Turkish city eagerly awaits Armenian border reopening Political leaders on both sides of the border appear interested in restoring ties after nearly three decades. Kars, on Turkey’s northeastern frontier, has much to gain. Paul Benjamin Osterlund Aug 30, 2021
The world's first Kurdish rock group and its roots in Soviet Georgia When Koma Wetan was formed, singing in Kurdish was illegal in Turkey. Now, the group is a legendary influence among Turkish Kurdish rockers.. Paul Benjamin Osterlund Aug 6, 2021
After the war: Touring Azerbaijan's reclaimed territories The mood in Baku is triumphal but it’s heavy and vengeful rather than joyous. Paul Benjamin Osterlund Dec 22, 2020
Istanbul's storied 'suitcase trade' with ex-USSR remains resilient despite downturn The trade is one of the strongest links between Istanbul and the former Soviet world. Paul Benjamin Osterlund, Photos by Hilaneh Mahmoudi Aug 9, 2018