Ankara

Washington reviews its relations with Ankara as divergences in regional policy approaches and Turkish leaders' anti-U.S. rhetoric disrupts ties between the two allies, a senior American analyst has said.

Turkey's parliament has acquitted one of four ex-ministers who faced graft charges with the votes of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

A new and broad police operation into the so-called ?parallel structure,? members of the Gülen movement that had allegedly infiltrated the judiciary and security forces, was launched on Jan. 20.

The leader of the main opposition Republican People?s Party (CHP) has said Ankara?s Syria policy must change, stating that Turkey must no longer be a route for foreign fighters.

Ankara?s regional policy should remain at an equal distance from all religions and sects in the Middle East, CHP head Kemal K?l?çdaro?lu said at the fifth Istanbul Forum in Istanbul on Jan. 19.

The AKP has overseen a profound and fundamental shift in Turkey?s approach to the Middle East.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an has said he will soon rename his controversial new presidential palace, adopting the name of the complexes surrounding imperial mosques.
      

This columnist?s first of a few encounters with Melih Gökçek, the unchallenged mayor of the Turkish capital since 1994, was through a press release from the municipality, sent by fax to this newspaper, in the mid-1990s. It was grotesquely (but cutely) signed: Melih Gökçek, Lord Mayor of Ankara. It caused laughter in the newsroom.

Turkish trucks will pay lower fuel surcharges while crossing the border into Iran, according to an agreement signed between the two countries Jan. 15.

Due to fuel prices being cheaper in Iran, Turkish vehicles were ordered to pay a surcharge of 1.60 euros per liter to avoid the illegal transportation of fuel.  

The Turkish government has launched measures to bring "transparency" to public spending, with provisions aimed at transparency and accountability in funding for political parties and election campaigns.

Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu announced the "Program for Transparency in Public Administration" at a press conference on Jan. 14, accompanied by members of his cabinet.

A broadcast vehicle of private station Fox TV, owned by Australian media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, was pelted by an unidentified individual in front of the corporation's Ankara bureau on Jan. 14.

The attack occurred after Murdoch wrote that all Muslims "must be held responsible until they recognize and destroy their growing jihadist cancer" via Twitter.