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
Turkey’s economic dilemma: Win Qatar or lose the Gulf? By backing Qatar, Turkey faces economic losses in the Gulf but improved economic ties with Iran Legacy: Gulf
Turkish-YPG clashes rage around critical sites in northern Syria Turkey and its allies among the Syrian rebel forces have intensified attacks on Syrian Kurdish fighters in northwest Syria as Turkey's buildup continues. Syria
Even through all his bluster, Erdogan's fear is obvious Despite massive purges since the attempted coup a year ago, Turkey's president and those around him are still afraid of their own military. Turkey
Doomsday averted on the Temple Mount, for now Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas set aside their mutual loathing to calm tensions when Israeli Arabs launched a short-lived attack on the Temple Mount. Palestine
Syrian cease-fire a delicate balance of vastly different goals Iran welcomes the Russian/US truce initiative in southern Syria, but will Russia be able to keep juggling the broad, and often conflicting, interests of the various players? Syria
Turkey's divisions on display on 'Day of National Unity' Turkey's "Day of Democracy and National Unity" marking the defeat of last year's July 15 coup attempt turns into a celebration of the president and his Justice and Development Party. Turkey
Abu Mazen plays losing hand badly in Gaza Strip The Palestinian president faces a challenge from a bitter rival backed by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates; what is Saddam Hussein’s family doing in Qatar?; Russia and the United States wary of Turkish military intervention in Syria. Saudi Arabia
Envoy to US says Turkey was ready to provide ‘tens of thousands of troops’ for Raqqa offensive Ambassador Serdar Kilic tells Al-Monitor that Turkey was willing to offer broad military support to the US-led operation to liberate the Islamic State's Syrian stronghold. Syria
Arrest of rights activists 'chills' Turkey’s civil society Turkish civil society grapples with the arrests of human rights activists and academics as the government marks the anniversary of the failed military coup. Turkey
Turkey’s ‘great wall’ nearing completion Having finished most of the 435-mile-long wall on the Syria border, Turkey is to erect walls on its borders with Iran and Iraq. Turkey
'Justice March' spawns unique coalition in Turkey The “Justice March” of Turkey’s main opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu spawned a unique togetherness between disparate groups, but will this spontaneous coalition last? Turkey
Ankara-Islamic State story emerges between lines of Turkish report A new report by Turkey’s Interior Ministry takes a kindly look at the country's fight against Islamic State. Syria