The relations between Turkey and Saudi Arabia are now becoming a subject of interest following the news of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a critic of Riyadh’s current government, in his country’s consulate in Istanbul. To better understand this event and its consequences, it is necessary to put it in the broader context, the bilateral relations between the two states, which dates back to the 1920s.

In the mounting tension between Great Powers, the Black Sea holds a particular strategic importance. It represents the waterway connecting Europe, Russia and the Middle East and is believed to host substantial reserves of hydrocarbons. It’s unique location makes it an important gateway for gas pipelines fuelling European markets and is a key theatre in the confrontation between Russia and NATO.

Long the site of great power competition, the Black Sea region appears to be heating up once again.

Iran’s biggest customers are scrambling to secure alternative sources of oil supply.

Turkey is reestablishing ties in a frontier of the former Ottoman Empire, but in the Western Balkans it finds a field that’s already crowded with outside powers vyign for influence.