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
Secular candidate hopes to push Erdogan into Turkish presidential runoff While some Turks see Erdogan as vulnerable, others only have hopes that his party can be denied a parliamentary majority. Turkey
Turkey woos Iraqi provincial leaders to rekindle relations Ankara hopes its diplomatic efforts in the Shiite-dominated southern provinces of Iraq will improve Turkey's political standing with Baghdad. Iraq
Turkey’s Islamist ‘old guard’ joins Erdogan opponents The National View, the pioneer movement of political Islam in Turkey, has joined the opposition in its efforts to unseat President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in next month’s elections. Turkey
Turkey’s pro-Kurdish HDP names jailed leader as presidential candidate Turkey’s top Kurdish leader Selahattin Demirtas, the only person who could deprive President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of his ambition, is officially joining the presidential race from his prison cell. Turkey
Turkey gears up military might to host live-fire war games The Ephesus joint combined military exercise — the Turkish military’s most prominent annual display — will reveal much about the operational effectiveness of the country's armed forces in the aftermath of the July 2016 coup attempt. Turkey
Culture Alert: Fairs and fears of the future The Middle East culture scene in May includes street festivals, book fairs and visions of a dystopian future. Palestine
Turkey’s lira tumbles as inflation nears record high Investors are dumping the Turkish currency amid worries that a pre-election spending spree and pressure on the Central Bank to keep interest rates low could see the lira continue to spiral. Turkey
Turkey's ruling party offers big payouts ahead of critical vote Despite its deepening financial woes, Turkey’s government has rolled out an unprecedented $6 billion package to court favor with voters ahead of the June 24 polls. Turkey
Iran, Turkey and Russia hope they’re all on same page The three guarantors of the Astana peace talks seek to affirm the stability of the talks as well as the trio itself. Syria
Turkish opposition joins forces for parliament vote Four of Turkey's opposition parties, including the largest, are forming an alliance to challenge the ruling party for parliamentary seats. Turkey
3 reasons Turkey's ex-president never had chance at re-election The opposition to former President Abdullah Gul’s candidacy shows a despairing, fractured opposition ahead of Turkey's snap elections. Turkey
How Turkey's 'doping-induced' growth backfired into hasty elections The Turkish government’s rush to hold elections in June is driven by economic woes that even its attempts at "doping-induced" growth have failed to overcome. Turkey