Sweden, like Germany and Great Britain, has a large Kurdish community (about 100-150 thousand people). As is known, the formation of the Kurdish diaspora in this Scandinavian country began in the 1970s and further migration flows intensified in the 1980s-1990s and 2000s due to the fighting and repression in Turkey, as well as the occupation of Iraq. The Kurdish diaspora is quite politically active and well-integrated in Sweden, and is represented by six members in the local parliament…

Many specialists believe that, as a result of anti-Russian sanctions and US pressure on business, and particularly on the Turkish financial system, starting from January this year Turkish banks have had to stop or freeze bank payments to Russian partners and refuse to service transactions involving Russian legal entities. If this situation persists it will naturally have a negative impact on the overall trade balance between the two countries. But there is always a solution – it is just a matter of price. The development of trade and economic relations between Russia and Turkey is closely dependent on the availability of financial support…

The financial crisis in Turkey calls for a tight monetary policy and a tough banking regulator. But Turkey’s Central Bank is being headed by one US business school graduate after another. But how will Fatih Karahan be more successful than Hafize Gaye Erkan? In terms of its financial situation, Turkey is going through difficult times. In real terms, annual inflation in 2023 has reached 65% (and some independent sources claim it is as high as 128%), and, unfortunately, is still largely the same in February 2024. Wages are not growing in line with inflation, and the poverty rate is growing…

The US, being the military and political leader of the NATO bloc, remains the main driving force in the sphere of high military technologies of the alliance countries. Accordingly, the interoperability strategy of allied armies is determined by the Pentagon in coordination with the President’s administration, the CIA, and the US Department of State. It is clear that Washington also controls the modernization programs of the armed forces of its allies, taking into account a complex of issues (for example, intra-bloc contradictions between Turkey and Greece, or the interests of conditional micro-clubs such as the elite Anglo-Saxon…

The question of Turkey’s possible integration with Europe has been under discussion for decades and is one of the most problematic issues in post-war European history. Turkey was one of the founders of the Council of Europe in 1949, has been an “associate member” of the EEC since 1964, and officially applied for EU membership on April 14, 1987, but was only granted candidate status 12 years later, at the Helsinki Summit in 1999. Following the Brussels summit of December 17, 2004, accession negotiations with Turkey began on October 3, 2005. Turkey appears to have harmonized its laws with those of the EU…

The territory of modern Turkey has economic-geographical and military-strategic advantages due to its control over the Black Sea Straits of Bosporus and Dardanelles. Control of the Black Sea Straits has always been strategically important to the great powers in world geopolitics and trade. Great Britain and Russia often clashed over the right to control the Straits. In August 1914, German ships, including the cruiser Goeben and light cruiser Breslau, attacked Russian ports after passing through the Black Sea Straits. This led to the Ottoman Empire joining World War…

The political fate of the leader of any democratic state from the moment of coming to power always remains under the threat of resignation. The latter is naturally connected, of course, with the domestic and foreign policies he pursues, and in some cases with the “dark spots” of his personal biography. Modern Israel, being an organic part of the Middle East, is strikingly different from the political culture of its neighbours in the region. Israel is distinguished from other Middle Eastern states (as well as from the rest of the world) not only by the religion of Judaism practised by Jews…

At an event marking the 97th anniversary of Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization, or MIT, held on January 10 this year, President Recep Erdoğan was quoted by Anadolu Ajansi as saying: “Day by day, Turkey is strengthening its position as an influential power and leading player on the global chessboard.” He went on to say that Ankara has created a “Turkish axis” and does not intend to listen to any other parties when conducting its own foreign policy. In his speech to representatives of the country’s main intelligence service, Recep Erdoğan insisted that Turkey takes all necessary measures…

Israel maintains its policy of seeking a military solution to the Palestinian issue in the Gaza Strip. Despite the increasing anti-Israeli sentiment and calls for a cessation of hostilities, Tel Aviv remains committed to ending the Hamas political and military presence. Meanwhile, the government of Benjamin Netanyahu must respond to the mass protests of Israelis demanding the release of hostages still held by enemies…

Netanyahu has not accepted Hamas’ conditions for another ceasefire. Consequently, the war in the Middle East continues and the peace deal is delayed. The talks between William Burns in Paris and Anthony Blinken in Riyadh and Aman failed to achieve their goals. Through Hillary Clinton, Washington is offering Benjamin Netanyahu’s resignation. Apparent disagreements with the US administration on the idea of recognising a Palestinian state motivate the head of Israel to expand the conflict in southern Gaza. The Refah operation threatens to internationalise the conflict and drag Egypt into it…

On January 23, the Turkish parliament approved Sweden’s accession to NATO. This event was expected by some, and some, referring to the position of marginal Turkish political forces such as Patriotic Party with its Chairman Doğu Perinçek or the local Communist Party, held out hope for Turkey’s intransigence on the Swedish issue. However, the hopes of the latter did not come true due to Turkey’s traditional diplomacy, which is linked to its strategic security with the US and NATO. Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov warned that NATO accession of Finland and Sweden…

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, as reported by The Times of Israel, said the IDF will soon enter the fray near the northern border with Lebanon to suppress Hezbollah. In recent weeks, Israel has been rushing significant forces and military equipment to the border with Lebanon as pro-Iranian Hezbollah supports Hamas militarily. Last December, it became known that the Israel Defence Forces General Staff was preparing a plan to invade southern Lebanon. In turn, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposed the withdrawal of the army from the Gaza Strip and ruled out…