The recent summit of Turkic-speaking states has fueled Ankara’s ambitions to lead a Turkic regional economic and security complex, but major geopolitical, economic and institutional hurdles remain. The eighth summit of the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States, known as the Turkic Council, held in Istanbul last week was a …

The Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq said its constituents were lured into emigrating by criminal smugglers. Hundreds of people returned to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq from Belarus today after attempting to cross into the European Union. More than 400 migrants arrived at Erbil International Airport from the Belarusian capital …

SOHR activists have reported new 50 airstrikes by Russian fighter jets have targeted positions in Ghanem al-Ali region, Deir Ezzur Desert, al-Beshri Mountains and Atheria district in the Syrian Desert. On the other hand, three Russian helicopters participated in scouting operation and the areal shelling of the region. Meanwhile, regime …

Idlib province: SOHR sources have reported that Turkish forces have erected soil barriers on the outskirts of Saraqeb city to the east of Idlib city, as Turkish forces are preparing for establishing a new military post in that position which is near regime positions in Saraqeb. SOHR sources have confirmed …

Hungarian prosecutors have charged a 22-year-old man with plotting an Islamist terror attack with an accomplice in the country last year, prosecutors said in a statement on Wednesday. It said the man, who prosecutors said had converted to Islam in a Budapest mosque in June 2020, pledged loyalty to Islamic …

In 2019, disillusioned with their political system, thousands of Iraqis protested and called for an end to rampant corruption siphoning their country’s oil wealth, for better public services and change in the government. The protest triggered a new election in October 2021, the result of which has given a new …

On October 26, 2021, Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron had a phone conversation for the first time since the AUKUS alliance was announced. During their phone conversation, President Xi reportedly advised his French counterpart to maintain autonomy in foreign policy. This advice is indicative of an …

The United States and United Kingdom once again expressed concern about a large buildup of Russian troops near the border with Ukraine as concerns grow over the Kremlin’s endgame. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on November 17 that the Russian troop movements “certainly have our attention” and he urged …

On November 16, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held diplomatic talks with his counterpart, Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat, who paid a working visit to Moscow, Russia. The talks, intended to strengthen political dialogue, also focused on the search for effective ways to scale-up development in Africa. …

Introduction (FPRI) — On the same day President Joseph Biden laid out his vision for global engagement at the U.S. State Department, he also extended greetings to the 34th Summit of the African Union (AU). That Africa popped up on the President’s radar screen so early in his administration is …