Hannah Lucinda Smith
Eased sanctions, friendly talks with Israel and new Assad-free bank notes – Syria is readying to join the Western economy
For five decades, Syrians were reminded of their despotic rulers every time they reached into their wallets. The faces of Bashar al-Assad and his father, Hafez, adorned banknotes, which, since the currency crashed under…
Coasters be damned – a well-worn table is the heart of a home
A pristine tabletop is soulless. The marks, dents and spills that your table collects tell the story of growth, love and messy, beautiful living.
Opinion
Turkic states are investing in soft power but it’s Ankara that seeks to steal the show
4 min read
Private mediation services matter. Here’s why.
True neutrality is pivotal in today’s heavily contested political environment. While traditional mediating powers have somewhat lost their influence, private firms are stepping in.
Istanbul’s secret village: Why Kuzguncuk is the city’s coolest historic quarter
Hidden in the sprawl of Turkey’s largest city, Kuzguncuk is a slice of old Istanbul on the Asian shore of the Bosphorus. Once a quaint village, it is now a stylish, spirited neighbourhood.
As extreme heat threatens Mediterranean holiday resorts, the answer could be over their shoulders
As southern Europe swelters, the traditional holiday calendar is under threat. Resorts are rethinking the high season, and the solution might be hiding in plain sight.
Street food is still a defining force in the culinary scene of Istanbul
The reinvention of Turkey’s largest city as a gastronomic hub continues apace – but not at the expense of the unfussy, authentic fare that has long delighted the metropolis.
