The Libya talks in Berlin brought together the country's warring sides but most of the pressure was directed at foreign powers fueling the country’s five-year plus conflict. Despite an agreement to enforce a UN arms embargo and calls for a viable ceasefire, warlord Khalifa Haftar continues his assault on Libya's UN-backed Government of National Accord. Will the militia leader’s foreign backers abide by the embargo and stop pouring in weapons and cash? And is Haftar becoming a liability?

Guests:

Bilgehan Ozturk

Political Analyst at SETA Research Centre

Emadeddin Badi

Non-Resident Scholar at the Middle East Institute

Irina Zviagelskaya

Professor at IMEMO

With conflicts raging across North Africa and the Middle East, one country stands out when it comes to pouring in weapons and money: The United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi continues to fund Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar against the United Nations-backed government, while also engaging in the Saudi-led conflict in Yemen. We look at what’s driving the country’s aggressive foreign policy. Plus, Hungarians have juggled multiple identities for centuries and the country’s prime minister recently suggested that Hungarians had Turkish roots. So, how extensive is the global Turkic community?

Guests:

Mehmet Ogutcu

Former Turkish Diplomat

Mahjoob Zweiri

Gulf Studies Programme Director at Qatar University

Halil Akinci

Former Secretary General of the Turkic Council

Cavid Veliyev

Head of Foreign Policy Department at the Center of Analysis of International Relations based in Baku

With more than a 150-million people worldwide speaking a Turkic language, this linguistic and cultural group spans from Northern Asia, to the Mediterranean Sea. But how connected is the global Turkic community? In 2009, four Turkic speaking countries came together, to form the Turkic Council. The group seeks to build more trade links, and to address security challenges facing member states. But can this loose grouping of Turkic states transform into something more cohesive?

Guests:

Halil Akinci

Former Secretary General of the Turkic Council

Cavid Veliyev

Head of Foreign Policy Department at the Center of Analysis of International Relations

The Middle East and North Africa have become a battleground for competing camps seeking to fill a power vacuum left behind by multiple conflicts and the toppling of longtime rulers. But few countries have intervened more forcefully and with deadly effect than the United Arab Emirates. Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed has used his country’s vast oil wealth to fund warlord Khalifa Haftar in Libya against the UN-backed government while also engaging in the Saudi-led conflict in Yemen. So, what’s driving Abu Dhabi’s adventurism in the region?

Guests:

Mehmet Ogutcu

Former Turkish Diplomat

Mahjoob Zweiri

Gulf Studies Programme Director at Qatar University

The US killing of top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani led to an escalation in tensions that were already at a fever pitch since US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from Iran's nuclear deal. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the region is already going through a painful time and will work to diffuse the situation. So, what consequences will the heightened Iran-US tensions have for the Middle East and Gulf nations? Plus, Turkey has started deploying troops to Libya to support the UN-backed government and fend off an offensive in Tripoli by warlord Khalifa Haftar and his rebel forces. Is a peaceful resolution to the bloody conflict in Libya possible soon?

Guests:

Borzou Daragahi

Senior Fellow at Atlantic Council

Emre Ersen

Associate Professor at Marmara University

Iran and the United States appear to have pulled back from the brink of war after a US air strike killed top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad. Speaking next to Russian President Vladimir Putin in Istanbul, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasised that he didn’t want Iraq, Syria, Lebanon or the Gulf region to become a theater for proxy wars. But what lasting impact has the latest escalation had on the region?

Guests:

Borzou Daragahi

Senior Fellow at Atlantic Council

Emre Ersen

Associate Professor at Marmara University

Turkey has started deploying troops to war-ravaged Libya to support the UN-backed government and fend off a rebel offensive in Tripoli by warlord Khalifa Haftar. Is a peaceful resolution to the bloody conflict in Libya possible soon?

Guests:

Francois Burgat

Member of European Council on Foreign Relations

Talha Kose

Associate Professor at Ibn Haldun University

A renewed assault by Russia-backed forces in northwestern Syria has forced at least 235,000 people to flee the region since mid-December. But when will this brutality end, and where will these people go? Also, trade ties between Turkey and Georgia have been getting from strength to strength over the years. But now Turkey wants some institutions closed down due to their links with the failed 2016 coup.

Guests

Murat Aslan

Assistant Professor at Hasan Kalyoncu University

Navvar Saban

Military Analyst at OMRAN Centre for Strategic Studies

Russian and Syrian regime forces have seized dozens of towns and villages in northwestern Syria, with the latter vowing to recapture Idlib. The latest assault has caused mass displacement with more than 235,000 people fleeing their homes. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said his country cannot handle a further inflow of refugees and has warned that Europe will also feel the impact if the bombing is not stopped.

Guests

Murat Aslan

Assistant Professor at Hasan Kalyoncu University

Navvar Saban

Military Analyst at OMRAN Centre for Strategic Studies

Turkey is one of the biggest trading partners of Georgia outside of the European Union, but the neighbours are now struggling with one issue. Turkey says a number educational institutions in Georgia are recruiting grounds for FETO, blamed for the failed coup of 2016. TRT World's Andrew Hopkins reports from Georgia.