Month: June 2020

Migration as a Weapon – How to Stop Erdogan

Turkish President Erdogan is currently in a precarious situation. Turkey suffered in Syria severe military setbacks with dozens of killed. Yesterday’s agreement with Russia’s President Putin foresees a withdrawal of the Islamists supported by Turkey from a larger area to the south and east of Idlib. More than 30 Turkish soldiers died in Libya in the last few days. EU sanctions against two Turkish citizens because of the natural gas drilling off Cyprus are damaging to Erdogan’s reputation.

Eastern Mediterranean

Heated rhetoric between Greece and Turkey contributed to ongoing tensions over maritime borders and hydrocarbon development in the Eastern Mediterranean. Crisis Group expert Nigar Göksel says that following Turkey’s late-May decision to begin hydrocarbon drilling in areas Greece claims as its Exclusive Economic Zone, both the Greek and Turkish defence ministers this week signalled their readiness to use force to defend their respective interests. Talks scheduled next week between Athens and Cairo intended to demarcate their maritime borders, following a similar deal Athens struck with Italy this week, are likely to further heighten tensions with Ankara and solidify alliances that are dividing the region.

Geopolitical and Geoeconomic Challenges to China’s Silk Road Strategy in the Middle East

Despite Beijing’s increasing engagement in the Middle East, it lacks a clear, consistent, and comprehensive strategy for the successful implementation of the new Silk Road. Although China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) framework for cooperation with the Middle Eastern states is marked by strategic flexibility and maximizing opportunities, that may prove insufficient. As China and the countries of the region become more integrated, they will also share risks and face near-term geopolitical and geoeconomic challenges.

Russia’s Syria Intervention Has Been A Mixed Blessing For Moscow

Here’s What You Need To Remember: Long-term stability in Syria almost seems quixotic, more likely measured in decades than years. It will take time to assess the extent to which Russia has “won” in Syria. Absent a peaceful end to the conflict and an infusion of large-scale Western aid, downside risks for Russia could take some of the bloom off of its rose in Syria.

What is antifa?

Why is Trump trying to designate it as a terrorist organization in the wake of protests over George Floyd’s death?

President Trump is blaming the far-left network known as antifa for the looting and rioting that has arisen during anti-police-brutality protests in cities across the nation. Trump said he’ll label the movement a terrorist organization, though he legally cannot do that, and Attorney General William P. Barr said there is evidence antifa and other similar extremist groups are instigating violence.