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
Armenian-Turkish lawmaker targeted as Erdogan courts far-right Ethnic Armenian lawmaker Garo Paylan is facing charges of "insulting the Turkish nation" and its president as Turkish prosecutors work to revoke his parliamentary immunity from prosecution. Turkey
Turkey welcomes back foreign cash, no questions asked Scrambling to ease a bruising hard currency crunch, the Turkish government has enacted a wealth amnesty bill that opens the door to the repatriation of shadowy money from abroad. Turkey
Syrian family finds shelter, job in Mardin church In the multicultural city of Mardin, a Syrian refugee made her life taking care of a church. Turkey
Turkish-Israeli gap widens with bitter exchanges Turkey’s ties with Israel could be heading for a historic breakdown as tensions with the United States groan under ever greater weight. Palestine
French group's manifesto against Quran draws rebuttals in Egypt A French group's call for removing some Quranic verses prompted responses ranging from "Ignore it and it'll go away" to "Go to hell." Egypt
Congress puts US military sales to Turkey in jeopardy Lawmakers in both chambers want to penalize the NATO ally for detaining an American pastor and signing arms deals with Russia. Turkey
Iran maneuvers around gaps to preserve interests in Syria The West’s new activism on Syria is pushing Iran to adapt its approach, though its bottom line remains the same. Israel
Calls mount for Turkey to release jailed Kurdish politician ahead of vote Nationalist presidential candidate Meral Aksener has joined a growing chorus demanding the release of politician Selahattin Demirtas, who is staging a quixotic bid to become head of state from his prison cell. Turkey
Can Israeli-Turkish rift be mended? With the latest mudslinging between Israeli and Turkish leaders following the killing of at least 62 Palestinians by Israeli forces in Gaza, some in Israel are calling for a tougher approach toward Ankara instead of holding back in an effort to maintain proper relations. Palestine
Turkey recalls envoys from US, Israel over Gaza violence Tensions between Turkey and the United States and Israel have hit new heights as politicians across the Turkish political spectrum furiously denounce the treatment of Palestinian civilians during the ongoing protests at the Gaza border. Israel
US pullout from Iran deal rattles Turkey’s Syria agenda Ankara faces a navigational nightmare in Syria as each new regional development seems to push its divergent objectives further apart. Syria
Erdogan enjoys royal welcome in UK Despite the United Kingdom's prominence in the anti-Western conspiracies regurgitated by Turkey's pro-government press, the Anglo-Turkish relationship is pretty tight as the Turkish president tours London. Turkey