This is a format that dates from last year as Russia seeks to normalize ties between Turkey and Syria. Turkey has been participating in the talks in the past but they have not advanced as far as Moscow would like. Turkey faces elections in May and had a massive earthquake in February that has reduced Ankara’s focus on these talks.
According to Turkey’s defense minister, Ankara is preparing for a meeting to be attended by the defense ministers and intelligence chiefs of the countries. Anadolu media in Turkey reported the meeting, saying that a “meeting of defense ministers and intelligence chiefs of Turkey, Russia, Syria and Iran will be held in Moscow on Tuesday.” The last meeting of the defense ministers was in December last year, although Iran was not present. Hulusi Akar said that Iran is participating, making the meeting a “quartet.” READ MORE
