The blast at Beirut’s port crippled Lebanon's ability to trade, worsening an economic crisis scarred by protests and a crumbling currency. A year and half later Lebanon is still trying to rebuild, and Turkiye could be set to help. President Erdogan made the pledge during a meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati in Ankara earlier this week. What role can Turkiye play in helping rebuild Beirut’s port? What`s next for the Turkiye – Lebanon relations? Strait Talk's Hadya Al Alawi has more. Subscribe to Strait Talk YouTube Channel: http://trt.world/StraitTalk

Strait Talk

Turkiye to Help Lebanon to Rebuild Beirut Port

In August 2020, one of Lebanon's most important lifelines to the outside world, was destroyed in an explosion. The blast at Beirut port crippled Lebanon's ability to trade, worsening an economic crisis scarred by protests and a crumbling currency. A year and half later Lebanon is still trying to rebuild its port, and Turkiye could be set to help. President Erdogan made the pledge during a meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati in Ankara earlier this week. What role can Turkiye play in helping rebuild Beirut’s port? Guests: Mustafa Yetim Associate Professor at Eskisehir Osmangazi University Bachar El Halabi Political Analyst

Turkiye Pledges to Help Rebuild Beirut’s Port

For months, a Russian troop build up along Ukraine's border, raised fears of a wider conflict in Eastern Europe. Countless meetings between NATO, American and Russian officials were held but showed little progress. Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrived in Kiev at a critical juncture, to lower tensions between Russia and Ukraine. During the meeting, Erdogan and Ukrainian President Zelensky marked the 30th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties with several agreements, including a long-awaited free trade deal. On the defense front, President Zelensky praised a deal that will expand UAV production in Ukraine. The Ukrainian army already possesses dozens of Turkish made drones and has used them against Russian-backed separatists in the country's east. So how can Ankara mediate in the current crisis? Guests: Elif Selin Calik Political Analyst Iliya Kusa Analyst at the Ukrainian Institute For the Future

Turkiye Offers to Mediate Ukraine-Russia Crisis

US President Joe Biden has met Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. He's the first Gulf leader to visit Washington since Biden took office. Discussions between the two have focused on investment, bilateral ties and energy co-operation, which has become more urgent as tensions rise on the Russia-Ukraine border. Qatar already supplies about 5 percent of Europe's natural gas needs - and could soon be asked to provide more. Strait Talk's Hadya Al Alawi has more. Subscribe to Strait Talk YouTube Channel: http://trt.world/StraitTalk

Us President Hosts Qatar's Emir at the White House

Biden promised to make Qatar a major non-Nato ally of the US as he met with Qatar's Emir' Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani at the white house. Qatar, as one of the largest supplier of liquefied natural gas, can it help fill a potential energy shortage if Russia chose to turn off its supplies to Europe? How this would affect the regional balances? Guests: Thomas O'Donnell Lecturer at the Hertie School of Governance Tom Marzec-Manser Head of Gas Analytics AT ICIS

Biden to Designate Qatar a Major non-NATO Ally

The Sahel region was shaken last week by both an attack on a French military base in Mali, and a coup in neighboring Burkina Faso. Is France losing its influence in the region? Strait Talk's Hadya Al Alawi explains.

Are French Policies in Africa Failing?

Europe remains on edge as fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine continue to grow. But in a possible shift, Russian President Vladimir Putin has accepted an offer from his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan to visit Turkiye to lower tensions. With President Erdogan having close relations with the presidents of both Russia and Ukraine, can NATO ally Turkiye play a mediating role in the Ukraine crisis? Guests: Talha Kose Brussels Coordinator for SETA Giovanna De Maio Visiting Fellow at George Washington University

Putin Accepts Offer to Visit Turkiye to Discuss Ukraine Tensions

The Sahel region was rocked last week by both an attack on a French military base in Mali, and a coup in neighboring Burkina Faso. Both countries are home to thousands of French troops that have been battling militants in the region. The attacks and political upheaval are renewing questions about how effective French power has been. Why has the Sahel region and North Africa been plagued with so much instability and conflict? Is France losing its influence in the region? Guests: Akram Zaoui Political Analyst Jalel Ouerghi Political Analyst

