Strait Talk: Recent Episodes
TRT World
From the border city of Hatay, Strait Talk brings special coverage of Turkey's anticipated military intervention in Syria's Idlib province.
It was a record turnout for Turkiye's presidential and parliamentary elections. But after more than 55 million votes were cast, no candidate passed the 50% threshold in the first round, setting the stage for a run-off scheduled for May 28. The record number of voters coincided with several new political parties entering the race for the first time. The People's alliance led by the ruling AK party is set to maintain its majority, as the country waits anxiously for the presidential run-off later this month.Guests:Helin Sari Ertem- Associate Professor at Medeniyet UniversityVehbi Baysan- Associate Professor at Ibn Haldun UniversityValeria Giannotta- Director of CeSPI's Observatory on Türkiye
For decades, Western countries have engaged the African continent with a mixture of aid packages that often came with strings attached. Straddled with the legacy of colonialism, many African countries were often left dependent on their former rulers to develop their economies. But over the past decade, new players started engaging the African continent, offering alternatives to the West. Russia with its security and defence deals, and China with its massive infrastructure projects and loans. But now Turkiye is also trying to get into the mix, with its own unique approach.Guests:Alex VinesDirector of Africa Programme at Chatham HouseJihad MashamounResearch Fellow at Exeter IAIS
One of the biggest hurdles in US-Turkish relations has been the stalled sale of F-16 fighter jets, that Ankara requested back in October 2021. Being stuck in Congress for a year and half, a small part of the deal could be about to move forward. The US State Department recently approved the sale of F-16 software upgrades to Turkiye, in a deal worth $259 million. US President Joe Biden has notified Congress, putting the onus on them to officially approve the sale. But the agreement is just a fraction of a much wider package that Turkiye is seeking, which includes 40 F-16 fighters and dozens of modernisation kits, worth about 20 billion dollars. The deal was a compromise after Turkiye was removed by the US from the F-35 fighter programme, due to Washington's complaints that Ankara had purchased air defence systems from Russia. But this latest deal being pushed by President Biden comes after Turkyie's approval of Finland's entry into NATO, and easing tensions with Greece. Guests:Jaroslaw StrozykFormer Director at Polish Military IntelligenceAhmet KeserAssociate Professor at Hasan Kalyoncu University
Bitter enemies Iran and Israel have been fighting a shadowy proxy war in Syria and beyond for years. But this low intensity conflict is seeing more and more armed UAVs. Even the US has thrown itself into the mix, including a drone strike that was launched in Syria earlier this month. The US military says it killed a suspected Daesh member who was planning an attack in Europe.Just a few weeks before that, the US said it retaliated against Iran-linked groups in Syria, after a drone attack killed an American contractor. US intelligence said the UAV strike was of Iranian origin. Earlier this month, Israel also said it shot down an Iranian drone that flew into its airspace from Syria. Just hours earlier, Israel had launched air strikes on Iranian targets in the country. Iran has also accused Israel of using unmanned aerial vehicles to launch attacks deep inside its borders. On February 2, three drones reportedly attacked a military site in the city of Isfahan, which Tehran blamed on Israel. And Iran said it foiled a similar drone attack in the same city earlier this month, adding the attempt didn't not cause any damage.Guests: Federico BorsariLeonardo Fellow at CEPAMohammed SolimanTechnology and Cyber Security Analyst
For more than a year, an estimated $300 billion dollars that belongs to Russia's central bank, has been sitting in accounts frozen by the US and its allies. Immediately after Russia launched its attack on Ukraine, the US and several Western governments, blocked Moscow from accessing those funds. Now debate is growing both in Washington and Brussels on what to do with that money.Some US lawmakers are calling for it to be sent to Ukraine, to fund its war against Russia. Since February last year, the US and its allies have allocated nearly $200 billion dollars in support for Ukraine. But more than 13 months into the war, concerns are growing about sustaining that level of support. Tax payers in the West, already burdened by rising inflation, have been pressuring lawmakers for relief. One US senator is working on a new bill that would allow President Joe Biden to seize Russian central bank assets and make them available to Ukraine. But would that open up more legal and political problems and what precedent would it set? Guests: Evan CriddleProfessor at William and Mary Law SchoolGregory SimonsResearcher at Institute for Russian and Eurasian Studies
Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry has paid an official visit to Ankara where he met his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu. The two ministers said they are taking concrete steps in reappointing ambassadors and will enhance cooperation to ensure stability in Libya. The meeting comes just weeks after Cavusoglu made a landmark visit to Cairo, the first of its kind in a decade. Shoukry's visit to Turkiye is his second since March when he toured the country's south in a show of solidarity following the February 6th earthquakes. Diplomatic ties between the two countries had been cut off after a 2013 coup in Egypt overthrew then-president Mohammed Morsi. But the recent meetings have raised expectations that full diplomatic relations will be restored soon. Their rapproachment follows others in the region, including Iran, which recently reopened its embassy in Saudi Arabia. Bahrain and Qatar also announced restoration of diplomatic ties, ending a years-long dispute.Guests:Jane KinninmontPolicy and Impact Director at European Leadership NetworkCengiz TomarProfessor at Marmara University
America's foes, and even some friends have called for changes in how the world does business. Long dominating international trade, the US dollar also gave America unrivaled power to spend, lend and punish countries unilaterally, by shutting them out of the global financial system. But that could be about to change. Countries like China, Russia, and others across the Middle East, Latin America and the Indo Pacific are calling for less reliance on the US dollar. But when did it all start and what hurdles has the US greenback faced over the decades?Guests:Geoffrey WilliamsHead of Research and Innovation at MUSTGuido CozziProfessor of Macroeconomics at St Gallen University
A mysterious helicopter crash in northern Iraq a few weeks ago, is adding the latest sore point between Turkyie and its southern neighbor. The Turkish Foreign Ministry announced it was closing its airspace for flights to and from Sulaimaniyah airport in northern Iraq, citing intensified activities in the region by the PKK terror group. The decision came after two helicopters crashed in Dohuk, killing all those on board. But what alarmed Turkiye, was the aircraft had been carrying PKK-linked terrorists from Syria.The incident fueled claims by Ankara that the PKK was in possession of helicopters, and that it had infiltrated Sulaymaniyah airport. The helicopter's route also raised eyebrows, as it used an irregular flight plan to reach Sulaimaniyah airport from the YPG-controlled city of al-Hasakah in Northern Syria. The closure follows a similar ban placed backed in 2017, after Turkey criticized continued PKK activities in the area. Ankara has launched several operations against the PKK and its affiliates in recent years, including Operation Claw-Sword in Northern Syria and IraqGuests:Rich OutzenFormer US DiplomatAhmet UysalDirector at ORSAM
It's being called the world's first drone carrier. Commissioned on Monday, the TCG Anadolu, which began construction in 2016, was built mostly with domestic parts. It will also be equipped with the country's latest UAVs, the TB3 Bayraktar drones. The multi purpose assault ship, is expected to play a vital role in Türkiye's maritime security, espeically in the heavily contested eastern Mediterraean. Guests:Zoltan EgeresiPolitical AnalystTarik OguzluProfessor at Aydin University
The last time a Greek defence minister visited Turkiye was back in 2002. Over those two decades, the neighbors saw their relations swing from co-operation towards confrontation. The last few years were especially tense, following a series of standoffs both in the open sea, and along their border. But following the devastating February 6th quakes that struck southern Turkiye, Greece stepped forward as one of the first countries to provide relief supplies and rescue teams. Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar, together with his Greek counterpart Nikos Pana-gio-top-oulos, held a joint news conference in Hatay, which suffered some of the most damage from the quakes. Akar spoke on how the two countries needed to resolve their differences through dialogue. Guests:Emete GozuguzelliAssociate Professor at ASBUDimitris TsahourasSenior Research Fellow at ELIAMEP
Nearly a year after applying to join NATO, Finland has become the alliance's 31st member. But the country that pushed Helsinki to abandon its decades of neutrality is not pleased. Not long after the Finnish flag was unfurled at NATO's headquarters in Brussels, Russia warned the accession was a dangerous historic mistake that would weaken regional security. Moscow went further, saying the risk of conflict has now increased, and it would be forced to take counter-measures. Russia and Finland share a 13-hundred km long border, which the Kremlin says has been reinforced in response to NATO's expansion. Last year, Russia launched an attack on Ukraine, to protest what it said was the alliance's encroachment on its territory. In response, Finland and Sweden both applied to join NATO. Last week, Turkiye's parliament ratified Finland's bid, but not Sweden's, due to what Ankara says was the country's failure to crack down on terror groups. So how will Russia respond to Finland's accession and how will NATO react?Guests:Glenn DiesenProfessor at University of South-Eastern NorwaySean Michael CoxSenior Adviser at the Global Policy Institute
Azerbaijan had tough words for its neighbor to the south, warning that no one could speak to it in a menacing tone. On Monday, the country's defence minister criticised Iran, and the comments it made about Azerbaijan's co-operation with Israel. Tehran recently condemned Israel's top diplomat, who said his country, together with Baku, was forming a united front against Iran.Last week the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Israel met in West Jerusalem, as Baku prepared to open its first embassy, which will be located in Tel Aviv. The two countries have shared close security and energy ties for decades and have also opposed Iran's policies in the region. Azerbaijan saw tensions flare up with its southern neighbor throughout most of last year, following a string of military drills Iran held near its border. Ties between Baku and Tehran deteriorated following the 2020 Karabakh war, where Azerbaijan came out victorious, reclaiming lost territory from Armenia. Iran, which also shares a border with Armenia, has been one of Yerevan's main military backers.Guests:Eldad Ben AharonResearcher at Peace Research Institute FrankfurtFarid ShafiyevChairman of the Centre of Analysis of International Relations
Saudi Arabia, a long-time US ally, has taken a step closer to joining a security bloc that many say wants to challenge NATO and other Western-led institutions. Last week, the Saudi cabinet approved measures to become the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation's newest dialogue partner. It's the latest move by Riyadh in its search for alternate economic and security partnerships.The SCO, established in 2001 as a political, economic, and security group, comprises China, Russia, and several Central Asian states. The group later expanded to include India and Pakistan, with Iran becoming the newest full member in November. Last month, bitter rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran also agreed to re-establish diplomatic ties in a Chinese-brokered deal. Riyadh, which for decades had close security and political ties with the US, has been pursuing new trade and security deals further east. That shift has raised eyebrows in Washington, including Saudi Arabia's latest announcement that it will cut oil production by half a million barrels a day. So is Saudi Arabia forging a new path directly opposed to US interests?Guests: Jacopo ScitaPolicy Fellow at Bourse and Bazaar FoundationJames DorseySenior Fellow at the National University of Singapore
Last year, a UN resolution declared March 15 as 'the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. Shortly after marking the occasion this year, the eight edition of the European Islamophobia Report was released, detailing how Muslims were seeing increased cases of discrimination. The report said that the war in Ukraine overshadowed many issues, and stressed that the conflict exposed glaring double standards. That Europeans are more welcoming to certain types of refugees than others. The report detailed that many European countries openly welcomed white, Christian Ukrainians fleeing Russia's attack in the early stages of the war, while having for years opposed accepting mostly Muslim refugees escaping conflicts. Researchers who contributed to the report also highlighted how western media coverage, vastly differed in their portrayal of Ukrainian and Muslim refugees. Islamopbhobia was also found to be expanding at the institutionalized state level, where legislation and government policies directly targeted Muslims in certain countries. Guests:Farid HafezSenior Fellow at Bridge InitiativeLinda HyokkiResearcher at Ibn Haldun University
Russian President Vladimir Putin has raised the stakes in his confrontation with the West and NATO. Last week, he announced that Russia would be deploying tactical nuclear weapons in neighboring Belarus. If carried out, it would be the first time since the collapse of the Soviet Union, that Moscow will station nuclear weapons outside its borders. The announcement comes as the war in Ukraine continues with no end in sight. Kiev responded to the annoucement by saying Putin's plan poses a risk to the region as Belarus shares a long border with Ukraine and NATO members Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. Belarus, which has stood by Moscow and allowed its territory to be used in the attack on Ukraine, confirmed it will host Russian nuclear weapons. Its foreign ministry said the decision was in response to years of western pressure and sanctions. Just days after the announcement, Russia conducted exercises with its Yars intercontinental ballistic missiles, a key component of its nuclear arsenal. So how will this latest announcement alter the balance of power in Europe, and how will the US and NATO respond? Guests:Stephen HerzogSenior Researcher in Nuclear Arms Control at ETH ZurichEugene ChausovskySenior Director at Newslines Institute
Turkiye's Foreign Ministry had harsh words for the US following the release of a report by the state department. Every year, the US releases a so-called human rights report on nearly every country, but for 2022, it was particularly critical of Turkiye. Ankara slammed allegations in the report as baseless, saying it contains erroneous information of unknown origin. Instead, Turkiye's foreign ministry called on the US to focus on its own record on human rights. The Ministry condemned, what it called a distorted portrayal of Turkiye's fight against terrorist organisations like the PKK and FETO, which orchestrated the failed July 15 coup. It added that the country would never compromise on its fight to ensure national security. Ankara highlighted that the US report was politically motivated and lacked objectivity. Turkiye, along with many other countries have criticised the annual reports released by the state department, citing their inconsistency, and double standards in detailing rights abuses. So does the US have the moral authority to release these types of reports given its own record? And will countries take these reports seriously? Guests: Javier FarjePolitical AnalystBilgehan OzturkResearcher at SETA
It's a plan that has been floated for years, but has seen slow progress as of late. A road and railway network, running from southeastern Turkiye, through Iraq, all the way to Basra on the Gulf. Although languishing for years in the planning phase, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave the project a new jolt, referencing it during a press conference last week with Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. Dubbed the Development Road Project, the railway and road network will begin at Ovakoy on the Turkish-Iraqi border, and head south. It will pass all of Iraq's major cities including Mosul, its capital Baghdad, before finally arriving in Basra and the al Faw port on the Gulf. Iraq's Prime Minister said he had constructive talks with President Erdogan, especially when it came to the economy. The two countries saw a record trade year in 2022, hitting 24 billion dollars. President Erdogan also said that Turkiye would be releasing more water from the Tigris River, to help alleviate water shortages in Iraq, which lies downstream. Guests:Ivan ElandSenior Fellow at the Independent InstituteAhmet KeserAssociate Professor at Hasan Kalyoncu University
It was a candid exchange between two of the US's most prominent adversaries. As he capped off his three-day visit to Moscow, Chinese President Xi Jinping hinted to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, that both are now shaping a new world order. Xi was on his first visit to Moscow since Russia launched its attack on Ukraine last year. Just days before, Vladimir Putin was issued with an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court - and the Russian leader was looking for some diplomatic support from his biggest trade partner and strategic ally. Beijing and Moscow have long opposed the US and its Western-led institutions. Together, they've been critical of NATO's expansion and global sanctions on Russian energy companies and Chinese tech firms. The two countries also lead a series of regional blocs that have offered alternatives to the Western-led order including a group of leading emerging economies known as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Guests:Einar TangenSenior Fellow at Taihe InstituteMark MeirowitzProfessor at SUNY Maritime College
7.5 billion dollars. That's how much a European Commission donor conference pledged for Turkiye and Syria in the aftermath of the February 6 earthquakes. The funds consist of grants and loans, and will go towards rebuilding the devastated areas. Last month's quakes killed more than 50,000 people in Turkiye, destroyed over 300,000 buildings, and left around 1.5 million people homeless.The Brussels conference brought together hundreds of countries, international organisations and financial institutions. They've pledged to help rebuild homes, hospitals, and schools. The UN Development Programme estimates the total financial burden for Turkiye is $103 billion. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed the conference, and said the government would rebuild 319,000 homes within one year. Some three million people are estimated to have fled their homes following last month's disasters.Guests:Samuel Doveri VesterbyeManaging Director at European Neighbourhood CouncilGiray SadikDirector of European Studies Centre at AYBU
Negotiations over the weekend have secured a 60-day extension to last year's Black Sea grain deal that allows Ukraine to export wheat and cereals to global markets. The extension comes amid heightened tensions between Russia and the west. Russian President Vladimir Putin has seen a mix of good and bad news in recent days, from welcoming one of his closet partners, Chinese President Xi Jinping, to being hit with an international arrest warrant from the ICC.Speaking after their meeting in Moscow, President Putin and Xi reiterated his long time support for Russia, and his ideas to bring peace to Ukraine. Meanwhile the Kremlin says that on Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a surprise visit to the Ukrainian city of Mariupol, which saw heavy fighting last year before falling to the Russian military. Moscow also recently warned NATO that it will destroy fighter aircraft given to Ukraine. Slovakia and Poland recently announced they would be sending fighter jets to Ukraine, in a bid to shore its air defences. Last week, A Russian plane brought down a US drone in the black sea, in the first direct confrontation between Russia and America since the conflict began last year.Guests:Manas ChawlaCEO at London PoliticaAmanda PaulSenior Policy Analyst at European Policy Centre
Turkiye's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has made a landmark visit to Cairo, where he met his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry. The meeting comes just weeks after Shoukry visited Turkyie, in a show of solidarity following the February 6th earthquakes that devastated the country's south. Both visits were the first of their kind in a decade, and expectations are high that full diplomatic relations will be restored soon.Guests: Wafik MoustafaChairman of the British Arab NetworkVehbi BaysanAssociate Professor at Ibn Haldun University
Finland is one step closer to becoming NATO's newest member. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkiye's parliament will vote on ratifying Finland's bid to join the 30-nation alliance. He made the remarks during a press conference with his Finnish counterpart, President Sauli Niinisto in Ankara. Citing Finland's fulfilment of its pledges made in Madrid last year to combat terrorism, President Erdogan reiterated that Turkyie remains open to NATO's expansion. The Finnish president welcomed the news. Guests: Helin Sari ErtemAssociate Professor at Istanbul Medeniyet UniversitySteven HorrellSenior Fellow at CEPA
The Organisation of Turkic States gathered in Ankara, in a show of solidarity following the devastating earthquakes that struck Turkiye's south on February 6th. Leaders from the regional grouping met in the Turkish capital to discuss ways to jointly carry out emergency responses to future disasters. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed the leaders and praised their help and support following last month's quake. Turkic states across Central Asia and the Caucasus were the first to offer rescue teams and aid supplies to Turkyie. Now the group is looking to create a coordination and cooperation system to tackle natural disasters. The Orgnisation of Turkic States, which succeeded the Turkic Council aims to bring member states closer together. The bloc includes Turkiye, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, along with observers Hungary, Turkmenistan, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.Guest:Bruce PannierPolitical Analyst
The COVID-19 pandemic took a heavy toll on global supply chains, disrupting everything from manufacturing to international trade. China and many parts of the Asia Pacific, saw their factories cut off from the rest of the world for months. But amid those uncertainties, many companies in Europe saw an opportunity, to bring those supply chains closer to home. Türkiye, with its strategic location between the two continents became a favored choice. Over the past several years, global investors have sought to set up operations in Turkyie, creating manufacturing hubs, and transport links connecting Europe and Asia. The country's post-covid rebound in manufacturing also led to a boom in exports, that include machinery, vehicles, and textiles. With heavy investment and a young work force, multinational companies have their eyes set on the bigger role Turkiye will play in global trade. But what challenges could derail that plan? Could geo-political upheavals in Europe, the South Caucasus and Middle East disrupt that progress? And will a shaky global economy with rising energy prices also play a role?Guest: Tobias BartzCEO of Rhenus Logistics
The COVID-19 pandemic took a heavy toll on global supply chains, disrupting everything from manufacturing and international trade. China and many parts of the Asia Pacific, saw their factories cut off from the rest of the world for months. But amid those uncertainties, many companies in Europe saw an opportunity, to bring those supply chains closer to home. Türkiye, with its strategic location between the two continents became a favored choice.Over the past several years, global investors have sought to set up operations in Türkiye, creating manufacturing hubs, and transport links connecting Europe and Asia. The country's post-covid rebound in manufacturing also led to a boom in exports, that include machinery, vehicles, and textiles. With heavy investment and a young work force, multinational companies have their eyes set on the bigger role Türkiye will play in global trade. But what challenges could derail that plan? Could geo-political upheavals in Europe, the South Caucasus and Middle East disrupt that progress? And will a shaky global economy with rising energy prices also play a role?Guest:Tobias BartzCEO at Rhenus Group
The Middle East has seen its latest diplomatic outreach, putting years of tensions to rest. But it wasn't between Israel and its Arab neighbors. Instead, it was between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The two regional rivals have agreed to restore ties, after they were severed back in 2016. And like other dramatic shifts in the region over the past couple of years, one country's involvement was notably absent, the US.Instead, China led the way, hosting top Iranian and Saudi security officials in Beijing to broker the deal. Beijing, which maintains close economic ties to both Riyadh and Tehran, helped broker the agreement that will include the re-opening of embassies in the coming months. Meanwhile, Türkiye, which has also seen its own rapprochement with the wider region, welcomed the news. The Turkish foreign ministry said the diplomatic breakthrough would contribute to regional peace and security. So has America been left out in the cold and is the Middle East continuing its realignment without the influence of Washington?Guests:Simon MabonProfessor at Lancaster UniversityZaid EyadatProfessor at the University of Jordan
One of the biggest harbours on the Mediterranean, the port of Mersin sprang into action immediately after the February 6th earthquakes that struck southern Türkiye. After more than a month, the death toll stands at over 45,000. But even before the earthquake struck, Mersin, with its strategic location close to the Suez Canal and other key maritime routes, has played a valuable role in global trade. In this special edition of Strait Talk, we visit Mersin port, one of Türkiye’s largest gateways to the world and take a closer look at its operations and the major role it has played amid ongoing quake relief efforts. Guests:Captain Mesut Ozturk Secretary General of Mersin Chamber of ShippingGurhan CevikDirector of operations at GEM TürkiyeAyca Aydin Mission lead GEM Türkiye
It’s been one month since Türkiye was hit by the largest twin earthquakes in nearly a century. A magnitude 7.7 quake struck followed by powerful aftershocks, with several measuring over 6.0 in the country’s south. After the one-month mark, the death toll has passed 45,000.In this special edition of Strait Talk, we visit the epicenter of the destruction in Kahramanmaras as we take a look at what lies ahead. While international aid steps in and work shifts over to recovery and reconstruction, what challenges still remain? Guests:Klaus JurgenPolitical AnalystMehmet ÇelikEditorial Coordinator at Daily Sabah
Russia, China and South Africa have just completed 10-days of naval exercises in the Indian Ocean. The drill code-named Mosi II coincided with the first anniversary of Russia's attack on Ukraine. While the US marked the day with a visit by President Biden to Poland, Russia was flexing its military might thousands of kilometres away. The joint war games took place between Durban and Richards Bay in South Africa. They included anti-piracy, air defense and helicopter landing exercises. The Russian frigate Admiral Gorshkov carried the latest supersonic Zircon missiles, but Moscow has assured none were launched during the drill. A South African frigate and three Chinese ships, including a destroyer, also took part. Guests: James DorseySenior Fellow at Singapore's Middle East InstituteDavid HamblingJournalist and Defence Analyst
The last time an Egyptian foreign minister visited Türkiye, the world was a very different place. But in the aftermath of the February 6 earthquakes that devastated southern Türkiye, Egypt's foreign ministry said a trip by its top diplomat, would show solidarity between the two brotherly peoples. The two countries saw relations plummet following the 2013 coup that brought Egypt's current president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to power. For the past year, Ankara and Cairo have traded diplomatic gestures, including the possibility of high level visits. On Monday, Egypt's foreign minister Sameh Shoukry arrived in Türkiye's port city of Mersin, where he met with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu. Shoukry, was in Mersin to oversee the arrival of an Egyptian ship loaded with aid and relief supplies. Guests:Riccardo FabianiNorth Africa Project Director at Crisis GroupAli BakeerNon-Resident Fellow at Atlantic Council
The UN has warned about possible disruptions to food supplies, following the February 6 earthquakes that devastated one of Turkiye's key agricultural regions. While the twin tremors damaged many cities in Turkiye's south, it also wreaked havoc on rural areas. In response, the Turkish government has pledged financial assistance to farmers, including cash payments and subsidies to secure food supply chains. Guests:Sharon GeorgeSenior Lecturer at Keele UniversityAylin Oney TanFood Writer and Culinary Researcher
The February 6 earthquakes have brought unimaginable destruction across 10 provinces in Turkiye's south. Turkiye's disaster management agency says more than 350,000 apartments have been destroyed, leaving countless people homeless. Over two million people have left the quake-affected areas, with many relocating to other parts of the country. The areas where the quakes struck, are some of Turkiye's most ethnically and culturally diverse regions. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vowed to protect the historical identity and demographic structure of the country's southeast. Often referred to as the crossroads of civilizations, the city of Gaziantep and its surroundings have been a melting pot of cultures and are home to historical sites dating back thousands of years. President Erdogan added that the construction of 270,000 homes would begin in March, with a goal to complete them within one year. The February 6 earthquakes killed more than 48,000 people in Turkiye and Syria. Several powerful quakes have followed, including a 5.0 tremor that hit Hatay on Thursday. Guests: Selin Unal Spokesperson at UNHCR TürkiyeDavid ColemanEmeritus Professor of Demography at Oxford University
The February 6th earthquakes left a devastating toll on countless families. But while we can count the number of lives lost, those who were injured, and how many buildings were destroyed, measuring the long term mental health effects from the quake will be far more difficult. The trauma tens of thousands of survivors endured, and the psychological impact left on the most vulnerable people, including young children, will be felt for years. Guest:Tarik Tuncay Turkish Association of Social Workers
Two new earthquakes have hit southern Turkiye's Hatay province, reigniting the horrors millions felt on February 6, when a pair of quakes killed more than 41,000 people. A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck Monday evening, and was followed just minutes later by another 5.8 tremor. Several people have died, with eyewitnesses reporting damaged buildings collapsing. Just a few dozen kilometres away in Syria, the situtation was also grim, with monitoring groups saying several hundred had been injured. Having already suffered more than a decade of war, large parts of northern Syria saw renewed destruction with the February 6 earthquakes. The twin tremors, centered in Kahramanmaras, struck just 100km from the Syrian border. More than a thousand buildings in Jindris and the Afrin region were destroyed. In the immediate aftermath, aid supplies fell dangerously short, as international assistance found it hard to enter Syria's last opposition stronghold. What impact will this month's quakes have on the country's ongoing conflict, and has the quake created an opening for the opposition and the regime? Guests:Chris DoyleMiddle East AnalystMerve Seren YesiltasAssociate Professor at Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University
Right after the February 6 quakes struck, dozens of countries mobilized to provide both search and rescue teams, and crucial aid supplies. Türkiye's disaster management agency says that more than 9,000 international workers participated in post-quake operations, and that nearly 100 countries offered assistance. Many that were the first to provide aid, were both long time allies, and countries that Ankara saw a year of tense relations.Guests:Ibrahim OzerTurkish Red CrescentTudor OneaAssociate Professor at Bilkent UniversityMark MeirowitzProfessor at SUNY Maritime College
Over a week has passed since two powerful earthquakes devastated southern Türkiye. Despite the golden window to find survivors dwindling, more than 230-thousand rescue workers are still combing through the rubble for any signs of life. Azerbaijan was among the first to dispatch rescue teams, which included more than 700 personnel in a show of solidarity with Türkiye. The country also sent a high-level structuralized mobile hospital with medical equipment to Kahramanmaras, the epicentre of the February 6th quakes. Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov paid a visit to Turkiye’s quake-hit Kahramanmaras to provide humanitarian aid, and also to send his condolences. The Azerbaijani Ministry of Emergency Situations who is in close contact with AFAD says it is ready to continue and provide further assistance.Guests:Vusala ZahirovaAzerbaijani Ministry of Emergency SituationsAlper KucukExecutive Officer for International Relations at Red Crescent
