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
After cracking down on media, is Turkey going after academic freedom? With a new regulation, Turkey’s private universities that are deemed as enemies of the state by the masters of the state may soon be confiscated by the state. Turkey
How renewed Turkey-PKK conflict threatens the KRG The stability of Iraqi Kurdistan might again be at risk after the Turkish government, led by the AKP, launched its most extensive raids against PKK positions in years. Iraq
Why do some Turks approve of Islamic State terrorism? Turkish football fans' disruption of moments of silence for victims of Islamic State attacks in Paris and in Turkey show support for IS and stem from the domestic and foreign policies of Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Syria
How some southeast Turkey residents are struggling with mystery murders, urban warfare Residents in the southeastern Turkish town of Silvan are angry with the state and the Kurdistan Workers Party for the destruction of their town. Turkey
Women were big losers in Turkey's elections The number of women elected to parliament reached a new high in Turkey's June elections, but dropped in the Nov. 1 snap elections, especially in the victorious Justice and Development Party. Turkey
Will battle for Aleppo determine Syria’s fate? Syrian government forces advance despite heavy resistance; Arab leadership missing in battle against Islamic State; Erdogan differs with United States and G-20 on next steps in Syria; Israel rethinks "Shiite axis." Legacy: Gulf
Yazidis wary of going back to liberated Sinjar Liberation of the Yazidi Iraqi town Sinjar from 16 months of IS occupation delighted everyone except thousands of Yazidi refugees who have no intention of going back. Iraq
Is the Islamic State going global? The Islamic State is now in a position to decide to go global or stay regional, following the attacks in Paris. Syria
After IS threat, Turkey’s Alevi community on alert The Turkish police have disclosed intelligence of possible IS attacks on Alevi institutions but have yet to enforce protection measures. Turkey
Veiled women detained, handcuffed spark public outcry in Turkey The latest controversy in Turkish society places people either in favor of or against the Justice and Development Party, in the ongoing fight of the "parallel state." Turkey
Some in Turkey still balk at EU's 'indecent proposal' What's the real value of the EU's offer to pay Turkey 3 billion euros ($3.2 billion), ease visa restrictions and expedite accession negotiations in return for keeping refugees from entering Europe? Turkey
Will Nidaa Tunis' troubles boost Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt? The resignations of 32 Nidaa Tunis MPs makes Ennahda the largest parliamentary bloc, raising questions about a possible spillover effect for the Egyptian Brotherhood. Egypt