Orientul Mijlociu – Page 337 – reflectiigeopolitice.ro

Turkey’s Drone War in Syria – A Red Team View

October 9, 2020 by M Barbu

Turkey’s armed forces gained worldwide attention when its air force launched a remarkable and innovative airpower show-of-force against Bashir al-Assad’s Syrian Army. As part of a combined air and ground operation, the Turkish air force used its Anka-S and Bayraktar TB2 drones to conduct hundreds of strikes against Syrian Arab Army units to halt a Syrian advance that threatened the assorted security forces, irregular militias and terrorist groups that form the Turkish-backed coalition which has been trying to hang onto Syria’s Idlib governorate. The Turkish air campaign was brief, beginning on 1 March and ending just 5 days later, when Ankara and Moscow hammered out a regional cease-fire.

Turkey and Russia’s deepening roles in Libya complicate peace efforts

October 9, 2020 by M Barbu

Plans for a durable Libyan ceasefire are to be endorsed by diplomats from 15 countries on Monday, but the value of the commitments made in the virtual meeting are belied by signs that deepening involvement in the country by rival external powers including Russia and Turkey could complicate efforts to form an interim government of national unity.

Russian Navy monitoring UK warship in Black Sea

October 9, 2020 by M Barbu

The Dragon is a destroyer of the Type 45 designated to operate as part of carrier multi-purpose groups

Russia’s Black Sea Fleet is tracking the UK Navy’s destroyer Dragon that has entered the Black Sea, the Defense Ministry’s National Defense Control Center reported on Monday.

Kurdish issue to explode unless Syrian integrity issue solved, Russia’s Lavrov warns

October 9, 2020 by M Barbu

According to the minister, the Kurdish issue involves a wide array of Middle Eastern countries

The Kurdish problem may explode, unless the issue of Syrian territorial integrity is solved, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Monday.

How Erdogan and Putin spectacularly fell out

October 9, 2020 by M Barbu

“Russia is, of course, a strategic partner. How many hours would it take for you to travel to Washington? How long would it take to go to Moscow?” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan asked me almost two years ago in a gathering. “We have joint strategic investments, from pipelines to nuclear reactors. We have joint interests in the defence industry, increasing bilateral trade and tourism, so on and so forth.”

Erdogan seeks to firm up GNA ties despite Sarraj’s intent to exit

October 9, 2020 by M Barbu

Ankara has huge economic and strategic stakes in Libya, which it seeks to maintain.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Sunday his country aims to strengthen relations with Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA).

Israeli navy prepares for East Med crises with new missile boats

October 9, 2020 by M Barbu

The vessels, commonly known as the “Saar 6,” will be at the forefront of Israeli efforts to protect its 200-mile exclusive economic zone.

Gantz says Turkey opposed to regional peace

October 9, 2020 by M Barbu

“Definitely the question of Turkey is a very complicated one, because Turkey is part of NATO,” the defense minister said.

Is Pompeo changing tack on Turkey? – Analysis

October 9, 2020 by M Barbu

For the first time, the US appears to be confronting Turkey over its fueling of conflict all over the Middle East.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has paid a visit to the eastern Mediterranean, where he met Greek leaders. He was also in Cyprus on September 12. Turkey has been threatening Greece and Cyprus and causing tensions in the eastern Mediterranean. Ankara’s challenge has caused Greece, Cyprus, Egypt and Israel to work together more closely.

Will Either Macron or Erdogan Back Down in the Eastern Mediterranean?

October 9, 2020 by M Barbu

French President Emmanuel Macron has clearly decided to up the ante in a standoff with Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean, where France is backing Greece and Cyprus in their dispute with Ankara over natural gas reserves and maritime boundaries.