Turkey’s move to pressure Sweden and Finland into extraditing alleged “terrorists” they harbour is a method Ankara used for several years against countries in the Western Balkans, including EU candidate countries, under the idle gaze of Brussels. While Turkey wields investment and aid as a sword of Damocles over the …
Read More »Iranian Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian To Visit Turkey
Foreign Minister of Iran Hossein Amirabdollahian will pay a visit to Turkey on Monday, June 6. The upcoming trip will mark the top Iranian diplomat’s first visit to neighboring Turkey after taking office in August 2021. Istanbul is also going to host a trilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of …
Read More »Russia-Turkey Talks Crucial To Return Of Grain Supplies
As diplomatic moves continue to shape the future of grain exports from Ukraine’s Black Sea and Russia’s Sea of Azov ports as a result of Moscow’s aggression, the outcome of attempts to “rewire” worldwide grain transport logistics is complicating the international geoeconomic environment by inducing food security problems. The conflict …
Read More »Traffickers use refugees to smuggle drugs from Iran to Turkey
There are growing claims and indications that refugees illegally crossing the Iranian-Turkish border, the route of an exodus from Afghanistan to the West, are forced to smuggle drugs by their traffickers. The paths of refugees and drug traffickers have crossed at the porous Iranian-Turkish border, the route of tens of …
Read More »Turkey continues regional initiative with meetings with Israel, Egypt
Turkey’s foreign minister says he will gather with his Egyptian and Israeli counterparts, possibly with Defense Minister Hulusi Akar accompanying him to Israel. Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that he would get together with his Egyptian and Israeli counterparts soon, in line with Turkey’s regional diplomacy efforts. “There are …
Read More »Turkey’s regional ‘charm offensive’ is on track, but not without caveats
The decision by Tel Aviv University to establish academic bridges with three Turkish institutions reflects Jerusalem’s growing interest in Ankara’s policy of rapprochement. Tel Aviv University announced April 26 a new academic collaboration with three Turkish institutions: Koc, Ozyegin and Sabanci. “The purpose of the initiative is to promote academic …
Read More »Recap: Turkey Moves in Northeast Syria
Turkey has promised to root out “terrorists” from Northeast Syria, as part of its military operation in the Northeast, despite U.S. pressure. Has the Turkish operation in Northeast Syria begun? Recent declarations by the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who promised to eradicate “terrorism from the Tal Rifaat and Manbij” …
Read More »Erdogan halts Turkey-Greece talks as rift widens
Turkish president says will pause talks, partly over dispute with Greek PM and what Ankara calls airspace violations. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said Turkey is halting talks with Greece, partly over a dispute with the Greek prime minister and what Ankara calls airspace violations, marking the latest reversal in …
Read More »U.S.-backed Syrian force warns against new Turkish attack, Russia alarmed
The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said on Thursday a new offensive threatened by Turkey in northern Syria would create a humanitarian crisis and undermine its campaign against the Islamic State group. SDF commander Mazloum Abdi called on all sides to “prevent any new tragedies and support de-escalation”, warning that …
Read More »Turkey Spoils the Big NATO Party
Complacency has been the hallmark of NATO expansion. Over time, it has even become a form of derision, notably directed against Russia. As with many historical matters, records ignored can be records revisited, the second time around sometimes nastier than the first. With the Ukraine conflict raging, a few of …
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