Turkish pandemic plan raises concerns over citizens' digital rights

In effort to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus, Ankara launched a mobile app that tracks patients, raising concern among digital privacy advocates.

Turkey

COVID-19 crisis threatens to double Turkey’s unemployed

The coronavirus pandemic has raised the specter of a dramatic spike in unemployment in Turkey, but only a small section of those affected are slated to receive government support.

Turkey

Intel: Why Russia is getting involved in Mideast COVID-19 fight

Syria has requested assisted from Moscow to fight the coronavirus outbreak, as Russia implements a campaign to cultivate its image as a "caring power," approaching Middle East leaders to work together against the spread of the virus.

Near East

Turkey’s Roma cry for help as coronavirus claims more lives

On International Romani Day, a group of Turkish Roma associations protested that the community still faces “deep discrimination” and risks starvation from the loss of work and state neglect that have compounded the harm of COVID-19.

Turkey

A year after local polls, Turkey’s Kurds left with only third of gains

Not even the coronavirus outbreak has slowed Ankara’s crackdown on local administrations held by Turkey’s main pro-Kurdish party, which, many now fear, will continue until the last one is seized.

Turkey

Roadside bombing in southeast Turkey kills five civilians

While no group has yet to claim responsibility for the attack, Ankara is pointing the finger at the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party.

Turkey

Turkey cracks down on journalists, others as coronavirus rumors spread

Turkish journalists and social media users alike are facing charges for sharing "lies" and "manipulating the public" as Ankara finds its coronavirus responses under scrutiny.

Turkey

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