The United Arab Emirates stunned the world in August when it announced it was normalising relations with Israel. But as Hyder Abbasi reports, there's now evidence to suggest that these diplomatic breakthroughs are aimed at yet another country: Turkey.

Azerbaijan and Armenia are locked in some of the fiercest clashes over Karabakh after it was occupied by Armenians in the 1990s following the collapse of the Soviet Union. What led to the latest escalation in violence? And is there an end in sight? Plus, it's been 15 years since the EU and Turkey initiated official talks to bring Ankara formally into the union. Hopes were high in the beginning, but a series of key differences hampered the talks. We discuss the major sticking points and ask whether Turkey's chance to join the EU is all but finished.

Guests:

Elin Suleymanov

Azerbaijani Ambassador to the US

Matthew Bryza

Former US Ambassador to Azerbaijan

Laura Batalla Adam

Secretary General of the European Parliament Turkey Forum

Mehmet Celik

Managing Editor at Daily Sabah

Heavy fighting erupted last week between Azerbaijani and Armenian military forces over the occupied Karabakh region, and the violence has only intensified. This is the worst escalation between the rival Caucasus nations since 2016 and both sides have reported military and civilian deaths. Turkish President Erdogan condemned Armenia for attacking Azerbaijani territory and has called for an end to the crisis. But what led to the border clashes? And is there an end in sight?

Guests:

Elin Suleymanov

Azerbaijani Ambassador to the US

Matthew Bryza

Former US Ambassador to Azerbaijan

Days of fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia have killed at least a hundred people and wounded more. Will either side lay down its arms? Hyder Abbasi reports on the latest flare-up, the worst between the rival nations in decades.

Fifteen years ago, Turkey and the European Union started official talks to formally bring Turkey into the union. Hopes were high in the beginning, but a series of key differences hampered the talks.Those tensions were front and centre at a Special European Council meeting in Brussels this week. EU officials said that sanctions can be imposed on Turkey over disputes with Greece in the eastern Mediterranean but also hinted it wants a positive and constructive relationship with Ankara. So, will these latest tensions be solved? And what could have been done differently to have avoided this stalemate?

Guests:

Laura Batalla Adam

Secretary General of the European Parliament Turkey Forum

Mehmet Celik

Managing Editor at Daily Sabah

In less than two decades, Turkey has transformed itself from a massive importer of arms to a major innovator and global supplier. The government says its dependence on foreign defence systems is now only 30 percent, and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wants to completely end this dependency by 2023. We look at what's behind the sector's rapid progress and what more can it achieve.

Guests:

Can Kasapoglu

Director of the Defense and Security Program at EDAM

Pieter Wezeman

Senior Researcher at SIPRI

​Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says the United Nations has failed to respond adequately to the coronavirus pandemic, and also singled out the international body's inability to end conflicts and help those fleeing oppression. We discuss what reforms should be carried out and where the international body, which marks a gloomy 75th birthday this month, has come up short.

​Guests:

Talha Kose

Associate Professor at Ibn Haldun University

Marco Carnelos

Former Italian Ambassador

​Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says the United Nations has failed to respond adequately to the coronavirus pandemic, and singled out the international body's inability to end conflicts and help those fleeing oppression. What reforms are needed in order for the UN to handle global challenges? Plus, in less than two decades, Turkey's defence industry revenue rose to nearly $11 billion from $1 billion, transforming itself from a massive importer of arms to a major innovator and global supplier. We look at what's behind the sector's rapid progress and what more can it achieve.

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​Guests:

Talha Kose

Associate Professor at Ibn Haldun University

Marco Carnelos

Former Italian Ambassador

Can Kasapoglu

Director of the Defense and Security Program at EDAM

Pieter Wezeman

Senior Researcher at SIPRI

Turkey is emerging as a major exporter of arms and has seen demand rise from countries like Pakistan and Malaysia, who say they're attracted to Turkey's high technological standards and competitive pricing. So, just how have Turkish defence firms grown so rapidly? Hyder Abbasi reports.

Saudi Arabia is under fire for co​mmuting the death sentences of those convicted of murdering dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi​. We delve into the verdict that's being called a 'mockery of justice.' Plus, the coronavirus pandemic has been a disaster for many business, but the gaming industry in Turkey is thriving. What's behind the success?

​Guests:

James Dorsey

​Senior Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies

Azzam Tamimi

Chairman of Al-Hiwar TV Channel

​Ozgur Karayalçın

​Business Development Director at VLMedia

Hendrik Lesser

CEO of Remote Control Productions