Over a week has passed since two powerful earthquakes devastated southern Türkiye. Despite the golden window to find survivors dwindling, more than 230-thousand rescue workers are still combing through the rubble for any signs of life. Since the quake struck, thousands have been pulled out in dramatic rescues, including a 77-year-old woman who survived, trapped at the 212th hour of the earthquake in Adiyaman.February 6th’s magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 earthquakes, centered in Kahramanmaras province, have affected more than 13 million people across 10 provinces. Some of the hardest hit areas include Diyarbakir, Gaziantep, Hatay and Malatya. Aleppo and Idlib in northern Syria have also suffered heavy damage, with several thousand people losing their lives. The overall death toll from Türkiye and Syria has passed 40,000. One of the main priorities now is to treat the more than 100,000 people who are injured.Guests:Louisa VintonResident Representative of UNDP Türkiye
One week after a pair of devastating earthquakes hit southern Türkiye, survivors are still being pulled from the rubble. One of those miracle rescues involved a 40-year-old woman in Gaziantep, who was saved 170 hours after the quake struck on February 6. Several others, including a young boy and a 62-year-old, were also rescued on Sunday, having spent more than six days under the rubble. Türkiye's disaster agency AFAD says that more than 230-thousand people are involved in search and rescue efforts. The number of international rescuers has risen to over 9,000, coming from dozens of countries. Last week's magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 earthquakes, centered in Kahramanmaras, have affected 13 million people across 10 provinces in Türkiye's south. The death toll, passed 30,000 one week after the quake struck, with tens of thousands injured. Meanwhile, Türkiye has issued arrest warrants for more than 100 people, suspected of being involved in poor construction practices that led to so many buildings collapsing during last week's quakes. Guests:Alvaro RodriguezUN Resident Coordinator in TürkiyeErdem AycicekHead of Programmes at ASRATuncay TaymazProfessor at ITU
Nearly one-hundred thousand rescue workers are racing against time, in their search for survivors from Monday's devastating earthquakes in southern Türkiye. Several thousand victims have already been pulled out of the rubble, as freezing temperatures and bad weather set in, making rescue attempts even more challenging. International aid teams from dozens of countries are already on the ground, as thousands of tonnes of aid and supplies make their way to the hardest hit areas. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in the epicentre of Kahramanmaras, where he addressed rescue workers and officials overseeing recovery operations. Guests:Durmus AydinSecretary General of IHHDavid AlexanderProfessor of Emergency Planning and Management at UCLKenan AkbayramAssistant Professor at Bingol University
Nearly twenty thousand rescue workers are searching for survivors one day after a pair of powerful earthquakes rocked southern Türkiye. Battling rain, freezing temperatures and hundreds of aftershocks across 10 provinces, rescuers are scrambling to find those trapped under rubble. The death toll has been rising every hour, passing more than 3,000 by Tuesday morning. The first international rescue teams have arrived in Türkiye, following aid pledges from several dozen countries.Monday's magnitude 7.7 and 7.6 quakes destroyed several thousand buildings, with Gaziantep, Diyarbakir, Adana, Adiyaman, Malatya and Hatay among the hardest hit areas. Türkiye's Vice President Fuat Oktay says nearly 350,000 earthquake victims are being housed in dormitories, universities and shelters. Rescue workers have so far managed to save several thousand people, some who were able to signal for help via social media. Guests: Bahia ZrikemPolicy Manager at Norwegian Refugee CouncilYakzan ShishaklyCo-Founder of Maram FoundationStephen HicksSeismologist at University College London
It's being called one of the most powerful earthquakes to have hit Türkiye in nearly a century. Felt by millions of people from as far away as Israel, the quake's epicentre was located in southern Türkiye. Dozens of aftershocks have followed. Major cities affected include Kahramanmaras, Adana, Malatya, Gaziantep and Diyarbakir, where thousands of buildings have been destroyed. Rescuers are also battling harsh weather conditions, as freezing temperatures make life difficult for survivors, too afraid to return home. Türkiye's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority, AFAD said the 7.7 magnitude quake struck at 4.17 am local time at a depth of 7 kilometers in the Pazarcik district. The initial quake was followed by powerful aftershocks, with several measuring over 6.0 in Gaziantep, a city of two million. The death toll for Türkiye and Syria stands at over 1,900 and is expected to climb in the coming days. International support is already pouring in, with several EU countries dispatching rescue teams to search for survivors. Guests:Kaan SanerTurkish Red CresentAli PinarSeismologist at Bogazici University Tim WrightProfessor at Leeds University
It's a defence deal that will be worth $200 million once completed. A South Korean company will be supplying engine transmissions for Türkiye's main battle tanks, the Altay, which could run all the way to 2030. SNT Heavy Industries, the manufacturer of the 15-hundred horsepower transmissions, are replacing an earlier deal with a German firm, that collapsed due to an embargo imposed on Türkiye in 2019. The tank deal is the latest where Ankara has found alternate sources for defence equipment, in the face of restrictions enacted by western countries. Meanwhile, late last month, Turkish firm SDT Space and Defence Technologies said it was going to supply parts for South Korea's domestically developed fighter jet, which Seoul hopes will be a cheaper option than the F35s from the US. So how deep do defence ties go between South Korea and Türkiye and other countries in the region. And can defence co-operation between middle powers be the first step towards reducing dependence on major arms exporters from the US, Russia and the EU? Guests: Kwang Ho Chun Professor at Jeonbuk National UniversityBilgehan OzturkResearcher at SETA Foundation
During an hour-long interview with TRT, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had tough words for Sweden. He reiterated that Ankara won't back Sweden's NATO bid, if it continues to allow the burning of the Quran and fails to crack down on terror groups. Sweden and Finland applied to join NATO last year, but have faced opposition from Türkiye.President Erdogan said Sweden has not lived up to the commitments it made to join the alliance, while also turning a blind eye on hate crimes against Muslims. Last week, Swedish authorities allowed an extremist to burn a copy of the Quran in front of the Turkish embassy, sparking global outrage. Erdogan made the warnings about the rise of Islamophobia days after the Turkish foreign ministry issued a travel alert for the US and Europe. It cited a surge in anti-Muslim and racist acts, including growing anti-Turkish rhetoric being pushed by the PKK terror group. In recent weeks, Sweden has seen several large anti-Turkish protests.Guests:Amina ShareefResearcher at University of CambridgeTarik OguzluProfessor at Istanbul Aydin University
8 billion dollars. That's how much Saturday's gas deal between Italy and Libya's Tripoli based government is worth. The agreement, signed during a visit by Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, will tap Libya's offshore gas reserves, boosting both the domestic market and exports. But analysts warn that any deal with Libya comes with risks, where a deep political divide is paralyzing the government and raising risks of renewed violence.Under the deal, Italian energy giant Eni will develop two offshore gas fields, with goals of reaching an output plateau of 21 million cubic meters per day by 2026. The chief of Libya's National Oil Corporation hailed the deal as the country's most important energy investment in a quarter century. Prime Minister Meloni who was on an energy trip to Algeria a week earlier, is working to shore up alternatives to Russian gas. Moscow which also has close ties with Algeria and Libya's eastern government, is currently seeing its energy exports to Europe dry up over its continuing assault on Ukraine. Guests: Abdennour ToumiNorth Africa Researcher at ORSAMUmberto ProfazioAssociate Fellow at IISS
An act of terrorism. That's what Azerbaijan has called Friday's attack on its embassy in Tehran. A gunman reportedly killed a security guard after storming into the embassy, where he shot two others. The attack comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and Azerbaijan, over disputes in the South Caucasus and the treatment of ethnic Azeris inside Iran.The diplomatic fallout from Friday's attack is already mounting, with Azerbaijan's president demanding a full investigation. Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry said it has closed Its embassy in Tehran and evacuated staff. The Ministry also released a statement, saying it had warned Iranian authorities about threats to its embassy with little success and blamed a recent anti-Azerbaijan campaign for encouraging attacks on its diplomatic outpost. Last year, tensions rose between the two neighbors over long running disputes in Karabakh, where Iran is supporting Armenia. Last week, Baku also appointed its first ambassador to Israel, a relationship that Iran has viewed with suspicion. Guests: Rusif HuseynovDirector at Topchubashov CentreNatalia KonarzewskaPolitical Analyst
After giving a stern warning to NATO, Russia has followed through on its threat. Just hours after Germany and the US announced they would be sending their most advanced tanks to Ukraine, a wave of Russian missiles struck Kiev, and cities in the country's south. Ukraine's prime minister confirmed the attacks, saying at least 55 missiles had struck the country, mostly hitting energy facilities and power stations.The barrage followed Wednesday's announcement that the US would be sending its M1 Abrams tanks while Germany pledged its Leopard 2s. The move reverses nearly a year of hesitancy by NATO, over fears the delivery would further antagonize Russia. Ukraine, which had been asking for the tanks since the start of the conflict, is also lobbying for F-16 jets. But German Chancellor Olaf Sholz shot down that option, saying the fighter aircraft were not on the table. So will these latest moves by the West bring Ukraine much needed help, or will it further provoke Russian attacks?Guest:Vasyl BodnarUkrainian Ambassador to Türkiye
Relations between Türkiye and Sweden hit new lows following a week of provocative acts that have put the Scandinavian country's desires to join NATO in jeopardy. That's according to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who said Sweden should not expect Ankara to back its membership into the alliance. The announcement came after a copy of the Quran was burnt at a protest in Stockholm, which set off a wave of global condemnation. In response to the incident which happened in front of the Turkish embassy, Türkiye postponed a meeting with Sweden and Finland that was scheduled to be held in Brussels in February. Sweden and Finland applied to join NATO last year but their bids must be approved by the alliance's 30 members. Türkiye has held back its support, citing what it says was Sweden's failure to fulfil pledges it made last year, to crack down on terror groups. In recent weeks, the PKK terror group has held a number of rallies across Sweden. Stockholm has also refused to extradite suspected terrorists to Türkiye. Guest:Klaus JurgensPolitical Analyst
2023 will be known as the year that the tourism industry in Europe and the Middle East finally returned to pre-pandemic levels. That's the projection the UN World Tourism Organisation made last week, as global tourism operators eye the return of more travelers. But many parts of the world remain cautious due to the conflict in Ukraine, and also rising inflation, which might keep some people from travelling. But if 2022 was the year that travellers began venturing out with the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, this year is set to be marked by the return of mass tour groups, and their demand for luxury items and vacations. After enforcing an almost three-year zero-Covid policy that locked in the world's largest source of tourists, China is now re-opening its doors to the outside world. The UNWTO also expects demand from US travelers for overseas trips to remain high. In 2022, a strong US dollar and a weaker Euro saw an influx of American holidaymakers to Europe. But it might still be a few years before global tourism revenues go past the 1.7 trillion dollar mark of 2019. Guests: Virginia MessinaSenior Vice President of WTTCSinan KoseogluVice President of Abu Dhabi National Hotels
In one of its strongest signs of support for Ukraine, the US and its NATO allies have pledged billions of dollars in military aid, as the conflict nears the one-year mark. On Friday, the US and NATO countries announced that huge shipments of heavy weapons would be sent to Ukraine, including air defences and armored vehicles. The US said it alone would committ 500 Bradley Figthing Vehicles, as Ukraine remains locked in heavy fighting in its eastern regions. But Kiev didn't get everything it wanted. Friday's NATO meeting ended without guarantees that Germany would give permission to send its Leopard 2 tanks. But on Sunday, Germany's foreign minister said her government would not stand in the way of Poland's desire to send the Leopard 2s to Ukraine. Pressure is mounting on Berlin to deliver the tanks to Ukraine, with Poland's prime minister suggesting he could send them without German approval. Meanwhile, the speaker of Russia's parliament warned that countries supplying Ukraine with more lethal weapons would force Moscow to retaliate. Guests: William Courtney Former US AmbassadorMuhammet KocakForeign Policy Analyst
- That's the number of suspected terrorists Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Sweden and Finland need to deport or extradite, to secure their bid to join NATO. On Sunday, President Erdogan said the Turkish parliament could not ratify the Scandinavian countries' desire to join the alliance, unless they fulfil the commitments made last June to crack down on terror groups like the PKK operating on their soil. Tensions between Türkiye and Sweden worsened over recent demonstrations by PKK supporters in Stockholm. Last week, Ankara summoned Sweden's ambassador after an effigy of President Erdogan was hanged at a protest. A Swedish prosecutor said on Monday that no investigation would be launched into the incident. Sweden and Finland both applied to join NATO last year following Russia's attack on Ukraine. Meanwhile Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu was in Washington this week, where he called for the sale of F-16s to be expedited. Some NATO members and US lawmakers have tried to directly link Türkiye's support for Sweden and Finland's NATO bid, with the approval of the F-16 sale, a move Ankara says it firmly rejects. Guests: Mehmet CelikEditorial Coordinator at Daily SabahMark MeirowitzPolitical Analyst
Late last year, signs began emerging that Türkiye and Syria were ready to put more than a decade of hostility behind them. And that momentum continued this week, as Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian visited Ankara, fresh from a trip to Damascus. Following in the footsteps of Russia, which hosted both Syrian and Turkish defence ministers in Moscow last month, Iran is pushing for the two neighbors to normalise ties. Türkiye's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, hailed Iran's diplomatic efforts, saying its mediating role is very important. Cavusoglu also hinted that a much awaited meeting with his Syrian counterpart could take place as early as next month. Relations between Türkiye and Syria broke down in 2011 following the start of the Syrian war. Ankara has supported the opposition, while Russia and Iran have been the biggest backers of Damascus. Guests:Ahmet KeserAssociate Professor at Hasan Kalyoncu UniversityIvan StarodubtsevRussia Analyst
Once traditionally strong allies, Russia and Armenia are seeing relations hit their lowest point since the fall of the Soviet Union. Sharing century's long cultural and religious links, Russia has often stepped in as Armenia's main political and military backer in the South Caucasus. But that decades old partnership is starting to see strains. Last week, in a rare public rebuke, Russia blamed Armenia for the breakdown in peace talks with Azerbaijan over the Karabakh region. The two rivals have been deadlocked for months, in trying to broker a peace deal over the occupied territory, which saw a six-week war back in 2020. Russia blamed Armenia for cancelling peace talks between the two sides and called on Yerevan to return to the negotiating table. The statement followed earlier remarks by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan last month, when he said Russian peacekeepers were not fulfilling their obligations under the 2020 ceasefire. Armenia also recently announced it would not host Russia-led military exercises this year.Guests: Farid ShafiyevChairman of the Centre of Analysis of International Relations Hamdi RifaiPolitical Analyst
For many in the international community, the Taliban has fallen short of its promises that would have led to its diplomatic recognition. But one country is looking past those shortcomings. Earlier this month, China and the Taliban signed an oil extraction agreement. It was the Taliban's first major foreign deal since taking power in 2021 and comes amid dramatic shifts in regional power balances. Speaking during the signing ceremony, the Taliban's top petroleum official said the deal would extract oil from the northern Sar-e Pul, Jawzjan, and Faryab provinces. China, according to Taliban officials, will invest 150 million dollars a year under the contact, and will create 3,000 local jobs. A year after the US's chaotic withdrawal, and Russia's own distraction from its ongoing assault on Ukraine, China has emerged as the premier power looking to tap the country's vast resources, estimated to be worth more than 1 trillion dollars. This latest oil deal came a day after the Taliban said its forces had killed eight Daesh members, including some who were behind an attack last month on a hotel in Kabul, frequented by Chinese businessmen.Guests: Manas ChawlaCEO at London PoliticaAnna JordanovaResearcher at Association for International Affairs
The global climate crisis is not only impacting the places we live, it's also threatening the very food we eat. Volatile temperature swings together with unpredictable droughts and floods have left farms devastated from the US, Asia to Africa. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia's attack on Ukraine also exposed how vulnerable global supply chains are. In Turkiye, one solution to combatting this food insecurity is vertical farming.Turkiye is home to the world's second-deepest indoor vertical farm centre at 30 metres deep. Established in Istanbul, between the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and private companies, the indoor farm hopes to provide clean, reliable food supplies to people living right in the city. Using 95% less water than traditional farming, these urban food-growing centres hope to alleviate already strained water supplies caused by long-running droughts. Vertical farming, which practices dense indoor agriculture, by stacking crops vertically, has been hailed as a way to reduce land usage and water that traditional farms have relied on for thousands of years.Guests:Levent KurnazClimate ScientistStella TsaiYesHealth Group
2022 was a bumper year for Turkiye's Defence industry. Export targets were exceeded, new markets opened. Now expectations have been set high for 2023, with a goal of $6 billion in exports. This year will also see testing of the country's newest homegrown defence technology, everything from unmanned aircraft, to amphibious assault ships and satellites.Several combat aircraft and UAVs are scheduled to make their maiden flights, including the latest Bayraktar TB3 drones. The UAVs will be deployed on Turkiye's future flagship, the TCG Anadolu, which is scheduled to be deployed this year. Ismail Demir, the head of the Presidency of Defence Industries, which oversees the country's defence production, said that nearly 2,000 companies are operating in the sector, and will be the driving force in creating more indigenous technology. So how will 2023 turn out for Turkish defence companies and what new markets is the country looking to tap?Guests:Khalil DewanDefence AnalystGiray SadikPolitical Analyst
2022 proved to be a tense year for Turkiye-Greece relations. And it seems unlikely that things will calm down any time soon. Greek media recently reported that Athens will extend its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles to the south and west of Crete island. But maritime borders aren't the only issue between the two countries. In May, Athens gave the US access to three more Greek military bases, and sent armoured US vehicles to Lesvos and Samos. Later that month, Mitsotakis visited Washington where he called on the US to block the sale of F-16 jets to Turkiye. Another hurdle between the two NATO allies is Athens' illegal pushbacks in the Aegean. So will 2023 be any different for Greece-Turkiye relations? Guests:Suay Nilhan AcikalinAssistant Professor at Haci Bayram Veli UniversityYucel AcerResearcher at SETASean Michael CoxSenior Advisor at the Global Policy Institute
Tensions in South Caucasus had ups and downs throughout 2022. Turkiye, Russia, the European Union and the US took important steps to bring peace to the region and end the dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan. But former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Armenia and antigovernmental protests in Iran have made the situation in South Caucasus even more fragile. Many issues aren't yet settled, but Turkiye seems to be in a better position to mediate with greater presence in the region through the Middle Corridor. Let's take a look at this report.Guests: Mathew BryzaFormer US Ambassador to AzerbaijanEleonora Tafuro AmbrosettiResearch Fellow at ISPITheodore KarasikFellow at Jamestown Foundation
2022 was a milestone in US-Türkiye relations. From the F-16 fighter jets deal to dialogue on regional issues, Türkiye found common ground to strengthen relations with its NATO ally. Despite raising concerns about Türkiye's stance against Sweden and Finland's NATO bids, tensions with Greece and cross-border operations in Syria, the Biden administration showed it's willing to find solutions to address Ankara's security concerns. Let's take a look at this report. Guests:William LawrenceFormer US DiplomatTudor OneaAssistant Professor at Bilkent University
Seeking shelter under the NATO umbrella. That's what Finland and Sweden have strived for, since Russia launched its attack on Ukraine in February. But as a long-term partner of the bloc, Türkiye voiced its concerns about PKK activities in the Nordic countries. Since entering NATO requires a unanimous vote, both countries have formalised their policies to avoid Ankara's veto. But will they now keep their word to Türkiye to join the Western alliance?
Russia's attack on Ukraine has divided the world, and forced most countries to take sides. But Türkiye has kept relations steady with both the sides in the conflict, leading efforts to restore peace.President Erdogan has been in regular contact with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin since the attack began on February 24. Both leaders have held meetings in Tehran, Sochi, Astana and Samarkand. Erdogan has also met Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Lviv. His efforts proved vital in paving the way for a historic grain deal in July. Türkiye also mediated a prisoner exchange deal which led to the release of 215 Ukrainians and 55 Russians. Putin even suggested that Türkiye should act as an energy hub for Russian gas, which faces EU sanctions. At every step of the conflict, Erdogan has called on both sides to give peace another chance. Türkiye hasn't yet succeeded in arranging a summit between the two sides. But will Erdogan be able to organise such a meeting next year?
Russia's attack on Ukraine has divided the world, and forced most countries to take sides. But Türkiye has kept relations steady with both the sides in the conflict, leading efforts to restore peace.President Erdogan has been in regular contact with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin since the attack began on February 24. Both leaders have held meetings in Tehran, Sochi, Astana and Samarkand. Erdogan has also met Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Lviv. His efforts proved vital in paving the way for a historic grain deal in July. Türkiye also mediated a prisoner exchange deal which led to the release of 215 Ukrainians and 55 Russians. Putin even suggested that Türkiye should act as an energy hub for Russian gas, which faces EU sanctions. At every step of the conflict, Erdogan has called on both sides to give peace another chance. Türkiye hasn't yet succeeded in arranging a summit between the two sides. But will Erdogan be able to organise such a meeting next year? Guests:Peter ZalmayevDirector of Eurasia Democracy InitiativeZaur GasimovSenior Fellow at the University of Bonn
The streets of Paris turned into a battlefield as violent clashes broke out between French security forces and supporters of the PKK terrorist group. It happened after three people were killed in an attack at a cultural centre in the capital on Friday.Supporters of the terror group wreaked havoc, as they injured more than 30 police officers and caused significant damage in the French capital. Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar condemned the attacks, but said France has supported the terror group for years and that it's now paying the price. The PKK terror group was founded in 1984, and has waged a decades-long war against Türkiye, resulting in the deaths of more than 40,000 people. Last month, Türkiye launched Operation Claw-Sword against the PKK and its YPG offshoot in Northern Syria and Iraq, just a week after a terror attack in Istanbul left six people dead and dozens wounded.Guests:Murat AslanFaculty Member at Hasan Kalyoncu UniversityKlaus JurgensPolitical Analyst
2022 will be remembered as the year that Türkyie and much of the Arab world saw relations dramatically improve. For years, several conflicts across the Middle East and North Africa forced countries to side against one another. And the blockade of Qatar also pushed the region into competing camps, upending trade and transport for millions of people. But in January things started to change. GuestsValeria GiannottaScientific Director of CeSPI Observatory on TurkeyJonathan Fenton-HarveyFreelance JournalistAmmar KahfExecutive Director at the Omran Centre
For decades, Türkiye has been pushing to modernize its military hardware, with a particular focus on using homegrown technology. Everything from domestically produced combat drones, aircraft and naval ships, have entered Türkiye's armed forces. And now it's adding a new piece of equipment to that list. Earlier this month, Türkiye's Defence Ministry announced that it has successfully test fired a surface to air missile that will eventually be fitted onto naval ships. Built by Turkish defence manufacturer Roketsan, the missile was fired from an indigenous launch system called MIDLAS. The weapons will play a crucial role in replacing missiles developed by US firm Lockheed Martin. In recent years, Türkiye has stepped up its domestic arms research and development in response to US embargoes imposed under CAATSA sanctions, that have limited its access to US defence hardware. So how will these new missiles enhance Türkiye's defence capabilities and how does it compare to others in the region? GuestsZoltan EgeresiSecurity AnalystDavid HamblingTechnology Journalist
Energy was the dominant focus of the first tripartite summit between the presidents of Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. Held in the Turkmen city of Awaza on the Caspian Sea, the three leaders pledged to increase cooperation across all fields, but especially when it came to natural gas. Several agreements covering trade, transportation and energy were signed at the summit. On his 4th trip to Central Asia in just three months, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also emphasized one priority, getting Turkmen gas to western markets. Russia's attack on Ukraine has upended global energy supplies, with Europe particularity looking to end its dependency on Moscow for natural gas. Azerbaijan, which signed its own gas deal with the EU earlier this year, has also stepped forward to become an alternative source for Europe. Meanwhile, President Erdogan also addressed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, stressing that diplomacy was the only way forward. GuestsAssel TutumluAssociate Professor at Near East UniversityBruce PannierPolitical Analyst
Energy was the dominant focus of the first tripartite summit between the presidents of Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. Held in the Turkmen city of Awaza on the Caspian Sea, the three leaders pledged to increase cooperation across all fields, but especially when it came to natural gas. Several agreements covering trade, transportation and energy were signed at the summit. On his 4th trip to Central Asia in just three months, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also emphasized one priority, getting Turkmen gas to western markets. Russia's attack on Ukraine has upended global energy supplies, with Europe particularity looking to end its dependency on Moscow for natural gas. Azerbaijan, which signed its own gas deal with the EU earlier this year, has also stepped forward to become an alternative source for Europe. Meanwhile, President Erdogan also addressed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, stressing that diplomacy was the only way forward. GuestsAssel TutumluAssociate Professor at Near East UniversityBruce PannierPolitical Analyst
If 2021 was the year of recovery for global aviation, 2022 could turn out to be a boom year, especially for Turkiye's national air carrier. Boosted by strong demand during the summer tourism season, Turkish Airlines saw huge increases in flights compared to last year. And that translated into a surge in its stock price, with its shares rising nearly 600% this year. That made Turkish Airline's market cap higher than Germany's flag carrier Lufthansa.Last week, the airline saw its value reach more than 190 billion Turkish lira, or just over $10 billion dollars. Lufthansa currently stands at just $9.7 billion and has seen its share rise by 25% this year. Backed by strong growth in its cargo business, Turkish Airlines says its capacity levels are nearing pre-pandemic levels. But the brightest news was the more than 60 million passengers it carried in the first 10 months of the year, just shy of the 63 million it saw back in 2019. So can Turkiye's flagship airline carry that momentum into next year, and has the global aviation industry finally recovered? GuestsTaha ArvasAdjunct Professor of Finance at Bogazici UniversityFabrizio PoliAviation Analyst
It was a rare diplomatic spat between two countries with a long history of close energy and security ties. Over the weekend, Iran summoned China's ambassador to lodge an official complaint against a statement issued during Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent visit to Saudi Arabia. Tehran accused Beijing of siding with Gulf Arab states in a territorial dispute between Iran and the UAE. A spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry said it conveyed strong discontent against the joint China-GCC statement, which it argued, questioned Iran's territorial integrity. Tehran reportedly told the Chinese envoy, that the three islands addressed by the GCC were an integral part of Iran and will not be subject to negotiation. Iran currently maintains control of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa in the Gulf, which are claimed by the UAE. The joint statement also called for Iran's nuclear programme to remain peaceful and for authorities to cooperate with the IAEA. Saudi Arabia's foreign minister also had a tough warning for Iran, saying all bets would be off if Tehran were to acquire nuclear weapons. GuestsJacope ScitaPolicy Fellow at Bourse and Bazaar FoundationUmit AlperenAssistant Professor at Suleyman Demirel University
More than a year ago, Türkiye proposed buying dozens of F-16 fighter jets from the US, as a compromise to an F-35 deal that was scrapped back in 2019. US President Joe Biden voiced public support for the F-16 sale, citing its importance to Türkiye's and NATO's defences. But the deal encountered numerous legislative roadblocks in Congress. Now, the final hurdle seems to have been lifted, paving the way for the sale.According to Anadolu Agency, which obtained a draft of a US defence bill, previous amendments attached to the sale of the F-16s to Türkiye, have been dropped. The amendments had imposed several restrictions on the sale, including a prohibition of using the fighter jets to violate Greek airspace. Türkiye had opposed the amendments saying it would not accept any restrictions and hinted it could look elsewhere for fighter jets. Tensions between Türkiye and Greece have risen this year, over Athens's continued militarization of islands in the Aegean, and maritime disputes in the energy rich eastern Mediterranean.
