Egypt-led Eastern Med Gas Forum Abu Dhabi announced that it has joined the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum based in Cairo, as part of efforts to counter Turkey’s ambitions in the area. Egypt
Cash-strapped Turkey relies on Qatari investments In only five years, Qatar has come to account for 15% of all foreign direct investments in Turkey, second only to deep-rooted Dutch investors. Turkey
