In our first video collaboration with the Hollings Center for International Dialogue, we discussed Iran’s new era under a hardliner President and its implications for the region and beyond.
The Coronapolitics Report
The Coronapolitics Report is RDM Advisory’s special publication looking at the coronavirus pandemic from a political risk angle. The major developments in Europe, the Middle East and Asia are covered alongside commentary through themes of “Authoritarianism and Civil Unrest”, “Alliances and Diplomacy”, “War and Terrorism” and “Protectionism.”
Turkey's Disastrous Month in Syria
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has found himself increasingly cornered in Northern Syria, as more than 30 Turkish soldiers were killed in a possible Russian strike in Idlib’s south – the greatest single loss Turkey suffered in Syria.
The attack has followed several others in February which brought the Turkish death toll to over 50 in the space of one month, increasing the risk of a greater escalation between Turkey and Russia-backed Syria, paving the way for a humanitarian disaster and creating the yet biggest furore among the Turkish public.
What went wrong for Turkey? What are Erdogan’s options on the table? Will the ‘refugee card’ help bring back Western support? Will Russia escalate? Will censorship work to contain Turkish public reaction, this time?
LOOKING FOR PEACE "IN FEZZAN?"* THE LIBYAN CRISIS AND THE BERLIN SUMMIT
As the Libyan conflict escalated with Turkey’s recent involvement, the Berlin Summit (19 January) was a hopeful and unusual first step since 2018, to resolve the Libyan conflict, which brought all the stakeholders together but left many questions unanswered.
Will the Libyan rebel commander Haftar break the truce? Will the Erdogan government put Turkish boots on the ground on behalf of the Tripoli government? Will the conflict escalate further? Can Russia and Turkey repeat the Syria ceasefires in Libya? Where do the US and major European powers stand in the conflict?