Two separate visits to Saudi Arabia, just a few months apart, couldn't have been more different. When US President Joe Biden arrived in the kingdom back in July, the mood was somber, with less pageantry than his predecessor had received. And Biden's visit paled in comparison to the lavish welcoming ceremony Chinese President Xi Jinping was given after arriving in Riyadh on Wednesday for a three day visit. On just his third foreign trip since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic three years ago, Chinese President Xi met both the Saudi King and Crown Prince. The two countries earlier had signed dozens of deals worth 30 billion dollars, covering green energy, technology and construction. Xi later attended a specially arranged summit with Arab and Gulf leaders, which China's Foreign Ministry described as an epoch-making milestone. China, which is Saudi Arabia's largest trade partner, also counts the kingdom as its biggest supplier of oil. Beijing is also increasing its security ties with Riyadh, a role that Washington has played for decades. So is China working to become the new dominant player in the Gulf, and how will the US respond?
Back before the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia's attack on Ukraine upended the global economy, a land corridor linking Europe and the Asia Pacific, often took a back seat when it came to international trade. But that could be about to change, according to Türkiye's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. He said that in the aftermath of the pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine, the world is hungry for more diversified, trade and energy routes.Speaking at a regional meeting with the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan, Cavusoglu said that the Middle Corridor, a land route that includes Türkiye, the Caucasus and Central Asia, is now one of the world’s most crucial transport links. This year, the route is expected to see a six-fold increase in cargo transported. Part of China's trillion dollar Belt and Road Initiative that looks to recreate a modern Silk Road, the Middle Corridor will play a vital role in transporting goods, people, and energy between Europe and the Asia Pacific. Türkiye, which has played a leading role in increasing the route's importance, is also investing heavily in new infrastructure projects in countries like Azerbaijan, Georgia and Kazakhstan.
One year ago, Libya was scheduled to hold national elections in a bid to unite the country's warring factions under a single, democratically elected government. That goal was never achieved after Libya postponed the scheduled vote, due to the fierce rivalry between eastern and western governments. Now calls are growing for the country to hold elections and some Libyan politicians are signaling they are onboard. The head of the Tripoli-based unity government Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh welcomed a call by the UN's envoy to Libya to hold elections. Dbeibeh, who was elected interim prime minister in 2021 to lead the country towards elections, has seen his premiership challenged by Fathi Bashagha. He heads the rival, government of national stability from its base in Sirte. Last month, the UN warned that Libya was at risk of partitioning itself after it failed to hold elections last year. Violent clashes between supporters of the two rival governments claimed dozens of lives back in August.
After nearly a decade of tensions and mistrust, relations between Türkiye and Egypt could be headed towards normalisation. Earlier this month, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met his Egyptian counterpart Abdel- Fattah el-Sissi for the first time, just as the FIFA World Cup kicked off in Doha. President Erdogan said that ministerial level talks with Egypt could begin, ending one of Türkiye's last remaining diplomatic freezes in the region. During a recent event in Konya, President Erdogan said that there is no room for hard feelings in politics and that his Egyptian counterpart el-Sissi was very happy with their brief meeting. Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister announced that the two countries could appoint an ambassador in the coming months, ending a nine-year absence. Ties between Ankara and Cairo turned hostile in 2013 after the overthrow of Egypt's first democratically elected President Mohamed Morsi. Egypt's support for the Saudi-led blockade against Qatar also strained its ties with Türkiye. So has one of the last diplomatic dominoes fallen, and how will the rapprochement between Türkiye and Egypt impact the region?GUESTSUmberto ProfazioAssociate Fellow at IISSAli BakeerNon-Resident Senior Fellow at Atlantic Council
Last week, Türkiye's Treasury and Finance Minister Nureddin Nebati met with Saudi Trade Minister Majid bin Abdullah Al Qasabi in Istanbul. The meeting was the latest in a series of high profile visits that is restoring ties between Ankara and Riyadh, following years of tensions and open hostility. One of the major points discussed was a $5 billion deposit that Saudi Arabia is planning to make into Türkiye's Central Bank. A Saudi official says the deal is in the final phase of discussions. The Saudi deposit would add to the $28 billion dollars Turkiye's central bank already holds in currency swaps, with several countries, including the UAE, Qatar, China and South Korea. And once approved, the deal would be the latest move by both countries to shore up economic ties following a year of high level visits. For the past several years, Ankara and Riyadh were at odds over a number of issues, including the blockade of Qatar and the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi back in 2018.GUESTSManas ChawlaCEO of London PoliticaBetul Akkas DoganGulf Studies Researcher
Many have described relations between Türkiye and Pakistan as a decades-long brotherhood, one that goes beyond politics. Now defence ties between the two countries are set grow even deeper following the launch of the Turkish made MILGEM corvette that will join the Pakistani navy. Built by the Turkish state-owned defense firm ASFAT, the naval ship is third of four that will be delivered to Pakistan. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was hand on for the ceremonial launch at Istanbul Shipyard, together with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
Guests: Syed Muhammad Obaidullah Maritime and Defence Analyst
Omair Anas Assistant Professor at Yildirim Beyazit University
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The United Nations Security Council has extended an arms embargo on Somalia, in a bid to stem the growing threat posed by the Al Shabab militant group. The embargo has been in affect for 30 years since the country has plunged into civil. But a few countries were exempt from ban on weapon sales to Somalia. The US, UK, EU and Turkiye, will still be allowed to provide military support to the UN recognized government in Mogadishu. On Sunday, at least four people were killed after militants seized a hotel in Mogadishu. Al Shabab later claimed responsibility for the attack. Somalia's president, who took office in May, has vowed to wage a total war against the militant group.
Guests: Federico Donelli Assistant Professor at University of Trieste
Elem Eyrice Tepeciklioglu Author and Political Analyst
Many have described relations between Türkiye and Pakistan as a decades-long brotherhood, one that goes beyond politics. Now defence ties between the two countries are set grow even deeper following the launch of the Turkish made MILGEM corvette that will join the Pakistani navy. Built by the Turkish state-owned defense firm ASFAT, the naval ship is third of four that will be delivered to Pakistan. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was hand on for the ceremonial launch at Istanbul Shipyard, together with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
Guests: Syed Muhammad Obaidullah Maritime and Defence Analyst
Omair Anas Assistant Professor at Yildirim Beyazit University
Britain's spy chief offered a grave warning. That Iran poses one of the greatest security threats to the UK. The head of the MI5 domestic spy agency said that Iran had tried to kill or kidnap British nationals or residents at least 10 times this year. And the UK isn't the only country lodging accusations at Tehran. Earlier this month, reports emerged that Azerbaijan and Georgia both uncovered Iranian spy rings in their countries. Azerbaijan said it arrested nearly 20 of its citizens accused of receiving training and funding from Iran to harm what it says, were against the country's national interests. And just last week, Canada's spy agency said it was investigating credible death threats from Iran, that targeted individuals in Canada. Tehran has denied many of the accusations. The allegations against Iran's global spy rings come as the country grips with months of protests that have left hundreds dead and thousands in detention. Iran, which has seen its international isolation grow after reportedly supporting Russia's continued assault on Ukraine, is also ramping up its nuclear enrichment activities in defiance of the west.
Guests: Sara Bazoobandi Research Fellow at GIGA
Umud Shokri Political Analyst
The 19th Astana talks kicked off this week in the Kazakh capital, with Türkiye, Russia and Iran expressing concern over the volatile situation in Syria's northeast. While the three countries reaffirmed their commitment to Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, there were some tough words and warnings. And there were also some mixed messages coming out of Washington on Ankara's security concerns. After the Astana talks, Russia asked Türkiye to refrain from a full-scale ground offensive into Syria. Türkiye, which suffered a terrorist attack in Istanbul earlier this month, launched a new round of air strikes against YPG targets in northern Syria and Iraq. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated that a ground operation could come at any time. Syria, which has been in a civil war since 2011, has seen its territory overrun by several terror groups, including Daesh and the YPG. Türkiye has launched three major operations to clear its border, where it hopes to create a safe for the return of millions of Syrian refugees.
Guests: Marwan Kabalan Doha Institute for Graduate Studies
Yusuf Alabarda Security Analyst
Just a few years ago, it would have been hard to imagine Gulf leaders, together with Türkiye, all together in the same room. But that's what took place over the weekend in Doha, where President Erdogan met with several Arab leaders just ahead of the opening of the FIFA World Cup. Qatar, which itself had suffered a blockade from its neighbors for nearly 4 years has also seen its regional standing shift dramatically. During a reception right before the World Cup's opening ceremony, President Erdogan met with his host, Qatari Emire Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani. Türkiye, which supported Qatar during the blockade, also sent 3,000 security personnel to help the Gulf state with security during the tournament. Erdogan also met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, their second meeting in less than a week, following the G20 summit in Bali. The two leaders have met already three times this year in person, reversing the tense relationship Ankara and Riyadh had seen since Qatar was blockaded back in 2017.
Guests:
Vehbi Baysan Associate Professor at Ibn Haldun University
Kristian Alexander Political Analyst
Türkiye has launched new operations against the PKK and its YPG offshoots in Northern Syria and Iraq. Dubbed Operation Claw-Sword, the air strikes come just a week after the terror attack in Istanbul that left six people dead and dozens wounded. The operation was carried out over the weekend, against bases that were used by the YPG terror group. Türkiye's Defence Ministry said more than 80 sites were hit across Northern Syria and Iraq, including bunkers, weapon depots and terror training camps. Meanwhile, the YPG terror group has launched several rocket attacks against Türkiye's southern province of Gaziantep, killing at least three people on Monday. The rockets were reportedly fired from Kobani just across the border, where the YPG currently operates. The attack follows a similar barrage of rocket fire that the YPG launched over the weekend at Türkiye's Kilis province. So is Ankara readying for a wider operation to clear the YPG fully from its border regions? And will ground troops be involved? Guests:
Tarik Oguzlu Professor at Istanbul Aydin University
Necdet Ozcelik Security Analyst
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine cast a shadow over the annual gathering of the world's top 20 economies. Notably absent from the G20 summit in Bali was Russian President Vladimir Putin. His battered image with much of the world was on full display during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's video address to G20 leaders. Fallout from the conflict, including surging food and fuel prices was high on the agenda at the summit. During their meeting on the sidelines of the G20 gathering, US President Joe Biden thanked his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for Ankara's efforts on the Black Sea grain deal. Biden also reiterated his support for Türkiye's desire to purchase F16s. Erdogan also met with the host of the Summit, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, and other leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. So what was achieved during the G20's first summit since Russia launched its attack on Ukraine? And how deep were the divisions among the biggest economies?
Guests:
Paul Roger Professor of Peace Studies at Bradford University
Raffaello Pantucci Senior Fellow at S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies
It was an overwhelming vote in favor of amending Sweden's constitution that will allow the country to toughen its anti-terror laws. The changes were a key demand from Türkiye, for it to approve Sweden's bid to join the NATO alliance. After Russia launched its attack on Ukraine back in late February, Sweden and Finland dropped their decades of neutrality to apply to join NATO. But Türkiye, who has long accused both countries, particularly Sweden, of harboring and allowing terror groups to operate on their territory. As a NATO member, Türkiye said it would veto the Scandinavian countries' bid to join the alliance, if they didn't crack down on terror groups like the PKK. That change came on Wednesday, after passing in the Swedish parliament with 278 votes. The amendment caps off pledges made by Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kirstersson, during his meeting with President Erdogan in Ankara last week, to take a firmer stance on fighting terrorism. So what will this new anti-terror law entail and will Sweden's' government be able to crack down on groups with the constitutional changes?
Guests:
Gunilla Von Hall Foreign Correspondent at Svenska Dagbladet
Mehmet Celik Editor Coordinator at Daily Sabah
Earlier this month, Armenia and Iran signed a gas deal that will see the doubling of Iranian gas exports to its northern neighbor. The agreement came during Armenian Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan's visit to Tehran, where he met with Iran's president Ebrahim Raisi. But energy wasn't the only topic on their agenda. During their joint press conference, President Raisi made clear that Tehran was closely watching the situation in the South Caucasus. Raisi said Iran was sensitive to developments in the region, and denounced foreign interference, saying it made the situation worse. Renewed border clashes broke out in September, between Azerbaijan and Armenia, that killed more than 200 people, mostly soldiers. Iran has called for a diplomatic solution to those disputes, but its own ties with Azerbaijan have worsened in recent months. In October, Iran held large military drills near Azerbaijan's border in what many called a warning to Baku and its proposal for creating a transport link that would pass along Armenia's border with Iran.
Guests:
Shahmar Hajiyev Political Analyst
Murat Aslan Faculty Member at Hasan Kalyoncu University
Eight years ago, Spain sent a batch of Patriot missiles to Türkiye's southern province of Adana. It was part of an air defence mission against threats emanating from Syria. Other NATO countries, including the US, Germany and the Netherlands also had stationed their Patriots in Türkiye. But over the ensuing years, all but Spain had pulled them out. Over the weekend, Türkiye's Defence Ministry announced that Spain was extending its Patriot missile deployment until next year. The country's Defence Chief, Hulusi Akar thanked his Spanish counterpart Margarita Robles for what he called, actions that support the spirit of the NATO alliance. Spain is the last remaining NATO member that still deploys Patriot missiles on Turkish soil. Back in 2012, as the civil war in Syria was escalating, Türkiye called on its NATO allies for air defence support against Syrian missiles that had hit several border towns.
Guests:
Ricard Gonzalez Journalist and Political Analyst
Giray Sadik Director of European Studies Research Centre at AYBU
A serious mistake. That's how Ankara described recent remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron. The French leader, who was speaking with African youth on the sidelines of the COP27 summit in Egypt, accused three countries, including Türkiye, of engaging in imperialism in Africa. Macron specifically blamed China, Russia and Türkiye, for engaging in actions that were far worse than those of France. Omer Celik, a spokesperson for the Türkyie's ruling AK Party, said Macron's remarks reduced France's foreign policy to animosity towards Türkiye. He also highlighted France's own colonial past on the continent and its current military footprint that critics argue is fuelling anti-French sentiment. On Wednesday, Macron confirmed the end of the Barkhane military operation in the Sahel region, which began over a decade ago. He acknowledged the move came due to the negative consequences of its military actions in the region. So is France conceding that its policy in the Sahel was a failure, and does it have a new approach to tackle security challenges in the region?
Guests:
Jacques Reland Senior Fellow at Global Policy Institute
Collins Nweke African Affairs Analyst
Starting in 2009, four Turkic speaking countries began meeting regularly in hopes of forming a bloc connected by a shared history, to tackle challenges in the present. Now that group has transformed into the Organization of Turkic States, comprising Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, where leaders are gathering for their latest summit. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed the regional meeting, saying the organisation should develop a common security concept to tackle the risks and challenges facing member states. The organisation also welcomed its newest observer member, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The TRNC has been mired in a decades-long dispute with Greek Cypriots to the south, after the island was divided along ethnic lines back in 1974. Its inclusion as an observer member to the Turkic speaking bloc follows years of efforts by Ankara, to get Turkish Cypriots more international recognition. So how will the Organisation of Turkic States confront the many regional security and economic challenges facing Central Asia and the Caucasus?
Guests:
Erica Marat Professor at the National Defence University
Ahmet Keser Associate Professor at Hasan Kalyoncu University
For the UN’s Secretary General Antonio Guterres, humanity has a choice. Co-operate or perish. He gave the strong warning at the COP27 climate summit in Egypt's Sharm el-Sheik. Every year, world leaders gather under this UN platform to lay out their latest commitments to tackle climate change. Türkiye, which has pledged to become carbon neutral by 2053, has undertaken a series of campaigns to meet those goals. But will it be enough? Let's take a look at this report.
Guest:
Svein Tveitdal Former Director of UN Environment Programme
Ruth Townend Research Fellow of Climate Risk and Diplomacy at Chatham House
After spending a year in the opposition, former Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu made a dramatic comeback in last week's elections. Together with his far-right allies, Netanyahu was declared the victor, having secured the necessary seats to avert the political deadlock that paralyzed Israel for the past four years. Netanyahu, who is also embroiled in a corruption trial, vowed to work with all Israelis. Negotiations are already underway on forming Israel's next government. Netanyahu's Likud party will look to collaborate with three far-right leaders who are expected to want ministerial level posts in exchange for joining a coalition. Netanyahu's victory caps off a chaotic period that saw five elections in just over three years. Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he wants to maintain ties with Israel, based on mutual understanding. Over the past year, Turkiye and Israel saw relations rapidly improve with high-level visits and the reappointment of ambassadors. But will that momentum continue under a Netanyahu government?
Guests:
Nimrod Goren President and Founder of Mitvim
Arik Rudnitzky Project Manager at Tel Aviv University
European Council President Charles Michel made a recent trip to a region long-known as Russia's backyard. And while in Kazakhstan, Michel called for closer co-operation between the EU and Central Asia. He made the visit as the region's own ties with Moscow, show signs of strain. With its vast energy reserves and strategic location between Europe and Asia, Michel called Kazakhstan crucial for the EU. Since gaining independence in the 1990s, Central Asian countries have held close political, economic and security ties with Moscow. But since its attack on Ukraine back in February, Russia's influence over Central Asia has shown signs of weakening. All countries refused to support Moscow at a UN vote that condemned its recent annexations of four Ukrainian regions. So is Russia losing its grip over Central Asia, and what alternatives does the EU have to offer?
Bruce Pannier Political Analyst
Aitolkyn Kourmanova Senior Editor of Central Asian Analytical Network
Saudi Arabia is on high alert, along with several of its oil rich neighbors and US forces in the Gulf region. It's after Saudi officials shared intelligence with the US, about a possible attack from Iran. Riyadh said Tehran is planning an attack on the kingdom's energy infrastructure, to divert attention away from mass protests that have engulfed Iran for several weeks. A spokesperson of the US National Security Council said Washington would not hesitate to act to protect its interests in the region. Iran has denied it poses a threat to Saudi Arabia, and called Riyadh's warnings 'baseless'. Iranian officials have publicly accused Saudi Arabia and other countries, of instigating the protests sparked by the death of Masha Amini in police custody. Back in 2019, both the US and Saudi Arabia accused Iran of a series of attacks that slashed the kingdom's oil output by half. So is the Gulf headed for a repeat of 2019, or is there something more behind the Saudi warning?
Afshin Shahi Associate Professor at University of Bradford
Asif Shuja Senior Research Fellow at Singapore's Middle East Institute
On Saturday, it was a dual celebration for Turkiye. The 99th anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Republic, and the inauguration of a massive manufacturing plant that will be producing the country's first electric vehicles. TOGG's first all-electric car rolled off the assembly line at its plant in Bursa. President Erdogan said the achievement was a step closer in making Turkiye an economic powerhouse. The sprawling 1.2 million square metre facility is expected to churn out 175-thousand vehicles a year once the plant reaches full capacity. TOGG's first electric car will hit the roads in the first quarter of next year. As global energy prices soar and the push for carbon neutrality gains momentum, many carmakers are looking to battery operated electric vehicles to replace cars powered by fossil fuels. But how can Turkiye differentiate itself in a crowded market?
Guests:
Peter Mock Europe Managing Director at ICCT
Izzet Darendelli Associate Professor at California State University
On Saturday, Russia announced it was stopping grain shipments moving out of Ukraine, due to attacks on its ships in the Black Sea. The UN says that more than nine and half tonnes of grain and other food products have left Ukrainian ports since the landmark deal was reached in Istanbul in July. The conflict in Ukraine, now in its eighth month, has escalated sharply in recent weeks, with Ukraine pushing with its counter offensive in the east. So can this grain deal be salvaged, and what assurances will Moscow want to resume the shipments?
Guests:
Spasimir Domaradzki Lecturer at the University of Warsaw
Eugene Chausovsky Senior Analyst at Newslines Institute
The world's largest oil producer Saudi Arabia, is reportedly asking to join the BRICS group. The regional bloc, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, has been touted as a serious counterweight to the western led world order. Just a week ago during his visit to Riyadh, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed the kingdom's desire to join BRICS. Saudi Arabia, home to 17% of the world's proven oil reserves, maintained close security and economic ties with the US for decades. But since the election of Joe Biden, Riyadh has steadily moved closer to US rivals like Russia and China. Earlier this month, the oil producing cartel OPEC+, announced it would cut oil production by two million barrels a day. The US blasted Saudi Arabia for the move, saying it would directly support Russia and hurt US consumers ahead of next month's midterm elections. The BRICS countries, have long called for new financial centres to counteract US dominated institutions like the IMF and World Bank. Would Saudi Arabia's inclusion into the group help BRICS achieve that goal?
Guests: James Dorsey Senior Fellow at Singapore's Middle East Institute
Simon Mabon Professor at Lancaster University
It was a partnership that the US characterized as driven solely for profit, where a French company provided millions of dollars to one of the world's most brutal terrorist organisations. Now, cement giant Lafarge is paying the price for that collaboration it worked hard to keep secret. $780 million, that's how much the French company was fined after it accepted a criminal plea agreement with the US Justice Department. In France, Lafarge is also facing criminal charges of complying with crimes against humanity.The French company owned and operated the $680 million dollar Jalabiyeh plant in northern Syria. When the country descended into civil war back in 2011, terrorist groups began seizing territory close to the plant's operations. From 2013 to 2014, Lafarge reportedly paid the terror group Daesh nearly $7 million dollars, to secure safe passage for its workers, and to purchase raw materials from Daesh controlled suppliers. The cement giant was involved in what has been described as a revenue sharing agreement that reportedly netted Lafarge an additional $70 million dollars. Another condition of the agreement would see Daesh go after Lafarge's competition, which included a Turkish cement company.
Guests:
Cannelle Lavite Co-Director of Business and Human Rights at ECCHR
Navvar Saban Researcher at Omran Center for Strategic Studies
It's the second airport Azerbaijan has opened in less than a year, on land that was under Armenian occupation before the 2020 Karabakh War. Located in Azerbaijan's south near its border with Iran, Zangilan International Airport is set to become a key air hub in the region. But recent clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia is raising questions about the area's long term stability, and its goal to become a major transport line in the South Caucasus. Let's take a look at this report
Guests:
Jeanene Mitchell Co-Founder and Executive Director of Restart Initiative
Zaur Gasimov Senior Fellow at the University of Bonn
Russia is accused of using kamikaze drones in Ukraine, as part of a widening campaign targeting Ukrainian cities. And the alleged source of the UAvs is raising concerns that other countries could soon start taking sides in the conflict. The Ukrainian military says Russia is using Iranian-made Shahed-136 drones. Smaller, cheaper and more maneuverable than missiles, the UAVs are reportedly being used in the capital Kiev, Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky says Russia has ordered 2,400 Shahed drones from Iran. Tehran denies it supplied drones to Russia for its attack on Ukraine, with Moscow echoing that claim. Meanwhile Ukraine's Foreign Ministry says it's moving to cut diplomatic ties with Iran over the alleged UAV attacks. Russia and Iran, have worked together militarily for years in Syria, supporting Bashar al-Assad's regime. And now concerns are growing that Tehran's support for Moscow could draw in countries like Israel.
Guests:
Khalil Dewan Drone Researcher
Abdolrasool Divsallar Non-Resident Scholar at Middle East Institute
A leaked report from the EU's anti-fraud watchdog OLAF, has revealed troubling allegations. That the EU border agency Frontex, was involved in covering up crimes committed by Greece against migrants. Rights groups have long warned of Greece's illegal pushback of migrants, especially in the Aegean Sea. The 123-page, heavily redacted report details how top managers at Frontex committed serious misconduct, from covering up incidents, to not investigating serious claims of abuse. It also outlined exactly how the Greek Coast Guard put migrants on life rafts before letting them drift at sea. The report added that Frontex may have failed to report such abuses due to fear of reprisals from Greece. According to both EU and international law, pushbacks are defined as the forcible return of people across international borders without assessing their rights to asylum. Turkiye has long warned of Greece's illegal actions towards migrants and has directly appealed to the European Union about the abuses.
