Analysis Will Democrats block Trump’s push to deliver Turkey F-35s, lift sanctions? Democratic control of Congress complicates Turkey’s push for F-35s and sanctions relief, but Ankara remains hopeful Trump can still broker a deal. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Newsletter: City Pulse Istanbul Nisantasi beyond the shop windows Also this week: Hopdaddy burgers, Ara Guler’s photographs and Istanbul’s apartment stories. By Nazlan Ertan In Izmir and Istanbul, reporting on culture
Costa Rica's Grynspan extends lead in UNSG poll as Nusseibeh places fourth The Costa Rican candidate received 12 encourage votes in Thursday's UN Security Council straw poll. United Arab Emirates
Turkey’s parliament ratifies Mecca pact in boost to Saudi Arabia Turkey will now decide the scope of military support for Saudi Arabia amid ongoing Iran-backed Houthi attacks on the kingdom. Turkey
Landmark church project stirs mixed sentiments in Turkey Turkey’s Syriac minority will soon start construction on their first new church in the country’s modern history, but not all Syriacs see a reason to celebrate. Turkey
Streaming revives Turkey’s TV industry Turkish production companies are creating original content for Turkey’s internet generation that is receptive to nationally produced TV series available for a fee online. Turkey
Erdogan displays political prowess in deflecting Trump threat In response to Trump's tweet threatening to destroy Turkey economically if it attacked the Kurds, Erdogan focused on the other half of the tweet: a buffer zone along the Syrian border. Syria
Erdogan's plans in Iraqi Kurdistan may backfire The news that Nechirvan Barzani will not continue as prime minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq is causing Turkey to worry that the new KRG Cabinet will not be formed of allies of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Iraq
Why some Turkish media rejoice at negative economic data Glossing over unpleasant economic news has become a notable trend in the Turkish media as the country heads to local elections in the grips of economic woes. Turkey
Turks unite to condemn Trump's threat to 'devastate' economy Turkish government officials and members of the opposition condemned President Donald Trump's threat to "devastate Turkey economically" if Ankara attacks Washington's Kurdish allies in northern Syria. Syria
Privatization of Turkish military factory draws strong criticism The lease of the Turkish military’s prominent tank factory to the private company BMC has stirred fierce criticism. Qatar
Kurds in Turkey unite to take aim at Ankara in elections Saying they have taken enough abuse, Kurds in Turkey have formed an alliance to strengthen their standing in upcoming elections. Turkey
Ankara's east-Euphrates vision more dream than plan As the US withdrawal raises the specter of a power vacuum in Syrian territory east of the Euphrates River, Ankara is too anxious about Damascus filling the void to come up with rational solutions. Syria
Syrian jihadist group’s takeover of Idlib undermines Turkish plans The recent advances made by the al-Qaeda-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Aleppo’s western countryside and Idlib might pave the way for a regime attack in the area under the pretext of eliminating jihadist groups. Syria
Idlib heats up, may be key to Russian-Turkish deal in Syria As Idlib in western Syria falls to an extremist rebel faction, Moscow and Ankara consider their options there and in northern Syria. Syria