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’s Baku visit fix Turkey-Azerbaijan rift? A dispute over religious dress in schools has exposed deeper tensions between the two allies, with energy, arms sales, Israel and financial interests adding to the strain. Turkey
Gulf states should form regional bloc with Iran Arab Gulf states can no longer ignore Iran’s vital role in bringing stability to the Gulf region, and should work on establishing a security and economic arrangement with Tehran. Legacy: Gulf
Will UK list Muslim Brotherhood as terror group? Britain’s announced inquiry into the Muslim Brotherhood’s activities might be an attempt to appease its Gulf allies without offering any tangible changes. Saudi Arabia
Erdogan presidency no foregone conclusion Turkish President Abdullah Gul still holds the key to how Turkey will be governed, even if Recep Tayyip Erdogan runs and wins, which may not be a foregone conclusion. Turkey
Israel-Russia ties strong despite Ukraine Both Israel and Russia value their growing strategic relationship. Israel
Turkey’s Africa policies blend hard, soft power Turkey’s humanitarian initiatives in Africa are complemented by business and strategic policies as well. Turkey
Erdogan’s victory a warning to West Despite his party’s win in the municipal elections, the Turkish prime minister’s policies, including toward Syria, are likely to lead to further political polarization and distance from the United States and Europe. Syria
Erdogan’s fractured ties to the West Some are speculating that following the victory of the Justice and Development Party in municipal elections, Turkey might seek to build bridges to the West, but this would require a shift in Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s approach. Turkey
Hamas celebrates AKP win in Turkish elections Hamas considers Turkey a vital ally and held rallies in celebration of the ruling Justice and Development Party's election victory. Palestine
Kerry's artificial negotiations Secretary of State John Kerry's frustrations on the Middle East should not come as a surprise. Palestine
Syria's moderate rebels still losing ground to extremists The ascendance of Islamic groups among Syria's opposition has clouded prospects for more advanced weapons to be provided to moderate factions. Syria
Iraqi Kurds still deadlocked over new government Iraqi Kurdish political parties remain in a stalemate over the formation of a new regional government, six months after parliamentary elections were held in Iraqi Kurdistan. Iraq
Sufi music makes comeback in Iraq Although Western influences have transformed the music scene in Iraq in recent decades, leading to a focus on fast beats and pop music, a number of Iraqis are trying to revive popular interest in traditional Sufi songs. Iraq