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
Erdogan impatient to charge ahead in Syria as Ankara sizes up Pompeo The US president's choice for his new secretary of state comes at an inconvenient time for Erdogan’s plans to capitalize on Turkey’s victory over the US-allied Syrian Kurdish militia in Afrin. Syria
Erdogan vows to carry fight beyond Afrin Turkish troops and Turkey-backed forces took control of the Syrian city after the Kurdish militia in power there withdrew and are now eyeing what Turkey's president calls a “terrorist corridor” along its border. Syria
Turkey’s nuclear power plant project gets second chance The planned Akkuyu nuclear power plant has had its share of problems, but could become a lucrative strategic partnership between Russia and Turkey. Turkey
Turkey’s electoral overhaul sparks boycott calls Amid ongoing controversy over the integrity of last year’s referendum, the Turkish government’s overhaul of electoral rules erodes further the opposition’s trust in fair elections. Turkey
Economic gloom fuels flight from Turkish lira The Turkish government slammed Moody’s for downgrading Turkey’s credit rating, but its own citizens are increasingly fleeing the Turkish lira for the safety of hard currencies. Turkey
Pompeo pick pleases Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates officials see a shift at the US State Department in their favor, but are unlikely to see all their hopes realized under Mike Pompeo. Legacy: Gulf
Turkish firms welcome return of air access to Iraqi Kurdistan Now that Baghdad has lifted the ban on international travel to the Iraqi Kurdistan region, experts say the Turkish government needs to resume mutual flights as soon as possible. Iraq
Foreign ministers set stage for Putin-Erdogan meeting in April Expect to see an effort to boost Russian-Turkish collaboration when the presidents of both countries meet in two weeks. Turkey
Turkey doubles down in pastor row with US American pastor Andrew Brunson, behind bars in Turkey on terrorism-related charges, risks up to 35 years in jail in a politically loaded case that critics describe as “an eclipse of reason.” Turkey
Turkey changes electoral law in boost for ruling party Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan say the new changes to the country’s voting rules will secure the elections, but the opposition worries the new law will lead to fraud and has filed a lawsuit to block it. Turkey
Turkey's rejection of Moody's downgrade won't make it go away Officials in Istanbul are dismissing a downgrading of Turkey's credit rating as part of a plot against the country, as the economy heads for troubled times. Turkey
Nationalistic fervor rising in Greece, Turkey It is increasingly difficult to distinguish between rhetoric and reality in the deteriorating relationship between Greece and Turkey. Turkey