did not fulfill its promises to the turkish government as you may remember the turkish administration did not want any kurdish presence on the west bank of the euphrates river but thanks to the united states patronage the kurds continued their existence on the west bank of the river but now first of all the turks are trying to. frame to separate the things now they are concentrating on a free and they are also similar to their peace operation in one thousand nine hundred ninety four in cyprus they again named their operation as a peace. metaphoric name for the peace which is the all the range operation they are claiming that the operator would bring peace to the region. what extent do you think this is all been triggered by the us announcing the creation of this border security force a lot of experts have said that this was the catalyst russia's more general and said they blame the responsible u.s. policy in the region what's your opinion. what let me tell you this way well when i'm looking at the syrian map i do see some different players right so p y d a y p g's the natural ally of

more refugees heading towards the turkish border. the syrian army is now conducting a larger operation in it live and at least two hundred thousand people are fleeing the battlefield and they heading towards their kish borders and there he may feel a little bit threatened by that so we feel that there are there is enough incentive to turkey to continue regardless of the american morning they might find some compromise with the americans because what roger theater on the the turkish president said today was that. there were promises in members that weren't kept so we're not going to stop now that opens the gates somehow or the door for further negotiation perhaps the carrot or evacuate kurdish militia from embedded. you know heed to some turkish demands and then the turks would stop so they're putting some pressure hoping hoping for some diplomatic gains from the americans there saying we're not going to stop it's your turn they're putting the ball in the american court see how that turns out you know what they're going to do for amer

will go group a former turkish ambassador to the u.s. who believes the situation has acted as a trigger for turkey. i don't think they're us really into fear but the us is responsible that is the reason why turkey felt compelled to intervene and to start this opposition in the first place because. the u.s. even though they backtracked. to the initial announcement and the day said they want first published an army of course power about force. in all countries of the world there is only one plug and one army so but the u.s. says i'm going to create another force to. control and secure syria's border with turkey what does this mean that turkey is not on an enemy or syria turkey is not on and then we have to us turkey is a member of nato so it didn't make sense and i think turkey was quite correct in percy having this step as a direct threat to its national security in light of recent events the u.s. state department issued a rather measured statement the department spokesperson said turkey should ensure its military operations were limited

we're hearing from the turkish defense minister that a de facto turkish military operation has begun across its border now this is been corroborated by the syrian kurds the white people who say that since those day night some seventy shells have been fired by the turkish military on to their villages now it's one of the only a statement by the turkish president and the one in which he said that the united states has admitted to establishing a terrorist army on the turkish syrian border any chord on the united states to deal with that terror at its infrastructure and these comments by the turkish president so infuriated could see living in the afan region that earlier they took to the streets also they were protesting against what you see happening slowly on the ground which is turkish tanks needing to literally this is what citizens of africa have to say. right now our freedom will be the ones graveyard today hundreds of thousands are protesting to tell him that the people of our friend will never leave their land. the international community should send a message to turkey telling t

the turkish government. into account but first of all the operation in african should be finished and should be completed i do not expect at the moment that turkey is undertaking operation direction which. with just weeks to go until the winter olympic games in south korea more russian athletes are now expecting their dreams of competing to be dashed the international olympic committee has sent a list of eligible participants to russia and among those missing are athletes who have never failed the doping test in their entire career. tensions in the sports world are hitting another high as the i.o.c. has confirmed that the number of russian athletes that are eligible to compete in the upcoming winter olympics is to be reduced now unexpectedly and without explanation now the full list of who is eligible has not yet been released but the russian olympic committee has disclosed a number of names that are thought to be who will be disqualified and that decision is ruffling feathers not only in russia but abroad a

can also take a look at turkish tanks firing shells that could issue positions. breaks down the situation on the border to get a clearer picture of what's going on between the turks and the kurds along syria's northern border we should look at the map this is where the kurds are the two yellow areas the one on the left is the african region that's the new war zone the turkish army entered it from the northwest plus they used airstrikes the green area is where the turkish backed syrian rebels are these are the militias that ankara is counting on on the ground there moving in on afrin from the east turkey's claws are being drawn together turkey has officially made it clear they are determined to create a thirty kilometer buffer zone right here along the border once the actual armed operation is done and dusted there's little doubt that the turks have enough military capabilities for that so the buffer zone will mean effectively that a part of syria is under turkish control at the moment it seems ankara isn't going to stop there they want the operation to extend fur

