Steel factory explosion in western Turkey kills at least 16 Footage from the scene showed a huge plume of thick smoke spreading into the sky as flames engulfed a tall structure within the plant. Turkey
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
Kerry's remarks on Syria trouble Turkey Despite Ankara’s dissatisfaction over suggestions that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has to be part of a settlement, experts say there is little Turkey can do to alter the course of events. Syria
How voters, not politicians, could be the losers in Turkey's November elections Continued fighting in Turkey is raising security and transparency concerns about the upcoming parliamentary elections. Turkey
The revival of Turkey’s 'lynching' culture Nationalist and religious fervors have revived Turkey’s tradition of physical and political "lynching," with the victims ever unprotected and the assailants ever untouchable. Turkey
Is AKP heading for a split? With his strong grip on the ruling Justice and Development Party, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has made decisions that could cause a split in the ranks after the Nov. 1 election. Turkey
Kurds demand answers after battles in Cizre Controversy simmers over what exactly happened in Cizre as the town emerges devastated from a weeklong curfew, imposed with the stated aim of uprooting Kurdish militants entrenched in residential areas. Syria
Turkey prepares for G-20 conference, but will it be its last? Turkey, preparing to host G-20 leaders, faces the danger of losing its place in the G-20 because of declining national income. Will its strategic location keep it in? Turkey
If you’re using iMessage, here’s why the Turkish government might think you’re a spy The latest arrest and deportation of foreign journalists reveals how misunderstood encryption technology is in Turkey. Turkey
How Erdogan exploits Syrian refugees Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan had hoped a wave of Syrian refugees, created with assistance to the Islamic State, would force NATO to act against Syria's Bashar al-Assad, and when that failed, he allowed the refugees to move westward to pressure Europe. Israel
Congress rethinks anti-Assad stance Senate Democrats are beginning to question regime-change goals amid Islamic State gains. United Arab Emirates
Refugees risk it all Even daily tragedies at sea don’t stop Syrian refugees from risking their lives and those of their families trying to get to Europe from Turkey. Syria
AKP to its moderates: Don't let the door hit you on your way out A number of moderate Justice and Development Party veterans who dared to express opposition to the course set by Recep Tayyip Erdogan have been excluded from the party’s central committee. Turkey
Russia deepens Turkey’s Syrian impasse Moscow’s increasing military support for the Assad regime makes a reassessment of Ankara’s Syria policy essential. Syria