Massive flooding caused by dam breach has contaminated drinking water and led to bans on swimming and eating seafood.

• June 19, 2023

As he revels in his role in Ukraine, Prigozhin has become a recognisable public figure in Russia and has staked out a niche among conservatives.

• June 19, 2023

President Cyril Ramaphosa noted the trip was the first time African leaders embarked on a peace mission ‘beyond the shores of the continent’.

• June 19, 2023

An estimated 700,000 people are in need of clean water around the Nova Kakhovka dam as Kyiv accuses Moscow of ‘ecocide’.

• June 16, 2023

As Putin is isolated by much of the world, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan meets the Russian president and lauds ties.

• June 16, 2023

Israel welcomes decision calling the move a diplomatic achievement in line with its efforts to increase the number of foreign missions in West Jerusalem.

• June 16, 2023

The Russian president touted his country’s resilient economy despite sanctions and said Ukraine’s forces stood ‘no chance’ of winning the war.

• June 16, 2023

By Benyamin POGHOSYAN, PhD, Chairman, Center for Political and Economic Strategic Studies

The presidential and parliamentary elections in Turkey were perhaps the most anticipated political events of 2023. There was a feeling among politicians, experts, and academicians that the 21-year rule of Erdogan may end. Given the transition of the global order, the Russia–West confrontation, and the prominent role of Turkey in shaping the balance of power in multiple regions stretching from the Middle East to Central Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean, the foreign policy choices of Turkey are of utmost importance for all global actors.

Erdogan’s efforts to pull Turkey out from its usual role of junior partner of the US and transform the country into an independent regional player has significantly deteriorated Turkey – West relations. The US support to Kurdish forces in northeastern Syria, the purchase of Russian S-400 air defense systems, the suspicions in Turkey about potential American involvement in the July 2016 botched military coup attempt, rejection of Turkey’s request to extradite Fethullah Gülen, and Turkey’s reluctance to agree to the NATO membership of Sweden and Finland, brought US–Turkey relations to their lowest point since the end of the Cold War. Turkey’s position on the Russia – Ukraine war also did not fully satisfy the Americans. Turkey supports Ukraine economically and militarily, but Turkey rejects calls to decrease its economic relationship with Russia, while playing a crucial role simultaneously in organizing exports to Russia. READ MORE

• June 16, 2023