For two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the global economy in ways not seen in since the great depression. Supply chains have been upended, lockdowns and travel restrictions have bankrupted once prosperous industries. And now with a lingering global energy crunch, the costs for everyday goods have skyrocketed. Turkey has been especially hard hit with rising prices. Speaking on the lira's volatile swings and high inflation, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged households to be patient. He said the recent flucuations would stabilise, and that his economic model based on lower interests would help spur job growth and exports.

Guests:

Taha Arvas

Economist

Guido Cozzi

Professor at the University of St Gallen

Dating back centuries, relations between Turkey and Iran have seen their ups and downs. But a recent meeting between Turkish President Erdogan and his Iranian counterpart Raisi in Turkmenistan's capital Ashgabat, may have provided a platform for the two leaders to discuss several regional challenges, from security to an influx of migrants. So, can the two neighbours co-operate to take on the challenges together? Or could spoilers could get in the way?

Guests:

Talha Kose

Brussels Coordinator for SETA

Mohammad Marandi

Political Analyst

Two years after the first case of COVID-19 was discovered, the world is still gripped by the pandemic. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have released a new report highlighting the impact the pandemic has had on inequality and mental health around the world. But how dramatic has the cost been and which groups have suffered most?

Guest:

Francesco Rocca

President of IFRC

Two years since the first case of COVID-19 was detected in China, there have been more than five million deaths around the world. A recent report by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies found that the pandemic has had more of an impact on some groups than others. Strait Talk's Hadya Al Alawi reports.

It's been two years since the emergence of COVID-19 and the world is still struggling to contain it. And now scientists in South Africa have identified a new variant called Omicron. Many suspect it could outcompete the Delta variant which was the dominant strain this year . The moment new strain was announced, countries started imposing travel restrictions on several southern African countries. So, how dangerous is the Omicron variant? And has the global response been effective or just an overreaction?

Guests:

Tian Johnson

African Vaccine Delivery Alliance

Serhat Unal

Professor at Hacettepe University

Turkey's defence industry is building an aircraft carrier-like naval assault ship, that will be capable of fielding attack helicopters and combat drones. The TCG Anadolu assault ship is part of Turkey's naval ambitions for the future, given the country has been seeing heightened tensions close to its shores, such as in the Black Sea, the Aegean and the eastern Mediterranean. So, what role will an assault ship like the TCG Anadolu play in safeguarding Turkey's waters?

Guests:

Arda Mevlutoglu

Defense Analyst

Michael Fabey

Jane's Americas Naval Reporter

The United States and Europe are concerned about Russia's troop build-up along its border with Ukraine. While Moscow has dismissed the West's concerns calling them alarmist, NATO's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has warned any use of force by Russia against Ukraine will have a cost. With heightened tensions in the region, Turkey's President Erdogan has offered to play a mediating role to help ease the situation.

Guests:

Glenn Diesen

Professor at University of South-Eastern Norway

Peter Zalmayev

Director of Eurasia Democracy Initiative

Six world powers are sitting down with Iran in Vienna in hopes of salvaging a nuclear deal first agreed upon in 2015, but was later scrapped by former US President Donald Trump in 2018. After a five-month break, Iran has a new hardline government that wants to add more to the agreement. But the country's continued enrichment and stockpiling of uranium has been a cause of concern for Israel and the US. Can Washington and Tehran reach a lasting agreement?

Guests:

Abdel Bari Atwan

Editor-in-chief of Rai al Youm

Mark Meirowitz

Professor at SUNY Maritime College

The Israeli military has come under increased criticism for abusing facial recognition technology. The country’s security forces have been accused of mass surveillance of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. The revelation came to the fore after former Israeli soldiers exposed how Israel maintains a large database of Palestinians for the purpose of tracking and monitoring.

Guest:

Asa Winstanley

Journalist and Political Analyst

In less than a year, Qatar will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. But a country of just three million and with stadiums only a few kilometers apart from each other, the challenges of ensuring a smooth execution are many, such as the security of fans, athletes and workers. To help the tiny gulf state, Turkey will send a police contingent to help with security arrangements. Turkey’s offer is the latest sign of the deep co-operation between the two countries.

Guests:

Murat Yesiltas

Director of Foreign Policy at SETA

Joel Rookwood

Sports Business Management Lecturer at UCLan