Tensions between Ukraine and Russia are raising fears of a wider conflict. For weeks, a massive Russian troop build up along its border with Ukraine has alarmed NATO. Though Russia says it has no intentions to invade Ukraine, the US is threatening Moscow with severe consequences for any military action. Recently, a series of talks held between western powers and Russia saw no breakthroughs. So, are NATO and Russia be headed on a collision course?

Guests:

Glenn Diesen

Professor at University of South-Eastern Norway

Mehmet Cagatay Guler

Researcher at SETA

It's been five months since the collapse of the Ashraf Ghani-led government in Afghanistan and the subsequent takeover of the Taliban. The group made several promises that it has learned from its previous rule. But many in the international community are questioning if the Taliban is sincere. After the dissolution of the country's election commission, is there any hope left to have a free and fair election in Afghanistan?

Guests:

Huseyin Avni Botsali

Former OIC Envoy to Afghanistan

Omar Samad

Former Afghan Diplomat

As the United States reduces its footprint in the Middle East to focus more on the Asia Pacific, China is boosting its ties with energy rich Gulf states. And that’s put many Arab countries in a tight spot, having to choose between their long-time ally the US, and its growing trade ties with the world’s second biggest economy. That co-operation was seen as the foreign ministers from several Arab states were in Beijing to discuss trade deals. And China's interests in the region go beyond its energy needs. Recently released satellite images by the US intelligence have shown ballistic missiles sites in Saudi Arabia, which have been built with Chinese assistance. So, how will the US-China rivalry affect the Middle East?

Guests:

Mahjoob Zweiri

Director of the Gulf Studies Centre at Qatar University

Giorgio Cafiero

CEO of Gulf State Analytics

Violent protests in Kazakhstan have rocked the nation and forced its government to resign. Failed attempts by the country's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to calm tensions have resulted in Russia deploying troops to restore order on the streets. So, what's behind the civil unrest in Kazakhstan? And how might the deepening crisis impact the wider region?

Guests:

Theresa Fallon

Director of the Centre for Russia Europe Asia Studies

Jennifer Murtazashvili

Associate Professor at the University of Pittsburgh

A new report has revealed that prejudice against Muslims in Europe is on the rise. The 2020 European Islamophobia Report focussed on key fields such as employment, education, media, and politics. It found that while instances of in-person Islamophobic attacks fell due to COVID lockdowns, they drastically increased online, particularly on social media platforms. So, what will it take for the continent to address the growing hate against Muslims, once and for all?

Guests:

Farid Hafez

Co-Author of the 2020 European Islamophobia Repo

Jocelyne Cesari

Senior Fellow at Georgetown University

Washington and NATO are on high alert following the buildup of Russian troops on Europe's eastern front. During a phone call between the US and Russian leaders, Joe Biden threatened Moscow with sanctions should it make any military advances towards Ukraine, while Vladimir Putin stuck to his guns, refusing to back down unless NATO signed a written guarantee that Kyiv will never join its ranks. So will the two sides reach a compromise at the upcoming Kremlin-NATO security talks? And what's at stake if they don't?

With climate change concerns on the rise, Turkiye has taken drastic steps towards diversifying its energy resources. So much so, that over half of the country's electricity is now generated through renewable energy. Looking ahead, what obstacles might the industrialised nation face in its drive to go green?

Following more than a century of fragile relations, Turkiye and Armenia seem eager to move past their differences. Earlier this month the two countries appointed special envoys and resumed flight operations between Istanbul and Yerevan. Ankara's readiness to improve ties with its neighbours is the South Caucasus as well as the recent implementation of the 3+3 South Caucasus Cooperation Platform have been regarded as vital steps towards establishing renewed peace and security in the region. But will it last? And can trust between the two former rivals be fully restored?

Guests:

Mitat Celikpala

Professor at Kadir Has University

Amanda Paul

Senior Policy Analyst at the European Policy Centre

The failure of Libya's parliamentary committee to set a new date for the country's election has dimmed hopes of a fresh start for the war-stricken country. The postponement of the vote was due to opposing internal views over everything from the legal basis of the election to the controversial list of candidates running for presidency. In the meanwhile, the country's parliamentary committee has demanded a reshuffling of the interim government in Tripoli until a new roadmap for elections can be agreed on. So, what will it take to bring Libya to the ballot box? And can it be done peacefully?

Guests:

Noamane Cherkaoui

Geopolitical Analyst at Policy Centre for the New South

Umberto Profazio

Associate Fellow at IISS

This past year, Turkiye and its former Gulf rivals have gradually moved towards improving relations. The first such step was witnessed during a visit by the United Arab Emirates' de-facto ruler, Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to Ankara last month. But there have also been significant efforts to normalise ties between Turkiye and other regional powers, including Saudi Arabia and Egypt. So, what brought about this change of heart? And how might it impact the region?

Guests:

Ali Bakir

Assistant Professor at Qatar University

Sara Bazoobandi

Fellow at the German Institute for Global and Area Studies

Tahir Kilavuz

Associate Professor at Marmara University