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
What's behind Erdogan's call for 'national mobilization'? Is Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s surprising call for national mobilization a tool to eliminate objections to his executive presidency? Turkey
How Turkey used math to drastically boost its economy A 20% upward revision in the size of the Turkish economy will notably improve the country’s economic profile on paper, but not without controversy over the new calculation method and the discrepancies it created. Turkey
Three reasons Iran should worry over Russia’s Syria plans Despite successful cooperation with Moscow to help retake Aleppo, Tehran is likely to remain suspicious of Russian intentions and maneuvering in Syria. Syria
Obama’s Aleppo defense US President Barack Obama says the brutality in Aleppo is solely the fault of "the Assad regime and its allies Russia and Iran." Does Israel benefit from Russia’s role in Syria? Bombings in Turkey spur an anti-Kurdish frenzy. Syria
Turkish families cope with aftermath of failed coup With their fathers in jail following the failed July 15 coup in Turkey, these children struggle to convince others of their fathers' innocence. Turkey
Turkey upbeat, nervous as first civilian convoy evacuates Aleppo Turkish media outlets across the political spectrum are reporting on the evacuation of the first group of residents from eastern Aleppo with hope, but also apprehension. Syria
How does Erdogan win with a losing hand? Criminal court cases against Israel over the raid on the Mavi Marmara flotilla are being dismissed due to the agreement Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed, but Islamists lash out against the judge and prosecutor. Palestine
Is Turkey turning its stern on the West in the Black Sea? The regional power balance could change if Russia and Turkey carry their rapprochement in Syria to the Black Sea. Turkey
How Turkey's journalists are preserving critical reporting Turkish journalists left jobless by Ankara’s crackdown on the media have launched online broadcast platforms with a growing audience. Turkey
Outrage over Istanbul bombing turns anti-Kurdish The swift crackdown on Kurdish and pro-Kurdish activists by the Turkish government following the Istanbul bombing has set off a nationalist, anti-Kurdish frenzy in Turkey. Turkey
Why do Turks blame the West for PKK terror? Conspiracy theories aside, Turks can be forgiven for thinking that Western support for Syrian Kurds is essentially support for the Turkish Kurdistan Workers Party. Iraq
Ankara points fingers as civilians stuck in Aleppo despite cease-fire Following reports that regime forces are blocking the evacuation of tens of thousands of civilians from Aleppo, Ankara is accusing the Syrian regime and Shiite militias of attempting to sabotage the cease-fire Turkey brokered between Russia and opposition rebels. Syria