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
Fired teacher tells story of Turkish purge onstage A teacher who was dismissed from her job in the aftermath of the coup attempt is using drama to give a voice to Turkey's 150,000 civil servants in similar situations. Turkey
Turkish troops cross Syrian border near Afrin Turkey, after bombing Afrin, moves troops across the Syrian border near the Kurdish-controlled area. Syria
Turkey plays catch-up with militarization in Red Sea A scramble for military influence along the Red Sea could lead to a trade disaster as Turkey also looks to establish a military foothold in the area. United Arab Emirates
Turkey upends US Syria strategy with attack on YPG Ankara seeks green light from Moscow, not Washington, in attack on US partner; UN warns of consequences of continued fighting in Eastern Ghouta and Idlib; local council in Aleppo confiscates land of Islamic State families. Syria
Why is Turkey so worried about border guards? A CIA-trained border force in northern Syria would mean the institutionalization and legitimization of a Kurdish-led military body on Turkey’s border. Syria
Russian jury still out on Turkey's Afrin offensive Though reports in Turkey suggest the Russians have greenlit plans for an operation in Afrin, Turkey’s top military and intelligence brass emerged from talks in Moscow today looking glum. Syria
No safety in exile as Turkish dissidents attacked abroad Relentless social media harassment of Turkish dissidents abroad has now transformed into death threats and physical assault. Turkey
Ankara might be awaiting Russian OK for Afrin operation Although Turkey keeps signaling an imminent operation against Afrin in northern Syria, it appears Moscow hasn’t yet given the green light. Syria
Iconic lawmaker's ouster a gloomy deja vu for Turkey The crackdown on the Kurdish political movement in Turkey has caught up with iconic politician Leyla Zana, who lost her parliamentary seat for the second time in 25 years. Turkey
War rages in Turkish media in anticipation of military operation News outlets loyal to the Turkish state and sympathetic to the Kurds are each busy framing the conflict ahead of possible Turkish military moves against Syrian Kurds. Syria
Will Erdogan defy Russia, US over Afrin? Turkey’s plan to launch an operation to take Syria's Afrin faces major difficulties, yet if Erdogan succeeds even partially it will boost his image at home. Syria
Hosting Syria talks in Sochi presents challenges for Russia There's plenty of suspicion and finger-pointing to go around leading up to the Syria peace talks in Sochi this month. Syria