that the turkish military is being supported by turkish ally and syrian opposition rebel fighters and according to reports receiving on the ground there has been a convoy of buses moving to the area it is understood that the rebel fighters are on those buses and also trucks with machine guns now turkish media is reporting that the operation has officially started and been declared as you mentioned operation olive branch we also understand that there are at least eight it's sixteen aircraft that are involved in this military operation that is currently under way now all of this comes as the army says that it is involved in a legitimate what it calls self defense operation that it is responding to fire that it was on the receiving end that was coming from the ass and region in northern syria which is controlled by the kurdish rebels known as the white g those all could syrian rebels now they are aligned with the p.k. k. that turkey considers a terrorist organization so as such the turkish government considers by extension the y p g terrorists as well now we have seen some of the strikes

turkish government. undertake these concerns into account but first of all the operation in africa should be finished and should be completed otherwise it will take another decision to go to man beach i do not expect at the moment that turkey is undertaking operation direction which well it's interesting you say about the telephone call between the two countries' leaders because previously be u.s. government has been very adamant in warning president erdogan against further escalation in syria and indeed any actions that could lead to confrontation with the u.s. do you think that president is taking that warning seriously. i think it's going to take this very seriously. because tonight's telephone conversation is not very friendly the atmosphere is not so friendly both sides put their positions once again and it depends how the turkish president will act you can of course decide that the operation is extended. probably the americans would somehow conference with the turkish forces done we have a problem

those who see the backing of us will not stand the turkish nation it is our national struggle. is essentially turning on and has allies he's accused the west of providing weapons and ammunition to the kurdish militia he says that aside from five thousand trucks weapons and ammunition from some two thousand planes has been provided the turkish president also saying to quote that his allies are dishonest when they do not admit to the fact that they have been supplying weapons to terrorists and here of course he's referencing the kurdish militia known as the y p g france is calling for an urgent united nations security council meeting while at the same time germany has expressed that it is extremely concerned with these developments particularly saying that the culture lated risks that could result from this confrontation between turkey and the could is something that might mount at the same time we are hearing from the turkish foreign minister who says that anyone who does not support took his actions in the african region essentially is siding with the terrorists and will be dea

killed by by the turkish turkish air strikes and turkish artillery fire and. and likewise on the other side of the border with the kurds fighting back nicolas the it's interesting you know the big elephant in the room we have nato allies against each other so to speak the u.s. president has warned turkey against further escalation in syria and any actions that could lead to a confrontation with the u.s. do you think the president everyone is taking that warning seriously at all. i don't know i think quite honestly he probably. at this point would take the views of the russian and syrian government's more seriously because ultimately. you know the not a whole that the u.s. can do yes they have two thousand and special forces and other forces on the ground there and they. you know they they've been bombing islamic state it's been the heaviest heaviest bombing by the u.s. anywhere for a very long time bombing mosul and rock other areas. but you know that the u.s. is not really in a position to militarily take on the turkish army in northern syria so you know what

potentially put the turkish army in direct conflict with the forces belonging to a major turkish nato ally namely the united states washington is known to have some two thousand special forces on the ground in syria and while none of them or thought to be in the affluent area they are deployed amongst various kurdish enclave set includes the town of man bridge now man bridge is controlled by u.s. backed kurdish syrian fighters at the same time we are hearing from the turkish president that more than two hundred and fifty syrian kurds as well as islamic state fighters have been killed. by the turkish army and allied forces in the past few days these figures are being disputed by the kurdish side who is also accusing and career of civilian casualties this despite the fact that we are hearing from two key that they are trying to avoid civilian deaths as far as possible now the american president donald trump has called for and is urging a deescalation and a limit in the military operation that and creator is conducting in northern syria it is now the sixth day since the turkish military

we're hearing from the turkish defense minister that a de facto turkish military operation has begun across its border now this is been corroborated by the syrian kurds the white p.g.d. who say that since those day night some seventy shells have been fired by the turkish military on to their villages now it's one of the only a statement by the turkish president and the one in which he said that the united states has admitted to establishing a terrorist army on the turkish syrian border any chord on the united states to deal with that terror at its infrastructure and these comments by the turkish president so infuriated could see living in the afan region that earlier they took to the streets also they were protesting against what we see happening slowly on the ground which is turkish tanks leading to little buddha this is what citizens of us have to say. right now our freedom will be the ones graveyard today hundreds of thousands are protesting to tell him that the people of our friend will never leave their land. and the international community should send a message to turkey tellin

