Turkey moving toward Iran in historic alliance shift
These are the headlines we are tracking for you in this episode of On the News Line:
Turkey moving toward Iran in historic alliance shift
Turkish President Recept Tayyip Erdogan earlier this week said Ankara and Tehran were considering a joint military action against Kurdish militant groups operating in each other’s soils. Erdogan said this had been raised during last week’s visit to Ankara by the chief of staff of Iran's armed forces Major General Mohammad-Hossein Baqeri. Turkey and Iran have always seen Kurdish militant groups as terrorists that undermine the national security of the two countries. But a rare announcement a joint military action against them is on the cards is significant in many ways. It could specifically be important as it marks Turkey’s departure from the US camp that supports the Kurds toward a new Eurasian alliance comprising Russia and Iran. And this of course is already seen as a sign of rebellion by a former ally in Washington.
Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has, however, dismissed reports about plans for a joint operation with Turkey against the PKK militants outside the Iranian borders, stressing, however, that, “Like in the past, we will strongly counter any group, team or individual seeking to infiltrate into the Iranian territory to carry out terrorist or anti-security measures.”
Trump unveils tough position against Pakistan
US President Donald Trump has finally unveiled his new strategy for the 16-year-long war in Afghanistan. Trump abandoned deadlines for troop withdrawal and instead gave the green light to deploying more forces to Afghanistan. His new plan also gives the Pentagon more autonomy in attacking targets across the war ravaged country. The United States has been looking for ways to break the current military stalemate against the Taliban. The militants have made significant gains in recent months putting the government of President Ashraf Ghani in a tough situation. During his speech, Trump also had tough words for the Pakistani government. Pakistan stands accused of harboring militants in border areas close to Afghanistan, a claim Islamabad denies. Trump threatened to immediately halt military and financial aid to Islamabad unless it takes measures to help fight militancy in the neighboring country.
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