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
Can Erdogan’s Baku visit fix Turkey-Azerbaijan rift? A dispute over religious dress in schools has exposed deeper tensions between the two allies, with energy, arms sales, Israel and financial interests adding to the strain. Turkey
Why Syria's Kurds can’t count on long-term commitment from Russia Russia appears to be looking ahead to strengthen its post-conflict political position in Syria by exploiting Kurds’ anxiety over America’s role there. Iraq
The Davutoglu era is over As Davutoglu has no grassroots support, the prime minister's departure will be smooth. Turkey
How the US caused the Erdogan-Davutoglu divorce Will Davutoglu's departure from the AKP bring about crucial changes in Turkey's domestic and regional policies? Syria
Why Turkey is finally getting serious about the Islamic State The Islamic State seems determined to open a front in Turkey, militarizing its operations there and forcing Ankara to respond in kind. Syria
Erdogan’s secret economic weapon Turkey’s defense industry sector has emerged as a shining star in a turbulent period of economic jitters and falling exports. Turkey
Russia, US and the Kurds: The friend of my enemy is — wait, what? While the world squabbles over who is helping or should help Syrian Kurds, the Kurds aren't turning down aid from any quarter. Syria
How mysterious new Turkish blog exposed Erdogan-Davutoglu rift The anonymous blog that condemned Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu for betraying President Recep Tayyip Erdogan may be more than just a text. Turkey
Erdogan suggests name change for Arab League "Why don’t we just call it the 'Islamic League' instead of the Arab League?" Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a remark that is bound to raise eyebrows in Arab capitals. Turkey
How Syrian women are gaining new confidence in Turkish refugee camp Syrian women who take part in craft workshops in Islahiye refugee camp learn new skills, earn some extra money and above all find a place of support. Syria
US, Russia compete to woo Syrian Kurds The recent rapprochement between the Kurds and Russia is a new phase in the two sides' relations that date back to the 19th century, but Kurds do not want to alienate the United States either. Iraq
Islamic State isn’t the only one calling for a caliphate in Turkey The Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir is hosting a series of conferences in Ankara and Istanbul calling for a caliphate to be reinstated and demanding the closure of the US and British embassies to end terror in Turkey. Turkey
On Children’s Day in Turkey, adults set bad example The anniversary of the opening of the Turkish parliament coincided with the centennial of an Ottoman military victory in Iraq during World War I, creating a new fault line in Turkey. Turkey