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
The battle for Hagia Sophia in Istanbul escalates The Turkish conservative movement’s demand to turn the Hagia Sophia Museum into a mosque is gaining strength. Turkey
Turkey huffs and puffs at genocide vote, but it's business as usual with Germany Ankara is angry after Berlin adopted a nonbinding resolution recognizing the mass killing of Armenians in 1915 as genocide, but Turkey is wary of undermining important ties with Germany. Turkey
Can US-backed offensive bring back residents to Syria's Manbij? The citizens of Manbij, which is northeast of Aleppo, have high hopes of returning to their hometown in light of the US-backed offensive against the Islamic State in their city. Syria
Why Turkey is making a return to Libya Given economic troubles at home, it is no surprise that Ankara has decided to reopen its embassy in the Libyan capital of Tripoli, which had been closed since 2014. Turkey
Massive reshuffle of judges, prosecutors is new blow to Turkish judiciary Judicial independence in Turkey has suffered a severe blow earlier this month as thousands of judges and prosecutors were reassigned overnight. Turkey
Will Turkey sacrifice even more civil rights to battle terrorism? Turkey is planning measures that could suspend freedoms to achieve operational effectiveness with a controversial "legal shield" for soldiers. Turkey
Erdogan scores no points at Muhammad Ali's funeral The Turkish president fought hard to associate himself with the infamous boxer's image in the last of a long history of such attempts by Turkey, but observers were unmoved by Recep Tayyip Erdogan's fancy footwork. Turkey
Turkey's southeast beginning to resemble Syria As clashes in Turkey's southeast between government forces and the PKK worsen, some cities mirror the destruction across the border in Syria. Syria
Erdogan links Crusades with present-day terror Turkey’s president looks to the past, rather than to his own failed policies; Aleppo offensive imminent; is Israel employing a double standard in its dealings with Turkey? Israel
Why does Turkey suddenly need so many bankruptcy trustees? Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's battle against the Gulen movement is making some people very rich — and bankrupting others. Turkey
How UN summit disappointed its Turkish hosts Turkey refused to sign a joint statement at the end of the first World Humanitarian Summit it hosted in late May, wary of an international investigation into gross human rights abuses in its conflict-torn southeast. Turkey
Erdogan's take on terror attacks nicely fits AKP agenda Despite the wide Western condemnation of the two latest terror attacks in Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is pointing the finger of blame westward in accordance with his party's narrative of persecution and defiance. Turkey