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
US puts off announcing decision on Raqqa until after Turkey referendum The US military wants to work with local forces against the Islamic State in Raqqa, but still is working out many of the details, including who should hold what ground after IS is defeated. Israel
Turkey's diplomatic relations with Europe take a nosedive Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is fast ending the European dream following a weekend of serious disputes with the Dutch government over a pro-referendum rally in Rotterdam by Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. Turkey
Questions surround Turkish businessman at center of Flynn controversy Michael Flynn is facing criticism for lobbying for Ankara prior to President Donald Trump’s inauguration, but the Turkish businessman who hired the disgraced former national security adviser told Al-Monitor he did not use government funds to pay Flynn. Turkey
Why Qatar and Turkey are becoming an item Turkey and Qatar are working to extend their relations beyond the friendship of the countries' leaders to address their shared uncertainties about the new US administration, security threats and the growing regional influence of Iran and Russia. Qatar
How Turkey-Iran trade deal collapsed in two years Mutual tariff cuts and the lifting of international sanctions on Iran have failed to contain the decline in Turkish-Iranian trade, hit hard by regional rivalry and political tensions between the two neighbors. Turkey
Will Turkey be added to European list of undemocratic countries? While various European countries have canceled pro-referendum rallies organized by Turkish politicians, the Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has called for Turkey to be added to its list of countries considered undemocratic. Turkey
Next in line on Erdogan's warpath: Naughty Islamists Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is cracking down on Islamists — even peaceful ones — who fail to applaud him. Turkey
Turkey shuts down Mercy Corps' Syria aid program International aid delivery to Syria experienced a setback March 7, when the Turkish government ordered the Syria program run by Mercy Corps from inside Turkey to close down, leaving thousands without assistance. Syria
How Erdogan is dragging Merkel down with him German Chancellor Angela Merkel has given in to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, even after his harsh remarks equating German authorities' practices with those of the Nazis. Turkey
Are pro-Erdogan groups buying arms to prep for potential coup? A relative of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has set up a group called the "Stay as Brothers, Turkey” against a possible new coup attempt. Turkey
Erdogan’s domestic agenda leaves Turkey facing new foreign crises Ankara is furious as European countries ban rallies by Turkish ministers aimed at getting support of expatriate Turks for Erdogan’s executive presidency. Turkey
Turkey, US, Russia military chiefs meet to discuss anti-IS strategy Turkey, Russia and the United States met today in Antalya, Turkey, in an attempt to find common ground in the battle against the Islamic State in Syria, but they disagree in regard to which groups in the Syrian war are terrorists. Syria