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 …

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 …

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 …

Lavrov said Russia and Bahrain have a common position on Syria’s return to the Arab League, according to al-Watan. Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, reiterated on Tuesday the need for a political solution to the crisis in Syria in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2254 of 2015. He declared …

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” …

As the Russo-Ukrainian war continues to rage on through its 100th day, things are getting frosty over with RIMPAC. Twenty-six countries headed by the United States will be conducting Exercise RIMPAC 2022 from June 29 to August 4 in what is the world’s biggest naval exercise to date. It has …

After violence by Jewish nationalists in the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem on Sunday, Israel is debating who is an extremist. MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST: Events over the weekend have prompted a new look in Israel at how it should handle Jewish extremists. (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING) UNIDENTIFIED GROUP: (Chanting in …

As Western capitals try to compartmentalize problems in a bid to separately tackle Ankara’s veto threat over Finnish and Swedish NATO bids and prevent a potential Turkish military operation against their Syrian Kurdish allies, Turkey is pushing for an “all-in bargain” on several fronts. This includes demanding a free hand …

The US will send truck-mounted high-tech rocket systems to Ukraine as the country continues to defend itself against Russia’s invasion. Ukraine’s leaders have been asking for the weapons which they say could be critical to their success in the war against Russia, now in its fourth month. US president Joe …

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 …