Analysis From drones to deterrence: Turkey's ICBM missile signals bigger ambitions Turkey’s planned test of a 6,000-kilometer missile could boost Ankara’s defense industry prestige, strengthen its deterrence messaging and feed a powerful domestic narrative of technological self-reliance, but it also raises questions about cost, timing and NATO protection. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
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
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
Relations among Syrian Kurdish parties hit new low The Kurdistan National Council (KNC) and the Democratic Union Party (PYD) are in dispute over power-sharing arrangements. Syria
Iran opens new chapter in relations with Russia While Moscow and Tehran have historically been neither friend nor foe, and challenges remain, shared interests on Syria, counterterrorism, security and energy could move Iran and Russia increasingly toward more comprehensive strategic cooperation. Turkey
Syrian Kurds courting Turkmens Security and the future role of Syrian Turkmens depend on alliance with Kurds. Syria
Hamas unfazed by Fatah outreach to Iran Syria is still a sticky issue between Hamas and both Fatah and Iran. Palestine
Journalists become the story in Egypt International and social media coverage may have resulted in improved prison conditions for detained journalists. Qatar
Iran, Israel and the politics of gesture Iranian and Israeli officials are listening to each other at international conferences. Israel
Satirical Turkish site on trial for insulting religion Turkish prosecutors are busily pursuing “insults” to Islam, while hate speech against Jews and Christians goes largely unnoticed. Turkey
Israeli security officials recognize change in Iran Although Israel is keeping its military option on the table, Israeli defense officials privately acknowledge that Iran is undergoing a "historic" change. Israel
Turkey-Israel ties may be linked to gas pipeline Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is inching toward normalization of Turkey-Israel relations. Israel
Gul, Erdogan agree on Gulenists Turkey's prime minister and president are both convinced that Gulenists organized within the state should be confronted within the confines of law, reflecting the Turkish state's unity against the Gulenists. Turkey
Why is the PKK siding with the AKP in the AKP-Gulen conflict? The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) may believe that the enemy of my friend is my enemy. Turkey
Gul proposes Turkey-Iran cooperation in Syria Turkish President Abdullah Gul is distancing himself from the political culture and foreign policy of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. Turkey