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
Is the PKK lying low as elections approach in Turkey? Turkish officials credit ramped up security operations for a noticeable decline in activity by the Kurdistan Workers Party, but some suspect the organization is intentionally maintaining a low-profile in the lead up to local elections. Iraq
Turkey’s Kurds celebrate new year, brace for election The pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party hopes the March 31 municipal elections will repudiate the government’s removal of its officials from local offices, but President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned that he reserves the right to do so again. Turkey
New Zealand, Australia outraged over Erdogan’s remarks on Christchurch attacks Turkey’s president has cast the rampage that killed 50 Muslim worshippers in New Zealand as an attack on the wider Muslim world, particularly Turkey. Turkey
Turkish intervention could trigger Syria's 'second great war' Mazlum Kobane, the commander in chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces, talks to Al-Monitor in an exclusive interview about how the Kurds in northeastern Syria have maintained a complicated network of alliances and why the prospect of Turkish intervention in the region could trigger another war. Syria
Erdogan’s government in panic over risk of electoral defeats President Erdogan and his party are waging an election campaign of unprecedented vitriol and polarization, including a strong dose of religion, the main driver of which is the fear of losing big cities amid the country’s economic crisis. Turkey
Turkey tightens the screws on Saudi Arabia over Khashoggi murder Interpol has issued “red notices,” on Ankara’s request, for a total of 20 Saudi citizens suspected of involvement in the killing of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Saudi Arabia
Erdogan uses New Zealand terror video at campaign rallies International and Turkish actors criticize President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for using New Zealand mosque massacre video at his campaign rallies for the March 31 local elections. Turkey
Erdogan took Christchurch shooting to campaign trail Erdogan’s campaign uses brutal images at election rallies of the New Zealand terrorist’s footage and hateful rhetoric, deepening the rift within Turkish society and distancing Turkey further from the West. Turkey
All eyes on Turkey's 3 biggest cities as local elections approach Turks suffering under 20% inflation and 13.5% unemployment may punish President Erdogan's coalition in March 31 elections in the nation's three largest cities. Turkey
Russia seeks to hold reluctant Turkey accountable in Syria Turkey once again finds itself in the middle in the Syrian crisis, trying to reassure the opposition groups it supports while keeping Russia happy. Syria
Intel: How Syria policy zigzags are confounding US allies The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday that the Donald Trump administration continues to walk back its pullout from Syria and is now considering leaving as many as 1,000 US troops in the country. Syria