will not stand the turkish nation it is our national struggle. france is calling for an urgent and i to nation security council meeting while at the same time germany has expressed that it is extremely concerned with these developments particularly saying that the and culkin lated risks that could result from this confrontation between turkey and the kurds is something that might mount at the same time we are hearing from me turkish foreign minister who says that anyone who does not support turkey's actions in the aspen region essentially is siding with the terrorists and will be dealt with accordingly. ok that's part of clear with the latest thank you paula. what hook is military action against the kurds in syria triggered protests across europe people took to the streets in a number of capitals to denounce the incursion and demand id escalation of the crisis we're going to be following all of the developments on the turkish syrian border throughout the day and evening so do stay with us for that. at least eighteen people have been killed in afg

the turkish president expands what it calls its anti terror operation against kurds in syria risking direct confrontation with u.s. forces. plus the moscow neighborhood is left stunned after a model student killed. and posted grisly details online before committing suicide . is three o'clock am in moscow and you're watching r t international live from our studio with me in india a tutor welcome to the program donald trump is to promote his america first policy in the company of pro global. economic forum here i've been switzerland a few hours ago and is expected to get his busy show up and running very shortly jack joins us live now with more details so donald trump has arrived what can we expect from his meetings and speech. well the white house has already confirmed that trump will be bringing with him his signature brand of economic nationalism both through a speech on friday and probably most likely with his during his meetings with world leaders over the next few days and term transportation secretary yesterday didn't mince her words when she gave her recommendation of what peop

or not and other issues that the reaction of americans related to turkish. operation into syria but anyway and in for syria also forces for syria after the long more problematic after that but is important for turkish security to do that turkey has to do that i think they don't want to do it but had to do that because of his existence in the region also during his time and dean of the political scientists faculty at istanbul's mommer university thank you for your time. well forget the war on terror is russia and china that are now america's biggest threat as what the u.s. defense secretary james mattis spelt out as he unveiled the country's new defense priorities more gas the f. picks up the story trumps new defense doctrine can probably be summed up in just three words bring it on if you challenge us it will be your longest and your worst day the war on terror is now secondary the priority is the new great game of global proportions great power competition not terrorism is now the primary focus of u.s. national security the logic here is that the technologi

shelling bullishly house more and how events unfolded we're hearing from the turkish defense minister that a de facto turkish military operation has begun across its border now this is been corroborated by the syrian kurds the white jeep who say that since those day night some seventy shells have been fired by the turkish military on to their villages now it's one of the only a statement by the turkish president and the one in which he said that the united states had admitted to establishing a terrorist army on the turkish syrian border any chord on the united states to deal with that terror at its infrastructure and these comments by the turkish president so infuriated could see living in the afan region that earlier they took to the streets also they were protesting against what you see happening certainly on the ground which is turkish tanks needing to little blue water this is what citizens of africa have to say. our freedom will be the ones graveyard today hundreds of thousands are protesting to tell him that the people of our friend will never leave their land. the international

the turkish government. into account but first of all the operation in africa should be finished and should be completed i do not expect at the moment that turkey is undertaking operation directions which. just weeks to go until the winter olympics in south korea more russian athletes are now expecting their dreams of competing to be dashed international olympic committee has sent a list of eligible participants to russia and it excludes many athletes who have never failed a doping test. tensions in the sports world are hitting another high as the i.o.c. has confirmed that the number of russian athletes that are eligible to compete in the upcoming winter olympics is to be reduced now unexpectedly and without explanation now the full list of who is eligible has not yet been released but the russian olympic committee has disclosed a number of names that are thought to be who will be disqualified and that decision is ruffling feathers not only in russia but abroad as well a french sports outlet has published a

