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
New banking regulations threaten press freedom in Turkey Recent measures seeking to limit damaging information on the financial system pose new threats to press freedom in Turkey. Turkey
Turkish opposition trades favors as AKP limps Turkey’s nationalist party leader Devlet Bahceli has floated a proposal to change electoral laws, fueling rumors of a possible snap election. Turkey
Will Libya cheer up Erdogan? Ill-calculated moves by rebel commander Khalifa Hifter have played into the hands of Turkey and its allies in the Libyan conflict, leading to the fall of a strategic air base in al-Wattiya; however, the situation is still volatile, and it is early to declare a victory. Turkey
The not-so-sacred profit bonanza of Syria's jihadi groups Economic gains have been at the core of clashes between rebel groups in Syria’s Idlib and Turkish-controlled regions that Syrian rebels describe as “liberated” areas. Syria
2 more COVID-19 infections reported on Greek island housing refugees The number of coronavirus cases among migrants on Lesbos rises to four, raising fears of a large outbreak in the Greek island's overcrowded camps. Turkey
Turkey continues to oust Kurdish mayors, replace with trustees Four mayors have been detained in Turkey's Kurdish-majority southeast, the latest in ongoing efforts by the government to suppress Kurdish political participation in the country. Turkey
Turkey needs flexible foreign policy now more than ever Turkey needs to adopt a softer foreign policy to handle the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis it's triggered, but the government's rhetoric makes such a shift highly unlikely. Turkey
Turks celebrate Ramadan under shadow of pandemic From masked drummers to online pide contests, Turks are bringing new twists to Ramadan in the coronavirus era. Turkey
Syrians held in Turkish prison 'in breach of international law,' advocates say Scores of Syrians detained after Turkey's Operation Peace Spring began in October have been accused of links to the Kurdistan Workers Party and moved to a prison in Sanliurfa, Turkey. Syria
PKK attacks Turkish military base in Kurdistan Region of Iraq The attack comes amid intra-Kurdish tensions in Iraq over the PKK's and Turkey's presence in the country. Iraq
Turkey’s intervention in Libya turns tide to Erdogan’s advantage, for now Ankara has thrown in its lot with the Government of National Accord for reasons that have more to do with its own interests than Libya’s. Turkey
European court rejects Turkish appeal of Osman Kavala ruling The European Court of Human Rights rejected an appeal by Turkish officials Tuesday, upholding a December ruling calling for the release of jailed Turkish philanthropist Osman Kavala. Turkey