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
Ankara's offer to Moscow: Give us Afrin for Idlib As the situation in northern Syria heats up, the future of Idlib and Afrin depend on strategic bargaining between Ankara and Moscow. Syria
Germany says Hamburg no place for Erdogan rally as G-20 meets As Turkish-German tension continues to simmer, Germany has denied the Turkish president's request for a rally on the sidelines of the G-20 summit and a German former speaker of the European Parliament calls for an outright ban on pro-Erdogan rallies in Germany. Turkey
Treasury borrowing aggravates Turkey’s interest rate woes Ankara’s pressure on banks to lower interest rates has taken a menacing tone, but few seem to acknowledge the government’s own role in the increase of the rates. Turkey
AKP frets as Turkish opposition's Justice March grows Turkey’s main opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu is leading a march of thousands from Ankara to Istanbul to protest the policies of the ruling Justice and Development Party, and the ruling party has reason to worry. Turkey
Turkey increasingly vocal against YPG’s foreign recruits Turkey is growing increasingly angry because foreign individuals, including some from the United States, are joining the ranks of Kurdish forces in Syria. Syria
Turks on both sides split over extending state of emergency Turkey's state of emergency is set to expire next month, and political voices both in the government and in the opposition are split over its renewal. Turkey
The collapse of Turkish army’s health and education system Food poisoning incidents at military barracks in Turkey shed light on the far-reaching effects of the Turkish army’s loss of deep-rooted health and education institutions in the wake of last year’s attempted coup. Turkey
Turkey, EU can't seem to walk away from each other The fact that Turkey sits on the most strategic real estate in the world ensures that the EU can’t put its ties with Ankara at risk, regardless of objections to Turkey's politics. Turkey
Third time, no charm: Eid proves unlucky for Istanbul Pride Istanbul's pride parade has been derailed yet again by police and ultranationalists, but LGBT Turks and their supporters still have much to celebrate. Turkey
Turkey's real target on way to Idlib: Kurds Turkey wants to be part of the de-escalation process in Syria, especially if that means it can multitask and wipe out the Kurdish corridor at the same time. Syria
For now, Turkey's college bathrooms remain gender-specific There is strong student support for LGBTQ groups’ demands for gender-neutral bathrooms at one of Turkey’s best public colleges, but administrative and public reaction reveals deep-rooted transphobia from the least-expected corner of Turkish society. Turkey
Saudi-led Qatar blockade brings Iran, Turkey together Rather than forcing Doha to bow to its demands, the Saudi-led blockade of Qatar has split the region in two, bringing together the kingdom’s rivals. Saudi Arabia