Steel factory explosion in western Turkey kills at least 16 Footage from the scene showed a huge plume of thick smoke spreading into the sky as flames engulfed a tall structure within the plant. Turkey
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
Why some Turkish sports fans terrorize their opponents Turkish sports fans' recent show of disrespect for moments of silence for victims of Islamic State terror and other occasions is not necessarily a show of support for the extremist group. Israel
Why defeating Islamic State won't bring stability to Iraq Competing factions have different agendas for a post-IS Iraq, paving the way for even greater conflict. Iraq
Erdogan more isolated than ever on Syria The Turkish president is on the defensive after Turkey’s shooting down of a Russian warplane; the Syrian war enters a more dangerous phase. Saudi Arabia
Meetings between Turkish, Russian military reveal that Moscow had been warned Turkey and Russia both seem determined to obtain the dominant position in shaping Syria's future. Syria
How Turkey's new minimum wage may end up hurting employees Employers who don’t want to pay Turkey's pending minimum wage increase are threatening to relocate facilities or hire illegal Syrian workers for low wages. Syria
After shooting down Russian jet, what's next for Turkey? The Syrian army offensive backed by Russia in the region northeast of Latakia and the downing of a Russian Su-24 by Turkey leaves many to wonder which scenario will play out in the coming weeks . Syria
Will there be a 'Kurdish AKP' in Turkey? Turkey’s ruling party appears to be on a quest to weaken the Kurdish political movement by promoting divisions and polarization in the Kurdish community. Turkey
Rouhani: Jets are not toys to shoot down While the Rouhani administration has urged restraint and emphasized the need to focus on fighting terrorism, Iranian conservatives have condemned Turkey's shooting down of a Russian jet. Syria
Erdogan gobbles up power in new Turkish government Turkey’s recently announced cabinet is stacked with loyal allies of the president, making it clear that this is the "government of Erdogan." Syria
Who are 'Allah's lions'? A mysterious security force has taken the lead in operations in Turkey’s Kurdish areas, raising alarm with its heavy-handed methods and seemingly religious motivation. Turkey
Chest-thumping pundits relish 'messing with Putin' Jubilant reactions by pro-AKP pundits to Turkey downing a Russian jet were tempered by those of concerned AKP elites and a worried and satirical public. Turkey
After Turkey's 'stab in the back' to Russia, will anyone support Ankara? After it shot down a Russian fighter jet, Turkey is unlikely to get much support from its allies. Syria