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
Fidan: Turkey committed to 'understandings' on Sweden’s NATO bid Fidan’s remarks came a few days after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan raised question marks over his country’s pending ratification of the Sweden’s accession to NATO. Turkey
Turkey’s Erdogan hosts Sudan's Burhan as conflict in Khartoum drags on Sudan’s military chief Abdel Fattah Burhan met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday as part of his efforts to garner regional support ahead of the UN General Assembly next week. Turkey
Explainer: Why Iraq's Kirkuk has reached brink of conflict Tensions flare up in Kirkuk ahead of provincial elections in December amid Arab and Turkmen fears of renewed Kurdish control of the oil-rich city. Turkey
UN, Turkish Cypriots make progress on Cyprus' disputed Pyla road project Talks between the United Nations Cyprus mission and Turkish Cypriots over a disputed road plan have yielded some progress, but several sticking points remain as Turkish Cypriots have resumed the roadwork. Turkey
Turkey 'seriously upset' over Washington linking F-16 sales to Sweden’s NATO membership Turkey's President Erdogan says approval of Sweden’s application was up to the Turkish parliament, not for him to decide individually. Turkey
Can Turkey’s new economic plan restore foreign investor confidence? Eager to regain Istanbul and other major cities from the opposition, Erdogan is expected to turn to populist policies again ahead of local elections next spring. Turkey
Analysis Are we seeing the start of Turkey’s economic turnaround? Israeli right’s political chokehold on Netanyahu; will BRICS challenge the dollar?; Al-Monitor, Semafor launch first Middle East Global Summit in New York during UN General Assembly. By Week in Review , Andrew Parasiliti
World Bank official says Turkey's economic U-turn 'step in right direction’ The comments from the institution’s Turkey director follow the Turkish government finally raising interest rates to battle inflation. But the Turkish economy is still struggling. Turkey
US top general talks Syria, NATO with new Turkey counterpart Gen. Mark Milley's first announced call with newly appointed Turkish armed forces chief Metin Gurak follows reports that the United States is exploring alternate routes for Ukraine's grain exports. Turkey
Interview Syrian Kurdish commander Kobane acknowledges Arab grievances as tensions ease in Deir Ezzor In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Syrian Kurdish commander Mazlum Kobane discussed the recent clashes in Deir Ezzor between local tribes and Kurdish forces. Mazlum Kobane SDF commander in chief
The Turkish turnaround: How the central bank's bold actions could reshape investment landscape The Central Bank of Turkey raised interest rates to 25% to combat inflation, delivering the fastest rate-hike cycle over two decades. Piero Cingari
EU Commissioner: Turkey must take on democratic reforms to revive EU bid A senior EU official has said that revival of Turkey’s stalled membership negotiations with the EU can only be discussed once Ankara takes on democratic reforms. Turkey