Nicholas Pelham, The Economist's Middle East correspondent, discusses Turkey's resurgence as a regional power following the Arab Spring, detailing its military interventions and historical ambitions. Kenley Salmon, Africa correspondent, provides a critical analysis of Tanzania's newly awarded middle-income status, questioning the validity of its economic data amid persistent poverty. The conversation also touches on the controversy surrounding the Cocoa Mat Hotel in Athens, where modern design clashes with historical preservation, sparking local outrage.
Since the Arab spring the country has vastly expanded its military and diplomatic efforts—filling an evident power vacuum and harking back to the days of the Ottoman Empire. Tanzania’s economy was recently upgraded to “middle-income” status, but our analysis suggests something is fishy in its data. And why an Athens hotel will have two floors lopped off its top. For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, subscribe here www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer