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
Heads roll at top of Turkey's military The Turkish government reshuffled the top echelons of the military as the trial of more than 500 alleged coup plotters got underway. Turkey
Turkey's cyclists bike for a cause In Turkey, bicycling is not only a means of transport and leisure but also, for one group, of social activism. Turkey
Turkey in uproar over McGurk The Turkish media's outlandish attacks on US envoy Brett McGurk hint at the anxiety in Ankara over US relations with Syrian Kurds. Syria
Germany's patience with Erdogan may be running out The latest moves by the German government against Turkey suggest Germany's patience with President Erdogan may have run its course. Turkey
Clouds gather over Turkish-German economic ties Exasperated over Turkey’s disregard for the rule of law and its arrest of German nationals, Berlin has raised the specter of economic sanctions against Turkey. Turkey
Syrian regime says it's time for the displaced to return Hundreds of people displaced from al-Waer neighborhood in Homs, Syria, have now left the Zoghra camp outside of Aleppo and returned to the regime-controlled Homs. Syria
Ankara decries ‘provocative’ remarks by US anti-IS envoy Turkey continues to be concerned about the relationship between the United States and the Syrian Kurds. Iraq
US, NATO wait to see if Russia-Turkey defense deal goes through Turkey’s recent move to acquire a Russian S-400 missile defense system has raised eyebrows in the United States, as Moscow looks on with a smile. Turkey
Tensions with Germany expose rift in AKP ranks The contrasting statements of Turkey's president and prime minister over the latest row with Germany signal a rift ahead of the 2019 presidential election. Turkey
Does Turkey face day of reckoning with al-Qaeda in Idlib? Al-Qaeda affiliate gains upper hand in northern Syrian city; Turkey’s shameful show trial of independent journalists part of “vicious crackdown.” Syria
Disputed territories pose major challenge to Kurdish referendum The upcoming Iraqi Kurdistan’s referendum will include the disputed territories, but given the practical and technical challenges, holding the referendum on Sept. 25 will be highly unlikely. Iraq
Istanbul residents chase the Aegean dream Many Istanbulians dream of leaving the hustle and bustle of the city behind for a quiet life on the Aegean coast, and some are doing just that. Turkey