Today, White House denied that President Obama warned/gave an ultimatom to PM Erdoğan for Turkey’s foreign policy choices. But it is apparent that US does not like the new tendencies even if Obama does not explicitly castigates Erdoğan.. In the mean time, The Mavi Marmara inquiry continues slowly while Israel approaches needy Greece to start a new regional alliance…
The Mavi Marmara inquiry: Denying the obvious
Obama warns Turkish PM over stance on Israel, Iran
White House denies giving Turkey ultimatum over Israel, Iran
Some U.S. allies not listening when it comes to Iran
from FP Passport by Jared Mondschein
Turkey EU negotiator: privileged partnership not an option
The Axis Discussion in Turkish Foreign Policy
Prof. Dr. Kamer KASIM, USAK Vice-President
Turkey committed to EU membership, says top negotiator
Activists in Flotilla Fired First, Israeli Army Chief Says
Israel?s army chief of staff told a panel that confrontation was probably inevitable under the circumstances.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, center, meets with members of the panel investigating the Gaza Flotilla Incident, from left, Ozdem Sanberk, of Turkey, Geoffrey Palmer, of New Zealand, Alvaro Uribe Velez, of Colombia, and Joseph Ciechanover, of Israel, Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2010, at United Nations headquarters.? Read more »(AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (2nd R) attends the weekly cabinet meeting at his office in Jerusalem August 8, 2010. REUTERS/Oliver Weiken/Pool
KERİM BALCI – The Turkel Commission and the three testimonies
Energy Minister Yildiz: We are ready to open the energy chapter, but the EU is not
Can the flotilla inquiry save the Israeli-Turkish alliance?, Avni Dogru
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon recently announced that, after two months of negotiations, Israel had agreed to an international inquiry on 31 May?s deadly flotilla assault. International pressure and Ban Ki-moon?s personal efforts played an important role in the Netanyahu government?s unprecedented decision. Israel?s concession meets one of the demands made by Turkey, which lost nine citizens in the assault and which has threatened to break off relations with what had once been a key military ally.
Barak Testifies in Flotilla Inquest
The Israeli defense minister, Ehud Barak, said on Tuesday that Israel?s leaders were aware that the interception of a flotilla bound for Gaza could turn violent.General Says Israel Not Ready for Flotilla Violence
Turkey, Israel spar over flotilla probes
KLAUS JURGENS – Welcome Rihanna to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
Israel?s Blockade of Gaza, the Mavi Marmara Incident, and Its Aftermath
Source: Congressional Research Service (via OpenCRS)
Israel unilaterally withdrew from the Gaza Strip in 2005, but retained control of its borders. Hamas, a U.S. State Department-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), won the 2006 Palestinian legislative elections and forcibly seized control of the territory in 2007. Israel imposed a tighter blockade of Gaza in response to Hamas?s takeover and tightened the flow of goods and materials into Gaza after its military offensive against Hamas from December 2008 to January 2009. That offensive destroyed much of Gaza?s infrastructure, but Israel has obstructed the delivery of rebuilding materials that it said could also be used to manufacture weapons and for other military purposes. Israel, the U.N., and international non-governmental organizations differ about the severity of the blockade?s effects on the humanitarian situation of Palestinian residents of Gaza. Nonetheless, it is clear that the territory?s economy and people are suffering.
What is Israel aiming for in the Balkans? by Hajrudin Somun
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