Exclusive Top PYD official Aldar Khalil: 'Syria is telling Kurds to separate' Al-Monitor spoke exclusively to Aldar Khalil, a member of the executive council of the Democratic Unity Party (PYD), which shares power in the Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria, about the halted talks between Syria’s transitional government and the Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Newsletter: City Pulse Istanbul Turkey’s emerging artists take center stage at BASE 2025 Also this week: Georgian flavors, Buyuktasciyan’s new show, and 40 films at the Crime & Justice Fest By Nazlan Ertan In Izmir and Istanbul, reporting on culture
In first foreign visit, Pope Leo meets Erdogan, urges Turkey to uphold pluralism On his inaugural foreign visit to Turkey, Pope Leo called for respect for pluralism after meeting with the Turkish president. Turkey
Analysis Pope Leo in Turkey, navigating faith, politics and Orthodox tensions The visit will bolster Turkey’s image on religious tolerance and shared positions with the Vatican while Ankara navigates sensitive issues surrounding the Halki Seminary and the Greek Patriarchate’s ecumenical status. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis PKK leader Ocalan gains legitimacy in Turkey, bigger sway over Syria’s Kurds By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Turkey turns up pressure on allies in Syria Turkey is using the jihadis’ march into Afrin to push its rebel allies in Syria to reorganize as a coherent, disciplined force. But what happens next if the factions fail to do so by the reported year-end deadline? Turkey
Turkish government criticized for creating new Alevi cultural agency Many Alevi associations have objected to the agency's placement with the Culture Ministry, which they say demonstrates the government’s refusal to recognize Alevis as a religious community. Turkey
What Netanyahu’s return means for Israel-Turkey ties Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has sent a congratulatory message to incoming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, signaling that nascent cooperation between the two countries would profit the region. Turkey
Erdogan unswayed by Swedish PM's charm offensive The Swedish prime minister met the Turkish president in Ankara amid the ongoing NATO dispute over Sweden and Finland's accession to the alliance. Turkey
Opposition claims Turkey flooded by gangster 'black money' An alleged Montenegrin mafia figure has been detained in Istanbul following the political opposition's warning that the government is turning a blind eye toward international criminals Turkey
IMF tells Turkey to raise interest rates Inflation is rampant in Turkey, but Turkey's Central Bank stubbornly continues to cut interest rates under pressure from President Erdogan. Turkey
NATO chief urges Turkey to stop stalling Sweden, Finland accession Both Turkey's president and foreign minister tell the NATO secretary-general that steps from Sweden and Finland will determine the pace of Ankara’s ratification of the Nordic accession. Turkey
Libya differences stall Turkey-Egypt fence-mending Turkey’s moves in Libya have undermined its fledgling dialogue with Egypt, even as Ankara took a number of measures to restrict Brotherhood exiles to please Cairo. Turkey
Turkish inflation hits 85.5% as doubts linger over official data Alternative surveys put Turkey’s inflation rate well above the official figure, nourishing suspicions that the statistics agency is tweaking market realities under government pressure. Turkey
Erdogan floats referendum on headscarf, 'family institution' The Turkish president has said public could be canvassed on changes to protect what he called family values and the rights of women who wear headscarves. Turkey
Russia returns to Ukraine grain deal, easing food crisis fears Russia announces its return to the Ukraine grain deal after intense diplomatic traffic between Ankara and Moscow, mitigating concerns over a food crisis until the deal expires late November. Turkey
Turkey seeks to coax Russia back into Ukraine grain deal Russian and Ukrainian monitors have reportedly suspended the inspections required by a grain-exportation deal that Moscow insists is unfairly benefitting Kyiv. Turkey