麻豆约拍

Turkey once seemed to be a poster-child for democracy in the Middle East. But when President Erdogan did not get the majority he wanted in June, things started to go downhill -- clashes with the Kurds broke out again, and the political space seemed to shrink sharply. Now his party has got a majority in a new election. But at what price?

Also, Russia has wrung some co-operation from the US over Syria. But its intervention is stoking fears of a return to Afghan-style horrors, especially after one of its passenger planes crashed over Syria. Why al-Shabab loves attacking hotels in Somalia. And, what lies behind that big meeting between the leaders of China and Taiwan?

(Photo: President Erdogan savours the fruits of electoral victory. Credit: AP