Turkey crosses new thresholds in descent to autocracy

As Ankara has expanded its crackdown on opposition quarters and crossed some critical thresholds in what now seems a drive to lay the foundations of an autocratic regime, is the country at the ultimate breaking point with democracy?

Turkey

Why Kurds in southeast Turkey are not taking to the streets

For the first time in 36 years, Diyarbakir has a government-appointed trustee to run its municipality — why was there not the expected popular reaction to the arrests of the city's elected co-mayors?

Turkey

Turkey's new 'Erdogan Doctrine'

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's aggressive foreign and security policies are coalescing into a clear doctrine of pre-emptive action that he seems to be using both to drum up domestic support and for leverage in negotiations with the West.

Turkey

Turkey's post-coup crackdown reaches media giants

The few remaining opposition newspapers still able to report on Turkey's economic floundering are losing their own foreign investors in a dramatic demonstration of the trend the ruling Turkish party is trying to suppress.

Turkey

Abadi says 'we are ready' if Turkey wants war

As Turkey's behavior grows more erratic and aggressive by the day, the United States is scrambling to head off a dust-up among its anti-Islamic State coalition partners.

Iraq

Could megaprojects spell mega trouble for Turkey's economy?

Giant infrastructure projects launched by the Turkish government have raised the specter of potentially unpredictable burdens on public finances amid little transparency on loan and demand guarantees provided to private contractors.

Turkey

Christian minority in Iraq seeks autonomy in post-Mosul Iraq

What do Iraqi Christians expect from the post-Islamic State era?

Iraq

Turkey is about to find out if more people are safe when armed

Many members of Turkey's Justice and Development Party are buying and carrying weapons without knowing how to use them.

Turkey

Is Erdogan really serious about bringing back death penalty?

A leading expert argues that by signaling his keenness for the death penalty, Erdogan is merely engaging in “cheap populism.”

Turkey

What is Turkey up to in northern Syria?

As Turkey advances in northern Syria as part of its Euphrates Shield offensive, taking control of al-Bab and Manbij would give Ankara access to the Aleppo front.

Iraq

Ax hangs over Turkey's EU bid as AKP pushes to revive death penalty

Turkey's president and now prime minister are speaking ever more boldly about reviving the death penalty despite the repercussions for the country's EU bid in what looks like a move to intimidate critics and also solidify the support of Turkish nationalists.

Turkey

Can Iran pull Turkey, Iraq away from brink of war?

Despite its tensions with Turkey, Tehran is well-positioned to bring Ankara and Baghdad closer amid their escalating war of words — but could Iran be successful in this endeavor?

Iraq