Guests:
Yucel Acer Law Professor at Yildirim Beyazit University
Klaus Jurgens Political Analyst
Last week, during a regional summit in Kazakhstan, Russian President Vladimir Putin, floated the idea of turning Türkiye into a major natural gas supply hub for Europe. Already home to several key pipelines that supply the EU, Putin offered to build additional links to the TurkStream pipeline that travels under the Black Sea. President Erdogan, who met the Russian leader in Astana last week, said the proposal would be put to work.
Türkiye's Thrace region, which borders Bulgaria to the north and Greece to the west, could be the location for the gas distribution centre. That's according to President Erdogan, who was quoted as saying, there will be no waiting. Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said the proposal needs to be studied well, adding that Türkiye wanted to relieve Europe's energy crisis. Russian gas deliveries to Germany via the Nordstream pipeline stopped last month, over what Moscow says are technical issues. So will Putin's proposal help solve long standing energy issues, and will Europe come on board to support the gas hub plan?
Guests:
Thomas O'Donnell Energy Analyst
Eser Ozdil Founder of Glocal Group Consulting
Over the past year, Türkiye and several Arab states saw their relations rapidly improve, ending years of animosity and mistrust. Back in 2017, Türkiye backed Qatar against a Saudi-led blockade that fractured the region into opposing camps. Those divisions also played out in several conflicts, from Libya, Yemen and Syria. But after a coordinated campaign of shuttle diplomacy, Türkiye's ties with the Gulf vastly improved. And the country's latest trade figures are showing the results. Türkiye's latest trade data shows its exports to Gulf and Middle Eastern countries hit $25 billion in the first nine months of 2022, a nearly 25% increase from the same period last year. Iraq took the biggest share of Turkish exports, totaling $7.5 billion. But it was with Saudi Arabia where Türkiye saw the most improvement. Turkish exports to Saudi Arabia increased by 180% compared to 2021, when trade ties were nearing all-time lows. So, what's behind this vastly improved trade environment, and will this momentum last into next year?
Guests:
Hafed Al Ghwell Political Analyst
Giorgio Cafiero CEO of Gulf State Analytics
Citing the country's air force data, a South Korean representative said that over an 18-month period, the F-35 was grounded 172 times, with an additional 62 cases in which the jets flew, but weren't able to carry out their mission. Technically still at war with neighboring North Korea, South Korea has an extensive air force and is one of the largest buyers of the F-35. But the much praised aircraft has seen numerous production setbacks and the US Air Force has even admitted to its high expenses, with an estimated price tag of 1.7 trillion dollars for the aircraft's lifetime cost. Turkiye, which was once part of the F-35 program was removed by the US in 2019, over Ankara's purchase of Russia's S-400 air defence system. So is the famed F-35 under delivering what it promised?
Guests:
Kwang Ho Chun Professor at Jeonbuk National University
Speaking during a bilateral meeting, Putin reiterated a proposal to make Türkiye a regional supply hub to transport gas to customers in the EU. But the main focus of the CICA summit which brings together leaders from across Asia, was addressing economic and security challenges facing the continent. Speaking at a joint news conference with his host and Kazakh counterpart, President Erdogan said Türkyie will continue to support Kazakhstan's territorial integrity, stability and peace. For his part, Kazakh president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called Turkiye his country's most reliable, strategic partner.
Guests:
Assel Tutumlu Associate Professor at Near East University
Turan Gafarli Political Analyst
A stab in the back. That's how some US lawmakers are labelling OPEC's decision to reduce oil production. The decision comes as the world is reeling from soaring energy prices in the aftermath of Russia's continuing assault on Ukraine. Most of the anger from US Democratic Senators have been directed at one country. Saudi Arabia. Senate Marjoity Leader Chuck Schumer, accused Riyadh of aligning with Russia to drive up oil prices. He said the Senate was looking at legislative tools to deal with what he called Saudia Arabia's cynical action. Meanwhile, Russia praised OPEC's decision to cut production by two million barrels a day, and blamed the US for volatile energy markets. The oil cartel, which comprises most of the world's top oil exporting nations, has long used its production quotas to influence global oil prices. The US has been trying to sway oil producers for months to increase output, in order to ease energy costs and to cut off Russia's main financial lifeline. So has Washington's influence over Saudi Arabia reached its end? And how will the US respond to what it has called a betrayal?
Guests:
Jamie Ingram Senior Editor at MEES
Ibrahim Al-Assil Geopolitical Analyst
It was one of the final steps before the full normalisation of ties between Türkiye and Israel. Türkiye has appointed a new ambassador in Tel Aviv, ending a four year absence. The move follows last week's appointment of Israel's new ambassador to Ankara. The return of official envoys caps off a year of rapid improvements in Turkish-Israeli ties, after more than a decade of tensions. A career diplomat, Sakir Ozkan Torunlar was Türkiye's former consul general in Jerusalem, having served between 2010 to 2013. His counterpart Irit Lillian, who has served in several diplomatic posts, is reported to have played a crucial role in normalising ties between the two countries. Relations took a severe hit 12 years ago, after Israel launched a raid on an aid ship bound for Gaza, that left several Turkish citizens dead. Israel's crackdown on Palestinian protesters in 2018 led to the recalling of ambassadors. But earlier this year, Israeli President Isaac Herzog visited Ankara, paving the way for the normalisation of diplomatic ties.
Guests:
Oguz Celikkol Former Turkish Ambassador to Israel
Gil Murciano CEO of Mitvim
Türkiye and Libya have signed a series of preliminary deals that include the potential exploration of hydrocarbons in Libya's territorial waters. Over the past decade, deposits of oil and natural gas have been discovered in the Eastern Mediterranean. Several countries have competing claims in those energy rich waters, with disputes over exploration rights being a major flashpoint. Türkiye's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, signed the memorandum of understanding with his Libyan counterpart Najla Mangoush in Tripoli. Cavusolgu said the exploration of hydrocarbons will take place on Libyan soil and territorial waters, involving companies from both countries. He also emphasized that the deal was between two sovereign states, and that third countries had no right to interfere. Libya's foreign minister from the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity, said the deal was crucial amid the global energy crisis. Libya, which is split between rival governments based in the east and west, has been trying to hold national elections to unify the country. But frequent clashes and fears of a return to a civil war have dashed hopes of a peaceful vote.
Guests:
Umberto Profazio International Institute for Strategic Studies
Ufuk Necat Tasci Political Analyst
Back in May, French President Emmanuel Macron said he envisioned a larger group beyond the European Union. And that idea became a reality with the European Political Community, which held its first summit in the Czech capital Prague. Everything facing Europe was on the table, from Russia's attack on Ukraine, to the global energy crisis and tensions in the South Caucasus. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended the summit, where he met with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian. President Erdogan said full the normalization of relations can be achieved, and that he expects long time rivals Armenia and Azerbaijan to reach a peace agreement. Türkiye and Armenia have not had formal diplomatic ties since the 1990s, over Armenia's illegal occupation of the Karabakh region. During the summit, Erdogan also said he expects the EU to call on Greece for dialogue. Ankara and Athens have seen tensions rise dramatically this year over maritime disputes, and Greece's militarisation of islands close to Türkiye's coast. So will the European Political Community become a new platform or will it lack the authority of much older groupings like the EU and NATO?
Guests:
Richard Giragosian Director of the Regional Studies Centre
Talha Kose Professor at Ibn Haldun University
What started off as protests across Iran, against the killing of a woman in police custody, has transformed into a wider movement against the government. Nearly three weeks of protests have reportedly left dozens dead. Nowhere is that more true than in Iran's Kurdish areas. Thousands have taken to the streets in the past week, where they have been met with heavy force from police. Masha Amini, who was from Iran's Kurdish minority, died in police custody on September 16th, for allegedly wearing her hijab improperly. She has become a symbol of grievance against the Iranian government, both inside the country and out. Right across the border in Iraq's Kurdish regions, Iran launched airstrikes on areas it said were supporting the protesters. Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, spoke on the unrest for the first time, blaming the US and Israel for the protests. So will the protests continue despite the heavy crackdown? And why is Tehran focusing so heavily on the country's Kurdish areas?
Guests:
Ali Fathollah-Nejad
Political Analyst
Ivan Eland
Director of the Independent Institute's Centre on Peace and Liberty
During the 2020 war between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the US largely sat on the sidelines, showing little interest in the conflict. That was during the Trump administration. But now under US President Joe Biden, Washington is taking a deeper interest in the turmoil hitting the South Caucasus. And many are asking why? On Monday, the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan met in Geneva to discuss a possible future peace treaty, following clashes last month that left nearly 300 dead. The fighting stopped under a US brokered truce. Just days after violence broke out at the border, US House speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Armenia, raising eyebrows about US intentions in the region. And this week, US national security advisor Jake Sullivan was in Ankara where he met with Presidential spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin to discuss the latest situation between Armenia and Azerbaijan. So what's behind Washington's renewed push to get involved in the South Caucasus?
Guests:
Theodore Karasik Senior Advisor to Gulf State Analytics
Umud Shokri Foreign Policy and Energy Consultant
Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced the annexation of four Ukrainian regions that make up nearly a fifth of the whole country’s territory. Earlier this week, the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson voted overwhelmingly to formally join the Russian federation. But the referendum was denounced by most of the west, with allegations that residents had been pressured to approve Russia's annexation. Türkiye, which has been mediating between Kiev and Moscow, has called for dialogue and diplomacy to settle this latest crisis and the overall conflict. So what impact will the referendum and annexation have?
Guests: Amanda Paul Senior Policy Analyst at the European Policy Centre Andreas Umland Analyst at Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies
Türkiye has been raising concerns about Greece's militarisation of islands in the eastern Aegean Sea. Now new pictures reportedly show dozens of US armored vehicles being deployed on the islands of Lesvos and Samos near Türkiye's western coast. President Recept Tayyip Erdogan slammed the move, saying Türkiye will utilize all means to protect its interests. Transport of the military vehicles, which were donated by the US to Greece, were reportedly captured by Turkish military UAVs on a surveillance mission, according to security sources. Ankara says the militarisation of eastern Aegean islands is against international law and numerous treaties. So how will this latest incident unfold, and is the movement of American equipment to islands near Turkiye's coast raising the stakes?
Guests:
Emete Gozuguzelli Associate Professor at ASBU
Yucel Acer Researcher at SETA
Just one year ago, it would have been hard to imagine the UAE being one of the biggest buyers of Turkish combat UAVs. But today, the two countries have seen their relations rapidly improve, with the UAE becoming the latest to receive Turkiye's most advanced TB-2 drones. And with the Gulf state facing multiple security threats, including from UAVs and missiles, how much of a game changer will this defense deal with Ankara be?
Guests:
Ali Bakeer Assistant Professor at Ibn Khaldon Centre
Pieter Wezeman Senior Researcher at SIPRI Arms Transfers Programme
Türkiye has called on the next Swedish government to honour a deal made in Madrid to tackle terror groups in the country. In exchange, Türkiye had pledged to support Sweden's entry into NATO. At a NATO summit in June, Sweden, and Finland agreed to crack down on activities by the PKK within their borders. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Sweden had long tolerated activities by the PKK, with its supporters reaching all the way to parliament. So we ask whether Sweden's next government will follow through with the pledge it made with Türkiye and the PKK's supporters have a big influence on Swedish politics.
Guests:
Klaus Jurgens Political Analyst
Joseph Downing Fellow at the London School of Economics
The US lifts a decades-long arms embargo on the Greek Cypriot administration. It was a decision that Türkiye warns could have severe consequences for the ethnically divided island of Cyprus. The President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Ersin Tatar said lifting the embargo would embolden their rival government in the south. Founded in 1983, the TRNC has governed the northern part of the island and has engaged in multiple rounds of peace talks with their neighbours to the south. But the last round stalled back in 2017. We take a look at whether this will lead to an arms race on the divided island.
Guests:
Ahmet Sozen Eastern Mediterranean University
Mehmet Celik Editorial Coordinator at Daily Sabah
Türkiye's President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan described relations between Ankara and Washington as not ideal. The major sticking points President Erdogan mentioned included disappointing trade numbers between the two countries, the stalled F-16 fighter jet deal, and the US' unbalanced support for Greece. During his visit to New York, President Erdogan met with US senators Chris Coons and Lindsay Graham, who has previously supported the Biden administration's decision to sell F-16 jets to Türkiye. Ankara requested dozens of the fighter aircraft back in October, but the deal stalled after Congress placed restrictions on their sale. We take a look at whether President Erdogan's US visit will help shore up some of these differences and how the two NATO allies will work to address other challenges.
Guests:
David Lowe Senior Research Fellow at Leeds Beckett University
Murat Yesiltas Director of Foreign Policy Research at SETA
Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan again called for reforms to the Security Council during his address to the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres praised a Turkish-brokered grain deal between Russia and Ukraine. Already more than three million tonnes of grain have been shipped out of Ukraine through the Black Sea and Turkish Straits. President Erdogan also criticised Greece, saying the country was increasing its persecution of migrants in the Aegean. He called on the world to take notice of the illegal pushbacks, warning more people were at risk of death.
Guests:
Suay Nilhan Acikalin Associate Professor at Ankara Haci Bayram Veli University
Tudor Onea Assistant Professor at Bilkent University
Fresh clashes broke out just days ago between Azerbaijan and Armenia leaving more than 150 dead. Both sides have traded blame for breaking a Russian-brokered ceasefire that ended the 6-week-long Karabakh war back in 2020. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan voiced his support for Baku and he also warned Armenia could suffer consequences for further provocations in the South Caucasus. On Wednesday, thousands took to the streets in Yerevan, demanding Nikol Pashinyan's resignation over the reported ceasefire. The two ex-Soviet states have been embroiled in a decades-long dispute over Karabakh.
Guests:
Matthew Bryza Board Member at Jamestown Foundation
Farid Shafiyev Chairman of the Centre of Analysis of International Relations
More than 20 years ago, China and Russia formed the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Since then, the group has grown into a major political, economic and security organization with eight permanent members. And Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended the summit as a special guest. Formed back in 2002, the SCO works to strengthen security and economic cooperation in the region. Türkiye, which is a part of NATO, is also a dialogue partner of the SCO. So we take a look at whether Ankara could one day join this Chinese and Russian-led security group as a full member.
Guests:
James Dorsey Senior Fellow at Singapore's Middle East Institute
Einar Tangen Senior Fellow at Taihe Institute
Türkiye's Coast Guard says that Greek ships opened fire on a cargo vessel in international waters on Saturday. No casualties were reported. The latest incident comes amid tensions between Türkiye and Greece. Ankara has says Athens is illegally militarizing islands in the Aegean, committing repeated airspace violations, and harassing Turkish fighter jets. Greece has denied the accusations and has sought support from NATO and EU countries to pressure Türkiye. We take a look at how dangerous this latest incident is and whether Athens is raising the stakes in the Aegean.
Guests:
Sean Michael Cox Senior Advisor at the Global Policy Institute
Yucel Acer Professor at Yildirim Beyazit University
Türkiye has rejected a statement made by the Arab League during a recent meeting in Cairo. The statement said Türkiye was 'interfering in the internal affairs of Arab countries' which Ankara rejected. Türkiye's Foreign Ministry said that the group's decisions were taken under the influence of narrow-minded, short-term interests. Today, the Arab League has 22 members and meets regularly to address decades-old challenges that have plagued the region. Critics argue the Arab League's influence has waned in recent years. We ask if the regional group still holds relevance.
Guests:
Abdennour Toumi North Africa Studies Researcher at ORSAM
Riccardo Fabiani Project Director at North Africa International Crisis Group
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said European sanctions against Russia are partly to blame for soaring energy prices. Now, more than six months into the conflict, the president repeated those words with a stern assessment of the west and the current energy crunch it finds itself in. He stressed the importance of Türkiye's balanced position of keeping channels open to both Moscow and Kiev. Last month, Ankara brokered a deal that allowed Ukrainian grain exports to resume after being stalled for months. We take a look at whether sanctions are sustainable amid growing protests against energy prices.
Guests:
Paul Ingram Senior Research Associate at Cambridge University
Zaur Gasimov Senior Research Fellow at the University of Bonn
The Andean Community is a free trade area including Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Now, the community says it is welcoming Türkiye as an observer member. Ankara says it will broaden its cooperation across the region and it is looking to tap the region's economic potential, while also providing development assistance and aid. Long dominated by the US, Latin American countries has seen their trade ties diversify with countries like Türkiye and China.
Guests:
Jose Duarte Ribeiro Lecturer at Ankara University
Tarik Oguzlu Professor at Istanbul Aydin University
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz shared his vision for a new European Union, including adding more countries like Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. The bloc says it's preparing for a winter without natural gas, as Russian energy giant Gazprom recently shut down its gas pipeline to Europe citing maintenance. Last year, nearly 45% of the EU's total natural gas imports came from Russia, a dependency the German chancellor says he wants to end. Scholz called on the EU to take its promises seriously when it comes to expanding the bloc. We take a look at whether the EU can really expand and how any enlargement would be viewed by Moscow.
Guests:
Zoltan Egeresi Research fellow at IFAT
Ulrich Brueckner Professor at Stanford University
Amid rising global tensions, Moscow and Beijing launched a week of military exercises. Dubbed Vostok 2022, the war games also included several ex-Soviet states, India, and Syria. The exercises took place in Russia’s far east and the Sea of Japan, involving more than 50,000 troops and 60 warships. The drills were the latest display of growing defence ties between China and Russia, as their relations with the West worsened.
Guests:
Elisabeth Braw Resident Fellow at AEI
Jennifer Murtazashvili President at CESS
EU Council President Charles Michel described the meeting as a step towards peace. He hosted between the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia. The two countries fought a bitter war back in 2020, and have yet to resolve several outstanding issues,,, including the demarcation of their border, the return of detainees from the conflict, and the opening of transport links. The EU, which recently signed a major natural gas deal with Azerbaijan, has been a key mediator in peace talks. The meeting follows last month's clashes in the Karabakh region that left three soldiers dead. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan accused each other of breaching a Russian-brokered ceasefire that ended their six-week war. Karabakh is internationally recognized as being part of Azerbaijan, but has been illegally occupied by Armenia since 1991. Baku was able to regain several cities in the 2020 war, which killed more than 6,600 people. Several rounds of peace talks, which have also been hosted by Russia, have tried to resolve long standing issues and to prevent future conflicts in this energy rich region.
Guests:
Fariz Ismailzade Vice Rector of ADA University
Eleonora Tafuro Ambrosetti Research Fellow at ISPI
Resentment towards France in large parts of Africa is growing to levels not seen in decades. That anger mostly stems from the military footprint France maintains in several of its former colonies and the close relationship the French government has held with many unpopular leaders in the region. But France's President Emmanuel Macron is blaming this rising anti-French sentiment on other countries, including Türkiye. During a recent trip to France's former colony Algeria, Macron said that a campaign by Russia, China and Turkiye, was spreading anti-French feelings on the continent. He also accused the three countries of having a neo-colonial and imperialist agenda. Türkiye's Foreign Ministry blasted Macron's remarks, saying the French leader needs to confront his own country's colonial past and to stop accusing others. France, which maintains military bases in several of its former African colonies, has seen growing resentment against its policies in the region. In Chad, anti-French protests broke out in May, following similar outbursts in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso over the past year.
Guests:
Anas El Gomati Director of Sadeq Institute
David Otto Security Analyst
Six years ago, the UAE and Kuwait downgraded ties with their bigger neighbor Iran to support Saudi Arabia. With no ambassadors, and minimal contact, Iran's isolation and hostility towards its Gulf neighbors grew. Added to that was the US' maximum pressure campaign on Tehran and the war in Yemen. But now regional tensions are easing, as the UAE moves to restore full diplomatic ties with Iran. Relations took a hit back in 2016, after Iranian protesters attacked Saudi diplomatic missions. The unrest was sparked by Riyadh's execution of a prominent Shia scholar. The Gulf states and Iran have been at odds for years. From supporting opposite sides in the war in Yemen, to suspicions over Tehran's nuclear program. But the reappointment of ambassadors from the UAE and Kuwait, together with talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia, have lowered tensions. The diplomatic overtures also follow a wider regional realignment that has seen Türkiye improve its own ties with Israel and the Gulf states.
Guests:
Sara Bazoobandi Research Fellow at GIGA
Ahmet Uysal Director at ORSAM
Earlier this year, the UN gave a grave warning. That if Libya failed to hold free and fair elections soon, the oil rich country would descend into chaos. Those warnings have come true as Libya reels with a weekend of violence that left at least 32 dead. Rival factions, who were supposed to compete in elections that never took place, are instead turning to military means to settle political scores. Libya's internationally recognized government, based in Tripoli, tried to fend off an attack by a militia loyal to Fathi Bashagha. Bashagha is recognized as prime minister by a rival, eastern parliament, over the UN recognized Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, who has refused to cede power. The UN's Libya mission says the latest clashes included street-to-street gun battles and heavy shelling of civilian areas. Fears are growing that Libya could return to all-out civil war. The previous round of fighting largely stopped in 2020 thanks to a ceasefire that was supposed to lead to elections late last year. That vote never took place as rival eastern and western governments failed to agree on candidates and a constitutional framework.
Guests:
Barah Mikail Associate Professor at Saint Louis University
Ramazan Erdag Professor at Osmangazi University
Over the past two years, the Middle East has seen a dramatic realignment. But one issue that bonded all countries together, and didn't see much change was the Palestinian cause. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas in Ankara this week, where he reiterated support for Palestinian rights. His visit follows last week’s announcement that Turkiye and Israeli would be re-establishing diplomatic ties. We take a look at how the Palestinian leadership is adapting to the fast-changing Middle East.
Guests:
Daoud Kuttab Middle East Analyst
Giorgio Cafiero CEO at Gulf State Analytics
For the second time in just three days, Greek F-16s harassed Turkish fighter jets during a routine NATO mission in the eastern Mediterranean and Aegean seas. The Greek fighters allegedly locked their radar onto Turkish planes. Turkish defence officials said their aircraft responded and that the issue was conveyed to NATO authorities. The two neighbours have a string of disputes in the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean and the violent pushback of migrants by Greece has also been a source of tensions with Ankara. We take a look at how serious this latest incident is.
Guests:
Helin Sari Ertem Associate Professor at Medeniyet University
Byron Matarangas Professor at Bahcesehir University
During his visit to Türkiye back in June, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the two countries had a goal to boost trade to five billion dollars a year. Now that five billion dollar target could be in reach, with the signing of a new preferential trade agreement. Pakistan's Prime Minister was on hand to witness the signing of the trade agreement, which will come into effect starting next year. The deal will reduce duties, and tariffs and also include more safeguards and channels to resolve trade disputes. We spoke to Pakistan’s ambassador in Ankara about the benefits the trade deal will bring.
Guest:
Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi Pakistan's Ambassador to Türkiye
Turkish President Erdogan helped forge the Ukraine grain deal in late July, a move that has earned praise from Secretary-General Guterres, Russian President Vladimir Putin and US officials. Millions of tonnes of grain were stuck in silos, threatening global food supplies since Russia's attack on Ukraine in late February. But now, with grain shipments resuming, fears of a widening food crisis have eased. We take a look at how the international community is reacting to recent Turkish foreign policy successes, including the recent Ukraine grain deal.
Guests:
Peter Zalmayev Director of the Eurasia Democracy Initiative
Valeria Giannotta Türkiye Specialist at CeSPI
During his visit to Türkiye back in June, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the two countries had a goal to boost trade to five billion dollars a year. Now that five billion dollar target could be in reach, with the signing of a new preferential trade agreement. Pakistan's Prime Minister was on hand to witness the signing of the trade agreement, which will come into effect starting next year. The deal will reduce duties, and tariffs and also include more safeguards and channels to resolve trade disputes. We spoke to Pakistan’s ambassador in Ankara about the benefits the trade deal will bring.
Guest:
Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi Pakistan's Ambassador to Türkiye
After four tense years, Türkiye and Israel are set to fully restore diplomatic ties. The two countries announced the reappointment of ambassadors to their posts in Tel Aviv and Ankara. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu made a visit to Israel in May, the first such trip in 15 years. The diplomatic breakthrough comes after more than a decade of animosity, which started over Israel's raid on a Turkish aid ship back in 2010 that left several aid workers dead. After a slow thaw, Ankara again recalled its ambassador in 2018, in response to a deadly crackdown by Israel on its border with Gaza. But now, both countries are looking to put those tense years behind them as key opportunities such as energy cooperation and a wider regional realignment take hold.
Guests:
Nimrod Goren President of the Mitvim Institute
Ahmet Keser Associate Professor at Hasan Kalyoncu University
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned about the dangers of heavy fighting near a nuclear power plant in Ukraine's south. He made the warning during a meeting with this Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Lviv. The plant has been under Russian military control since March. UN chief Antonio Guterres said any damage to the plant would be suicide. President Erdogan, on his first visit to Ukraine since Russia's attack in late February, reiterated Türkiye's support for Ukraine's sovereignty. He also said that the three leaders covered the possibility of transforming a recent grain deal, into wider peace talks.
Guests:
Ferhat Pirincci Professor at Uludag University
Eugene Chausovsky Senior Analyst at Newsline Institute
Enterprising and humanitarian will be the benchmark of how Türkiye engages with the world. Those are the words of Türkiye's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavasoglu who delivered to the country's envoys during the 13th Ambassadors Conference in Ankara.
During the annual gathering, Türkiye's top diplomats come together to share ideas and experiences that are affecting the country, region and world. Security issues were front and centre, including Türkiye's commitments to root out terrorism both at home and abroad. The conference also laid out Turkiye's humanitarian push to aid the less fortunate and to create conditions for peace and stability. We ask how Türkiye's foreign policy evolving in a world that is dealing with a conflict raging in Europe, and where new powers in Asia are rising, challenging the old order.
Guests:
Matthew Bryza Former US Ambassador
Erman Akilli Associate Professor at Kirsehir Ahi Ervan University
After the Covid-19 pandemic, the ease of remote working pushed many to leave cities altogether, to live in smaller towns. As the restrictions were lifted, people weren't ready to go back to the old normal. And one organisation is looking to capitalize on that trend. The Cittaslow Association created special guidelines small towns can follow to gain the status of a 'slow city'. The first Turkish town to join the movement was Seferihisar on the Aegean coast, and more are in line to join. So we ask that this global slow trend live far will past the pandemic and how Türkiye is benefitting from this ever-growing movement.
