Talk politics.

The exchange of deadly fire between the Turkish forces and Russia-backed Assad military in the Idlib province in Syria has drastically increased the tension in the region for the last fortnight or so. The situation looks set for an escalation into a uncontrolled spiral of violence, now that the urgent talks in Moscow have failed to deliver a significant result. The Turkish military, sent to secure the agreed safety zone in North Syria, has been met with an assault by the Assad forces for the last half a month, suffering at least a dozen casualties. And of course Erdogan is not going to let this slide, lest he appears weak and incompetent.

"The operation in Idlib is imminent", he directly said last week during a meeting with his party MPs. He also said the Turkish military was getting prepared, and the countdown was on. Last warnings were being issued; if Assad's military and the paramilitary groups that he supports do not back down and leave the Turkish positions by the end of the month, Erdogan will order a massive attack.

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