Politics

The flagship Moskva and Snake Island were supposed to be pillars of Russia's A2/AD in the Black Sea. (Source photos by AFP/Jiji and Planet Labs PBC/Reuters) 
Ukraine war

Russia's failure to cement Black Sea dominance has lessons for China

Moscow's withdrawal from strategic Snake Island shows 'A2/AD' is not easy

5 July 2022
The world is split into three major political blocs, with "neutral" powers like India and Turkey gaining influence by playing the two old camps, Western and Russia-China, off against each other.
Comment

Tripolar world ushered in by the rise of 'neutral' powers

India, Turkey, others aim to expand influence through delicate balancing act

3 July 2022
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, center, objected to Sweden and Finland's accession to NATO, causing headaches for U.S. President Joe Biden and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. (Source photos by Reuters) 
International relations

Turkey scores with NATO brinkmanship, flexing geopolitical veto

Erdogan signals to Biden he's a dealmaker, but leaves bitter aftertaste among allies

1 July 2022
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, left, and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid embrace each other at the end of a session at the plenum at the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem on June 30.
Politics

Israel heads to Nov 1 election with Lapid as caretaker PM

Vote will be the country's fifth in less than four years

30 June 2022
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu shakes hands with Swedish counterpart Ann Linde after signing a document during a NATO summit in Madrid on June 28.
International relations

NATO formally invites Sweden and Finland to join alliance

Madrid summit communique also cites Russia as 'threat' and China as challenge

29 June 2022
From left, Baykar's three unmanned vehicles the Akinci, a prototype of the Kizilelma and the Bayraktar TB2 are seen at the company's factory located near Istanbul.
Ukraine war

With drone gift to Ukraine, Turkey's Baykar wins fans and clients

Defense contractor sends three TB2s to Kyiv in nod to crowdfunding drive

29 June 2022
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, Finland's President Sauli Niinisto, Sweden's Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu Sweden's Foreign Minister Ann Linde and Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto prepare to sign a document during a NATO summit in Madrid on June 28. 
International relations

Finland, Sweden advance to join NATO as Turkey retracts opposition

Breakthrough comes after the 3 countries sign joint memorandum

29 June 2022
Gas prices over the $5 mark are advertised at a gas station in Encinitas, California, on May 9: Drawing a straight line between Biden urging Saudi leaders to pump more oil, the Kingdom obliging and prices taking a tumble would be overly simplistic.
Opinion

Do not expect Biden's Saudi Arabia visit to work miracles

U.S. leverage undermined by policy U-turns and Riyadh's cozy ties with Russia

28 June 2022
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stands alongside Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman at a welcome ceremony in Ankara on June 22. 
International relations

Realist Erdogan embraces Saudi prince with eye on new prizes

A beneficiary of Ukraine war, Mohammed bin Salman beams on comeback tour

24 June 2022
A Chinese vessel sits near oil tanks at a refinery in Dalian, China.
Energy

China's oil imports led by Russia for first time since Ukraine war

Shipments grew 55% in May as Western sanctions depressed demand

22 June 2022
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, left, with Foreign Minister Yair Lapid at the parliament. 
Politics

Israel heads to election as PM Bennett steps aside

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid to serve as interim leader

21 June 2022
A man appears to check the cost of cooking oil in a supermarket in Tehran. Surging food prices and other economic challenges are ramping up pressure on Iran's leaders to get nuclear talks with the West back on track. (West Asia News Agency via Reuters) 
Economy

Iran's hopes for economic recovery dashed by IAEA condemnation

In bid to save nuclear deal, spokesperson says all recent actions are 'reversible'

14 June 2022
Protesters hold placards demanding the arrest of Nupur Sharma, a spokeswoman for ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, in Mumbai on June 7: Anger spread to the Islamic world.
Opinion

Modi walks a tightrope between Hindu base and Muslim trade partners

India has no desire to jeopardize its growing relationship with the Islamic world

9 June 2022
India, China and Turkey recorded large increases in the numbers of tankers bringing Russian oil. (Source photos by AP and Reuters)
Energy

China, India and Turkey to siphon more Russian oil ahead of EU ban

Extra crude finds eager Asian buyers for now but scale of future demand is uncertain

9 June 2022
The Negev Summit held in Sde Boker, Israel, on March 28: The growing distance between the U.S. and its regional allies was on display.
Opinion

Biden needs to bring the Middle East closer to Asia

U.S. president's July trip to Israel and Persian Gulf offers a prime opportunity

9 June 2022
Ukrainian singer Ruslana gives a concert in the Turkish city of Antalya to support people from her country affected by the war with Russia. (Photo by Anadolu Agency)
Ukraine war

Turkey becomes magnet for Russians and Ukrainians alike

Country has been attracting staff, business from two sides of conflict

8 June 2022
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, pictured in Ankara on May 16, is not making his final price clear.
Opinion

West must learn to live with Erdogan the unpredictable

Turkish leader a live rebuke to those who say NATO is forcing everyone to toe its line

26 May 2022
Gas meters are on display at the 26th International Oil Gas Refining and Petrochemical Exhibition 2022 held at the expo center in Tehran on May 14.
Energy

Iran-Russia friendship turns sour over gas rivalry

Cheap supply from Moscow lures Tehran's traditional customers

22 May 2022
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses his ruling party at the Grand National Assembly in Ankara on May 18.
International relations

Turkey blocks start of NATO entry talks for Sweden and Finland

Biden confident about Nordic countries' prospects despite Erdogan's objection

19 May 2022
Greg Norman speaks during a press conference at Centurion Club in St Albans, U.K., on May 11: Norman went on to show a deftness of mind only matched by his swing.
Opinion

Saudi-backed golf tour a reminder that sport is never free of politics

Sporting arenas regularly play host to battles for justice and struggles for soft power

17 May 2022
Women in Kashmir are at risk from unscrupulous agents who lure them overseas with the promise of good jobs.
International relations

Kashmiri women lured to UAE describe labor trafficking 'hellholes'

India, Dubai authorities grapple with flow of people duped by shady agents

15 May 2022
The OPEC+ alliance is expected to ratify plans for a production increase for June of 430,000 barrels a day. (Source photos by AP and Reuters) 
Commodities

OPEC offers Europe little hope of quitting Russian oil

Cartel set to keep policy of only modest production increases at meeting

5 May 2022
The T129 ATAK, an all-weather attack helicopter developed by Turkish Aerospace, with Philippine pilots alongside at Col. Jesus Villamor Air Base in Manila, Philippines, on April 6. (Anadolu Agency)
International relations

Turkish defense contractors enjoy sales bonanza in Asia

Demand soars for cheap but battle-tested drones, choppers and corvettes

3 May 2022
Ministers attend a joint videoconference about a European data infrastructure project called Gaia-X in Paris in June 2020: The EU wants European data to be stored on European servers.
Opinion

Ukraine war accelerates new era of vertical globalization

Corporations can no longer put profits over politics

25 April 2022
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Turkish-made drones likely involved in Moskva sinking

Ukrainian official says Neptune missile was assisted by 'other equipment'

18 April 2022