Guests:
Pier Giorgio Oliveti Cittaslow Secretary General
Bülent Köstem Cittaslow Turkey Technical Coordinator
After a two-year hiatus, Türkiye has resumed its search for hydrocarbons in the energy-rich eastern Mediterranean. Its fourth and newest drilling ship, the Abdulhamid Han has started operations on the country's southern coast. Measuring 238-metres long, it is the largest and most advanced deep sea drilling ship in Türkiye's exploration fleet. The launch of the Turkish drilling ship comes as tensions between Ankara and Athens are on the rise, over Greece's militarisation of islands in the Aegean and the pushback of migrants. We look at how the Abdulhamid Han will help Türkiye boost its energy production, and how Greece might respond.
Guests:
Oktay Tanrisever Professor at METU
Goktug Sahin Lecturer at Haci Bayram Veli University
Many industries across the world are still suffering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including global air travel. But Istanbul airport took the rank of Europe's busiest during this year's peak travel season, with about 6 million passengers going through the airport in June alone. Major airports in Europe have seen demand skyrocket from a year ago, but are still about 30% behind compared to 2019 whereas, in Türkiye, the figure was up 115% from last year. Due to staffing shortages, airports across North America and Europe are also seeing weak recovery in air travel.
Guest:
Alex Macheras Aviation Analyst
Last month, Turkish scientists completed a 3-week expedition to the Arctic, where they studied the effects of climate change and pollution on the region's ecosystem. Türkiye's interest in the world's polar regions has seen recent boosts following several expeditions in the past few years. We take a look at how strategic rivalries in the Arctic have changed since Russia's attack on Ukraine and where Türkiye stands, given its close ties and cooperation with Russia in the Arctic.
Guests:
Arild Moe Research Professor at Fridtjof Nansen Institute
Ebru Caymaz Assistant Professor at Canakkale 18 Mart University
Clashes have broken out between Azerbaijan and Armenia in Karabakh, with Baku accusing Yerevan of not meeting provisions of a 2020 peace deal. The latest fighting broke out near the Lachin corridor and other places along the ‘Line of Contact’. In 2020, a war broke out in the region, killing more than 6,600 people. Azerbaijan, with support from Türkiye, was able to reclaim large parts of Karabakh. The fighting eventually stopped under a Russian-brokered peace deal. Karabakh is internationally recognised as being part of Azerbaijan but has been illegally occupied by Armenia since the 1990s.
Guests:
Farid Shafiyev Chairman of the Centre of Analysis of International Relations
Mehmet Celik Editorial Coordinator at Daily Sabah
Türkiye is set to become a rare earth mineral powerhouse, a key ingredient in everyday items like smartphones to batteries and aircraft. Türkiye says it has discovered the world's second-largest rare earth element reserve. Estimated to contain 694 million tons of rare earth minerals, the deposit is the world's second largest behind China. It is located in the Beylikova district of Eskisehir in Central Anatolia. The reserve contains 10 of those rare minerals and the discovery was announced last month by Türkiye's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Fatih Donmez. For decades, China dominated the market, having the world's largest reserve.
Guests:
Julie Klinger Assistant Professor at University of Delaware
Abdulkadir Balikci Chairman at TENMAK
Less than three weeks after meeting in Tehran, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi. Topping their agenda, was the grain shipments that resumed just days ago from Ukraine, as part of a deal Türkiye brokered late last month. Putin thanked President Erdogan for helping forge that agreement, which is allowing millions of tons of grain that was stuck in Ukraine, to reach global markets. The two leaders also touched on the situation in northern Syria, where Türkiye is planning its latest operation to establish a safe-zone along the border. Although supporting opposites sides in that conflict, Türkiye and Russia have worked together to stabalize areas in the north, where opposition fighters are holding out against Syrian regime forces. So will this latest meeting help bring Türkiye's operation closer and how will the two countries move forward when it comes to energy, and Ankara's mediation efforts in Ukraine?
Guests:
Sergei Markov Director at Institute on Political Studies
Muhammet Kocak Foreign Policy Analyst
Even before Russia's attack on Ukraine, global energy supplies were already strained. And now, many countries are looking to old sources to make up the shortfall. Türkiye recently began construction on the fourth and last reactor at the country's first nuclear power plant. The Akkuyu Nuclear plant is being built along Türkiye's Mediterranean coast near the city of Mersin. The $20 billion plant is set to produce 35 billion kilowatt hours of electricity a year, about 10% of Türkiye's total needs. As energy prices soar, we ask if nuclear could power help fill that gap.
Guests:
Umud Shokri Foreign Policy Analyst
Philip Andrews-Speed Energy Analyst
For one year, Tunisians have been waiting to see where their country would go after President Kais Saied sacked his government and suspended parliament. On Monday, Tunisians went to the polls and approved a new constitution. The country's long-awaited referendum saw only 30% of eligible voters show up. And the results were overwhelmingly in favour of President Saied, with more than 94% voting yes. The new constitution will place Tunisia's president in command of the military, allow him to appoint a government without parliamentary approval, extend his power over the judiciary and make it nearly impossible to remove him from office. Tunisia's fledgling democracy was born after its 2010 revolution that sparked the Arab Spring, where long-time rulers across North Africa and the Middle East were overthrown by mass demonstrations.
Guests:
Ricard Gonzalez Journalist and Political Analyst
Ghaya Ben Mbarek Journalist
For several years, the Saudi leadership planned to build a futuristic, green city in the middle of the desert. The project dubbed Neom comes with a price tag of 1 trillion dollars. At the centre of this megaproject, which will cover an area larger than Kuwait, will be a skyscraper called, The Line. Construction has reportedly begun on what will be the largest man-made structure ever if completed. It is expected to run on renewable energy and vertical farms to feed its millions of residents. The project is being pushed heavily by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as well. So we ask if this trillion-dollar linear city is more fantasy than the future.
Guests:
Taha Arvas Adjunct Professor of Finance at Bogazici University
Karol Janas Institute of Urban and Regional Development
For months, the EU has said its dependency on Russian fossil fuels would gradually end but the bloc hasn't been clear on how that energy shortfall would be filled. Those plans got a boost last week, after the EU signed a deal, to double its natural gas imports from Azerbaijan by 2027. Currently, Azerbaijan transports its gas through the Trans-Anatolian Gas Pipeline, which runs across Türkiye towards Greece. We look at if natural gas from Azerbaijan can play a significant role in the EU's plans to lessen its dependency on Russian energy.
Guests:
Shahmar Hajiyev Political Analyst
Aura Sabadus Senior Journalist at ICIS
Europe is enduring its worst heatwave in years, where temperatures are hitting record highs in places such as the UK. Deadly wildfires are also ravaging Portugal, Spain and France, forcing thousands to flee. Firefighters are trying to contain dozens of blazes across the continent, which according to climate scientists will continue in greater numbers in the coming decades. We take a look at what measures Türkiye is taking as it braces for a heatwave that has already ravaged Europe.
Guests:
Stefan Doerr Professor at Swansea University
Abdulkadir Develi Associate Professor at Ankara Yildırim Beyazit University
After months of negotiations, a deal between Türkiye, Ukraine and Russia that allows Ukraine to resume its grain exports has been reached. Hopes are high that this deal will finally lay to rest months of uncertainty about the world's food supply due to Russia's ongoing attack on Ukraine. The grain will be allowed to reach world markets through the Black Sea and the Turkish Straits. We take a look at what impact will this deal have on global food supplies and will the parties stick to the agreement.
Guests:
Izzet Selim Yenel Former Turkish Ambassador
Spasimir Domaradzki Assistant Professor at the University of Warsaw
Dramatic new footage is showing how the Greek Coast Guard is pushing migrants back in the Aegean sea towards Turkish waters. Ankara condemned the move by Greece, saying the most recent pushback also violated Türkiye's territorial waters. The actions by Greece are the latest in a string of incidents, that have severely strained ties between the two neighbours. Earlier this month, the European Commission gave a stern warning to Athens, saying it must stop the violent and illegal pushback of migrants. So we ask how this latest incident will harm already tense relations between Ankara and Athens.
Guests:
Zuhal Mert Uzuner Associate Professor at Marmara University
Steven Horrell Senior Fellow at Center for European Policy Analysis
The last time the leaders of Turkiye, Russia and Iran met in person, it was a very different world. There was no global pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine was years away. Now, the three presidents have met to discuss a long-running issue that has been largely forgotten, how to end Syria's 11 year-long civil war. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Tehran where he met his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi to discuss a series of bilateral issues. He was followed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is on his second trip abroad since ordering an attack on Ukraine back in late February. The three leaders touched on the security situation in Syria's northwest province of Idlib, the delivery of humanitarian aid, and the threat of terrorism. The talks came as Turkiye stepped up plans for a possible operation into northern Syria, to clear the YPG terror group from its borders. So can the three leaders hatch out a new deal? And will the conflict in Ukraine affect the delicate balance Ankara and Moscow has maintained in Syria?
Guests:
Ahmet Keser Associate Professor at Hasan Kalyoncu University
Navvar Saban Security Analyst
Since taking office, US President Joe Biden has strung together several, semi-alliances, stretching from the Indo-Pacific all the way to western Asia. His latest attempt at revamping America's leadership role came during the so called I2U2 summit, which brought together the leaders of Israel, the UAE and India. Also dubbed the west Asian Quad, in reference to another regional alliance Biden forged last year, the four countries are expected to cooperate in defence, trade, and technology. But which country is this new Quad directed at? The alignment comes amid soaring energy prices, and food insecurity all brought on by the conflict in Ukraine. As the world looks to tackle record rates of inflation and a business climate still reeling from the global pandemic, the four countries said they will work to coordinate their trade and security policies. But analysts say the group's main goal will be to counter Iran and China's growing influence in the region. So how durable is Biden's new alliance, and is his attempts at restoring US global leadership working?
Guests:
William Lawrence Former US Diplomat
Ali Bakeer Political Analyst
Türkiye has introduced the world’s First Underground Cruise Ship Terminal. Galataport lies at the heart of Istanbul, and aims to attract more visitors and capitalize on the growing cruise line industry which is back in full swing following the pandemic. Saleh Sadi has more.
Back in May, the opening of an Iranian factory in the Central Asian republic of Tajikistan passed without much attention. The facility, which will produce drones, was the first of its kind that Iran has built in a foreign country. Tajikistan, which has close economic and defence ties with Iran, said it welcomed the help in upgrading its military equipment, and that the two would work together to combat terrorism. We ask what impact Iran's growing drone capabilities will have for Central Asia, especially in the aftermath of the Taliban's takeover, and in the broader region, including Syria and the South Caucuses.
Guests:
Ismail Sari Associate Professor at Ankara Haci Bayram Veli University
Ulas Pehlivan Security Analyst
Six years ago, Türkiye faced its greatest internal threat in a generation. A military faction, hidden deep within the Turkish armed forces, launched a coup attempt on July 15, 2016, on the orders of the FETO terror group. That night, as coup plotters began occupying key parts of the country, hundreds of thousands of Turkish citizens took to the streets to take on the rogue soldiers. In the end, 251 people were dead and more than 2,200 were injured. But six years on, the failed coup's mastermind remains at large. Fethullah Gulen, who leads the FETO terror organisation, has been living under protection in the US state of Pennsylvania. Despite long-running disputes over the US's harbouring of terror suspects, some progress was made recently. On the eve of a NATO summit in Madrid, Sweden and Finland, agreed to stop supporting the FETO terror group. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed the move, saying it was the first time FETO was mentioned as a terror organisation by NATO. We ask how far has Türkiye's fight against terrorism gone since that July night, and what challenges lie ahead?
Guests:
Rich Outzen Former US Diplomat
Murat Koc Professor at Cag University
Vehbi Baysan Political Analyst
The world is arming itself at an alarming rate. That's what a recent report by Sipri, a Swedish based research institute that tracks conflicts and arms control, said about global weapons purchases. Last year, global military spending crossed the two trillion dollar mark for the first time.
The five largest spenders, the US, China, India, the UK and Russia accounted for 62 percent of total defence expenditures. The report highlighted that despite the global covid-19 pandemic, military spending remained largely unaffected and saw rapid growth compared to other sectors. But one of the most troubling points was that many of the world's nuclear armed states are rapidly modernizing and expanding their arsenals. Although down from cold war highs, SIPRI warns that the era of nuclear disarmament appears to be ending. The warning comes as Russia's attack on Ukraine passed the four-month mark. Tensions between the US and China have also risen this year, particularly over Taiwan and navigation rights in the South China Sea. So what impact will this increase in global arms spending mean for the world's security?
Guests:
Owen Green Professor at the University of Bradford
Elizabeth Braw Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute
Chaos engulfs Libya as thousands take to the streets against continuing power cuts, rising prices and the failure of politicians to set an election date. Last week, protesters stormed parliament in the eastern city of Tobruk, before setting it on fire. The turmoil is being made worse by the continuing blockade of Libya's oil sector by rival political factions, starving the country of fuel and export earnings.
But most of the growing frustration in Libya is centred on the months of political deadlock paralyzing the country. Libya was set to hold presidential and parliamentary elections in December last year. The vote was meant to cap a UN-led peace process that ended years of heavy fighting between the country's UN backed-government in Tripoli, against illegal militias centered in the east. But the election never took place, due to disagreements over the elections legality and who would be eligible to run. Fears are now growing that the country could see a return to the violence last seen in 2020, when warlord Khalifa Haftar launched a brutal campaign to take Tripoli.
Guests:
Noamane Cherkaoui Analyst at Policy Centre for the New South
Ahmed Sewehli Political Analyst
The future flagship of Türkiye's navy began sea trials late last month, in a show of force that many analysts say could change the balance of power in the Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean. The TCG Anadolu is a multi-purpose ship, equipped with a landing dock that is expected to accommodate attack helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles. Spotted in the Sea of Marmara, the vessel underwent official sea trials and systems tests. The ministry in charge of its construction says the naval ship will be equipped with Turkish-made weapons, including attack helicopters and amphibious assault vehicles. But the most ambitious plans will be to equip the Anadolu TCG with Turkiye's latest UAVs, the TB3 Bayraktar drones. It's predecessor, the TB2 has seen success in several battlefields across Libya, Syria, the Southern Caucasus and recently in Ukraine. The TCG Anadolu is part of Türkiye's revamped naval strategy that looks to better secure its maritime borders. This past year, Türkiye has seen rising tensions with Greece over exploration rights in the eastern Mediterranean and maritime disputes in the Aegean.
Guest:
Zoltan Egeresi Security Analyst
600 billion dollars. That's how much G7 countries pledged to counter China's Belt and Road initiative, a project that looks to recreate the ancient Silk Road. Beijing says it will spend more than a trillion dollars on ports, roads, bridges and rails, having already broken ground in dozens of countries across Asia, Africa and Europe. But now, G7 leaders are looking to outdo their Chinese rivals. Dubbed the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, or P-G-I-I, US President Joe Biden says the investments will help low and middle income countries tackle climate change, improve public health and transform to fit a digital world. For years, the US has tried to counter China's growing influence, and has criticised the Belt and Road Initiative as a debt trap that hasn't brought tangible benefits for host countries. China has countered that its investments come without political strings attached and benefits both sides. So whose plan will win out in the end, and is this global competition between China and the west a good thing for developing countries?
Guests:
Nancy Snow Distinguished Visiting Professor at Schwarzman College
Andrew Leung Political Analyst
Türkiye got what it wanted. That's how Ankara is describing the outcome of tense negotiations, that cleared the way for Sweden and Finland to join the NATO alliance. The breakthrough came just hours before a NATO summit was set to kick off in Madrid. For weeks, Ankara strongly opposed Sweden and Finland's bid to join NATO, over their support for terrorist groups that have attacked Türkiye. After last minute negotiations, the three countries signed a memorandum that addresses Türkiye's concerns. The two Nordic countries have agreed to cooperate fully with Türkiye in its fight against the PKK and other related terrorist groups. Both countries also agreed to lift an arms embargo on Türkiye that was placed back in 2019. Sweden's prime minister hailed the agreement, saying their inclusion into NATO will boost the alliance's security. President Erdogan also met his US counterpart Joe Biden on the sidelines of the summit, discussing everything from NATO's enlargement, the conflict in Ukraine, to stability in the Aegean and Syria. NATO's steps to welcome Sweden and Finland comes as the western alliance confronts Russia over its attack on Ukraine, which was launched back in late February. So is this a breakthrough for NATO, will Sweden and Finland really follow through with Türkiye's concerns on terrorism and how will Russia react to this latest development?
Guests:
Tarik Oguzlu Professor at Istanbul Aydin University
Giedrius Cesnakas Director of Political Science at Lithuania's Military Academy
Matthew Bryza Former US Ambassador
Recently released photos and video by Anadolu Agency confirms what Ankara has been warning about for years. That Greece is continuing to violate international law by militarizing islands in the eastern Aegean Sea. The latest island in question is Keci or Pserimos as it is known in Greece, which lies just a few kilometres off Türkiye's coast. The tiny islet, just eight kilometres from the resort city of Bodrum in Türkiye's southwest, has seen recent construction of pre-fabricated buildings, and watchtowers. Video also shows Greek troops and heavy weapons being deployed across the island. Ankara has long argued that Keci Island is legally required to remain uninhabited and demilitarized. Turkish officials have also repeatedly condemned Greece's militarization of other islands in the eastern Aegean, saying it goes against the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne that established the modern borders of both Greece and Türkiye.
Guests:
Mehmet Ugur Ekinci Foreign Policy Researcher at SETA
Tudor Onea Assistant Professor at Bilkent University
Last year, Tunisia's president Kais Saied took drastic steps that sparked crisis after crisis. He dissolved the government and sacked parliament. Mass protests have engulfed the country ever since. Now Saied's latest move is fuelling renewed outrage. The dismissal of dozens of judges and the president declaring Islam will not be the state religion. Thousands of protesters hit the streets in the capital Tunis, condemning the moves. Saied received a new draft constitution last week that he will have to approve before a referendum, which is expected to be held next month. The Tunisian president has faced growing criticism for consolidating nearly every executive branch under his control. Protesters have been demanding more political and economic reforms as the country grips with skyrocketing inflation and high unemployment. More than a decade ago, Tunisia was the first to see mass uprisings, that evenutally spread across the region, toppling long-time governments in Libya, Egypt and Yemen. So is Saied proving his critics right, is he taking Tunisia back to the era of one-man rule?
Guests:
Salih Yasun Political Analyst
Yasmine Akrimi North Africa Analyst at Brussels International Centre
Türkiye’s president and Saudi Arabia's crown prince described their recent talks as the start of “a new era of co-operation”. President Erdogan welcomed Mohammed bin Salman in Ankara on Wednesday, where the two leaders discussed strengthening political, economic and security ties. Restoring their once lucrative trade relationship was a key point both touched on during their meeting. It included working to increase the number of flights between the two countries, easing bilateral trade restrictions and exploring new areas for investment. Crown Prince Mohammed's visit comes at the end of a three-country tour that also took him to Jordan and Egypt. President Erdogan visited Saudi Arabia in late April, as part of efforts to normalize relations between Ankara and Riyadh. Relations had been strained for years over the blockade of Qatar and the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul back in 2018. So can Türkiye and Saudi Arabia put years of animosity behind them and forge a new partnership?
Guests:
Ahmet Uysal Director of Middle Eastern Studies at ORSAM
Giorgio Cafiero
CEO of Gulf State Analytics
The World Bank says Turkiye could save $146 billion, if it takes effective and appropriate action to tackle climate change. Most of the benefits would come from reductions in energy imports and reduced pollution. Last year, Turkiye imported 61 billion cubic metres of natural gas and nearly 3 million tons of oil. Turkiye has committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2053. But to hit that goal, the World Bank says the country must decarbonise its power sector, and move away from fossil fuels when it comes to transport. The report adds that the clearest path for Turkiye to reach both energy security and to reduce emissions is to accelerate its domestic solar and wind power sectors. Over the last decade, Turkiye has tripled its renewable energy capacity and is looking to invest further in battery technologies, geothermal energy and carbon capture. The World Bank warned that due to the conflict in Ukraine, many countries dependent on fuel imports, including Turkiye, are at risk to energy price shocks.
Guest:
Stephane Hallegatte
Senior Climate Change Adviser at World Bank
Even before Russia's attack on Ukraine in late February, the need for international food aid and support was already at alarming levels. Countries like Yemen, and Afghanistan, having been plagued by conflict for years, were facing shortages and a humanitarian crisis. But now, the world's newest country is bracing for potentially worse, becoming the latest indirect casualty of the conflict in Ukraine. The World Food Programme says it is suspending food aid to 1.7 million people in South Sudan, citing critical funding shortages. Currently, 60 percent of the population is grappling with severe food insecurity. The dwindling aid money comes as wealthier countries divert their resources to Ukraine, which has been fighting off a Russian attack for four months. Adding to the shortfall from global donors are soaring prices for fuel and food. So can the international community find common ground to help the most vulnerable nations, while still keeping its commitments to Ukraine?
Guests:
Elem Eyrice Tepeciklioglu
Associate Professor at Yasar University
Mukesh Kapila
Former Director for Emergency Response at WHO
Once a minor player in global energy markets, Israel is set to take on a bigger role as a gas supplier. And it comes at a crucial time. EU countries are seeking new sources, as they move away from Russia over its attack on Ukraine. And Israel won't be alone in getting energy supplies to Europe. It will be working with Egypt. Last week, the EU, Israel and Egypt singed a tripartite gas export deal that will provide the bloc with a new source of energy. European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen hailed the agreement as a special moment. But analysts warn that Israel will fall short of replacing Russia. Last year, Moscow supplied nearly 40% of the EU's needs, or about 155 billion cubic meters of natural gas. During the same period, Israel only produced about 12 billion cubic meters. So will Europe's new, 'fragmented strategy' of having multiple, smaller sources of energy help end its dependence on Russia?
Guests:
Sohbet Karbuz
Energy Analyst
Tom Marzec-Manser
Head of Gas Analytics at ICIS
India is facing backlash after members of the ruling BJP party insulted the Prophet Muhammad on one of India's biggest television networks. Both party spokesperson Nupur Sharma and the head of the party's Delhi media unit Naveen Kumar made disparaging remarks about the Prophet. The BJP has condemned the comments, denouncing the insult of any religious personalities - and has suspended both officials. The comments have sparked criticism from Arab and Muslim-majority countries which say the remarks were offensive and Islamophobic. Qatar and Kuwait have summoned their Indian ambassadors and demanded an apology, while the Saudi-based Organization of Islamic Cooperation said the remarks 'are part of a growing spate of hatred and defamation of Islam in India and systematic practices against Indian Muslims'. Some supermarkets have even started pulling Indian products from their shelves. But as the Muslim world condemns India's anti-Islam sentiment, why does it rarely get any attention in the West?
Guests: Ali Khan Mahmudabad Associate Professor at Ashoka University
Uday Bhaskar Director at Society for Policy Studies
The D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation celebrated its 25th anniversary in its birthplace Istanbul on Thursday. The organization, which consists of eight Muslim developing nations, aims to improve the member states' position in the global economy. The summit was held at a time of crisis, as the world faces a food shortage caused by the raging conflict in Ukraine, as well as an ongoing pandemic and rising anti-Muslim sentiment. This year’s gathering in Istanbul marks the D8’s Silver Jubilee Anniversary. Celebrations are planned to recognise the group’s accomplishments over the past 25 years as the D8 aims to continue providing an international framework for co-operation on agriculture, food, trade and energy.
Guests:
Taha Arvas Adjunct Professor of Finance at Bogazici University
Osama Rizvi Energy and Economic Analyst at Primary Vision Network
After a decade, Türkiye and Egypt are taking steps towards normalising ties on all fronts. While the countries haven't yet re-appointed ambassadors, they are showing willingness to settle their differences. And last week's visit by Türkiye's finance minister was the first of its kind in nine years. Despite the tensions, Ankara and Cairo did not cut off communication, which paved the way for an official rapprochement to begin in May 2021. It was part of a wider normalisation process across the region, which has progressed a lot faster considering the number of issues the two countries need to settle. Cairo has taken a positive step on the Libyan front, pulling the carpet from under warlord Khalifa Haftar, and now backing the interim government. The Eastern Mediterranean front has also gained momentum against the backdrop of Russia's attack on Ukraine, and Europe's desire to cut its reliance on Russian energy. Cairo had previously announced a plan to explore oil and gas in the Mediterranean that observed the co-ordinates of the continental shelf as declared by Ankara. So, with all these positive signs from both sides, what is slowing down the re-appointment of ambassadors, and causing the talks to stall?
Guests: Vehbi Baysan Political Analyst
Umberto Profazio IISS Associate Fellow
Iran's relations with the West are once again strained, after Tehran disconnected a number of cameras installed by the UN watchdog to monitor its nuclear activity. Reports suggest it's in response to a censure by Western powers for Iran's lack of co-operation. The International Atomic Energy Agency has raised concerns over traces of enriched uranium previously found at three undeclared sites and has urged Iran to resume talks immediately. Talks to revive the nuclear deal have remained deadlocked since March. Iran's economy is struggling, mostly due to the US pulling out of the 2015 deal that restored sanctions on Iran's oil and banking sectors. As nationwide protests continue over the country's dire economic situation, Iran's currency this week spiraled to its lowest value ever. And since the Ukraine conflict began, Iran's oil exports to China have also dropped due to Beijing favoring discounted Russian oil. So, is Iran seeing its position weakening in the region due to internal instability and external changes?
Guests:
Mehrdad Khonsari Former Iranian Diplomat
Nader Hashemi Political Analyst
It's a threat that Turkiye long warned about, but is just now getting attention in Europe. According to a recent German intelligence report, the PKK is the largest terrorist organization operating in the country. Germany’s spy chief admitted that the country has become a platform for the PKK terror organization’s fundraising and recruitment activities targeting Türkiye. Although Ankara has repeatedly called on its NATO ally Germany to take stronger action against the PKK, the terrorist group's activities have been largely tolerated by authorities, and Berlin has been reluctant to do more to combat the group.
