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In the last few days Turkey has launched an air and ground offensive in Northern Syria and this unilateral decision has been widely condemned that’s been widely condemned with the European Union urging Turkey to end its offensive. What implications does this have for Turkey’s future role as a power in the region? Zeinab Badawi travels to Istanbul to find out.

Turkey has long been at the crossroads between Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia – a crucial gateway between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, a nation that is pivotal economically, militarily and strategically. It’s a key member of NATO, but feels undervalued by the United States. It wants membership of the EU, but feels snubbed and spurned by Brussels, despite its help in stemming the flow of Syrian refugees into Europe. So now Turkey is being courted by Eastern powers, Russia and China in particular.

Zeinab and guests will take questions from a local audience.

Panel:

HUSEYIN ALP-TEKIN works at SETA, which is a think tank that supports government thinking on foreign policy

SIR PETER WESTMACOTT is the former UK ambassador to Turkey and the United States

PROFESSOR HURSIT GUNES is a member of the CHP – the main opposition party

SEZIN ONEY is a Turkish journalist and commentator

(Image: Zeinab and panelists taking questions from audience in Istanbul. Credit: ´óÏó´«Ã½)

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