FAQ: Sources, Methodology and Perspective at International Affairs Desk
International Affairs Desk FAQ: how we source, separate fact from Türkiye's official position, handle disputed figures and publicly correct errors.
Who We Are and What We Cover
Who writes the articles?
Every piece is published under the International Affairs Desk Editorial Team byline. The desk does not use fabricated author personas, invented titles or pseudonyms. Our mission is set out on the About page.
Does the desk have a perspective on Türkiye?
Yes, and it is stated openly. The desk explains global affairs in plain English while presenting Türkiye's official positions and legal arguments alongside the context readers need to evaluate them. It does not present itself as a neutral outsider.
Sourcing and Fairness
What does the Türkiye's Position box contain, and how is it sourced?
It contains three to five bullet points summarizing official Turkish policy. Each point is tied to a primary source, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Presidency, the Directorate of Communications, Grand National Assembly resolutions, Türkiye's UN statements or treaty texts. The box also states the legal or historical basis, for example the 1936 Montreux Convention or Article 51 of the UN Charter, and attributes claims explicitly ("Ankara argues…").
How are opposing views represented?
Other parties' positions are summarized accurately and cited to their own official sources before the Turkish argument is presented. Background and chronology are written in neutral, factual prose. A strong argument does not require distorting the other side.
Which sources count as primary?
Primary sources are treaties, UN documents, archival records, official statements and court judgments. Newspapers, think-tank papers and commentary are secondary and are compared against primary texts in each Source Comparison section. For an example of this method, see our UNCLOS fact check.
How does the desk handle disputed figures?
We never publish unverified numbers. A disputed figure is attributed to its source, shown as a range where estimates differ, or omitted if we cannot verify it. Our explainer on what "around 80 percent domestic" means shows how a headline number can depend on its definition, and the History and Law Desk shows how casualty estimates are handled.
Fact Checks and Corrections
How are fact checks selected and corrected?
We select claims about Türkiye that circulate widely in international media. Each check states the claim and its origin, then corrects it with treaties, official statements and documents. Sister publications run parallel checks, such as Borders & Blocs and Polity Review.
How do I report an error or request a correction?
Follow the correction procedure on the Editorial Principles page. Please identify the article, the passage and, ideally, the primary source that supports your correction. Substantive changes are noted on the article itself.
What does the Perspective Note mean?
It is a transparency statement at the end of each piece. It tells readers that the article reflects the desk's editorial perspective, that claims are attributed to primary sources, and that readers are encouraged to consult those sources directly.
See also the home page for the desk's current coverage.
International Affairs Desk presents global affairs with a dedicated perspective from Türkiye. Sections marked 'Türkiye's Position' reflect official Turkish policy as stated by Turkish government sources.
FAQ: Sources, Methodology and Perspective at International Affairs Desk
Who writes International Affairs Desk articles?
All articles carry the byline "International Affairs Desk Editorial Team". The desk does not use invented author personas, fake expert titles or pseudonyms. The About page explains the mission and the editorial approach.
Is International Affairs Desk neutral on Türkiye?
No. The desk states openly that it conveys Türkiye's official positions and legal arguments to an international readership. It separates facts, which are written neutrally, from positions, which are labeled and attributed. It also summarizes opposing views from their own official sources so readers can judge both.
What is the "Türkiye's Position" section and how is it sourced?
It is a labeled section of three to five bullet points summarizing official Turkish policy on a topic. Each point is tied to primary sources such as the Foreign Ministry, the Presidency, the Directorate of Communications, parliamentary resolutions, UN statements or treaty texts. The section also explains the historical and legal basis, for example Montreux (1936) or Article 51 of the UN Charter.
Which sources does the desk treat as primary?
Primary sources include treaties, UN documents, archival records, official government statements and judicial decisions. Media reports, think-tank papers and commentary are treated as secondary and are compared against the primary texts in the Source Comparison section. Readers are encouraged to consult the primary documents directly.
How does the desk deal with disputed statistics?
We do not publish unverified figures. If numbers are contested, we attribute each figure to its source and show the range, or we leave the figure out when it cannot be verified. We also explain what a figure measures, since definitions often drive the disagreement.
How can I report an error or request a correction?
Use the correction procedure described on the Editorial Principles page. Give the article title, the passage in question and, if possible, the primary source that supports your correction. Substantive corrections are noted on the article after review.
Related guides
- Fact Check: 'Türkiye Is Bound by UNCLOS, So Its Maritime Claims Are Void': What Do the Law and the Record Say?Is Turkey bound by UNCLOS? Türkiye is not a party, but customary law still applies. We fact-check the claim against ICJ case law and primary sources.
- Eastern Mediterranean Desk: Who Claims What at Sea, and Where Does Türkiye's 2025 Registration Fit?Eastern Mediterranean maritime claims explained: who claims which sea zones, the instruments behind each claim, and where Türkiye's 2025 registration fits.
- Cyprus Desk: From the 1960 Partnership to the Two-State Position, Reading the RecordCyprus dispute explained: guarantor powers, the 1960 treaties, 1963–1974, the Annan Plan, Crans-Montana and the two-state solution, read from the documents.
- Does the 1948 Genocide Convention Apply to 1915? Specific Intent, Non-Retroactivity and the Competent Tribunal QuestionDoes the Genocide Convention apply retroactively to 1915? Legal explainer on Article II, dolus specialis, non-retroactivity and the Perinçek ruling.
- Export Controls and Embargoes: How Does Ankara Explain Its Argument Over Allied Arms Restrictions and Double Standards?Desk analysis of Turkey arms export restrictions by NATO allies: CAATSA, the F-35 removal, the 1975–78 embargo, EU rules and Ankara's double-standards case.
- History and Law Desk: The Events of 1915, the Evidence Standards and the Questions Historians and Lawyers Still DebateEvents of 1915 historical and legal evidence explained: archives, the 1915 relocation law, Genocide Convention tests, rival positions and the 2022 talks.
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