Nytimes.com | Carlotta Gall

ISTANBUL — At a recent rally to open the campaign before municipal elections in March, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was heckled by a group of public workers demanding jobs. But he was having none of it.

www.jpost.com | By Akil Marceau | February 4, 2019

More than ever, a strategic long-term vision is needed.

The December 19 announcement of the withdrawal of the 2,000 US troops fighting the Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria has not stopped inflicting damage and creating confusion. This started with the US administration and the resignations of defense secretary Jim Mattis and the special presidential envoy of the global coalition to counter ISIS, Brett McGurk. The two men both had intimate knowledge of the terrain and the serious consequences such a withdrawal would create. They understood the strategically dangerous and morally unacceptable decision to abandon their reliable and effective Kurdish allies in the war against the jihadists. 

Nytimes.com | By The Editorial Board

An Iranian Kurdish writer, detained for six years on a remote island for seeking asylum in Australia, proves that words are more powerful than fences.

theguardian.com | By Calla Wahlquist | 31 Jan 2019

Guardian writer on Manus Island wins $125,000 after sweeping non-fiction prize and Victorian prize for literature at Victorian premier’s literary awards 2019

reuters.com | Bye Robin Emmott and John Irish | January 18, 2019

BRUSSELS/PARIS (Reuters) - In Tehran on Jan. 8 during a meeting with European envoys, Iranian officials abruptly stood up, walked out and slammed the door in an extraordinary break with protocol.

washingtonpost.com | Bye Brett McGurk(*) |  January 18, 2019

The president decided to withdraw U.S. forces without consulting allies or understanding the facts on the ground.

Telegraph.co.uk | By James Badcock, Madrid

A Swiss MP has accused the Turkish government of passing off olive oil plundered from Syria as Turkish in order to sell it in European Union countries, including Spain.

Theguardian.com | Ranj Alaaldin

The US, Turkey, the YPG and desperate Syrian Kurds would all lose if Assad and his backers regained control

Foreignpolicy.com | By Aykan Erdemir, John Lechner

The Turkish president’s racist conspiracy theories are a threat to economic stability.

nytimes.com | By Carlotta Gall | Jan. 2, 2019

As Erdogan tightens grip, brain drain threatens to set country back decades

ISTANBUL — For 17 years, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan won elections by offering voters a vision of restoring the glories of Turkey’s Ottoman past. He extended his country’s influence with increased trade and military deployments, and he raised living standards with years of unbroken economic growth.