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
Latest Syria peace talks solidify final de-escalation zone Russia, Turkey and Iran met with opponents of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime to ink an agreement on the four safe zones. Syria
Turkey to toughen laws on surrogacy Turkey’s Ministry of Health prepares a new draft law that would prevent Turks from having children through surrogate mothers, even if abroad. Turkey
As EU ties chill, UK-Turkey defense cooperation thrives While relations between the United Kingdom and Turkey are still strained, cooperation between the two countries on defense and aerospace projects is flourishing. Turkey
Is this beginning of the end for Idlib's jihadi groups? Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is facing several setbacks in Idlib including internal discord as foreign powers plan a military offensive against them. Syria
Turkey’s shopping mall boom going bust Turkey’s shopping mall boom has been hit by economic problems stemming from the lira's decline against the dollar and poor planning. Turkey
Students, parents left in dark as Turkey scraps school entrance exam The Turkish government has suddenly moved to abolish a grueling standardized high school entrance exam without offering any plan to replace it. Turkey
Turkey’s ‘resistance media’ refuses to buckle A Turkish oppositional news site seeks recognition in the Guinness Book of World Records after 61 bans and as many reopenings. Turkey
Where can ex-Erdoganists go? Dismissed from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s inner circles, the options for so-called X-Men are limited and unpleasant. Turkey
Turkish schools told to cut evolution, make room for Quran In nominally secular Turkey, the K-12 public curriculum has been updated to omit evolution and expand religious instruction. Turkey
How Israel's support is swaying Kurdish sentiment ahead of referendum Turkey’s Kurds may have divergent views on Israeli backing for the referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan, but their support for the independence bid remains robust. Iraq
Events in the Middle East force realism on Erdogan After his Islamist-driven expectations fell by the wayside, Erdogan finds he has to cooperate with leaders he would rather not have talked to. Turkey
Trial begins for Turkish journalists accused of Gulen links The Zaman newspaper trial has opened with 31 journalists accused of membership in the network of preacher Fethullah Gulen. Turkey