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
Turkish military suffers from self-inflicted brain drain Turkey's military is having difficulty retaining qualified personnel, in part because of its rigid personnel policies and inability to take advantage of officers' interests and skills. Turkey
Powdered orchid and water-buffalo cream: Turks delight in Ottoman dishes Authentic Turkish dishes, some going back to Ottoman times, remain popular with locals, but are hard to reproduce abroad. Turkey
Turkey’s girls, women struggle with body image A Turkish woman who died following gastric sleeve surgery has revived the debate about women’s body image in Turkey. Turkey
Trial of Turkey’s opposition leader starts without him in court A court ruled that Selahattin Demirtas, the leader of Turkey’s second-biggest opposition party, could not attend his first hearing in person, increasing concerns his trial may not be fair. Turkey
Trump's Jerusalem move may prove blessing for Erdogan While Trump’s Jerusalem statement provided Erdogan an opportunity to present himself as the leader and spokesman of the Muslim world, the move could further polarize the region and destabilize Turkey. Israel
How Mideast turmoil boosts Turkey’s housing market Turkey enjoys a significant increase in real estate purchases by foreigners, but other foreign direct investments are on the decline. Turkey
The next battle in Syria With the war on the Islamic State winding down, other tensions in Syria are dialing up as Israel and Turkey worry over forces amassing on their borders. Israel
Kurds claim Turkish airstrike targeted refugee camp in Iraq Fingers are pointed at Turkey as the dust clears from an explosion that killed five people in an Iraq refugee camp for displaced Kurds. Iraq
Gulenists speak out at last A group of young academics who have been in or close to the Gulen community are speaking out publicly, daring to question others' blind allegiance to their imam. Turkey
Syrian Kurds move closer to Russia The Russian-Kurdish collaboration in Deir ez-Zor shows that after the United States, Russia, too, will be standing in the way of Turkey's efforts to block out Syria’s Kurds. Syria
Pro-Erdogan groups call for Brett McGurk's arrest A no-name group claiming to work against the US-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen has called for the arrest of US diplomat Brett McGurk, the most recent American to be targeted by supporters of the Turkish president. Turkey
#MeToo movement is stillborn in Turkey The #MeToo movement has focused on violence in Turkey with significant support, but the attackers are neither named nor punished, and sexual misconduct is still a taboo subject, so its victims often suffer alone in shame. Turkey