Guests:
Klaus Jurgens Political Analyst
Mehmet Celik Managing Editor at Daily Sabah
The conflict in Ukraine crossed the 100-day mark last week, and with it came growing concerns of a global food crisis. Most of the blame is being directed at Russia, which has been accused of blockading Ukrainian ports. World leaders are pressuring Moscow to allow for the safe passage of grain exports many countries depend on. Since the conflict broke out back in late February, Turkiye has played a key role as a mediator between Kiev and Moscow. That latest effort came, as Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was in Ankara to discuss ways to facilitate the safe crossing through the Black Sea. Turkiye offered to escort Ukrainian ships through a secure corridor, a proposal welcomed by both Moscow and Kiev. But Lavrov said Russia wasn't to blame for the grain crisis.
Guests:
Ivan Starodoubtsev Political Analyst
Talha Kose Associate Professor at Ibn Haldun University
Ever since Russia launched its attack on Ukraine back in late February, the strategic importance of the Black Sea has been thrust into the open. Together, Russia and Ukraine make up nearly 30% of global wheat exports, and much of that reaches world markets from ports on the Black Sea. But with Russia controlling most of Ukraine's southern coast, and its remaining ports being blockaded, security across this vital body of water has been upended. But there is one regional group, comprising all countries that lie on the Black Sea, that could help to address those challenges. The Black Sea Economic Cooperation. Strait Talk speaks with the Secretary General of the BSCE to get his take on the Black Sea region’s future.
Guest:
Lazar Comanescu Secretary General of BSEC
The year started on a positive note for Türkiye and Greece. Both countries held regular meetings to address long-running disputes. But relations took a turn for the worse, after Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited Washington late last month. President Erdogan accused Mitsotakis of using his address to Congress to block a potential weapons deal with Türkiye, and subsequently cancelled all future meetings with the Greek leader. Tensions have since risen between the NATO allies, with Greece putting its armed forces on high alert in the eastern Aegean Sea. Ankara has long criticized Greece's militarization of a string of islands in the Aegean, saying it goes against both the Lausanne and Paris Treaties. Tensions between the two countries last flared back in 2020, over drilling and exploration rights in the eastern Mediterranean. So are the two neighbors headed for a tumultuous summer, or can both sides come to a compromise?
Guests:
Yucel Acer Professor at Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University
James Dorsey Senior Fellow at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University
Since taking the post back in April, after then Prime Minister Imran Khan was ousted in a no-confidence vote, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharrif has been shoring up relations with Pakistan's closest allies. His latest stop, Türkiye. He met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday, covering everything from trade and defence ties to regional security threats. Shariff said that Pakistan stands with Türkiye in its fight against terrorism, adding: "Enemies of Türkiye are enemies of Pakistan." Despite the abrupt change in Pakistan’s leadership, relations between Ankara and Islamabad have remained strong. Just last month, the two countries celebrated the launch of a new warship, built by a Turkish company and commissioned for the Pakistani navy. PM Shariff also made a key announcement in late May, that he wanted Türkiye to join a multi-billion dollar transport project being financed by China, that will make Pakistan a vital transport and energy link. Strait Talk sat down with the prime minister to discuss that proposal, along with the current economic and political challenges his country is facing.
Formed back in 2006, the BRICS countries, comprise Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Now, the group says it is looking to expand for the first time in 12 years when it admitted South Africa back in 2010. The leaders of BRICS meet regularly to address a host of issues, from funding infrastructure projects, to providing liquidity support and protection during times of global financial pressure. The group also has at its disposal, a multilateral development bank, that many analysts have called a rival to the western dominated World Bank. Tens of billions of dollars in loans have been issued to member states, to fund transport, energy and agricultural projects. But many have raised questions of how effective BRICS will be in the long-term, given Russia's growing isolation over its attack on Ukraine, and China's tense relationship with fellow member India.
Guests:
Oktay Tanrisever
Professor at Middle East Technical University
Raffaello Pantucci Senior Associate Fellow at RUSI
After a nearly three-year ban, the UK is lifting all remaining restrictions on defence exports to Turkiye. The head of the country's Defence Industry Agency, confirmed that the arms embargo by London had ended, and that the two countries are ready to bring their defence cooperation to a new level. The sanctions were first imposed back in 2019, after Turkiye launched an anti-terror operation in northern Syria, to clear terror groups from its border regions. The UK, and several other western countries placed a weapons embargo on Turkiye in response. But pressure is now building to relax those restrictions on Ankara, as Turkish military hardware and drone exports to Ukraine, have helped in its defence against Russia. Meanwhile Turkish officials also reiterated recently, that Ankara will not agree to admit any new NATO members that continue to block defence exports to Turkiye. Finland and Sweden, have both applied to join NATO in the aftermath of Russia's attack on Ukraine but Ankara says it will not accept the two candidates until its own security concerns are met.
Guests:
Samuel Doveri Vesterbye Director of the European Neighbourhood Council
Ali Demirdas Political Analyst
After more than a decade of tensions, Israel and Turkiye are looking to start a new chapter in relations. On Wednesday, Cavusoglu met his Israeli counterpart Yair Lapid in West Jerusalem. After the meeting, both sides agreed to ‘re-energise’ relations in several fields, Cavusoglu said that improving relations will have a positive impact to solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Turkish-Israeli relations worsened in 2010, after Israeli forces killed ten civilians on a Turkish ship providing humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza. Relations also hit low points due to Israel’s consistent attacks on Gaza and the US’ decision to move its embassy to West Jerusalem, which caused Ankara to recall its ambassador.
Guests: Nimrod Goren President and Founder of Mitvim
Murat Yesiltas Director of Foreign Policy Studies at SETA
SEGMENT2
Title: Is Russia Weaponising Food Against the World?
Thumbnail: World’s Bread Basket Cut Off
Description:
UN chief Antonio Gutterres gave a dire warning at a recent food security summit in New York. That Russia's attack on Ukraine could lead to a global hunger crisis, lasting years. Before the conflict broke out in late February, both countries accounted for a third of global wheat exports. But today, the world's bread basket has been cut off. Nearly all of Ukraine's ports are under Russian control. The port of Mariupol, mostly destroyed but now in Russian hands, has been offline since the early days of the attack. Odessa, in Ukraine's southwest, although still under Kiev's control, is being blockaded by Russian warships, denying any commercial vessels a way in or out. That's translating into skyrocketing food prices across the world, where countries dependentant on imports panic over future supplies. Has the conflict in Ukraine further exposed how vulnerable the global food system is?
Guests: Madelon Meijer Policy Advisor Food and Agriculture at Oxfam
Hilal Elver Former UN Special Rapporteur
After more than a decade of tensions, Israel and Türkiye are looking to start a new chapter in relations. On Wednesday, Cavusoglu met his Israeli counterpart Yair Lapid in West Jerusalem. After the meeting, both sides agreed to ‘re-energise’ relations in several fields, Cavusoglu said that improving relations will have a positive impact to solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Turkish-Israeli relations worsened in 2010, after Israeli forces killed ten civilians on a Turkish ship providing humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza. Relations also hit low points due to Israel’s consistent attacks on Gaza and the US’ decision to move its embassy to West Jerusalem, which caused Ankara to recall its ambassador.
Guests: Nimrod Goren President and Founder of Mitvim
Murat Yesiltas Director of Foreign Policy Studies at SETA
Somali legislators have elected former leader Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as the country’s tenth president, following a long-overdue election on Sunday in the troubled Horn of Africa nation. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud who governed Somalia between 2012 and 2017, is facing a series of economic and security challenges, including a long-running drought and threats of terrorism. Meanwhile, the US has approved the redeployment of troops to Somalia to support the fight against the militant group al-Shabab. An attack on an African Union base earlier this month killed 10 peacekeepers. President Mohamud also pledged to continue to work with Turkiye on the security front, praising Ankara's previous support.
Guests:
Elem Eyrice Tepeciklioglu Political Analyst
David Otto Political Analyst
Defence ties between the US and Greece are about to go deeper. Last week, Greece's parliament extended an agreement with the US that gives American troops greater access to its military bases. Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the pact would create a new reality. Mitsotakis echoed those remarks during his recent visit to Washington, where he met with President Joe Biden at the White House. He also gave a rare address to a joint session of Congress, hinting lawmakers should not approve an F-16 deal with Türkiye. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticised those remarks, saying the US will make up its own mind on the deal. Erdogan also canceled future meetings with Mitsotakis, saying he will won’t meet with the Greek PM again. Last year, tensions rose between Türkiye and Greece over long running disputes in the Aegean, and East Mediterranean. So how will this extended defence deal affect Europe's security and the power balance in its southeast?
The US disengagement from the Middle East has created a vacuum many powers are attempting to fill. One of them might be the EU. The attack on Ukraine by Russia and the sanctions that followed have renewed interest in Middle Eastern energy. As Europe seeks to reduce its reliance on Russian natural gas and oil, countries such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia have been pressed to fill the void. However, the Middle East is undergoing its own transformations, with some Arab countries attempting to normalize relations with Israel. Could the EU, alongside the US, China, Russia, and Iran, play a bigger role in a multipolar Middle East?
Guests:
Cinzia Bianco Research Fellow at ECFR
Ali Fathollah-Nejad Associate Fellow at the American University of Beirut
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavasolgu sent a clear message to his American counterpart Antony Blinken during their meeting in New York. That Turkiye's security concerns had to be addressed regarding Sweden and Finland’s bid to join NATO. Ankara accuses both Nordic nations of harboring suspected terrorists and refusing to repatriate them to Turkey. During their discussion, they also discussed a weapons agreement in which Turkiye will buy dozens of new F-16 fighter jets as well as modification equipment for its existing fleet. Both Cavasoglu and Blinken reaffirmed their support for Ukraine's territorial integrity. So, are Turkiye and the United States beginning to work out their long-standing differences? Will the two allies' differences over Sweden's and Finland's NATO bids be resolved?
Guests:
Michael Doran Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute
Oguz Celikkol Former Turkish Ambassador
Kazakhstan, which experienced its own security crisis at the start of the year, has been in an uneasy position since Russia’s launched its attack on Ukraine in late February. It abstained from a UN vote condemning the attack and has offered little public support to Russia. In Moscow this week, Russia and Kazakhstan, along with other CSTO members, attempted to present a united face. But has the situation in Ukraine affected the way Central Asian governments view their relationship with Russia, and are they looking for new security and trade allies behind the scenes?
Guests:
Margarita Assenova Senior Fellow at the Jamestown Foundation
Ahmad Shahidov Political Analyst
Finland and Sweden's aspirations to join NATO could be in jeopardy, due to their continued support for terrorist groups. That's how Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described his view on the two Nordic countries' bid to enter the alliance. The Turkish government has also pledged to block the membership of any country that has placed sanctions on it. In 2019, Finland and Sweden put an arms embargo on Türkiye after it launched an anti-terror campaign in northern Syria against the YPG. Both countries have also refused to extradite suspected PKK terrorists to Türkiye. Will Ankara’s concerns be addressed, and can NATO's internal schisms be bridged to allow for its further expansion?
Guests:
Ahmet Keser Associate Professor at Hasan Kalyoncu University
Klaus Jurgens Political Analyst
The US’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan last year raised questions about what the world's largest military left behind. A recent Pentagon report confirmed that the US left behind $7 billion worth of military equipment when it left the country. Most of that equipment was taken over by the Taliban, who came to power in August. Are there any lessons to be learned now that the US is preparing to deliver billions of dollars in weapons to Ukraine?
Guests:
Gloria Shkurti Ozdemir Researcher at SETA Foundation
Scott Lucas Professor of American Studies at Birmingham University
Turkish chefs have found a global following on social media. And now, Türkiye is hoping that Istanbul's inclusion in the prestigious Michelin guide, which ranks the world's best restaurants, will draw in even more tourists.
Guest:
Ismet Saz Chef and Owner of the Ismet Saz Group
Frans Timmermans, one of Europe's top environmental officials, hailed Türkiye's potential as a source of energy exports. Timmermans made the statements during the latest round of EU-Turkey climate negotiations. The country has been increasing its solar and wind power capacity for several years. However, EU officials are particularly thrilled by Türkiye's potential as a source of green hydrogen. Experts emphasize that hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources will be critical in the transition away from fossil fuels. So, despite their political divisions, can Türkiye and the EU collaborate on green energy?
Guests:
Jonathan David Lamb
Energy Analyst at Wood & Company
Eser Ozil
Founder of Glocal Group Consulting, Investment & Trade
The political costs for vetoing a Security Council resolution could be getting higher. A recently passed resolution, which was first introduced more than two years ago, will require the General Assembly to convene within 10 working days after a veto is used. The measure’s authors hope that the change will make permanent Security Council members pay a heavier political price for using their veto power. Analysts say Russia's recent attack on Ukraine, and its subsequent veto to protect it from UN retaliation, has reignited calls to reform the world's top governmental organization.
Guests:
Tarik Oguzlu Professor at Istanbul Aydin University
Valeria Giannotta
Political Analyst
Türkiye's southeast has some of the earliest human settlements and is known for its delectable cuisine. But the region has long been overshadowed by the beaches of the country's west. Now Türkiye's top tourism organization is looking to change that. The historic monuments of Gobeklitepe and Mount Nemrut have already seen a surge in visitors this spring, and tourist officials anticipate that this trend will continue into the summer. Analysts, however, point out that much work remains in modernizing the region's infrastructure and facilities to serve to a larger, more global audience.
Guests:
Mehmet Uncu General Manager of Sanliurfa Tourism Development
Thomas Zimmermann Associate Professor at Bilkent University
Dimitry Rogozin, the head of Russia's space agency, stated that resuming co-operation on the ISS and other projects would be difficult until all sanctions against Moscow were repealed. Russian Soyuz rockets have been critical in transporting equipment, supplies, and personnel to the International Space Station since its inception. However, the situation in Ukraine has thrown that long-standing cooperation into disarray. Russia's global space allies are attempting to get Moscow to halt its offensive on Ukraine by imposing heavy sanctions. So, how will this all play out, and could Russia seek help from China to keep its space program afloat?
Guests:
Subrata Ghoshroy Researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Charles Boyer Engineer and Writer
In Türkiye, nearly one in every ten people is above the age of 65. The country saw a 24 percent increase in that age group in the last five years. And estimates for the future portray a similar scenario. According to the Turkish Statistical Institute, one in every six persons will be a senior by 2040. Türkiye's improvements in healthcare have increased living standards and extended life spans, following in the footsteps of other countries. However, this resulted in a decline in fertility, which now stands at roughly two births per woman. So, what obstacles would an aging society bring to Türkiye's economy and society?
Guests:
Ahmet Sinan Turkyilmaz Professor at Hacettepe University
Aaron O'Neill Researcher of International and Historical Data at Statista
The last time Europe saw millions of migrants flee across borders in search of refuge was during World War II. During the first five weeks of Russia's onslaught on Ukraine, approximately five million refugees fled westward, with Poland receiving the lion's share. Countless more people have been displaced within Ukraine. In response, the EU activated for the first time a policy developed two decades ago known as the Temporary Protection Directive.
Guests:
Achilles Skordas Senior Fellow at the Max Planck Institute
Edouard Rodier NRC Europe Director
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud met for the first time since 2017. President Erdogan and Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman also met separately. The discussions took place as Turkiye and Saudi Arabia look to mend their ties after years of regional strife, including the embargo of Qatar and the Libyan conflict. The murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istabul in 2018 also strained relations. So, are both countries prepared to strengthen their ties? And how is the region affected by a realigning Middle East in which the US is less involved?
Guests:
Vehbi Baysan Assistan Professor at Ibn Haldun University
Ali Bakeer Assistant Professor at Qatar University
Turkiye is lifting some of its last COVID-19 restrictions after more than two years. Turkiye is waving goodbye to masks indoors as it strives to return to normalcy. Masks will continue to be required on public transportation and in hospitals, but these requirements will be phased out very shortly. Cases have dropped sharply as the country looks to open up further for the coming summer months.
Guests:
Irshad Sheikh Head of WHO Regional Centre on Emergency Preparedness
Andrew Freedman Reader in Infectious Diseases at Cardiff University
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud met for the first time since 2017. President Erdogan and Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman also met separately. The discussions took place as Türkiye and Saudi Arabia look to mend their ties after years of regional strife, including the embargo of Qatar and the Libyan conflict. The murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istabul in 2018 also strained relations. So, are both countries prepared to strengthen their ties? And how is the region affected by a realigning Middle East in which the US is less involved?
Guests:
Vehbi Baysan Assistan Professor at Ibn Haldun University
Ali Bakeer Assistant Professor at Qatar University
Israel's central bank will add the Chinese yuan to its currency reserves for the first time. According to its central bank, two percent of the country's current 200 billion dollars in foreign cash will be dedicated to the yuan. Israel says the policy transition is a conceptual shift in which it will hold multiple currencies. However, the yuan's entry comes at the expense of the euro and the dollar. And Israel isn't the only country aiming to broaden its portfolio. According to a recent IMF poll, the US dollar's proportion of global currency reserves fell to its lowest level since 1995 at the end of last year.
Guests:
Dan Catarivas Director General of International Relations at MAI
Einar Tangen Political Analyst
Turkiye's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu is undertaking a six-nation Latin America tour. His first two stops were to Uruguay and Brazil, where he opened Turkiye’s two newest diplomatic posts. Turkiye has seen swift expansion of its diplomatic presence in the region over the past two decades, as it looks to boost trade and political ties.
Guests:
Jose Duarte Ribeiro Researcher at the Centre for Latin America Studies
Javier Farje Journalist and Political Analyst
Violent clashes erupted in Sweden after anti-Muslim activists held rallies that planned to include burning Islam's holy book, the Quran. Counter protests broke out against the far-right rallies, which eventually turned violent. Dozens were injured in scuffles as cars were set on fire. Condemnation against the planned burnings poured in from across the Muslim World. How can governments balance the need to protect freedom of expression with preventing potential hate crimes?
Guests:
Yasser Louati President of the Committee for Justice and Liberties
Jan Rath Professor of Urban Sociology at the University of Amsterdam
Libya, Africa's second largest oil producer, just shut down its biggest oil field, as tribal leaders protested against the embattled government of Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah. The closure of the field along with several other oil facilities, is costing the country about 550,000 barrels per day, in lost production. Concerns are growing that the stoppages will spark a domestic fuel crisis and also spill over into Europe’s current energy crisis.
Guests:
Umberto Profazio Associate Fellow IISS
Guma El-Gamaty Head of Taghyeer Party in Libya
For decades, Sweden and Finland resisted joining the western alliance NATO. Finland, which shares the longest EU border with Russia, specifically avoided antagonizing its much bigger neighbor throughout the Cold War. But now, that calculus seems to be shifting for the Scandinavian countries, as Russia's attack on Ukraine enters its eighth week. Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin says a decision will be made on whether her country will join NATO in the coming weeks. She made the remarks while standing alongside Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Adersson, who said Sweden was re-examining its long held position to stay out of NATO's security umbrella. Russia for its part, has given stern warnings about how it would respond to such an expansion, including threats to deploy nuclear weapons and hypersonic missiles to its European enclave.
Guests:
Karsten Friis Head of Security and Defence Group, Norwegian Inst of Int´l Affairs
Talha Kose Associate Professor at Ibn Haldun University
In a coordinated air and land assault, Turkiye's armed forces struck several targets across northern Iraq against the PKK terror group. The mission, called Operation Claw Lock, hit suspected hideouts and ammunition depots in the rugged terrain along the Turkish-Iraqi border. The operation is the latest part of Turkiye's decades long battle against the PKK terror group, which has used parts of Iraq's territory to launch attacks across the border. Since the early 1980s, the PKK has been responsible for more than 40,000 deaths, most of them civilians.
Guests:
Ahmet Keser Associate Professor at Hasan Kalyoncu University
Rich Outzen Former US Diplomat
Ever since Russia launched its attack on Ukraine, life in the country has been upended beyond recognition. But Ukrainian football clubs, which saw their league ground to a halt, aren't staying idle. They're using football as a platform to promote peace and to raise funds for those affected by the conflict back home. And they're calling their campaign, the Global Tour For Peace. Two Turkish football clubs, Galatasaray and Fenerbahce are hosting Ukrainian teams, Dynamo Kyiv and Shakhtar Donetsk as part of the tour.
Guests:
Burak Kizilhan Board Member at Fenerbahce SK
Joel Rookwood Lecturer at University College Dublin
14 years ago, Russia invaded a neighboring country, carving out a separatist enclave that it has supported militarily and diplomatically ever since. Last week, Georgia's breakaway region of South Ossetia, held a presidential election that much of the world has not recognized. Georgia's Foreign Ministry described the vote as another illegal act of Russia directed against Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. But choosing a new leader might not be the only goal for the breakaway region. Officials in South Ossetia have proposed formally joining Russia.
Guests:
James Dorsey Senior Fellow at S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies
Jennifer Murtazashvili Associate Professor at the University of Pittsburgh
Over the past decade, several wars have broken out right on Türkiye's doorstep. From Iraq, to Syria and now Ukraine, Ankara has worked to help the millions affected by conflict. To address their needs and to works towards peace, Türkiye crafted a foreign policy centered on humanitarian aid and dialogue. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu recently described how a fast changing world, disrupted by rapid technological and political shifts, needed to be balanced with the advancement of justice and peace. Currently, Türkiye is home to the world's largest refugee population, standing at four million. Apart from opening its doors to those fleeing conflict, Ankara has also been spearheading mediation talks between Moscow and Kiev in hopes of reaching a ceasefire.
Guests:
Federico Donelli Researcher at the University of Genoa
Helin Sari Ertem Associate Professor at Istanbul Medeniyet University
Last week, a group of US lawmakers sent a letter to President Biden, urging him to send more combat drones to Ukraine. On that list was Turkiye's Bayraktar TB2 drones, which have proven deadly effective against Russia on the battlefield. The letter, signed by 44-members of Congress said the TB2 and similar drones would allow Ukraine to disrupt and counter Russia, especially in the country's eastern Donbass region. Many analysts have credited Turkish UAVs for slowing Russia's advance in many parts of Ukraine.
Guests:
Merve Seren Associate Professor at Yildirim Beyazit University
David Hambling Journalist and Author
Back in early March, barely a week into its attack on Ukraine, the Russian military encircled the southern port city of Mariupol on the Black Sea. Since then, the city of 440-thousand, usually bustling with activity has come to a standstill. Food, water and electricity have been mostly cut off. Early attempts at creating a humanitarian corridor, to get lifesaving supplies in and the injured out have failed. Türkiye's defence chief Hulusi Akar has offered to help evacuate the injured out of the besieged city by sea. Being a major Black Sea country, analysts say Türkiye could provide the quickest most effective evacuation in Mariupol. Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said recently that there is a possibility for Türkiye's mediation in this special mission in the port city.
Guests:
Glenn Diesen Professor at University of South-Eastern Norway
Mehmet Cagatay Guler Researcher at SETA
When they met last October in Rome, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his US counterpart Joe Biden pledged to shore up relations through a new channel called the 'Strategic Mechanism.' That platform has now become a reality, with analysts pointing out the conflict in Ukraine hastened its creation. President Biden also added hope that Türkiye’s request to buy dozens of F-16 fighter jets could be possible in the near future.
Guests:
Ugur Yasin Asal Associate Professor at Istanbul Commerce University
Borzou Daragahi Political Analyst
China recently hosted a meeting with Afghanistan's six neighbours, giving a diplomatic boost to the country's Taliban rulers. But China also welcomed US officials to a separate meeting, providing a rare chance for Beijing and Washington to discuss the future of a country the US pulled out of chaotically last year. Is the US conceding that China is the new dominant power in Afghanistan?
Guests:
Michael Kugelman Senior Associate at the Wilson Centre
Andy Mok Senior Fellow at the Centre for China and Globalization
Türkiye and Israel have floated the idea of working together to transport natural gas from the Eastern Mediterranean, to Europe. Analysts say Israel's Leviathan field, which already supplies Jordan, Egypt and Lebanon, could be an alternative source for Europe's energy needs. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said last week that gas co-operation with Israel could be one of the most important steps for bilateral ties. But can the two countries overcome their differences to make energy a new area for co-operation?
Guests:
Michael Doran Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute
Samuel Doveri Vesterbye Director of the European Neighbourhood Council
China hosted the third foreign ministers meeting for Afghanistan’s six neighbours in its eastern city of Tunxi. Iran, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan attended the talks known as the Troika along with representatives from the Taliban. A joint statement afterwards urged the international community to step up emergency humanitarian aid
Foreign ministers from Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco have held a historic meeting with Israel. The summit, which took place in Israel’s southern Negev region, comes one week after Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el Sisi hosted talks with leaders of Israel and the UAE in Sharm El sheikh. But what goals are Israel and its Arab neighbours trying to reach? Hadya Al Alawi reports
In just one week, top officials from Israel and several Arab countries met on two separate occasions, in two different locations. This diplomatic outreach between Israel and its Arab neighbors although starting back in late 2020, has accelerated in recent months. Last week, the leaders of Israel, Egypt and the UAE met in Sharm El Sheikh in a landmark summit. And on Monday, Israel hosted several Arab foreign ministers in an historic meeting that addressed two main issues. Regional security and confronting Iran.
Guests:
Ahmet Keser Associate Professor at Hasan Kalyoncu University
Gil Murciano CEO of Mitvim
As the conflict in Ukraine enters its second month, casualties continue to mount as calls for a ceasefire grow. Last week, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed NATO leaders at an emergency summit, pledging his country would continue to support the alliance and bolster its defences. But he also called on fellow NATO allies to end their restrictions on Turkiye's defence sector. The long-running dispute over Turkiye acquiring Russia's S-400 missile system and its removal from the F-35 fighter programme has been a major sticking point between Turkey and the US. But could the conflict in Ukraine provide an opening to end that dispute?
Guests:
Ian Anthony Director of European Security at SIPRI
Murat Yesiltas Director of Foreign Policy at SETA
In a strong message directed at Russia, NATO is set to deploy tens of thousands of additional troops to Eastern Europe. The conflict in Ukraine, now entering its second month, dominated Thursday's NATO summit in Brussels. On top of the troop build-up, NATO leaders also announced additional aid to Ukraine, more sanctions against Moscow and a plan to wean Europe off its dependence on Russian energy. But the western alliance added another warning, that the use of chemical weapons by Russia would have severe consequences.
