Author: Belgin Naz

Turkey’s interest in joining BRICS is primarily driven by economic considerations and does not affect its support for Ukraine. Ukrainian Ambassador to Turkey Vasyl Bodnar said this in an interview with Ukrinform. “The current drift in [Turkey’s] communication with BRICS is economically motivated. This reflects a search for markets for its goods, resources for investment, and efforts to attract Chinese companies to its domestic market. […] The key point is that this process does not directly affect [Turkey’s] support for Ukraine,” Bodnar said. According to him, Turkey aims to position itself as a global player with broad interests. “This is tied to…

As Russia’s war in Ukraine continues to drag on, much is uncertain about its eventual end. But one thing that is clear—and that may greatly influence how the war ends and the regional landscape afterward—is Turkey’s critical role in shaping a cease-fire and post-war arrangement. As a major military and diplomatic power committed both to Ukraine’s survival and a modus vivendi with Russia, Turkey possesses tools to prevent escalation by Russia (as shown by its ability to push back or deter Russia in Libya and Syria) and to position itself as a country that can offer an off-ramp from war…

It is less than a year before the U.S. election in 2024, when American voters will decide on the president and the governing direction for the next four years. The current president, Joe Biden, is most likely to run as the Democratic nominee, while former President Donald Trump could still represent the Republicans. In other words, we might repeat the 2020 race.  Recent polls indicate that Biden is behind Trump in several key battleground states including Wisconsin and Michigan, where Biden only won by razor-thin margins in the last election, further complicating the situation. In recent years, China-U.S. relations have…

State Minister of Women and Child Affairs Hon. Geetha Kumarasinghe was appointed as the President of the Sri Lanka – Egypt Parliamentary Friendship Association recently (08). The inaugural meeting of the Sri Lanka – Egypt Parliamentary Friendship Association for the Ninth Parliament was held in Parliament and was chaired by the Speaker Hon. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana. Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Sri Lanka His Excellency Maged Mosleh was present as the guest of honor. Deputy Speaker Hon. Ajith Rajapaksa, several Members of Parliamentand the Secretary General of Parliament Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera were also present at this meeting.…

seaside community in Antalya, boasting nearly 40% Russian residents, has embarked on a language exchange initiative, with Turkish neighbors learning Russian. At the same time, Russians undertake Turkish lessons in private classrooms, fostering better communication among themselves. Mikail Hin, the site manager, highlighted the challenge faced by some neighbors in effective communication. In response to the demand, four active language classes were established, attracting around 60 residents. Hin expressed satisfaction, noting gradual improvements in conversational understanding. Tatiana Gaidina, a Russian resident, shared her appreciation for Turkish culture, expressing affection and respect for Turkish neighbors. She described engaging in daily interactions,…

Although the improving relations between Israel and Türkiye are back to square one after the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict, the two sides’ economic ties are expected to tide over the political turmoil, said experts. Ankara has hurled its strong criticism at Israel since the Gaza conflict began in early October and recalled its ambassador earlier this month over Israel’s rejection of a cease-fire. Israel’s ambassador to Türkiye, appointed just at the start of this year, left Ankara in October over security concerns after Türkiye shifted from a cautious to a critical tone against Israel amid the rising humanitarian toll…

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesman Daniel Hagari said Sunday that Israel has “operation plans” to fight against armed groups in Lebanon to restore the calm amid growing escalation in the Israel-Lebanon border. Earlier on Sunday, missiles and anti-tank rockets were launched from Lebanon towards the Krayot area, north of Haifa, and a community near the border. According to Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue service, a total of 18 civilians and soldiers were injured, one with critical injuries. The Israeli military said in a statement that warplanes carried out airstrikes in southern Lebanon and artillery was fired toward the areas from…

Eminönü, renowned as a touristic hub within Istanbul, has unveiled a decision to impose an entry fee on visitors entering the city’s historical peninsula. The initiative, initiated under the “Istanbul Sustainable Urban Transportation Plan” (SKUP), is aimed at alleviating traffic congestion in Istanbul while emphasizing people-centric and environmentally friendly initiatives. The plan foresees a 10.1% reduction in traffic density during peak hours across the city by the year 2030. It introduces “Congestion pricing” strategies targeting private vehicle users entering specific areas, with the initial implementation set for the Historical Peninsula (Eminönü). European Union Ambassador to Türkiye Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut, Istanbul Metropolitan…

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday called for an immediate end to the bombardments and siege on the Gaza Strip, Iran’s official news agency IRNA reported. The two presidents made the appeal in a meeting on the sidelines of the 16th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization in the Uzbek capital Tashkent, during which they also held comprehensive negotiations on the latest developments in Gaza, the report said. Raisi and Erdogan also highlighted the necessity to make “practical and effective” decisions in an extraordinary summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) scheduled…

Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) on Wednesday called for actions to address the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip over the Israel-Hamas conflict. As the conflict topped the agenda of a two-day meeting of the foreign ministers in Tokyo, they released a joint statement after the talks that they support humanitarian pauses and corridors to facilitate urgently needed assistance, civilian movement and release of hostages. “We underscore that a two-state solution, which envisions Israel and a viable Palestinian state living side by side in peace, security and mutual recognition, remains the only path to a just, lasting…