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Geopolitics

Erdogan Issues Warning After Syrian Attack, NATO Weighs Response

Worldcrunch

AL JAZEERA, FRANCE 24,HÜRRIYET (Turkey)

BRUSSELS - NATO is holding a special meeting in Brussels on Tuesday at Ankara's request, after Syria shot down a Turkish warplane last week, an incident which Turkey has branded an "act of aggression."

Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke for the first time about the incident Tuesday, saying the Turkish Armed Forces had changed its rules of engagement in the wake of the crisis: "The Turkish military will retaliate against border violations by Syria," the Turkish daily newspaper Hürriyet reports.

According to France 24, The Turkish prime minister called the act a "cowardly attack". In his speech, Erdogan said the Turkish plane was shot down in international air space and crashed into Syrian waters, adding that Syrian helicopters had violated Turkey's airspace five times, but were peacefully warned to leave.

It is only the second time that NATO will convene under Article 4 of its charter, which provides for consultations when a member state feels its territorial integrity, political independence or security is under threat. The only other time was in 2003 to discuss the Iraq war, which was also at the request of Turkey, Al Jazeera reports.

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Geopolitics

D.C. Or Beijing? Two High-Stakes Trips — And Taiwan's Divided Future On The Line

Two presidents of Taiwan, the current serving president, Tsai Ing-wen, and her predecessor, Ma Ying-jeou from the opposition Kuomintang party, are traveling in opposite directions these days. Taiwan must choose whom to follow.

Photo of Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen

Tsai Ing-wen, the President of Taiwan

Pierre Haski

-Analysis-

PARIS — Tsai Ing-wen, the President of Taiwan, is traveling to the United States today. Not on an official trip because Taiwan is not a state recognized by Washington, but in transit, en route to Central America, a strategy that allows her to pass through New York and California.

Ma Ying-jeou, a former president of Taiwan, arrived yesterday in Shanghai: he is making a 12-day visit at the invitation of the Chinese authorities at a time of high tension between China and the United States, particularly over the fate of Taiwan.

It would be difficult to make these two trips more contrasting, as both have the merit of summarizing at a glance the decisive political battle that is coming. Presidential and legislative elections will be held in January 2024 in Taiwan, which could well determine Beijing's attitude towards the island that China claims by all means, including force.

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