Culture How ‘dog mom’ vacuum cleaner ad sparked culture war in Turkey A Mother’s Day advertisement featuring a “dog mom” triggered a backlash from conservative media, government officials and regulators, turning a soft consumer campaign into a flashpoint over motherhood, declining birth rates, stray dogs and even antisemitism. Turkey
Newsletter: Turkey Turkey navigates Gulf rivalries while Kurdish peace efforts resurface Turkey hosts a flurry of regional diplomacy while fresh debate over Abdullah Ocalan’s future exposes new tensions in the Kurdish peace process. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
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 By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
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
Alarm as Turkey’s ruling party moves to empower night watchmen A revived nighttime security force in Turkey may soon get the same powers as regular police, drawing protest from lawmakers and civil rights advocates. Turkey
A $12.5 billion question: Why did Erdogan unshelve his ‘crazy project’? By reviving a controversial waterway project, Recep Tayyip Erdogan seeks to regain control over Istanbul — which he lost in last year’s polls — test whether the project could serve him well in an early election attempt, and eventually gratify his supporters by creating rent. Turkey
Pentagon: Turkey’s deployment to Libya threatens escalation The United States' top military officer in Africa has warned that Ankara's decision to send troops to Libya "risks a significant escalation." Turkey
Will Turkish-trained Syrian police help restore security in area held by Turkish forces? The situation in Syria’s Operation Peace Spring area in northern Syria does not bode well for refugees wishing to return home from Turkey, with ongoing car bombs and explosions despite efforts by local councils to restore stability. Syria
Erdogan slams Russia as regime offensive sends Idlib residents fleeing for Turkey Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Moscow is not upholding the Astana and Sochi cease-fire agreements after Syrian regime forces retook a key city in Idlib Wednesday, sending a new wave of displaced civilians toward the Turkish border. Syria
Intel: Erdogan abandons balancing act in Syria, targets Russia Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized Russia directly for the first time in a long while in the wake of the recent escalation in northwestern Syria. Syria
Turks question ‘quake taxes’ after deadly tremor Turkey’s citizens have paid billions of liras in special taxes introduced after a massive quake disaster in 1999, but two decades on, the country still has a long way to go in quake-proofing buildings and other precautionary measures. Turkey
Turkey sends philanthropist back to prison despite European ruling Turkish philanthropist Osman Kavala and 15 other defendants attended the fifth hearing of the Gezi trial today, when defense lawyers left the court room in protest of the prosecution's violation of Turkish legal norms. Turkey
Intel: Turkey downplays Erdogan’s phone call with Trump The White House disclosed Jan. 28 details of a call between President Donald Trump and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey
Are Russia, Turkey entering last act of Idlib fight? Following the Russia-brokered Syria-Turkey talks in Moscow, hostilities over Idlib may be turning to their last phase, but it's unlikely to be peaceful. Syria
Turkey rescues dozens after powerful quake kills 41 After a deadly tremor struck Turkey's east, rescue teams worked around the clock to save dozens from a disaster that sparked both an outpouring of support and fears about the country's unpreparedness for such events. Turkey
Turkish military’s pension fund thrives amid economic crisis The Turkish military’s pension fund, OYAK, has embarked on a major expansion, taking advantage of business opportunities amidst the country’s economic crisis. But how long will Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s acquiescence last? Turkey