Recent arrests of each other's citizens by Russia and Azerbaijan could trigger a conflict that sucks in Armenia, Turkey, Iran, Israel and Central Asia

As Russia's influence wanes in the South Caucasus due to its war in Ukraine, Armenia and Azerbaijan are strengthening bilateral ties and seeking new partnerships with Turkey, the European Union, and the United States.

President Donald Trump on July 14 announced the U.S. would impose "severe tariffs" on Russia unless Moscow agrees to a deal to end the war in Ukraine within 50 days, but experts who spoke to the Kyiv Independent say the plan is deeply flawed.

Trump has threatened 100% ‘secondary tariffs’ on likes of India and China, which experts warn could cause a global spike in oil prices

Iran has announced the formation of a new Muslim bloc with Turkiye, Pakistan, and other nations, aiming to strengthen regional unity amid escalating tensions with Israel.

Lucy and Vitaly answer all that, and consider the delicate diplomatic balance Turkey is attempting to strike during this conflict, alongside the BBC’s Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse. Today’s episode is presented by Lucy Hockings and Vitaly Shevchenko.

Israel's Netanyahu has reportedly made it clear to the US that if Turkey gets F-35 fighter jets, it would be dangerous for the entire Middle East, including Israel.

Once strategic partners in the post-Soviet order, Russia and Azerbaijan are drifting into open hostility. From diplomatic snubs to deaths in custody and geopolitical realignments, ties between Moscow and Baku are under unprecedented strain.

Trump a day earlier gave Russia 50 days to strike a peace deal with Ukraine, voicing fresh frustration with Moscow as he laid out an arrangement with NATO to supply Kyiv with new military aid sponsored by the alliance’s members.

Russia became the first country to formally accept Taliban's Afghanistan rule as it removed the group from its list of outlawed organisations.