Lizzie Porter
@lcmporter.bsky.social
Award-winning correspondent based in Turkey for The National newspaper. English, français, العربيّة, فارسى, Türkçe öğreniyorum. I like elegant writing, translation, textiles, and the sea. All views are my own.
Heavy fog cancelled flights on Sunday and Monday, preventing Syrians returning home to join celebrations marking the one year anniversary of the fall of the Assad regime. Many are trying to get into the country for a third day in a row today. www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
Syrians devastated at missing Assad downfall celebrations after flights to Aleppo cancelled | The National
Heavy fog ruins plans of travellers from across Europe to join family and friends for anniversary
www.thenationalnews.com
December 9, 2025 at 5:19 AM
Heavy fog cancelled flights on Sunday and Monday, preventing Syrians returning home to join celebrations marking the one year anniversary of the fall of the Assad regime. Many are trying to get into the country for a third day in a row today. www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
OK one thing I will never understand about Turkey is how, when the temperature drops even slightly, people rachet up the heating in homes, shops and cars to Persian-Gulf-in-summer temperatures
December 7, 2025 at 2:19 PM
OK one thing I will never understand about Turkey is how, when the temperature drops even slightly, people rachet up the heating in homes, shops and cars to Persian-Gulf-in-summer temperatures
Sesler Türkçe’de !
December 3, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Sesler Türkçe’de !
Nearly a year after the Assad regime's fall, we spoke to some of the Syrians who have returned home over the past year. The vast majority of returnees are from neighbouring countries; many fewer are returning from Europe. www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
From exile to rebuilding: the Syrians choosing to return home | The National
After the fall of the Assad regime, a small but determined group from Europe and Turkey are going back to help shape Syria's fragile recovery
www.thenationalnews.com
November 30, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Nearly a year after the Assad regime's fall, we spoke to some of the Syrians who have returned home over the past year. The vast majority of returnees are from neighbouring countries; many fewer are returning from Europe. www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
Pope Leo XIV led his first overseas mass as pontiff at an arena in İstanbul on Saturday
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
Humanity must ‘walk together’, Pope Leo tells faithful in first overseas Mass in Istanbul | The National
Thousands gather for service in which pontiff urged peaceful co-existence
www.thenationalnews.com
November 29, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Pope Leo XIV led his first overseas mass as pontiff at an arena in İstanbul on Saturday
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
Pope Leo was impressed by the Sultan Ahmed (aka Blue Mosque) and left with a sense of peace after his visit to the site, his first to a Muslim place of worship as pontiff, the mosque’s muezzin told me www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
Pope Leo pays first visit to Muslim place of worship at Istanbul’s Blue Mosque | The National
Pontiff 'left with sense of peace', says muezzin
www.thenationalnews.com
November 29, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Pope Leo was impressed by the Sultan Ahmed (aka Blue Mosque) and left with a sense of peace after his visit to the site, his first to a Muslim place of worship as pontiff, the mosque’s muezzin told me www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
“The significant presence of migrants & refugees in this country presents the church with the challenge of welcoming & serving some of the most vulnerable,” Pope Leo told a congregation of Christian worshippers in Istanbul's Cathedral of the Holy Spirit.
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
Welcome and serve vulnerable refugees, Pope Leo says | The National
Pope Leo XIV leads first overseas service at Istanbul cathedral
www.thenationalnews.com
November 28, 2025 at 12:52 PM
“The significant presence of migrants & refugees in this country presents the church with the challenge of welcoming & serving some of the most vulnerable,” Pope Leo told a congregation of Christian worshippers in Istanbul's Cathedral of the Holy Spirit.
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
Pope Leo XIV began his visit to #Turkey on Thursday, calling for an embrace of social and religious diversity in a speech warning of the dangers of polarisation and wars fuelled by global economic and military competition.
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
Pope Leo XIV begins Turkey visit with plea for religious diversity | The National
Pontiff makes first speech on foreign soil as President Erdogan hails his stance on Palestine
www.thenationalnews.com
November 27, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Pope Leo XIV began his visit to #Turkey on Thursday, calling for an embrace of social and religious diversity in a speech warning of the dangers of polarisation and wars fuelled by global economic and military competition.
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
As Pope Leo XIV heads to #Turkey, I went to the small town of Iznik, where he will lead prayers tomorrow. With
Robert Badendieck www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
Robert Badendieck www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
Pope Leo's upcoming visit to Iznik puts small Turkish town on map | The National
Famous for its ceramics, Iznik is less known for its key role in Christianity
www.thenationalnews.com
November 27, 2025 at 7:21 AM
As Pope Leo XIV heads to #Turkey, I went to the small town of Iznik, where he will lead prayers tomorrow. With
Robert Badendieck www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
Robert Badendieck www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
What’s it like to be a Christian in Turkey ? How does the tiny community feel about Pope Leo’s upcoming visit ? I went to ask them www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
Turkey’s Christians eager to ‘feel seen’ during Pope Leo’s visit | The National
Hopes high that Pope's trip will bring boost to interfaith relations
www.thenationalnews.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:09 AM
What’s it like to be a Christian in Turkey ? How does the tiny community feel about Pope Leo’s upcoming visit ? I went to ask them www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
My sister is a sheep keeper in our family’s home village & I know how important livestock is to rural communities (& ultimately, the urban ones they feed). Their devastation doesn’t just wipe out food supplies; it destroys ways of life.
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
Israel's war wipes out 90 per cent of Gaza's livestock | The National
Cattle, sheep and poultry killed by air strikes or slaughtered in desperation
www.thenationalnews.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:49 AM
My sister is a sheep keeper in our family’s home village & I know how important livestock is to rural communities (& ultimately, the urban ones they feed). Their devastation doesn’t just wipe out food supplies; it destroys ways of life.
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
Reposted by Lizzie Porter
Why some Syrians are returning to refugee camps in their country after their homes were reduced to rubble
'Living like refugees:' Syrians returning from Lebanon find little respite among ruins | The National
The National visited a district of Homs where people are trying to rebuild their lives and destroyed homes
www.thenationalnews.com
November 22, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Why some Syrians are returning to refugee camps in their country after their homes were reduced to rubble
Late to share (from yesterday) - #Turkey has appointed former deputy foreign minister Nuh Yilmaz as ambassador to #Syria www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
Turkey appoints ambassador to Syria after 13-year absence | The National
Nuh Yilmaz will head Turkish embassy in Damascus
www.thenationalnews.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Late to share (from yesterday) - #Turkey has appointed former deputy foreign minister Nuh Yilmaz as ambassador to #Syria www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
UK gov facing more pressure over revelations by that a British Embassy Tel Aviv employee lives in an illegal West Bank settlement. Foreign Affairs Select Committee
@emilythornberry.bsky.social chair said the revelation was “shocking”. www.thenationalnews.com/news/uk/2025...
@emilythornberry.bsky.social chair said the revelation was “shocking”. www.thenationalnews.com/news/uk/2025...
Veteran MP Emily Thornberry fuels concern over settler employed at UK's Tel Aviv embassy | The National
Foreign affairs committee chairwoman says The National's revelations are 'shocking'
www.thenationalnews.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:22 PM
UK gov facing more pressure over revelations by that a British Embassy Tel Aviv employee lives in an illegal West Bank settlement. Foreign Affairs Select Committee
@emilythornberry.bsky.social chair said the revelation was “shocking”. www.thenationalnews.com/news/uk/2025...
@emilythornberry.bsky.social chair said the revelation was “shocking”. www.thenationalnews.com/news/uk/2025...
Come and edit my work! As well as that of great colleagues around the region.
Job is based in the UAE
www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/43...
Job is based in the UAE
www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/43...
The National News hiring Assistant Foreign Editor in Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates | LinkedIn
Posted 1:33:43 PM. The National, an IMI company, was founded in 2008 and has since set a new standard for quality…See this and similar jobs on LinkedIn.
www.linkedin.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Come and edit my work! As well as that of great colleagues around the region.
Job is based in the UAE
www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/43...
Job is based in the UAE
www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/43...
Israeli government official, asked if #Trump administration has pressured Israel to allow Turkish role in #Gaza stabilisation force:"PM Netanyahu has made it clear & insisted that there will be no #Turkish boots on the ground inside of the Gaza Strip." Source - my ? during on record press briefing)
November 17, 2025 at 2:05 PM
"The home secretary argued that for too long those being granted asylum have ended up spending a lifetime in Britain."
Enriching and diversifying our society, now darn, we mustn't have any more of that, must we 🤦♀️
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Enriching and diversifying our society, now darn, we mustn't have any more of that, must we 🤦♀️
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Shabana Mahmood: ‘Illegal migration is tearing Britain apart’
The home secretary is planning to introduce a 20-year wait for permanent stay to end a ‘golden ticket’ for asylum seekers
www.thetimes.com
November 16, 2025 at 10:32 AM
"The home secretary argued that for too long those being granted asylum have ended up spending a lifetime in Britain."
