Istanbul

Voices from the Arab Press: Red lines in Syria, Azerbaijani oil, and Anwar Sadat

A weekly selection of opinions and analyses of the Arab media around the world.

A WORKER rests next to an oil pump in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Protesters hold up Pride flags as they stand in front of riot police officers in Izmir, Turkey, on June 27, 2026.

Turkey detains 26 people in raids targeting LGBTQ+ associations over accusations of obscenity

Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, and other officials pose before the first committee meeting for the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, in Istanbul, Turkey, August 31, 2026.

Turkish FM calls Netanyahu 'enemy of humanity,' claims Mecca agreement not directed at any country

Turkey offers world-class hair restoration - the key to natural results is choosing the right doctor, not just the lowest price.

Restore fuller hair with a hair transplant


Turkish 'sex cult' leader sentenced to 8,658 years in prison

The court sentenced Oktar to 891 years for charges placed against him directly, but was also found responsible for crimes committed by his acolytes, wracking up his total sentence to 8,658 years.

 Religious Leaders Meeting Adnan Oktar

Questions remain after the Istanbul attack - analysis

The bomb went off at 4 p.m. on Istiklal Street in Istanbul, a popular pedestrian street. The terrorist was detained at 2:50 a.m., around 10 hours afterward.

 People react after an explosion on busy pedestrian Istiklal street in Istanbul, Turkey, November 13, 2022

Turkey to pursue targets in Syria, official says after Istanbul blast

Turkey blames Kurdish militia groups for the Istanbul terror attack and seeks to act against the PKK in Syria.

 Policemen stand guard outside of a mosque during a funeral ceremony for police chief Kadir Yildirim who was killed in Saturday's blasts, in Istanbul, Turkey, December 12, 2016.

Will Turkey exploit Istanbul attack to bash US, Kurdish groups? - analysis

The rhetoric from Ankara now seems to suggest that Turkey will lash out at the US and also carry out attacks in Syria, mentioning Kobani, Tel Rifat, Qamishli and other cities that could be hit.

 An undated handout picture released by Turkish police shows an unidentified blast suspect arrested in Istanbul, Turkey.

Turkey arrested Istanbul bomb attacker, minister says

Six people were killed and 81 others wounded on Sunday when an explosion rocked a busy pedestrian street in Istiklal Avenue in central Istanbul.

 Ambulances arrive near the scene following an explosion in central Istanbul's Taksim area, Turkey November 13, 2022.

On the Turkish-Syrian border, a city’s last Jews watch the ending of an epoch

A symbol composed of a Star of David entwined with a Christian cross and Islamic crescent has practically become the city’s logo.

Turkish Jews join to blessing prayers of Mi Sheberah by Chief Rabbi Izhak Haleva at Neve Shalom synagogue in Istanbul

Discover Istanbul and Ankara's finest cultural spots

Turkey has a lot more to offer than just great shopping and fantastic food. Take culture for instance.

 The Ankara Kalesi (castle)

Experts say ‘Jewish’ diplomacy was key in Turkey-Israel rapprochement

Tensions between Israel and Turkey have a bitter effect on the Turkish Jewish community.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and his Israeli counterpart Isaac Herzog shake hands during a joint news conference in Ankara, Turkey March 9, 2022.

Mossad, Turkey foil Iranian plot to kidnap Israelis

One of the alleged targets was the former Israeli ambassador and his wife who were staying at a hotel in Istanbul.

 Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and his Israeli counterpart Isaac Herzog review a guard of honour during a welcoming ceremony in Ankara, Turkey March 9, 2022.

Why Israel shouldn't join the Istanbul Convention - opinion

The Istanbul Convention is a treaty that would subject Israel to the review of a hostile international commission.

 JUSTICE MINISTER Gideon Sa’ar confers with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett in the Knesset. Sa’ar decided to defer Israel’s joining the Istanbul Convention.