Guests:
Mehmet Akif Kirecci Professor at Social Sciences University of Ankara
Marc Weller Professor at University of Cambridge
Adrian Zuckerman Former US Ambassador to Romania
NATO leaders met for an emergency summit in Brussels for the first time since the Russian attack on Ukraine began more than a month ago. The alliance agreed to send 40,000 additional troops to Eastern Europe and boost Ukraine’s defenses. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed to NATO leaders to offer his country unrestrictive military support and EU membership. Hadya al Alawi reports
Türkiye just added a new engineering record to its name - home to the world's longest suspension bridge. Stretching more than two kilometers over the Turkish Straits, the 1915 Canakkale Bridge has become the newest link, connecting Europe and Asia. Taking five years to build, the bridge opened to commemorate an important date in Turkish history.
Guests:
Taha Arvas Adjunct Professor of Finance at Bogazici University
Maurizio Zanardi Professor of Economics at the University of Surrey
After Joe Biden took office last year, one of his top diplomatic priorities was to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Not much progress was made, but then Russia attacked Ukraine and worsened an already fragile global energy market. Now talks with Iran are taking place under a very different climate.
Guests:
Ali Fathollah-Nejad Associate Fellow at the American University of Beirut
Stephen Herzog Senior Researcher at ETH Zurich
After months of deadlock in Iran’s nuclear talks, last week saw some progress towards reviving the 2015 deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. But what role has global energy instability played in pushing negotiations forward? Hadya Al Alawi has this reports.
One direct consequence of Russia's attack on Ukraine has been skyrocketing oil prices. During past energy shocks, the US had reliable allies in the Gulf to help ease any crisis. As the world faced its latest oil crunch, the US reached out to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, to increase their production. But President Joe Biden didn't get the reaction he might have been looking for.
It was the first face-to-face meeting in 13 years between the foreign ministers of Turkiye and Armenia. Decades of animosity, centered mostly on Armenia's occupation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region, left the two neighbors with a closed border, and no diplomatic ties. But now, changes are in motion. Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu recently met with his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan at the Antalya diplomacy forum. Two separate meetings have already been held this year, along with the resumption of flights between Istanbul and Yerevan. But could the conflict in Ukraine affect stability and Russia's role across the South Caucasus?
As Russia’s attack on Ukraine intensified, oil prices soared to its highest levels in 14 years. The US reached out to Saudi Arabia and the UEA to increase their oil production, but Washington has failed to engage the oil rich countries in direct talks.
Dozens of missiles reportedly struck a Ukrainian military facility near the Polish border, killing at least 35 people and injuring more than one hundred and thirty. Russia's defence ministry said it was targeting weapons supplied by the west. But Moscow also claimed it had killed up to 180 foreign mercenaries who were being trained at the facility. Kiev denies any foreign nationals were killed in the strike. But the attack raises questions about the role of foreign fighters in the conflict.
Sim Tack Geopolitical and military analyst at Force Analysis
Maya Mirchandani Senior Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation
As Russia's military assault on Ukraine intensifies, global calls for a ceasefire are growing. And that's the message Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan made as he met with the leaders of Germany and Greece. The worsening conflict in Ukraine was at the centre of President Erdogan's meeting with German chancellor Olaf Sholz, and earlier with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. A statement following their meeting said that Turkiye and Greece have a special responsibility in European security amidst the conflict in Ukraine.
Ali Demirdas Political Analyst
Tudor Onea Faculty Member at Bilkent University
After almost a decade of division, Türkiye and Israel are looking to move forward. In a historic two-day visit, Israeli President Isaac Herzog met with his counterpart Recep Tayyib Erdogan in the Turkish capital. The two leaders agreed to revitalise political dialogue as well as to increase collaboration within the energy sector. So could this historic visit pave the way for improved Türkiye-Israel relations?
Guests:
Mithat Rende Former Turkish Ambassador
Tarik Oguzlu Professor at Istanbul Aydin University
Nimrod Goren President of Mitvim
The relationship between Russia and China is being put to the test. The two nuclear neighbors, although having different political and economic interests, have one common goal. To counter the US and its allies. And that was on full display early last month, when the presidents of Russia and China stood side by side in Beijing, pledging to support each other against America's policies. But how far will this partnership go, especially with a conflict raging across Ukraine?
Guests:
Raffaello Pantucci Senior Associate Fellow at RUSI
Owen Greene Professor at the University of Bradford
The UN World Food Programme has a grim warning. The fallout from Russia's attack on Ukraine will go far beyond their borders. Russia is the world's number one exporter of wheat and Ukraine is in the top five. This month, the cash crop saw a 40-percent increase in prices. And the expected scarcity in the coming months could put the world's most vulnerable, at further risk.
Guests:
Sevim Seda Yamac Associate Professor at the Konya Food and Agriculture University
Guido Cozzi Professor at the University of St Gallen
The escalation in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia is having a domino effect on food insecurity, according to the World Food Programme. Russia is the world’s number one exporter of wheat and Ukraine is in the top five. March saw a 40-percent increase in prices. And the expected scarcity in the coming months could drive those prices even higher. Hadya Al Alawi reports.
The situation in Ukraine remains dire, as Russian troops move closer to the country's biggest cities. Key among them has been the capital Kiev. But Russia's rapid march towards the city couldn't have been possible without the help of another country, Belarus. The former Soviet state was the staging ground for Russia's northern attack on Ukraine. And that role that Minsk played, is already started to bring consequences.
Guests:
Linas Kojala Director of the Eastern Europe Studies Centre
Eleonora Tafuro Ambrosetti Research Fellow at ISPI
Arseny Sivitsky Director of the Centre for Strategic and Foreign Policy Studies
As Russian troops move closer to the Ukrainian capital Kiev, the US, EU and the UK are implementing a new package of sanctions on Russia and its close ally Belarus. The eastern European country has been crucial in providing Russia with easy access to Ukraine through its territory, but denies direct involvement in the operation. Hadya al Alawi reports.
Scenes of destroyed Russian tanks and a Ukrainian population vowing to fight on, has mobilized the world against Moscow. Russia's president Vladimir Putin is finding his country increasingly isolated as dozens of countries impose flight restrictions and export bans. International support for Ukraine is also ramping up, with Kiev saying it has used Turkish-made drones to hit Russian targets.
Guests:
Rich Outzen Former US Diplomat
Mitat Celikpala Professor at Kadir Has University
Klaus Jurgens Political Analyst
More than 300 civilians, including several children, have been killed since Russia’s attack on Ukraine began on Thursday, according to the Ukrainian health ministry. The UN says more than 100,000 people have been displaced, and that it expects that number to rise to 4 million. Hadya Al Alawi reports.
In a major escalation, Russia's President Vladimir Putin ordered troops into two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine, which he officially recognised as independent. Putin called the deployment a peacekeeping mission, which was swiftly condemned by the US and EU. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his country was not afraid and would not give anything to anyone. The UN security council held an emergency meeting late Monday, where several nations condemned Russia's moves as a violation of international law and Ukraine's sovereignty. Turkiye's foreign ministry was also swift in its condemnation of Russia, calling its latest moves unacceptable. So is this crisis headed towards further escalation?
Guests:
Glenn Diesen Professor at the University of South-Eastern Norway
Peter Zalmayev Director of the Eurasia Democracy Initiative
Mehmet Ali Ugur Assistant Professor at Yalova University
1952 was a crucial turning point for Türkiye. The country was fighting alongside the US in the Korean War and it was also the year it joined the NATO military alliance. One of its earliest members, Türkiye provided the western bloc with a strong foothold to contain Soviet expansion. And since joining, Türkiye has been actively involved in almost every major NATO mission. But that partnership hasn't always gone both ways. Since the outbreak of the Syrian conflict in 2011, Ankara has criticized some NATO members for not acknowledging security threats facing Türkiye. The growing crisis over Ukraine has also exposed long simmering divisions within the alliance.
Guests:
Mustafa Aydin Professor at Kadir Has University
Samuel Doveri Vesterbye Managing Director of the European Neighbourhood Council
2021 was an important year for Türkiye's relations with Africa. President Erdogan visited several countries on the continent, and he hosted a partnership summit with African leaders in Istanbul, to forge new trade deals. But Ankara's ties with the continent go well beyond commercial opportunities. Turkish aid groups have provided assistance in drought hit regions and conflict zones. And Türkiye isn't the only country looking to engage the continent on a large scale. But countries like France and China have faced criticism over their practices. So where does Türkiye's engagement fit in? Has it found a different path to engage Africa?
Guests:
Hassan Khannenje Director of the HORN Institute
David Arase Resident Professor at Hopkins-Nanjing Centre
It's been 4 months since Iraqis voted in parliamentary elections. But the country remains politically paralyzed. A government has yet to form, with political parties deadlocked over who will hold key posts. The latest blow came after Iraq's Supreme Court barred veteran politician Hoshyar Zebari from running for president over allegations of corruption. Zebari, a former foreign minister comes from the Kurdish minority, which traditionally has held the mostly ceremonial post of president. His exclusion follows last week's decision by Iraqi lawmakers to postpone the presidential vote. What security challenges could arise from Iraq's political stalemate, and are terror groups in the region looking to exploit the divide?
Guests:
Lahib Higel Senior Iraq Analyst at Crisis Group
Omer Ozkizilcik Security Analyst
After years of strained ties, Türkiye and the UAE have seen relations improve dramatically over the past several months. And that was on full display on Monday, as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Abu Dhabi, his first visit to the gulf state in nearly a decade. Topping President Erdogan's meeting with Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan, was the growing economic partnership between Türkiye and the UAE. The two leaders oversaw the signing of 13 agreements, covering everything from trade, defence, health, and climate change. Also touched on were the security challenges facing the region.
Guests:
Helin Sari Ertem Associate Professor at Medeniyet University
Sinem Cengiz Political Analyst
One consequence of the US's chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan has been the poor security along its borders. Overwhelmed with keeping its grip on power, the Taliban have done little to stop militants from freely crossing into Pakistan. That has fuelled violence in the country's southwest province of Balochistan, where militants have been fighting for decades to carve out a separate state. A recent attack there left at least seven Pakistani soldiers dead. Baloch militant groups have also frequently targeted Chinese projects in the region, hoping to drive a wedge between Beijing and Islamabad.
Guests:
Huma Baqai Associate Professor at IBA Karachi
Amir Zia Editor-in-chief of Bol Media Group
Nearly 30 million people visited Türkiye last year, a sharp increase from 2020 but still far from pre-pandemic levels. Revenues doubled from the previous year, hitting twenty-four and a half billion dollars. Although the increase was short of the record set in 2019, analysts pointed out that it was a healthy recovery amid the coronavirus pandemic. And this year, hopes are high that the recovery will continue, as global restrictions ease, and air travel increases.
Guests:
Ibrahim Demir Associate Professor at Yildirim Beyazit University
Virginia Messina Senior VP at World Travel and Tourism Council
2021 was a turning point for Turkiye's defence industry. Several hundred projects were in development, covering new combat drones, aircraft and naval ships. And it was a record year for exports, with the industry breaking the three billion dollar mark for the first time. But Turkiye's journey from being a country almost entirely reliant on imports for defence, to a global exporter hasn't been easy. It took decades to build. And this year, Turkiye's defence industries have even bigger goals.
Guests:
Giray Sadik Director of European Studies Research Centre at AYBU
Elisabeth Braw Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute
In late January, a train loaded with several hundred tons of aid left Ankara for Afghanistan. Dubbed the 'Goodness train', it travelled more than 4,000 kilometres through Iran and Turkmenistan, before arriving in Herat, in Afghanistan's northwest. Several Turkish aid agencies will help distribute the food and medical supplies. The UN warns that half the country faces acute hunger, saying more than 4 billion dollars is needed to avert a catastrophe. Can the world come together to aid Afghanistan?
Guests:
Alper Kucuk Deputy Director General at the Turkish Red Crescent
Torek Farhadi Political Analyst
The blast at Beirut’s port crippled Lebanon's ability to trade, worsening an economic crisis scarred by protests and a crumbling currency. A year and half later Lebanon is still trying to rebuild, and Turkiye could be set to help. President Erdogan made the pledge during a meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati in Ankara earlier this week. What role can Turkiye play in helping rebuild Beirut’s port? What`s next for the Turkiye – Lebanon relations?
Strait Talk's Hadya Al Alawi has more.
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In August 2020, one of Lebanon's most important lifelines to the outside world, was destroyed in an explosion. The blast at Beirut port crippled Lebanon's ability to trade, worsening an economic crisis scarred by protests and a crumbling currency. A year and half later Lebanon is still trying to rebuild its port, and Turkiye could be set to help. President Erdogan made the pledge during a meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati in Ankara earlier this week. What role can Turkiye play in helping rebuild Beirut’s port?
Guests: Mustafa Yetim
Associate Professor at Eskisehir Osmangazi University
Bachar El Halabi Political Analyst
For months, a Russian troop build up along Ukraine's border, raised fears of a wider conflict in Eastern Europe. Countless meetings between NATO, American and Russian officials were held but showed little progress. Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Kiev at a critical juncture, to lower tensions between Russia and Ukraine. During the meeting, Erdogan and Ukrainian President Zelensky marked the 30th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties with several agreements, including a long-awaited free trade deal. On the defense front, President Zelensky praised a deal that will expand UAV production in Ukraine. The Ukrainian army already possesses dozens of Turkish made drones and has used them against Russian-backed separatists in the country's east. So how can Ankara mediate in the current crisis?
Guests:
Elif Selin Calik Political Analyst
Iliya Kusa Analyst at the Ukrainian Institute For the Future
US President Joe Biden has met Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. He's the first Gulf leader to visit Washington since Biden took office. Discussions between the two have focused on investment, bilateral ties and energy co-operation, which has become more urgent as tensions rise on the Russia-Ukraine border. Qatar already supplies about 5 percent of Europe's natural gas needs - and could soon be asked to provide more.
Strait Talk's Hadya Al Alawi has more.
Subscribe to Strait Talk YouTube Channel: http://trt.world/StraitTalk
Biden promised to make Qatar a major non-Nato ally of the US as he met with Qatar's Emir' Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani at the white house. Qatar, as one of the largest supplier of liquefied natural gas, can it help fill a potential energy shortage if Russia chose to turn off its supplies to Europe? How this would affect the regional balances?
Guests:
Thomas O'Donnell Lecturer at the Hertie School of Governance
Tom Marzec-Manser Head of Gas Analytics AT ICIS
The Sahel region was shaken last week by both an attack on a French military base in Mali, and a coup in neighboring Burkina Faso. Is France losing its influence in the region?
Strait Talk's Hadya Al Alawi explains.
Europe remains on edge as fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine continue to grow. But in a possible shift, Russian President Vladimir Putin has accepted an offer from his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan to visit Turkiye to lower tensions. With President Erdogan having close relations with the presidents of both Russia and Ukraine, can NATO ally Turkiye play a mediating role in the Ukraine crisis?
Guests:
Talha Kose Brussels Coordinator for SETA
Giovanna De Maio Visiting Fellow at George Washington University
The Sahel region was rocked last week by both an attack on a French military base in Mali, and a coup in neighboring Burkina Faso. Both countries are home to thousands of French troops that have been battling militants in the region. The attacks and political upheaval are renewing questions about how effective French power has been. Why has the Sahel region and North Africa been plagued with so much instability and conflict? Is France losing its influence in the region?
Guests:
Akram Zaoui Political Analyst
Jalel Ouerghi Political Analyst
Russia, China and Iran conducted naval drills in the northern Indian Ocean, not far from the world's energy choke point, the Strait of Hormuz on Friday. Although it wasn't the first maritime exercise between the three, they come at a time when all are seeing heightened tensions with the US. China's Defense Ministry said it would deepen cooperation between the three navies. Are they trying to send a signal to the US?
Guests: Michael Doran Senior Fellow at Hudson Institute Eleonora Tafuro Research Fellow at ISPI
Despite being a world apart, Latin America and Turkiye are looking to deepen their connections. And that was on full display during the first visit by a Salvadoran president to Ankara. After signing a series of trade and security deals, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described President Nayib Bukele's two-day visit as a turning point in the two countries' relations. What opportunities could there be for Turkiye and Latin America to boost ties?
Guests:
Mehmet Necati Kutlu Director of Centre for Latin American Studies
Javier Farje Latin American Journalist and Analyst
Iranian-backed Houthi rebels hit the capital of the United Arab Emirates with missiles and drones on Monday. The strikes caused several casualties, prompting the US, UN and regional countries to all condemn the attacks. The UAE warned the acts will not go unpunished. Will the US re-designate the Houthis as a terrorist group? How that would affect the humanitarian crisis in Yemen? And is the Gulf region set to see more tensions?
Guests:
Ahmet Keser Associate Professor at Hasan Kalyoncu University
Sam Ramani Associate Fellow at RUSI
Turkish President Erdogan and his Serbian counterpart Vucic met in Ankara on Tuesday. After signing multiple agreements covering education, trade and tourism, the two leaders stressed the need to de-escalate tensions in Bosnia-Herzegovina. As Vucic underlined his country's respect for Bosnia's integrity and he also supported Erdogan's call to bring its multi-ethnic leaders together towards a solution. Turkiye is playing a mediating role in Bosnia, as it shares close relations with the country's tripartite presidency. Will Turkiye`s efforts help to solve the problems in the country?
Guests:
Zoltan Egeresi Security Analyst
Ermin Zec Political Analyst
The US signalled that it will not back the EastMed pipeline which planned to carry 10 billion cubic meters of gas every year from the eastern Mediterranean to Europe. The project was expected to be touted as an alternative to Russian natural gas and bypass Turkiye and the TRNC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus). As Turkish President Recep Tayyip echoed those remarks, he added that transporting gas from the eastern Mediterranean to Europe can't be done without Turkiye. Was the project more about politics than economics? And how will the US stance affect long-running tensions in the region?
Guests:
Giray Sadik Director of European Studies Research Centre at AYBU
Mark Meirowitz Professor at State University of New York Maritime College
After more than a decade since their last meeting, Turkiye and Armenia held their first round of talks in Moscow. Although no breakthroughs were achieved, both sides agreed to hold future negotiations without any pre-conditions. Is it a new beginning for the two countries? And with a new security environment in the southern Caucuses, have Turkiye and Armenia finally found the conditions to end decades of mistrust? Will relations be normalised in the near future?
Guests:
Vehbi Baysan Political Analyst
Vahram Ter-Matevosyan Associate Professor at the American University of Armenia
Last week, the mayor of Ankara announced plans to take part in a test programme that will enable users to virtually visit the capital city of Turkiye. As major tech leaders are calling the metaverse the future of the internet, Ankara is looking to seize the opportunity. So, how will the metaverse actually change the world's digital experience?
Guests:
Ali Hantal CEO of XR Masters
Dicle Yurdakul Managing Partner at WEQ Consulting
Tensions between Ukraine and Russia are raising fears of a wider conflict. For weeks, a massive Russian troop build up along its border with Ukraine has alarmed NATO. Though Russia says it has no intentions to invade Ukraine, the US is threatening Moscow with severe consequences for any military action. Recently, a series of talks held between western powers and Russia saw no breakthroughs. So, are NATO and Russia be headed on a collision course?
Guests:
Glenn Diesen Professor at University of South-Eastern Norway
Mehmet Cagatay Guler Researcher at SETA
It's been five months since the collapse of the Ashraf Ghani-led government in Afghanistan and the subsequent takeover of the Taliban. The group made several promises that it has learned from its previous rule. But many in the international community are questioning if the Taliban is sincere. After the dissolution of the country's election commission, is there any hope left to have a free and fair election in Afghanistan?
Guests: Huseyin Avni Botsali Former OIC Envoy to Afghanistan
Omar Samad Former Afghan Diplomat
As the United States reduces its footprint in the Middle East to focus more on the Asia Pacific, China is boosting its ties with energy rich Gulf states. And that’s put many Arab countries in a tight spot, having to choose between their long-time ally the US, and its growing trade ties with the world’s second biggest economy. That co-operation was seen as the foreign ministers from several Arab states were in Beijing to discuss trade deals. And China's interests in the region go beyond its energy needs. Recently released satellite images by the US intelligence have shown ballistic missiles sites in Saudi Arabia, which have been built with Chinese assistance. So, how will the US-China rivalry affect the Middle East?
Guests: Mahjoob Zweiri Director of the Gulf Studies Centre at Qatar University
Giorgio Cafiero CEO of Gulf State Analytics
Violent protests in Kazakhstan have rocked the nation and forced its government to resign. Failed attempts by the country's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to calm tensions have resulted in Russia deploying troops to restore order on the streets. So, what's behind the civil unrest in Kazakhstan? And how might the deepening crisis impact the wider region?
Guests:
Theresa Fallon Director of the Centre for Russia Europe Asia Studies
Jennifer Murtazashvili Associate Professor at the University of Pittsburgh
A new report has revealed that prejudice against Muslims in Europe is on the rise. The 2020 European Islamophobia Report focussed on key fields such as employment, education, media, and politics. It found that while instances of in-person Islamophobic attacks fell due to COVID lockdowns, they drastically increased online, particularly on social media platforms. So, what will it take for the continent to address the growing hate against Muslims, once and for all?
Guests:
Farid Hafez Co-Author of the 2020 European Islamophobia Repo
Jocelyne Cesari Senior Fellow at Georgetown University
Washington and NATO are on high alert following the buildup of Russian troops on Europe's eastern front. During a phone call between the US and Russian leaders, Joe Biden threatened Moscow with sanctions should it make any military advances towards Ukraine, while Vladimir Putin stuck to his guns, refusing to back down unless NATO signed a written guarantee that Kyiv will never join its ranks. So will the two sides reach a compromise at the upcoming Kremlin-NATO security talks? And what's at stake if they don't?
With climate change concerns on the rise, Turkiye has taken drastic steps towards diversifying its energy resources. So much so, that over half of the country's electricity is now generated through renewable energy. Looking ahead, what obstacles might the industrialised nation face in its drive to go green?
Following more than a century of fragile relations, Turkiye and Armenia seem eager to move past their differences. Earlier this month the two countries appointed special envoys and resumed flight operations between Istanbul and Yerevan. Ankara's readiness to improve ties with its neighbours is the South Caucasus as well as the recent implementation of the 3+3 South Caucasus Cooperation Platform have been regarded as vital steps towards establishing renewed peace and security in the region. But will it last? And can trust between the two former rivals be fully restored?
Guests:
Mitat Celikpala Professor at Kadir Has University
Amanda Paul Senior Policy Analyst at the European Policy Centre
The failure of Libya's parliamentary committee to set a new date for the country's election has dimmed hopes of a fresh start for the war-stricken country. The postponement of the vote was due to opposing internal views over everything from the legal basis of the election to the controversial list of candidates running for presidency. In the meanwhile, the country's parliamentary committee has demanded a reshuffling of the interim government in Tripoli until a new roadmap for elections can be agreed on. So, what will it take to bring Libya to the ballot box? And can it be done peacefully?
Guests:
Noamane Cherkaoui Geopolitical Analyst at Policy Centre for the New South
Umberto Profazio Associate Fellow at IISS
This past year, Turkiye and its former Gulf rivals have gradually moved towards improving relations. The first such step was witnessed during a visit by the United Arab Emirates' de-facto ruler, Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to Ankara last month. But there have also been significant efforts to normalise ties between Turkiye and other regional powers, including Saudi Arabia and Egypt. So, what brought about this change of heart? And how might it impact the region?
Guests:
Ali Bakir Assistant Professor at Qatar University
Sara Bazoobandi Fellow at the German Institute for Global and Area Studies
Tahir Kilavuz Associate Professor at Marmara University
Not even a global pandemic or the consequent economic collapse could put a brake on global weapons expenditure. In fact, a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute suggests that government spending on military hardware actually increased during the pandemic. Arms sales hit a record $531 billion in 2020 – that's a 1.3 percent rise compared to the previous year. So what triggered the major hike in sales? And is it money well spent during a global pandemic?
Guests:
Elisabeth Braw Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute
Owen Greene Professor of International Security at the University of Bradford
The third Turkiye-Africa summit took place in Istanbul and was described as an “Enhanced Partnership for Common Development and Prosperity”. Its objectives were to enhance co-operation and focus on three key areas between the participating parties: Peace and security; human-focused development; and strong sustainable growth. The summit concluded with the adoption of a joint declaration. But can Turkiye and its partners in Africa follow through on the commitments made?
Guests:
Federico Donelli Researcher at the University of Genoa
Fatma Yildiz Political Analyst
The third Turkiye-Africa Summit wrapped up in Istanbul last week. It was aimed at boosting co-operation between Ankara and its African partners in areas ranging from security, to health, agriculture and education. Strait Talk's Hadya Al Alawi reports.
2021 has been a turbulent year for Turkiye-US relations. Ankara's purchase of the Russian-made S400 missile defence system and Washington's continued support for YPG/PKK terrorists in Syria remain at the heart of fraught relations between the two NATO allies. And even as Biden and Erdogan agreed to patch things up at the G20 summit in Rome, major points of contention remain unresolved. So what will it take to restore trust between Ankara and Washington?
Guests:
Rich Outzen Former US Diplomat
Helin Sari Ertem Associate Professor at Medeniyet University
Matthew Bryza Former US Ambassador
Following a year of continued tensions between Ankara and Washington over everything from defence equipment, to geopolitics and terrorism, are both sides equally committed to mending relations? And what's at stake if they don't? Strait Talk's Hadya Al Alawi reports.
At least four billion people globally are facing severe water scarcity for at least one month each year, according to UNICEF. The Middle East is a reflection of this wider global problem. Reduced rainfall, extreme temperatures and water mismanagement have all taken their toll on local water resources, adding to regional political tensions. So, what's the culprit? And can the damage still be undone?
Guests:
Karim Elgendy Founder of Carboun
Nik Kowsar Environmental Analyst
The Middle East is experiencing its most severe dry spell in 900 years. But it's the mismanagement and conflict over shared water resources that's further fuelling the crisis, leaving a devastating effect on regional livelihoods and food security. Strait Talk's Hadya Al Alawi reports.
To mark the centenary of the founding of the Turkish Republic in 2023, Ankara has set itself ambitious digital innovation goals. Its so-called Vision 2023 includes everything from the creation of zero-waste cities to joining the global space race in under two years. But while Turkish tech startups like the popular messaging app BiP have hit global markets by storm, the country's cybersecurity laws have proved less popular among industry players like media giants Facebook, Google, and Twitter. So can the country reach its 2023 tech innovation goals? And at what cost?
Guest:
Ali Taha Koc President of Turkiye's Digital Transformation Office
President Erdogan's two-day visit to Doha has yielded numerous deals between Turkey and Qatar. The signing of dozens of bilateral accords in different areas is a testament to a growing partnership between the two regional powers. Strait Talk's Hadya Al Alawi reports.
