Caspian Deal Highlights Shift in Azerbaijan

TOM LUONGO As the US/Turkish relationship deteriorates it is having spillover effects around the region. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s continued defiance of US’s demands have placed Turkey in the cross-hairs of a vicious hybrid-war attack on the country’s fragile economic foundation. So, I find it very interesting that during the week of the greatest … Continue reading Caspian Deal Highlights Shift in Azerbaijan

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US-Turkish alliance reaches the point of no return

The sense of indignation among Turks should not be underestimated, which makes this an exceptional rupture By M.K. Bhadrakumar The Turkish lira fell 22% on Friday before recovering to 17% on the backdrop of the Trump administration’s announcement to double the tariffs on imports of Turkish steel and aluminum. The tariffs affect Turkish exports worth … Continue reading US-Turkish alliance reaches the point of no return

Taliban crosses the Rubicon with Tashkent meeting

Against the backdrop of strengthening Afghan-Uzbek ties, the Taliban pays a visit to Tashkent By M.K. Bhadrakumar The Taliban, against the backdrop of tightening Uzbek-Afghan relations, last week paid a landmark visit to Tashkent, heralding new regional stature for the militant group. The Uzbek Foreign Ministry on Saturday released a terse statement confirming the visit … Continue reading Taliban crosses the Rubicon with Tashkent meeting

All hands on deck: the Caspian sails towards Eurasia integration

The five states surrounding the sea – Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan – have reached difficult compromises on sovereign and exclusive rights as well as freedom of navigation By Pepe Escobar The long-awaited deal on the legal status of the Caspian Sea signed on Sunday in the Kazakh port of Aktau is a defining … Continue reading All hands on deck: the Caspian sails towards Eurasia integration

China plans another multibillion-dollar spending spree

Beijing announces plans to boost infrastructure investment despite debt crackdown and escalating trade tensions with the US By Gordon Watts It appears the best way to avoid a debt trap is to keep on spending. At a meeting of the State Council, the de facto cabinet of the Chinese government, plans were rolled out to … Continue reading China plans another multibillion-dollar spending spree