Analysis Iraq’s Zaidi offers economic promise for Turkey but unknowns loom Iraq’s prime minister-designate, Ali al-Zaidi, is expected to sustain growing economic and strategic ties with Turkey thanks to his business-oriented approach, though uncertainty over his political stance could test cooperation on sensitive issues. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Newsletter: City Pulse Istanbul “Form-Craft-Activism” spotlights the labor behind making Also this week: A century-old lokanta, cartoonists and labor cinema By Nazlan Ertan In Izmir and Istanbul, reporting on culture
Turkey warns France over Cyprus troop deployment: What to know A potential French deployment to Greek Cyprus comes amid Turkey’s growing concerns of strategic encirclement in the Eastern Mediterranean. Turkey
Turkey advances gas pipeline plan to northern Cyprus as East Med rivalry grows The Turkish energy minister said the country's oil and natural gas pipeline operator, BOTAS, has started the engineering work for the pipeline. Turkey
Analysis Why Saudi Arabia, Egypt are wary of Turkey’s proposed 4-way defense pact with Pakistan By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Gazans' dark secret? They've become chocoholics Chocolate used to be on the Israeli list of banned items, but not anymore, as chocolate shops have been proliferating in light of the increasing demand in Gaza. Palestine
Will Iran play peacemaker between Russia, Turkey? Given Tehran's ties to both countries, Iranian officials discuss the potential for Iran to mediate between Russia and Turkey. Turkey
How one Turkish village became rich overnight Many impoverished villagers in Turkey’s mainly Kurdish southeast have made a fortune selling chunks of a meteorite after one exploded in September, while tax inspectors gripe about not receiving their share. Turkey
Turkey makes progress on sealing Syria border, but is it enough? Turkey’s granting the United States access to its military bases, among other factors, has muted US frustration at slow efforts to seal a remaining stretch of the Turkish-Syrian border to foreign fighters and oil smugglers. Syria
Turkey’s Kurds shaken by killing of human rights lawyer Turkey’s Kurds have united in grief over the perplexing killing of celebrated human rights lawyer Tahir Elci, whose loss some take as a sign that peace is further out of reach than ever. Turkey
Will Israel, Russia tighten coordination on Syria? Israeli security officials debate whether Russian military involvement in Syria will change the balance of power in favor of Israeli interests or against them. Israel
What killing of Kurdish human rights lawyer means for Turkey In turbulent Turkey, the voices of peace and coexistence speak out at the risk of violent retribution. Turkey
Downing of Russian jet forces Ankara to turn West Experts argue that although Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is getting support from NATO and the European Union, he can never be part of the West because his Islamist outlook prevents him from adopting Western values. Turkey
Foreign investors are trembling over Turkey Foreign direct investments in Turkey dropped dramatically in September despite some encouraging signals from European and American investors earlier in the year. Turkey
Turkey gambles on the Turkmens The Turkmen card Turkey is playing in Syria is likely to backfire and endanger the Turkmens. Turkey
Why some Turkish sports fans terrorize their opponents Turkish sports fans' recent show of disrespect for moments of silence for victims of Islamic State terror and other occasions is not necessarily a show of support for the extremist group. Israel
Why defeating Islamic State won't bring stability to Iraq Competing factions have different agendas for a post-IS Iraq, paving the way for even greater conflict. Iraq