one turkish citizen. live punch a little go boom did and deter. turkey wants to preserve. the integrity and keep open the possibility of a unified syria by preventing a continuous syrian court all. controlled by. kurds in the north and i think this is why we are. watching the way you look at it mr mccauley washington's two allies on now what why do you think that the u.s. will intervene and if it doesn't which side would it take. i don't think they're us really into. the us is responsible is the reason why turkey felt compelled to intervene to stop this operation in the first place because. the us even though they backtracked. to the initial announcement today said they want to establish an army of course parallel force in most all countries off the road there is only one flag one army so the us says i'm going to create another force to patrol and control and secure syria's border but turkey what of the screen work is not an enemy of syria turkey is not one and i mean of to us in turkey is a member of nato so it doesn't make sense and i think turkey was quite right in pers

we're hearing from the turkish defense minister that a de facto turkish military operation has begun across its border now this is been corroborated by the syrian kurds the white jeep who say that since those day night some seventy shells have been fired by the turkish military on to their villages now it's one of the only a statement by the turkish president and the one in which he said that the united states has admitted to establishing a terrorist army on the turkish syrian border any chord on the united states to deal with that terror at its infrastructure and these comments by the turkish president so infuriated could see living in the afan region that earlier they took to the streets also they were protesting against what you see happening slowly on the ground which is turkish tanks leading to little buddha this is what citizens of us have to say. right now our freedom will be the ones graveyard today hundreds of thousands are protesting to tell him that the people of our friend will never leave their land. the international community should send a message to turkey telling the

and turkish forces in northern syria it follows president announcement that the turkish military will extend its operation against the u.s. backed kurdish militia in the region and set its sights on the city of unmanned bridge. the operation we've launched named branch to terrorists is successful in the way starting from we will continue for the big games which are being played along our borders and we will cleanse our region completely of the struggle. with tensions growing between the two nato allies turkey's foreign ministry had touted the u.s. on thursday saying washington hasn't kept a single promise on the kurds and that there's no trust between the countries well let's take a closer look at what's happening in the region this is the border between turkey and syria and the areas in yellow that you can see here are held by the various kurdish militia in the west you can see africa in region and that's where the turkish assault began and to the east of this this bit in green there is where the number of turkish backed rebel groups are they are involved in the push towards a man sh

controls the afrin area in northern syria the turkish government considers the wikipedia as having an alliance with the p k k who they say. we are a terrorist organization since last week we have been hearing with threatening that it's going to launch this operation in the african area particularly after the united states issued a statement saying that it was going to train as well as implement a border protection force that would see the syrian democratic forces involved now the u.s. that is if is aligned with the white p.g.d. that the turks are against you understand why took you so angry over this whole issue but of course you also have the kurds in the african area he have taken to the streets in anger and frustration as well they have denounced the statements made by the turkish president and those sentiments were echoed in front of the two cliche embassy in london where around one hundred fifty people gathered they were holding placards and they were chanting that the turkish government is a terrorist government that has links to islamic state on that whole issue of whether or n

the turkish government. under the constitution into account but first of all the operation in africa should be finished and should be completed i do not expect at the moment that turkey is undertaking operation direction command which. just weeks to go until the winter olympics in south korea more russian athletes are now expecting their dreams of competing to be dashed the international olympic committee has sent a list of eligible participants to russia and it excludes many athletes who have never failed a doping test. tensions in the sports world are hitting another high as the i.o.c. has confirmed that the number of russian athletes that are eligible to compete in the upcoming winter olympics is to be reduced now unexpectedly and without explanation now the full list of who is eligible has not yet been released but the russian olympic committee has disclosed a number of names that are thought to be who will be disqualified and that decision is ruffling feathers not only in russia but abroad as well a fre

embassy holding up cards and chanting that the turkish government was a terrorist organization that had links to terrorism and to islamic state we also see this happening against the backdrop of the trump administration starting now to back pedal against the statement that it was training a border protection force and the u.s. secretary of state rex tillerson has said that the whole issue was misunderstood be that as it may the facts on the ground are that turkey has started its operations. ok that's paula thank you for those details. now forget the war on terror it's russia and china that are now america's biggest threat that's what the u.s. defense secretary james mattis spells out as he unveiled the country's new defense priorities more and galatea of picks up the story. trump's new defense doctrine can probably be summed up in just three words bring it on if you challenge it will be your longest and your worst day the war on terror is now secondary the priority is the new great game of good lobel proportions great power competition not terrorism is now the primary focus of u.s.

