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
Why Turks keep billions 'under the pillow' Amid waning confidence in Turkey’s economic prospects, many Turks have come to shun the financial system and keep their savings at home. Turkey
As conditions shift in Syria, Kurds open to talks with Damascus Factors pushing Syrian Kurds to consider negotiating with the Syrian government include their loss of Afrin and the US-Turkey accord on Manbij. Syria
No Turkish party free to speak up for captives held by PKK Dozens of Turkish captives held by the Kurdistan Workers Party seem forgotten by Turkey's politicians, none of whom have much to gain and everything to lose by calling attention to their plight. Turkey
Iran denies supporting Qandil operation, fueling Turkish resentment Pro-government analysts say Iran is trying to prevent Turkish influence in Iraq, and they accuse Tehran of “strategic shallowness,” which they say it will come to regret. Iraq
How a tea kettle came to symbolize Turkish election opposition The Pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) and their imprisoned leader and candidate, Selahattin Demirtas, are running a positive and creative election campaign, rattling the nerves of an increasingly anxious Justice and Development Party and government. Turkey
As dollar rises, Turkey's tourism income suffers Turkey's weak currency means more tourists can afford to travel there, but it doesn’t mean more revenue for the country. Turkey
Battle for Kurdish vote turns violent, leaves four dead in Turkey's Suruc Four people were killed during campaigning in a mainly Kurdish town last week, and the government and the opposition are trading blame over escalating tensions ahead of the June 24 election. Turkey
Turkey ramps up HIV awareness campaign As the HIV rate among Turks has sharply increased over the last decade, the Turkish government has started raising awareness among university students. Turkey
Iran coy on support for Turkish assault on PKK in Iraq Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s offensive appears linked to Turkish elections and Iraqi politics; Is Turkey staying or going in northern Syria? Putin and Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri discuss Syrian refugees. Iraq
Sharp increase in Iranian visitors revitalizes Turkey's tourism sector Passenger trains between the Turkish city of Van and Tabriz in Iran are resuming, providing further good news to the Turkish tourism industry that counts on Iranian tourists while other nationalities stay away. Turkey
Italy may impede Turkish-Azeri efforts for EU gas corridor Turkey and Azerbaijan realize EU's gas corridor dream, but serious questions remain unanswered. Turkey
Turkey takes on Kurds in evolving Qandil operation Although Ankara seems determined to reach the PKK stronghold of Qandil in Iraq, it faces many obstacles to sustaining such an operation against Kurdish militants in the punishing mountain region. Iraq