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
Can Erdogan make more friends at home as well? Turkey's diplomatic overtures abroad may be far simpler than achieving national reconciliation within the country, where creeping authoritarianism has left little room for plurality. Turkey
What's really behind Turkey's controversial plan for refugees? Many people detect political schemes behind Erdogan’s proposed offer of citizenship to Syrian refugees. Syria
How Germany-Turkey discord could damage NATO alliance Turkish-German friction on allowing German parliamentarians to visit Incirlik Air Base could have serious ramifications in terms of complicating NATO plans to combat the Islamic State. Turkey
Are Turkey’s efforts to combat foreign fighters too late? Since the June 28 airport attack in Istanbul, Turkey has been adopting measures against Salafist foreign terrorist fighters, but many observers wonder whether these anti-criminal measures aren't too late in dealing with root causes of Salafist terror. Turkey
Erdogan’s citizenship offer fans flames of anti-Syrian sentiment in Turkey Turkey's polarized public appears to have found a common cause against a proposed offer of citizenship and preferential treatment for Syrian refugees. Syria
What Turkey fails to understand about IS Conspiracy theories keep Turkey’s new ruling class in a bubble of self-delusion, blinding them to the bitter and complex realities that Turkey faces. Turkey
Turkey's artists face growing government pressure Freedom of expression in the arts and entertainment have been under mounting government pressure to toe the AKP's conservative line or face sanctions. Turkey
Following reconciliation with Israel, will Turkey revive ties with Cairo next? While Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim expressed the desire for his country and Egypt to become closer politically and economically, Egyptian officials have reservations in this regard. Egypt
Is Turkey's radical foreign policy shift sustainable? The Turkish president's willingness to put practicality ahead of pettiness in international relations might be driven solely by his survival instincts, but it is desperately needed. Turkey
Turkey's pro-government media mired in CIA conspiracy theories Odd logic and pro-government leanings lead some Turkish media outlets to embrace theories of IS intrigue. Turkey
Turkey eyes African farmlands as own farmers go broke Turkey plans to lease farmlands in African countries as thousands of its own farmers have gone out of business amid decreased government support and an aggressive construction drive swallowing arable lands. Turkey
How Turkey’s televangelists gain money, mockery Religious leaders who allegedly receive astronomical sums for preaching Islam raise questions about the basics of faith and social practices in Turkey. Turkey