Policy Pulse (August 04, 2021)

Welcome to the&#160;Policy Pulse&#160;- a breakdown summary of some of the most compelling recent reports to come out of think tanks from around the world. This edition of the Policy Pulse is recorded as an episode of the Policy People Podcast. You can find all the links to the reports mentioned here in the show notes or in the newsletter.<br/><br/>Thank you to&#160;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasanka-kanuparthi-2561a116/">Sasanka Kanuparthi</a>&#160;for curating this edition of Policy Pulse.<br/><br/>And now I bring you Policy pulse, (Date).<br/><br/>Do Russia-Turkey pose a joint threat to EU regional hegemony?<br/><br/>In recent years, the Russia-Turkey relationship has been marred by a trust deficit stemming from contentious geopolitics and diplomatic disagreements. However, the two share autocratic tendencies, weak institutions, and anti-Western attitudes. Adding to this, Turkey&#8217;s energy dependencies and defense engagements in the region make its Russia equation even more complex. This ISS paper explores various facets of this relationship in excruciating detail, covering areas of cooperation, conflict, and foreign policy convergence. This &#8216;cooperative rivalry&#8217; raises several issues, and the EU&#8217;s preparedness to handle surprise changes is being monitored closely. Get deeper insights on the Russia-Turkey dynamic by reading this <a href="https://www.iss.europa.eu/sites/default/files/EUISSFiles/CP_168.pdf">paper</a>.&#160;<br/><br/>Can France secure its Indo-Pacific interests by partnering with Australia?<br/><br/>France controls territories and military facilities in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, wielding influence over regions off the East African coast and the Southern Pacific. The burgeoning strategic partnership with Australia holds significant promise in the eyes of French policymakers. How can France leverage this relationship to overcome limitations in its regional capabilities to achieve its strategic goals? This ASPI report looks at historical precedents and recent dev