turkish and u.s. relations have been deteriorating again in the last just came after the conviction of the turkish banker and who is in executive of a state owned turkish bank and it came after the testimony of the turkish iranian gold trader who is a convict in the united states for invading u.s. sanctions in iran now this whole trial may lead up to thirty years in prison for these. let me present i would go on head yet again condemned these actions of the united states. if this is the u.s. understanding of justice then the world is doomed for one thing the u.s. should review its understanding of justice and at the same time strengthen it while the turkish government sees this trial as a u.s. intervention to internal affairs and this is not the first time that the nato allies have been terry raiding their relationships this bad it has been happening since two thousand and sixteen. in turkey and the president sais that this whole trial has been based on a made up fabricated evidence that have been pro

attack the kurdish people are not terrorists as there is no such terrorist this is a nonsense for the turkish people anybody wants to run as per the kurdish right they call that it is a terrorist and our opinion is turkey with iran they are both side of the coin whether she ours journey the islamist radical trying to control either iraq the the shia in this case the sunni by turkey control syria and they're each trying to grab the power and have some understanding to undermine us in the international community so in our opinion it is difficult for the us to do anything but i think they can do much better that the truthy. should not have a green light to invade kurdish area that will undermine what the us have done in syria in terms of fighting isis all because the kurds would be forced to evacuate evacuate other areas and send christmas troops from easter and the stone of syria to the western kurdistan of syria thus creating vacuum that hash the shabby and a lot of shia militia led by iran to come and take that area or isis to come back and take that area so for a united state is an interest

both say hearing from the turkish media that the turkish military is being supported by turkish aligned syrian opposition rebel fighters and according to a port to receiving on the ground there has been a convoy of buses moving to the area it is understood that the rebel fighters are on those buses and trucks with machine guns now all of this comes as the army says that it is involved in a legitimate what it calls self defense operation that it is responding to fire that it was on the receiving end that was coming from the ass and region in northern syria which is controlled by the kurdish rebels known as the why do you go zone could this syrian rebels now they are aligned with the p.k. k. that turkey considers a terrorist organization so as such the turkish government considers by extension the y.t.d. terrorists as well now we have seen some of the strikes happening on friday and it does follow days where we were hearing from the turkish president ever one. threats that he was going to start an operation in the acid region there was going to be a ground offensive and as you mentioned t

military on to their villages now it's one of the only a statement by the turkish president and the one in which he said that the united states had admitted to establishing a terrorist army on the turkish syrian border any chord on the united states to deal with that terror at its infrastructure and these comments by the turkish president so infuriated could see living in the afan region that earlier they took to the streets also they were protesting against what we see happening slowly on the ground which is turkish tanks needing to retreat in order this is what citizens of us have to say. right now our freedom will be the ones graveyard today hundreds of thousands are protesting to tell him that the people of our friend will never leave their man. the international community should send a message to turkey telling them to stop we have bought the white b.g. and so we can defend ourselves. well this comes after the statement that the coalition forces were working closely with the syrian democratic forces to establish and train a new syrian border security force but what we've seen h

american influence so unless the turkish armed forces will launch another military operation against the men beach and burn the region. i think that it's too early to declare. the honeymoon between the end of the how did between the americans and. still be a free for in my opinion it's not the real exam for the kurdish american relations . but appreciate your time i guess dr hating cohen turkey experts tell of if you know thank you. changing over now to the u.s. and jordan thomas first year in the white house has been marked by a government wide shut down not up to the senate refused to approve a bill to fund the government among democrats all but five voted against the main sticking point being trump's refusal to include protections for undocumented young immigrants. the republican leadership do the job they are paid to do today they put politics above the national security everyone who thinks of themselves is a leader in that building is going to have to look at themselves in the mirror and ask are they really being true to the ideals of this country democrats hold a lawful citizen

turkish dispute i think as a result of what's happening at the same time you have a dispute between the syrian government and turkey because the syrian government has cut the categorical or express that it's categorical rejection for any such step so you could this could lead even to a confrontation between the syria between syria and turkey or so where there are a lot of you know possible scenarios which do lead to escalation and i think that now that it's begun i think it might be very difficult to to seize control of the situation. well mr rizk you've mentioned that the united states probably didn't do think that turkey were going to follow through with their threat of a military operation now that turkey has followed through indeed do you think what do you make of washington's reaction to this operation and what do you think this reactionary is going to be are the is the is washington going to do try to do some more damage control here. her well what we've become accustomed to when the trying to restrain him is that we don't have one reaction we have several reactions you know diffe