International report
RFI goes behind-the-scenes of one of the week's major stories.
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As Turkey bombards Kurdish forces in Syria, is the US preparing to pull out?
Turkish military forces are carrying out an air assault on US-backed Kurdish forces in Syria, and Ankara has warned that a land operation may follow. The crackdown comes amid reports that Washington may pull its forces out of Syria and Iraq.10/02/202405:57 -
Sweden deal unlikely to resolve bitter dispute between NATO and Turkey
Ankara's ratification of Sweden's NATO membership after a 10-month delay has spurred hopes of a reset in relations between Turkey and the alliance, but tensions still run deep.03/02/202405:13 -
Even with Turkish approval, Sweden's wait to join NATO may not be over yet
Sweden's bid to join NATO got a major boost when the Turkish parliament finally ratified its membership application this week. Yet with the Turkish president's signature still needed, Sweden's wait to join the military alliance may not be over.28/01/202405:06 -
Turkey agrees deal to clear Black Sea of mines that threaten Ukrainian exports
Turkey is joining forces with Bulgaria and Romania to clear mines from the Black Sea, which have posed a danger to cargo ships since the start of Russia's war in Ukraine. But Ankara, the gatekeeper to the crucial waterway, insists that it won't allow any other Nato countries to send warships to assist.20/01/202404:42 -
With spy raids, Turkey warns Israel not to seek Hamas revenge on Turkish soil
Turkish security forces this month detained dozens of people across the country accused of spying for Israel. The highly publicised raids are seen as a warning to Israel not to target Palestinians on Turkish soil, after Ankara insisted it would itself reign in anyone suspected of involvement in the 7 October Hamas attacks.13/01/202405:40 -
Attack on football referee exposes anti-elite resentment in divided Turkey
The assault of a referee at a Turkish professional football match has drawn international condemnation and the unprecedented suspension of all league games. But it's also brought into focus the wider spectre of violence against public officials in Turkish society, which some blame on the polarising politics of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.24/12/202304:59 -
Sweden's Nato bid languishes as Turkey holds out in standoff with US
Swedish hopes of early Nato membership are fading as Turkey continues to hold up Sweden's bid as part of a standoff with the United States.17/12/202305:07 -
Turkey's bid to join EU back on the table at upcoming summit
Turkey's decades-long bid to join the European Union will be back on the agenda as EU leaders meet at a summit later this month. They are also expected to focus on Ukrainian membership as part of an eastward drive.10/12/202305:03 -
Turkey's embattled civil society fears worst as foreign funding dries up
Civil society groups in Turkey say their future hangs in the balance as more and more international donors pull out or cut back their support. Overseas funding is drying up as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan steps up his crackdown against critical voices.02/12/202305:57 -
Iran leader to visit Turkey as rapprochement continues over Gaza war
The Iranian president's visit to Turkey this week comes amid deeply strained bilateral tensions as a result of regional rivalries. However, Israel's assault on Gaza stands to alleviate those problems as Tehran and Ankara find common ground in condemning Israel, with Turkey also seeking to position itself as a mediator in the conflict.27/11/202304:52 -
Turkey talks tough on Israel but resists calls to cut off oil
With Israeli forces stepping up their assault on the Gaza Strip and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan continuing to ramp up his rhetoric against the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Ankara is nonetheless resisting calls to cut off vital oil deliveries to Israel.11/11/202305:09 -
Turkey, Iran put rivalries aside as Gaza conflict provides common ground
Iran's Foreign Minister visited the Turkish capital this week amid growing regional rivalry as Ankara seeks to expand its influence from the Caucasus to Central Asia. But the conflict in the Middle East is, for now, providing some common ground.04/11/202305:12 -
Turkey under fire after declaring Hamas a 'liberation' group
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is on a collision course with its Western and Middle Eastern allies after vigorously defending Hamas, declaring it to be a "liberation movement" rather than a terrorist organisation. The statement also appears to have ended more than a year of rapprochement efforts with Israel.28/10/202305:43 -
As Azerbaijan and Turkey join forces, fears of Armenia conflict grow
Fears are growing of a conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia as Baku ratchets up its rhetoric against Yerevan, reiterating calls for a corridor through Armenian territory. The move comes as Azerbaijani forces prepare joint military exercises with Turkey, which backs the idea of the passage.22/10/202305:11 -
Links to Hamas complicate Turkey's rapprochement with Israel
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's links to Hamas are under growing scrutiny following the group's deadly assault on Israel. Erdogan has positioned himself as a mediator in securing the release of Israeli civilians, but his connections to the Palestinian militant group are now casting a shadow over ongoing Turkish-Israeli rapprochement efforts.14/10/202305:25
International report
RFI goes behind-the-scenes of one of the week's major stories.