For Erdogan’s government, it’s the economy first in COVID-19 crisis

Wary of paralyzing its entire economy, Turkey’s government has balked at drastic measures against the coronavirus outbreak in Istanbul, the country’s economic powerhouse and now the epicenter of the pandemic.

Turkey

Turkey builds more hospitals as coronavirus cases spike

More than 30,000 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 less than a month since it was confirmed to have reached Turkey as the government continues to resist imposing a full lockdown.

Turkey

Turkey's state religious body undermines anti-coronavirus efforts

Turkey’s Religious Affairs Directorate is accused of badly mishandling its response to the coronavirus pandemic and its credibility is increasingly under question.

Turkey

Battle for air supremacy heats up in Libya despite COVID-19 outbreak

The warring parties in Libya are locked in a battle to gain the upper hand in the skies, the outcome of which will determine who grabs the strategic advantage in the conflict.

Saudi Arabia

Erdogan claims monopoly on goodness, but it might backfire

The Turkish government has thwarted opposition efforts to raise funds to help the needy against the coronavirus crisis, a move that could backfire and deepen President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s political woes.

Turkey

Turkey pursues Libya campaign despite growing financial woes

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is pressing ahead with his military venture in Libya even as the coronavirus pandemic is putting further strain on Ankara’s cash-strapped coffers.

Syria

2 million jobless as coronavirus batters Turkish economy, opposition leader says

Turkey's president is facing pressure from the opposition to impose a nationwide lockdown.

Turkey

Syrian refugees villainized as Turkey faces costs of coronavirus

The Turkish government is under fire for being less generous to its own needy citizens hit by the coronavirus crisis than it has been to Syrian refugees, who are said to have cost Ankara more than $40 billion.

Turkey

Intel: What’s next for Russia-Turkey cooperation after Erdogan, Putin call?

On April 1, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss potential cooperation in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, the next steps in joint efforts in Syria as well as the developments in Libya.

Syria

Families of Americans detained abroad want more US government attention, study finds

An analysis of US hostage policy found that efforts to free Americans wrongfully detained abroad are hampered by unclear policies and confusion.

Lebanon

Turkey finally releases epidemic figures: coronavirus epicenter in Istanbul

Turkey’s death toll from the COVID-19 outbreak has hit 356 as political sparring has broken out over rival assistance programs for the poor and the government’s efforts to keep the economy afloat.

Turkey

Coronavirus drives opening of Turkish hospital in Gaza

The Palestine-Turkish Friendship Hospital has finally opened in the Gaza Strip to help fight the coronavirus outbreak, which authorities fear will quickly become a humanitarian disaster.

Palestine