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
Syria opposition receives military training from Turkey ahead of potential battle against SDF Free Syrian Army factions in northern Syria are receiving military training under Turkish army supervision in preparation for an imminent battle against the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces. Syria
Turkey continues to freeze Kurds out of Syria peace talks Syria peace talks continue in the Kazakh capital, with regional heavyweights battling it out over who will have a spot at the negotiating table. Syria
Can Turkey avert military assault on Idlib? Damascus, Moscow and Tehran continue to exert pressure on Ankara to clear the region of jihadist elements. Syria
2020 candidates line up behind Armenian genocide bill as US-Turkey relations plummet Strained relations between the NATO allies has given advocates hope the United States will finally call the Ottoman Empire’s mass slaughter of Christians in World War I a genocide. Turkey
Turkey’s electoral commission keeps public guessing over Istanbul result Turkey's Supreme Electoral Commission has given into some the ruling party's demands in Istanbul, where a post-game battle is raging over the mayorship. Turkey
Turkish opposition leader attacked at funeral for slain soldier Turkish opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu was attacked at the funeral of a slain Turkish soldier, but Turkey's president was slow to offer condolences. Turkey
Turkish Constitutional Court caught red-handed The European Court of Human Rights has just struck a massive blow to Turkey's Constitutional Court, which is the target of criticisms that it does little to protect human rights. Turkey
Can Russia deliver a deal for Idlib between Turkey, Syria? In Idlib, Moscow finds itself between the devil and the deep blue sea — a possible Syrian government offensive and Turkish constraints — but there is still reason to believe it can come up with a mutually acceptable deal for Damascus and Ankara. Syria
Why did pro-government media fail Erdogan? Erdogan’s choice of press corps for his Russia trip suggests that a more hawkish faction among the pro-AKP media is likely to gain access to the president’s ear. Turkey
Dog killings in Turkey's capital show poor lawmaking The recent killing of dogs in Ankara has once again shed light on Turkey's inefficient animal rights laws, which identify strays as "property" instead of "living beings." Turkey
Can US convince Turkey to undo 'done deal' with Russia? Although there are some signs of warming between the United States and Turkey over the situation in northeast Syria, many in Ankara feel it is too little, too late. Turkey
Syrian Kurds fear US sellout to Turkey on ‘safe zone’ Zarif meets Assad and Erdogan; is Erdogan banking on Trump to avoid S-400 sanctions? Syria