The Turkey-Greece rivalry is entering a more dangerous phase after Athens openly stationed troops on the island of Meis Kastellorizo, a legally demilitarised zone that lies two kilometers from off Turkish shores. Turkey has called the move unacceptable and a violation of international law. So, is this the next crisis spot between Ankara and Athens?

Guests:

Girne is Huseyin Isiksal

Professor of International Relations at Near East University

Mark Meirowitz

Associate Professor at the SUNY Maritime College

Turkey has announced the biggest natural gas discovery in its history and it could possibly be part of a much bigger reserve. If so, this would mean Turkey would drastically reduce its dependence on foreign energy. We discuss what this find in the Black Sea means for the country and the rest of the region. Plus, it has been 19 years since the founding of Turkey's ruling AK Party. We look at how Turkey has fared under their leadership over almost two decades.

Guests

Aura Sabadus

Senior Energy Reporter at ICIS

Filiz Katman

Assistant Professor at Istanbul Aydin University

Burhanettin Duran

Professor at Ibn Haldun University

Bugra Kanat

Associate Professor at Penn State University

Turkey’s discovery of 320 billion cubic metres of natural gas in the Black Sea is equivalent to almost 10 percent of the amount of reserves in the eastern Mediterranean. They were discovered by the drill ship Fatih, which has only been operating in the area since July. And while hopes are high for a larger discovery, extracting the gas would take a few more years. So what would this mean for Turkeys future? Would they become an energy exporter?

Guests

Aura Sabadus

Senior Energy Reporter at ICIS

Filiz Katman

Assistant Professor at Istanbul Aydin University

Over its nearly two decade history, the AK Party has guided Turkey through a tumulous era that saw multiple wars on its doorstep, economic reforms, and a failed coup that changed the nation forever. We discuss what lessons we can take from the past with the co-editors of the book: AK Party Years in Turkey: Domestic and Foreign Policy.

Guests

Burhanettin Duran

Professor at Ibn Haldun University

Bugra Kanat

Associate Professor at Penn State University

The United Arab Emirates became only the third Arab country, and the first in more than 25 years, to recognise Israel. We discuss the diplomatic blowback and why Palestinians are calling the move a betrayal. Plus, Turkish students are expected to return to class on September 21 for the first time since mid-March. But what's the key to reopening schools safely amidst the coronavirus pandemic? And what lessons can be learned from countries where students are already back in classrooms?

Ian Black

Senior fellow at the LSE Middle East Centre

Daoud Kuttab

Palestinian Journalist and Director General of the Community Media Network

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Gamze Sart

Associate Professor at Istanbul University's Faculty of Education

Robert Jenkins

Global Chief of Education at UNICEF

In an announcement that sent shockwaves across the Middle East and beyond, the United Arab Emirates became only the third Arab country, and the first in more than 25 years, to recognise Israel. We discuss the diplomatic blowback and why Palestinians are calling the move a betrayal.

Guests:

Ian Black

Senior fellow at the LSE Middle East Centre

Daoud Kuttab

Palestinian Journalist and Director General of the Community Media Network

Turkish schools have been shut since mid-March to curb the spread of the coronavirus but students are expected to return to class on September 21. But there are risks: in the United States, 97,000 students tested positive in the last two weeks alone. So, what's the key to reopening schools safely?

Gamze Sart

Associate Professor at Istanbul University's Faculty of Education

Robert Jenkins

Global Chief of Education at UNICEF

After the UAE, there’s now talk of Bahrain, Oman and other Arab countries recognising Israel. What’s behind this momentum? Hyder Abbasi explains.

In direct response to a maritime deal struck between Egypt and Greece in the eastern Mediterranean, Turkey has begun new seismic activity research​ in the resource-rich area. But could tensions get out of hand? We look at the ongoing power struggle in these troubled waters. Plus, the US signed an oil deal with the PKK-linked YPG terror group in northern Syria. Turkey's foreign ministry was quick to condemn the move, saying US support disregarded international law. So, what impact could the oil deal have on US-Turkey ties?

Guests:

Suha Cubukcuoglu

Member of Advisory Board at Koc University Maritime Forum

John Bowlus

Editor in Chief at Energy Reporters​

Marwan Kabalan

Director of Policy Analysis at the Arab Centre for Research and Policy Studies

Mehmet Celik

Managing Editor of Daily Sabah

The eastern Mediterranean has become a geopolitical hotspot with the discovery of vast energy resources sitting beneath the seabed. Turkey, in a show of defiance, has begun new seismic activity research in the area. The country's doubling down in direct response to a maritime deal struck between Egypt and Greece. So, could tensions get out of hand? We look at the ongoing power struggle over the mineral-rich zone.

Guests:

Suha Cubukcuoglu

Member of Advisory Board at Koc University Maritime Forum

John Bowlus

Editor in Chief at Energy Reporters​