Anti-French Sentiment on the Rise in the Sahel Region

Russia, China and Iran conducted naval drills in the northern Indian Ocean, not far from the world's energy choke point, the Strait of Hormuz on Friday. Although it wasn't the first maritime exercise between the three, they come at a time when all are seeing heightened tensions with the US. China's Defense Ministry said it would deepen cooperation between the three navies. Are they trying to send a signal to the US? Guests: Michael Doran Senior Fellow at Hudson Institute Eleonora Tafuro Research Fellow at ISPI

Iran, China and Russia Hold Naval Drills

Despite being a world apart, Latin America and Turkiye are looking to deepen their connections. And that was on full display during the first visit by a Salvadoran president to Ankara. After signing a series of trade and security deals, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described President Nayib Bukele's two-day visit as a turning point in the two countries' relations. What opportunities could there be for Turkiye and Latin America to boost ties? Guests: Mehmet Necati Kutlu Director of Centre for Latin American Studies Javier Farje Latin American Journalist and Analyst

Turkiye and El Salvador Strengthening Relations

Iranian-backed Houthi rebels hit the capital of the United Arab Emirates with missiles and drones on Monday. The strikes caused several casualties, prompting the US, UN and regional countries to all condemn the attacks. The UAE warned the acts will not go unpunished. Will the US re-designate the Houthis as a terrorist group? How that would affect the humanitarian crisis in Yemen? And is the Gulf region set to see more tensions? Guests: Ahmet Keser Associate Professor at Hasan Kalyoncu University Sam Ramani Associate Fellow at RUSI

Houthi Rebels Target Heart of the Gulf

Turkish President Erdogan and his Serbian counterpart Vucic met in Ankara on Tuesday. After signing multiple agreements covering education, trade and tourism, the two leaders stressed the need to de-escalate tensions in Bosnia-Herzegovina. As Vucic underlined his country's respect for Bosnia's integrity and he also supported Erdogan's call to bring its multi-ethnic leaders together towards a solution. Turkiye is playing a mediating role in Bosnia, as it shares close relations with the country's tripartite presidency. Will Turkiye`s efforts help to solve the problems in the country? Guests: Zoltan Egeresi Security Analyst Ermin Zec Political Analyst

How Can Turkey and Serbia Work Together to De-escalate Tensions in the Balkans?

The US signalled that it will not back the EastMed pipeline which planned to carry 10 billion cubic meters of gas every year from the eastern Mediterranean to Europe. The project was expected to be touted as an alternative to Russian natural gas and bypass Turkiye and the TRNC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus). As Turkish President Recep Tayyip echoed those remarks, he added that transporting gas from the eastern Mediterranean to Europe can't be done without Turkiye. Was the project more about politics than economics? And how will the US stance affect long-running tensions in the region? Guests: Giray Sadik Director of European Studies Research Centre at AYBU Mark Meirowitz Professor at State University of New York Maritime College

Is the EastMed Gas Pipeline Project a Failure?

After more than a decade since their last meeting, Turkiye and Armenia held their first round of talks in Moscow. Although no breakthroughs were achieved, both sides agreed to hold future negotiations without any pre-conditions. Is it a new beginning for the two countries? And with a new security environment in the southern Caucuses, have Turkiye and Armenia finally found the conditions to end decades of mistrust? Will relations be normalised in the near future? Guests: Vehbi Baysan Political Analyst Vahram Ter-Matevosyan Associate Professor at the American University of Armenia

Are Turkiye and Armenia at a Turning Point in Restoring Relations?

Last week, the mayor of Ankara announced plans to take part in a test programme that will enable users to virtually visit the capital city of Turkiye. As major tech leaders are calling the metaverse the future of the internet, Ankara is looking to seize the opportunity. So, how will the metaverse actually change the world's digital experience? Guests: Ali Hantal CEO of XR Masters Dicle Yurdakul Managing Partner at WEQ Consulting

Why is Ankara Joining the Metaverse?

From the border city of Hatay, Strait Talk brings special coverage of Turkey's anticipated military intervention in Syria's Idlib province.