Turkey and Qatar have signed dozens of bilateral agreements, boosting trade and investment between the two countries in areas ranging from development and health to media, diplomacy and disaster management. What types of benefits will these deals bring?
Guests:
Mithat Rende Former Turkish Ambassador to Qatar
Farhan Mujahid Chak Associate Professor at Qatar University
For two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the global economy in ways not seen in since the great depression. Supply chains have been upended, lockdowns and travel restrictions have bankrupted once prosperous industries. And now with a lingering global energy crunch, the costs for everyday goods have skyrocketed. Turkey has been especially hard hit with rising prices. Speaking on the lira's volatile swings and high inflation, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged households to be patient. He said the recent flucuations would stabilise, and that his economic model based on lower interests would help spur job growth and exports.
Guests:
Taha Arvas Economist
Guido Cozzi Professor at the University of St Gallen
Dating back centuries, relations between Turkey and Iran have seen their ups and downs. But a recent meeting between Turkish President Erdogan and his Iranian counterpart Raisi in Turkmenistan's capital Ashgabat, may have provided a platform for the two leaders to discuss several regional challenges, from security to an influx of migrants. So, can the two neighbours co-operate to take on the challenges together? Or could spoilers could get in the way?
Guests:
Talha Kose Brussels Coordinator for SETA
Mohammad Marandi Political Analyst
Two years after the first case of COVID-19 was discovered, the world is still gripped by the pandemic. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have released a new report highlighting the impact the pandemic has had on inequality and mental health around the world. But how dramatic has the cost been and which groups have suffered most?
Guest:
Francesco Rocca President of IFRC
Two years since the first case of COVID-19 was detected in China, there have been more than five million deaths around the world. A recent report by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies found that the pandemic has had more of an impact on some groups than others. Strait Talk's Hadya Al Alawi reports.
It's been two years since the emergence of COVID-19 and the world is still struggling to contain it. And now scientists in South Africa have identified a new variant called Omicron. Many suspect it could outcompete the Delta variant which was the dominant strain this year . The moment new strain was announced, countries started imposing travel restrictions on several southern African countries. So, how dangerous is the Omicron variant? And has the global response been effective or just an overreaction?
Guests:
Tian Johnson African Vaccine Delivery Alliance
Serhat Unal Professor at Hacettepe University
Turkey's defence industry is building an aircraft carrier-like naval assault ship, that will be capable of fielding attack helicopters and combat drones. The TCG Anadolu assault ship is part of Turkey's naval ambitions for the future, given the country has been seeing heightened tensions close to its shores, such as in the Black Sea, the Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean. So, what role will an assault ship like the TCG Anadolu play in safeguarding Turkey's waters?
Guests:
Arda Mevlutoglu Defense Analyst
Michael Fabey Jane's Americas Naval Reporter
The United States and Europe are concerned about Russia's troop build-up along its border with Ukraine. While Moscow has dismissed the West's concerns calling them alarmist, NATO's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has warned any use of force by Russia against Ukraine will have a cost. With heightened tensions in the region, Turkey's President Erdogan has offered to play a mediating role to help ease the situation.
Guests:
Glenn Diesen Professor at University of South-Eastern Norway
Peter Zalmayev Director of Eurasia Democracy Initiative
Six world powers are sitting down with Iran in Vienna in hopes of salvaging a nuclear deal first agreed upon in 2015, but was later scrapped by former US President Donald Trump in 2018. After a five-month break, Iran has a new hardline government that wants to add more to the agreement. But the country's continued enrichment and stockpiling of uranium has been a cause of concern for Israel and the US. Can Washington and Tehran reach a lasting agreement?
Guests:
Abdel Bari Atwan Editor-in-chief of Rai al Youm
Mark Meirowitz Professor at SUNY Maritime College
The Israeli military has come under increased criticism for abusing facial recognition technology. The country’s security forces have been accused of mass surveillance of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. The revelation came to the fore after former Israeli soldiers exposed how Israel maintains a large database of Palestinians for the purpose of tracking and monitoring.
Guest:
Asa Winstanley Journalist and Political Analyst
In less than a year, Qatar will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. But a country of just three million and with stadiums only a few kilometers apart from each other, the challenges of ensuring a smooth execution are many, such as the security of fans, athletes and workers. To help the tiny gulf state, Turkey will send a police contingent to help with security arrangements. Turkey’s offer is the latest sign of the deep co-operation between the two countries.
Guests:
Murat Yesiltas Director of Foreign Policy at SETA
Joel Rookwood Sports Business Management Lecturer at UCLan
Former Israeli soldiers exposed the scope of Israel’s mass surveillance of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. Strait Talk’s Hadya Al Alawi reports on the country’s growing surveillance industry.
Turkey and UAE were at odds over a series of issues. Now, the leaders of the two countries want to change that and are set to meet in Ankara. Trade and economic co-operation could be the opening they were waiting for. Strait Talk's Hadya Al Alawi has more.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohamed bin Zayed are set to meet for the first time in almost a decade. The last time they met, the Middle East and North Africa were different places. Even last year, tensions were at their worst, but now relations are improving. Could trade and investments be the opening for Turkey and the UAE to aside their past differences?
Guests:
Cinzia Bianco Research Fellow at European Council on Foreign Relations
Giorgio Cafiero CEO of Gulf State Analytics
Murat Aslan Faculty Member at Sabahattin Zaim University
The migrant crisis on the border of Poland and Belarus is showing no signs of easing, where thousands of asylum seekers are trapped. Facing harsh weather conditions and border police, every day is becoming a struggle. Tensions have been simmering for weeks but the standoff has now turned into a political crisis with Polish and Belarusian officials refusing to take a step back.
Guests:
Basak Yavcan Migration Policy Researcher at the Hugo Observatory
Philippe Dam HRW Advocacy Director for Europe and Central Asia
200 years ago in 1821, thousands of Turks and Ottoman Jews were massacred at Tripolitsa – situated along modern day Greece's southern coast – as Greek militias fought the Ottoman Empire for independence. By the time the attacks ceased, the total Turkish and Jewish population in the region was exterminated. The memory of the massacre has left deep wounds. On the 200th anniversary of the massacre, Turkey's foreign ministry has said that such atrocities can never be forgotten. After two centuries, the tragic event is also a grim reminder of the tensions between Turkey and Greece today, where the Greek government is moving to limit the rights of its citizens of Turkish descent.
Guests:
Vehbi Baysan Associate Professor of History at Ibn Haldun University
Mehmet Ugur Ekinci International Relations Expert at SETA
Libyans are gearing up to go to the polls in their first direct presidential election next month. Since the ousting of longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has been in a state of war, instability, and chaos with rival factions fighting each other and vying for power. There have been attempts to unite the country and last year a ceasefire was reached between the warring groups. As a result, an interim government was formed to lead the country to its upcoming presidential election. But disputes over candidates and electoral laws are sowing doubts whether Libya will be able to hold the election on time.
Guests:
Barah Mikail Programme Director of Political Science at Saint Louis University
Youcef Bouandel Professor of Political Science at Qatar University
The 8th summit of the Turkic Council, an intergovernmental organisation aimed at promoting co-operation among Turkic speaking states, has been held in Istanbul. During the meeting, the name of the organisation was officially changed to the Organisation of Turkic States. A joint declaration was also announced to expand the group’s area of co-operation which will include climate change, terrorism and Islamophobia.
Guests:
Cengiz Tomar Rector at Ahmet Yesevi University
Ahmet Sahidov Political Analyst
A growing co-operation of like-minded countries, the Turkic council - now called the Organization of Turkic States - met in Istanbul for a summit last week and chalked out its future political, security and economic priorities. With issues such as terrorism and the climate crisis on the rise, the summit is a step towards consolidating a unilateral approach for Turkic countries. Hadya Al Alawi reports.
With the pandemic disrupting global supply chains and increasing shipping costs, Turkey is sensing growing opportunities to step in. Turkey and Azerbaijan's co-operation in establishing transport links by building railways and airports is poised to provide a direct trade connection between Asia and Europe, in effect helping Turkey become one the world's major trade hubs.
Guests:
Murat Karatekin CEO of Pasifik Eurasia
Natig Jafarov Director of ADY Container
A growing political crisis in Bosnia is threatening to roll back the 1995 Dayton Accords. Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik's thereat to separate from the national army, tax authority and judiciary, is raising fears that it could spark the type of ethnic clashes seen during the 90s. On Tuesday, Dodik met President Erdogan in Ankara in a bid to defuse tensions. So, can Turkey play a mediating role to help resolve the crisis?
Guests:
Vedran Dzihic Centre for Advanced Studies Southeast Europe
Edina Becirevic Professor of Security Studies at the University of Sarajevo
Since the last decade, Turkey has doubled its investments in improving its railway infrastructure, with an aim to connect industrial production zones to all commercial areas in the country. A developed railway industry could help Turkey become one of the world’s major logistics centres. Strait Talk's Ludovica Brignola reports.
The Arctic is changing fast due to the effects of climate change. But it's also said to possess solutions to tackle the global energy shortfall. Now that the region is opening up, so is the competition to tap its resources. How will the region’s opening up affect the global demand for energy? Or will it become the battlefield for another great game involving today's great powers?
Guests:
Mehmet Ali Ugur Assistant Professor at Yalova University
Thomas O'Donnell Lecturer at Hertie School of Governance
The Kremlin has criticised the deployment of Turkish-produced drones in eastern Ukraine, saying it would destabilise the region. Last month, Ukraine released a footage where a Turkish drone was used for the first time against separatists backed by Russia. In response to Moscow's statement, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that Turkey cannot be blamed for the UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) it sells to other countries and for how they are used. Turkey is seeing an increase in demand for its drones following successes in various battlefields. So, can the use of Turkish drones by Ukraine affect Ankara's relationship with Moscow?
Guests:
Zoltan Egeresi Political Analyst
Mehmet Cagatay Guler Researcher at SETA
The global policing agency Interpol has added Syria back into its information exchange network after lifting sanctions that were introduced in 2012. The development has come at an important time for Bashar al Assad who's beginning to regain international recognition. But Syria's re-admittance to Interpol is raising concerns whether Assad can be trusted to not go after the critics of his regime.
Guests:
Samuel Ramani Associate Fellow at RUSI
Fadel Abdul Ghany Founder of the Syrian Network for Human Rights
In this one on one with Shireen Mazari, Human Rights Minister of Pakistan, we discuss the plight of young women and girls in Afghanistan, the continued military crackdown by India in Kashmir, and the rise of xenophobia across Europe.
After 10 years of a brutal military campaign against his own people, Syria's Bashar al Assad is being slowly welcomed back into the Arab world. Several Arab states are hoping to normalise ties with his regime. What could it mean for Syria and the region? Ludovica Brignola reports.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his US counterpart Joe Biden had a positive meeting during the G20 summit in Rome. Having narrowly averted a diplomatic crisis involving 10 ambassadors stationed in Turkey just a few weeks ago, both presidents said they wanted to forge more constructive ties. High on the agenda was resolving Turkey’s removal from the F-35 fighter jet programme. But will Biden be able to convince Congress to get on his side when it comes to resolving the dispute with Turkey?
Guests:
Tarik Oguzlu Academic Adviser at Foreign Policy Institute
Elisabeth Braw Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute
Rich Outzen Former US Diplomat
Iraq held its parliamentary elections earlier this month which saw record low turnout. The biggest beneficiary following the polls turned out to be the firebrand nationalist and anti-Iranian cleric Muqtada al Sadr. Now that the stage is set for Iraqi to form a coalition government, will it be able to win support from the millions of Iraqis who chose not to take part in the polls?
Guests:
Ahmed Rushdi President of the House of Iraqi Expertise Foundation
Ahmet Keser Associate Professor at Hasan Kalyoncu University
Azerbaijan has built a new international airport in Fuzuli - a city it reclaimed from Armenian occupation after the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War. The airport, inaugurated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev, will act as an important transit point in a region that has long been marred by conflict. So, what impact will the new airport have on the region?
Guests:
Fariz Ismailzade Vice Rector at ADA University
Richard Giragosian Director of the Regional Studies Centre
Turkey is looking to double its 25 billion dollar bilateral trade within Africa in the next five years. The Africa-Turkey Economic Forum, which was just held in Istanbul, is expected to help reach that goal.
Guests:
Federico Donelli Researcher at University of Genoa
Otunba Dele Oye President of Nigerian-Turkish Business Council
Tensions between Turkey and many of its NATO allies ensued after ambassadors from 10 countries called for the release of Osman Kavala who has been jailed for his alleged role in the 2013 Gezi protests and the 2016 failed coup. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ordered the ambassadors to be expelled for interfering in the country’s internal affairs in violation of article 41 of the Vienna Convention. The embassies involved have since reiterated their commitment to the protocol. Although tensions have defused, Ankara says it will not refrain from taking further action in defence of the country’s sovereignty.
Guests:
Murat Aslan Researcher at SETA
Klaus Jurgens Political Analyst
Turkey is hoping to add to the 25 billion dollar trade relationship it holds with the African continent. The goal is to reach as much as 50 billion dollars in the next five years.
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has recently concluded his four-day visit to three West African countries: Angola, Togo and Nigeria. Turkey aims to play a contributing role in the economic and social development of the region and continent. And President Erdogan's signing of a series of deals in the areas of trade, energy and defence is a sign of Turkey looking to build stronger bilateral relations in the region.
Guests:
Emel Eyrice Author and Political Analyst
Ovigwe Eguegu African Affairs Analyst
Turkish President Erdogan has concluded his three-country tour to West Africa. His visit focused on co-operation in the areas of trade, energy and defence, but also gave an indication of where one aspect of Turkey's foreign policy is heading. TRT World's diplomatic correspondent Andrew Hopkins reports.
Relations between the United States and Turkey have been fraught for years. Things worsened back in 2019 when the US removed Turkey from its F-35 fighter jets programme in response to Ankara's purchase of the Russian-made S-400 missile defence system. Recently, there have been signs that both the US and Turkey are engaged in active consultation to resolve the dispute. One possibility could be Turkey purchasing F-16s in return for the investment it made into the F-35s. So, can the two NATO allies get past this hurdle?
Guests:
Matthew Bryza Former US Ambassador
Ugur Yasin Asal Associate Professor at Istanbul Commerce University
In an effort to shorten their supply chain routes, more and more Europe-based companies are eyeing Turkey as their next production hub. But there will be challenges for them as they seek to outsource their productions to Turkey, such as a volatile lira. Strait Talk's Ludovica Brignola reports.
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the vulnerability of global supply chains. With major exporters, such as China and other Asian countries, losing business due to rising shipping costs and lockdowns, many companies are starting to look for producers closer to home. So, can Turkey's manufacturers step in and fill this void?
Guests:
Ozan Ozkural CEO of Tanto Capital Partners
Guido Cozzi Professor at the University of St Gallen
A Taliban delegation has met Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in Ankara. The Taliban's acting foreign minister says Turkey has an active role to play in the war-stricken country. But the Turkish foreign minister reiterated the world community's expectations, urging the Taliban to be more inclusive, especially in areas of women and minority rights. But the situation in Afghanistan remains tense after a series of terror attacks by Daesh-K. So, will the group be able to stablise the country and get the international recognition it seeks?
Guests:
Torek Farhadi Political Analyst
Shanthie Mariet D'Souza Founding Professor of the Kautilya School of Public Policy
The UN Human Rights Council has voted to end the mandate of experts investigating war crimes in Yemen. Trapped in the world's worst humanitarian crisis, seven years of war has killed more than 100,000 people, and left nearly four million displaced. Now that the UN has voted to shut down a war crimes probe, fears are growing that it could embolden different warring groups in Yemen.
Guests:
Jahaan Pittalwala Research Analyst
Raiman Al-Hamdani Researcher at ARK Group
Tensions between France and Algeria are escalating, after recent comments by French President Macron on France's colonial past. Algeria reacted by recalling its ambassador to Paris. The diplomatic row between the two countries is surfacing at a sensitive time for Macron as France's standing in northern Africa continues to erode. So, how will this diplomatic row between Algeria and France affect the region?
Guests:
Uluc Ozulker Former Turkish Ambassador to France
Nabila Ramdani Journalist
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has proposed that Russia can build two nuclear power plants in addition to the one it is already building near Turkey's southern coast. The discussion occurred during Erdogan and Putin’s meeting in Sochi last month. A relative new comer to the nuclear energy game, Turkey has ambitious plans to diversify its sources of electricity and to reduce its emissions.
Guests
Ivan Starodubtsev Political Analyst
Gloria Shkurti Ozdemir Researcher at SETA
Tensions between Iran and Azerbaijan have risen after Iranian ground forces took part in military drills close to Azerbaijan’s border earlier this month. Much of the trouble between the two countries is rooted in last year’s Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which resulted in Azerbaijan gaining new access to areas close to Iran. Iran has since claimed that Azerbaijan is stationing Israeli troops near its border. Adding to the tension is Azerbaijan’s newly imposed customs taxes on Iranian trucks. Will this latest flare-up die down, or escalate?
Guests
Farid Shafiyev Chairman of the Centre of Analysis of International Relations
Mehrdad Khonsari Former Iranian Diplomat
Turkey has plans to increase nuclear co-operation with Russia in order to diversify energy sources and reduce emissions. There is already one Russian nuclear power plant under construction near Turkey’s southern coast and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has discussed the possibility for two more. Ludovica Brignola reports.
The $11 billion Nord Stream 2 pipeline that will transport natural gas between Russia and Europe has been completed. While it will bring necessary relief to Europe's rising energy demands, the United States doesn't seem to be entirely on board. The US is opposed to Europe relying more on Russia for energy needs, while Ukraine is warning of the potential weaponisation of the pipeline by Moscow. Is Russia gaining too much influence in Europe?
Guests:
Thomas O'Donnell Lecturer at Hertie School of Governance
Aura Sabadus Energy Analyst and Journalist
Skyrocketing energy prices in Europe have provided Russia with an opportunity to step in. The Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline project is expected to bring some relief to the continent's energy demands, but there are fears the project could give Moscow too much leverage over Europe. Strait Talk's Ludovica Brignola reports.
Continued US support to the YPG terror group in Syria is further alienating its old NATO ally Turkey. Recent photos showed the YPG with Bradley armored vehicles, the same type US troops have been using across Syria. Turkey has long called for the US to end its military support for the group, which began back in 2015 to fight Daesh. Last month, the US House also passed its defence budget which will provide even more aid. Are tensions between Ankara and Washington set to worsen?
Guests:
Helin Sari Ertem Associate Professor at Medeniyet University
Rich Outzen Former US Diplomat
Greece has recently inked defence deals with France for the purchase of six Rafale fighter jets and three advanced warships, potentially raising tensions with neighbouring Turkey. The Greek prime minister has said his country has no intention to go into an arms race with its neighbour, but Turkey has voiced concern about the deal saying it threatens to harm the NATO alliance. The two NATO allies are involved in several maritime disputes and talks have been ongoing to reduce tensions. So, what will Greece's signing of defence deals mean for its relations with Turkey?
Guests:
Giray Sadik Director of EU Research Centre at AYBU
Dimitris Tsarouhas Visiting Associate Professor at Virginia Tech University
Turkey is set to ratify the Paris Agreement next month as a part of the country's push to invest more in green technology. The Paris Agreement came into effect five years ago when the world got together to limit the temperature increase of the planet. The agreement's main goals were to limit the earth's temperature to counter the effects of climate change and to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by the middle of this century. So what will be next for Turkey after ratifying the Paris Agreement? And what are the country's plans for sustainable development and growth?
Guest:
Ziya Altunyaldiz Turkish MP
A no-confidence vote against Libya's interim government is a new blow to the UN-backed peace efforts in the country. The situation has taken a complex turn since last year's ceasefire agreement and the forming of a transitional government to prepare for elections. But now with protests in Tripoli, it remains unclear whether Libya would be able to stick to its deadline of holding elections later this year. Moreover, the US House of Representatives recently passed a bill that could enable sanctions against foreign actors backing rival Libyan factions has added to the turmoil.
Guests:
Anas El Gomati Director of Sadeq Institute
Umberto Profazio Associate Fellow at IISS
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently met his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Sochi. The situation in Syria was high on agenda, where Turkey and Russia stand at the opposite sides of the ongoing war. As a new wave of violence has engulfed the Idlib province – the last remaining opposition stronghold – Turkey is pressing for a return to ceasefire agreed between Ankara and Moscow last year. How can Turkey and Russia enhance their co-operation to maintain status quo in Idlib?
Guests:
Omer Ozkizilcik Researcher at SETA
Sergey Markov Director of Institute of Political Studies
Turkey put on display its latest military hardware, such as drones and multi-functional helicopters, at the country's biggest tech event, Teknofest 2021. Other than military hardware, inventions ranging from electric vehicles to flying cars and in sectors of biotechnology were at display to give visitors a sneak peek into what the future will hold. Every year, hundreds of thousands of students vie for a spot at Teknofest to showcase their ideas and inventions to the public. Organisers of the event hope the expo's growing popularity will help reverse a brain drain that has affected Turkey for years.
Guests:
Arda Mevlutoglu Defence Analyst
Halit Mirahmetoglu General Manager at GUHEM
Since the US and allied forces evacuated from Afghanistan, the country has been left abandoned. The US and its allies failed to bring peace to the war-stricken country, paving the way for other regional actors to step in and fill the vacuum. Could the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, a regional bloc led by China and Russia, help stabilise Afghanistan?
Guests:
David Arase Resident Professor at Hopkins-Nanjing Centre
Murat Aslan Faculty Member at Sabahattin Zaim University
Turkey and Armenia haven't had any official relations since 1993. But lately, leaders from both the countries are sending positive signals about their willingness to reset ties. The bone of contention between Turkey and Armenia was the Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan once again showed his willingness for talks recently but laid out a few conditions. So, can Turkey and Armenia move forward and develop better relations?
Guests:
Mehmet Cagatay Guler Foreign Policy Analyst
Peter Zalmayev Director at Eurasia Democracy Initiative
France's reaction to a new security partnership signed between the US, the UK and Australia was that of anger and frustration. Under the new alliance, called AUKUS, Australia scrapped its earlier submarine deal with Paris in favour of American ones. The French foreign minister said it wasn't just about the lost business, but also about the US's unacceptable behaviour towards an ally. So, what implications will this latest debacle have on NATO? And will this deal result in greater rifts among the Western allies?
Guests:
Tarik Oguzlu Academic Adviser at Foreign Policy Institute
Michael Doran Senior Fellow at Hudson Institute
The signing of a new security pact between the US, the UK and Australia drew a sharp response from France. France said its ally, the US, had engaged in 'lies' and 'duplicity' as it secretly formed the AUKUS alliance. Some analysts say the alliance seems to undermine the role of NATO and exposes a lack of a unified strategy among its allies to counter China. Could the alliance disturb the security dynamics in Europe? Strait Talk's Ludovica Brignola reports.
After 16 years in power as the chancellor of Europe’s largest economy, Angela Merkel is set to retire. Her exit from the political arena is sparking fears of rising populism and a far-right drift in European politics. Strait Talk’s Ludovica Brignola reports.
Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel is set to call it quits after 16 years in power. Over the past decade and a half, Merkel’s leadership helped her become a force not only in Europe, but also on the global stage. During her time in power, Merkel enjoyed a cordial relationship with the Turkish president as well. So, what’s Merkel’s legacy? How will her exit affect European and global politics? And what’s in store for Turkey after her?
Guests:
Zafer Mese Berlin Co-ordinator at SETA
Valeria Giannotta Political Analyst
Turkey’s central bank is teaming up with researchers to study the benefits of a digital currency. It hopes to tap into blockchain technology that powers cryptocurrencies to introduce a safer option – a digital lira. And Turkey isn’t the only country researching digital currencies; the US, China and India are also doing their own research on such platforms. Will paper currencies be eventually replaced by the blockchain?
Guests:
Taha Arvas Economist
Daniele Bianchi Associate Professor at Queen Mary University of London
Iran’s ramping up of uranium enrichment to 60 percent in the aftermath of the assassination of its lead scientist was enough to alarm the West. But the country’s decision to allow the International Atomic Energy Agency to resume maintenance work on cameras at its nuclear facilities was seen as a welcome step to move towards restoration of the previously scrapped nuclear deal. So far it seems a potential crisis has been averted. But will it be long-lasting? Strait Talk’s Ludovica Brignola reports.
Iran has allowed the global nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, to monitor the progress of its nuclear programme. This has renewed some hopes for the revival of the stalled nuclear talks between the West and Iran. But is Iran’s concession to the nuclear watchdog a gesture of goodwill or just posturing ahead of possible talks? And is a nuclear deal with Iran still on the cards?
Guests:
Murat Aslan Faculty Member at Sabahattin Zaim University
Borzou Daragahi Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council
Syria’s Bashar al Assad recently made an unannounced visit to Moscow and met Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two discussed some of the last opposition-held areas in the country. Though much of Syria’s north continues to be out of Assad’s control, it is the last opposition stronghold in Idlib that’s troubling both Assad and Putin. So, are Assad and Putin planning to do something about Idlib?
Guests:
Bilgehan Ozturk Researcher at the SETA Foundation
Alexey Khlebnikov Middle East Expert at the RIAC
Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan have come together in Baku for their first-ever joint military drills. The nine-day joint military exercises involving the troops from the three countries will focus on improving co-operation between their militaries and to exchange battlefield experience. These drills are happening in the backdrop of a strategic agreement signed by Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Pakistan to increase political cooperation in different areas. So, what does this new alliance mean for the region?
Guests:
Mitat Celikpala Professor at Kadir Has University
Fariz Ismailzade Vice Rector at ADA University
In some areas, things seem to be returning to normalcy in Afghanistan. Domestic air travel has resumed and as per neighbouring Pakistan’s national carrier, its international flights will resume by next week. A recent visit by Qatar’s foreign minister to meet the Taliban’s acting prime minister is another indication. But on the streets of Kabul, regular reports of protests being crushed by force tell a different story. At a time when the country’s crumbling economy and severe food shortages are forcing many to seek refuge elsewhere, the UN has warned of a grave humanitarian crisis unfolding if aid isn’t brought in soon So, will the new Taliban cabinet be able to tackle these challenges? And what will be the role of the international community in assisting the Afghans?
Guests:
Huma Baqai Associate Professor at IBA Karachi
Omar Samad Former Afghan Ambassador