Enriching and diversifying our society, now darn, we mustn't have any more of that, must we 🤦♀️
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
Enriching and diversifying our society, now darn, we mustn't have any more of that, must we 🤦♀️
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
The second phase of Trump's ceasefire plan for Gaza is hinging on a UN Security Council resolution that would provide a mandate for an international stabilization force. Contours of that draft seem complicated.
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
New UN draft on way for Gaza stabilisation force, says Egypt's Foreign Minister | The National
Badr Abdelatty reveals latest talks at meeting with Turkey
www.thenationalnews.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:46 AM
The second phase of Trump's ceasefire plan for Gaza is hinging on a UN Security Council resolution that would provide a mandate for an international stabilization force. Contours of that draft seem complicated.
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
#Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has long called on women to have 3 children. The country's actual fertility rate is well below 2.1 replacement level.
Now he says, "Why not at least four, or five?"
www.iletisim.gov.tr/turkce/haber...
Now he says, "Why not at least four, or five?"
www.iletisim.gov.tr/turkce/haber...
Cumhurbaşkanı Erdoğan, Azerbaycan dönüşü uçakta gazetecilerin sorularını yanıtladı
Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Cumhurbaşkanlığı İletişim Başkanlığı Resmî Sitesi
www.iletisim.gov.tr
November 10, 2025 at 8:51 AM
#Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has long called on women to have 3 children. The country's actual fertility rate is well below 2.1 replacement level.
Now he says, "Why not at least four, or five?"
www.iletisim.gov.tr/turkce/haber...
Now he says, "Why not at least four, or five?"
www.iletisim.gov.tr/turkce/haber...
Cracking (and alarming) story by my colleague Thomas Helm on how a British embassy employee owns property in an illegal West Bank settlement built by an organisation sanctioned by the UK government
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
Revealed: UK embassy worker in Tel Aviv owns property in settlement built by movement sanctioned by Britain | The National
Government described Amana organisation as ‘funding Israeli settlers involved in perpetrating acts of violence against Palestinian communities’
www.thenationalnews.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Cracking (and alarming) story by my colleague Thomas Helm on how a British embassy employee owns property in an illegal West Bank settlement built by an organisation sanctioned by the UK government
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
C’était un vrai plaisir de partager mes expériences en tant que correspondante dans le Moyen-Orient avec des journalistes de pays africains (le Tchad, Niger, Sénégal, etc) et des journalistes turcs. 1/2
November 7, 2025 at 10:11 AM
C’était un vrai plaisir de partager mes expériences en tant que correspondante dans le Moyen-Orient avec des journalistes de pays africains (le Tchad, Niger, Sénégal, etc) et des journalistes turcs. 1/2
This is completely symbolic. Kazakhstan already has v. good diplomatic relations with Israel. When I went to Astana & interviewed senior Kazakh officials in May, none were willing to criticise Israel. Trade between the 2 countries is pretty robust too.
www.thenationalnews.com/news/us/2025...
www.thenationalnews.com/news/us/2025...
Kazakhstan to join Abraham Accords, Donald Trump says | The National
US leader hosts call between country's President and Israeli Prime Minister and declares there are 'many more countries trying to join this club of strength'
www.thenationalnews.com
November 7, 2025 at 6:44 AM
This is completely symbolic. Kazakhstan already has v. good diplomatic relations with Israel. When I went to Astana & interviewed senior Kazakh officials in May, none were willing to criticise Israel. Trade between the 2 countries is pretty robust too.
www.thenationalnews.com/news/us/2025...
www.thenationalnews.com/news/us/2025...
Now both Turkey and Qatar, Hamas' main interlocutors, seem to have assurances from the group that they are willing to cede governance of Gaza. But pledge to disarm still elusive. www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
Hamas ready to hand over power in Gaza, Turkey says | The National
Ministers from Arab and Muslim nations gather in Istanbul to advance Gaza ceasefire
www.thenationalnews.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Now both Turkey and Qatar, Hamas' main interlocutors, seem to have assurances from the group that they are willing to cede governance of Gaza. But pledge to disarm still elusive. www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
Senior members of Turkey's largest pro-Kurdish party are expected to meet with President Erdoganon Thursday evening in an attempt to advance the dissolution of the militant Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
Pro-Kurdish party to meet Erdogan to advance PKK dissolution | The National
Talks come after PKK announces withdrawal from Turkey
www.thenationalnews.com
October 30, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Senior members of Turkey's largest pro-Kurdish party are expected to meet with President Erdoganon Thursday evening in an attempt to advance the dissolution of the militant Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...
www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/20...