A humanitarian catastrophe stikes Syria and Turkey

This week on the show we look at the aftermath of the tragic earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria on February 6 and discuss the far-reaching consequences on the region’s fragile geopolitics. With thousands dead and international aid flooding in, what hopes are there for the many thousands of victims caught between groups and governments at war with each other for over a decade?

We also discuss the impact within Turkey, as fears grow that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan may postpone the election, amid outcries over corruption and the devastating loss of life.

Joining Bronwen this week from Beirut is Lina Sinjab, a Syrian filmmaker and BBC journalist covering the Middle East, from Washington, Charles Lister, a Senior Fellow, and Director of the Syria program at the Middle East Institute and from London, Ziya Meral, a Senior Associate Fellow on Turkey at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI).

Read our expertise:

Earthquakes drag Syria's warring sides away from peace

Syrian rescue efforts slowed by bureaucracy and regime

Disruptive technologies by states and malign cyber actors, with Lisa Monaco

 The World Today - February & March 2023

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Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Sound by Abdul Boudiaf and Alex Moyler.