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
Facing US sanctions, credit-fueled Turkish economy heads toward turbulence Through measures to free up capital flows, Turkey’s economy weathered the 2018 currency crisis, but analysts remain uncertain the nation’s markets can absorb more shocks as US sanctions loom. Turkey
Pacts between Libya, Turkey raise tensions with Egypt Egypt's criticism of Libya's internationally recognized government is mounting in light of the latter's maritime and security agreements with Turkey. Egypt
Turkey slams US defense bill as sanctions loom The US Senate passed a defense bill with several measures deemed hostile by Ankara officials, signaling Capitol Hill’s intent to move forward with sanctions on Turkey. Turkey
Will impeachment curtail Trump’s ability to shield Turkey from Congress? Turkish-American ties will likely remain strained in 2020, as Trump will be preoccupied with his reelection bid and have less time for Turkey. Turkey
Egypt flexes muscles in Mediterranean after Libyan-Turkish agreement Egypt has conducted extensive military drills in the Mediterranean in a clear response to and a show of strength against the maritime agreement between the Libyan Government of National Accord and Turkey. Egypt
Congress sides with Cyprus against Turkey as eastern Mediterranean heats up Congress just passed two bills siding with Cyprus in its territorial and natural gas dispute with Turkey. Turkey
Intel: Pentagon renews calls for US allies to join Syria fight Defense Secretary Mark Esper told reporters traveling in Europe on Monday that the United States needs to continue to grow the 81-nation counter-Islamic State coalition in Syria to ensure the defeat of the militant group. Syria
Mideast rivalries plague fledgling Muslim summit in Malaysia Tensions between Riyadh and Tehran are dogging a summit set to debut this week in Kuala Lumpur. Saudi Arabia
Erdogan renews call for ‘safe zone’ support as Syrians return Turkey says that Syrian refugees are moving to an area under its control in northeast Syria, two months after capturing the strip of territory from Syrian Kurdish fighters. Syria
Turkey’s energy miscalculations have hefty cost More than a third of Turkey’s installed power capacity remains idle after an ill-calculated rush for energy that has had a hefty financial and environmental cost. Turkey
Intel: Trump administration distances itself from Congress’ recognition of Armenian genocide The State Department is distancing itself from Congress’ vote to recognize the Ottoman Empire’s massacre of more than a million, mostly Christian Armenians as a genocide. Turkey
Turkey’s military involvement in Libya set to grow Turkey's formalization of military support to Libya's internationally recognized government has prompted worries of an on-the-ground confrontation with Russia. Turkey