Egypt pushes for progress on Syria talks, inciting Turkish anger – The Jerusalem Post

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry supports a political settlement for the Syrian crisis and has rejected “foreign intervention” in the country. The later comment has enraged Ankara because it highlights Turkey’s destabilizing role in northern Syria, where extremists operate in areas occupied by Turkey. Ankara says it is merely guaranteeing security and that it is not against Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. 

Egypt pushes for progress on Syria talks, inciting Turkish anger – The Jerusalem Post Read More »

Erdoğan’s costly ‘Make Turkey Great Again’ program – BESA – Jewish News Syndicate

Commenting on Erdoğan’s overseas military ambitions, François Mitterand’s adviser Jacques Attali tweeted: “We have to hear what Erdoğan says, take it very seriously and be prepared to act by all means. If our predecessors had taken the Führer’s speeches seriously from 1933 to 1936, they could have prevented this monster from accumulating the ways and means to do what he had announced.”

But Erdoğan can only accomplish his goals with the resources of a wealthy and mighty nation at his disposal. “This is Turkey’s Achilles heel,” said Ellis. “Foreign investors are fleeing, COVID-19 has crippled tourism and Moody’s has downgraded Turkey’s credit rating to B2, putting Turkey on a level with Egypt, Jamaica and Rwanda.”

Erdoğan’s costly ‘Make Turkey Great Again’ program – BESA – Jewish News Syndicate Read More »

Erdogan downplays Libya agreements hinting at spoiler role – Arab Weekly

Erdogan expressed his belief that signing an agreement for a permanent ceasefire in Libya is not reliable. He explained that it was reached at the level of two delegates, one representing Khalifa Haftar, Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan National Army (LNA), and the other a military commander from Misrata representing the Government of National Accord (GNA) headed by Fayez al-Sarraj.

He pointed out that the ceasefire agreement in Libya “is not an agreement at the highest level, and the days will show the extent of its steadfastness.”

“I hope that this ceasefire decision will be respected,” he added.

Erdogan downplays Libya agreements hinting at spoiler role – Arab Weekly Read More »

Libya’s Two Main Factions Agree to a Cease-Fire – New York Times

Friday’s agreement is intended to set in motion steps to unify security forces and disarm, demobilize and reintegrate the numerous armed factions that have operated unchecked by any central authority for years.

The two sides also agreed to measures that will reestablish national control over oil facilities and key institutions such as the central bank, Ms. Williams said.

Libya’s Two Main Factions Agree to a Cease-Fire – New York Times Read More »

Greece sees ‘imperial fantasies’ in Turkey maritime claims, wants tougher EU action – Reuters

Tensions between NATO allies Turkey and Greece over maritime boundaries have rekindled since August, when Turkey dispatched a a seismic survey vessel to a disputed area. Ankara has also sent a drill ship to a position off the coast of ethnically split Cyprus.

The attempt to stake rival claims has also brought other players into the fray; Turkey and Libya agreed on sea boundaries last year, a pact which Athens says infringes its continental shelf.

This year Greece signed a deal outlining a maritime boundary with Egypt, infuriating Turkey which says it encroaches on its territory.

Greece sees ‘imperial fantasies’ in Turkey maritime claims, wants tougher EU action – Reuters Read More »

Egypt eyes more economic benefits after signing maritime demarcation deal with Greece – Al Monitor

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi issued a presidential decree to ratify the historic agreement signed with Greece on the demarcation of maritime borders, which could help further boost Egypt’s ambition to become a major regional energy hub. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi issued Oct. 10 a presidential decree to ratify the historic agreement signed with

Egypt eyes more economic benefits after signing maritime demarcation deal with Greece – Al Monitor Read More »

COVID-19 Spells Trouble for China in East Africa – The Diplomat

“Look,” says Kimani Ichung’wa, chairman of the Parliamentary Budget and Appropriations Committee, “our economy is beaten and we are not able to pay. We are not saying the debt is not there, but we simply want to renegotiate what we owe you and the terms of payment.”

But debt is not the only issue, nor is it all about infrastructure projects. The huge trade imbalance between China and the EAC partner states is another major stumbling block.

COVID-19 Spells Trouble for China in East Africa – The Diplomat Read More »