TR-US relations

While ministers’ sons are arrested, AKP leadership denies corruption, targets US Ambassador Ricciardone

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4 major newspapers that function as AKP spokespersons today targeted the ambassador: Ricciardone refutes claims US ‘behind Turkey graft probe’ Hurriyet Daily News-3 hours agoShare US’ Ambassador to Turkey, Francis J. Ricciardone has refuted Turkish media reports that United States was “behind” the ongoing graft probe in   Turkey’s governing AK party embroiled in internal strife over corruption claims Irish … Read more

“EU approves opening new chapter with Turkey… A FP roundup…

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EU approves opening new chapter with Turkey European Union?s General Affairs Council has confirmed the opening of Chapter 22, on regional policies, with Turkey  Entre Turquie et Europe : la grande dérive Les Echos (France) no. 21547, lundi 21 octobre 2013, p. 1-9 Dominique Moïsi * Prise à revers par les révolutions arabes, la crise syrienne … Read more

“Number of Syrian refugees in Turkey exceeds 600,000

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Number of Syrian refugees in Turkey exceeds 600,000: Turkish official The number of Syrian refugees in Turkey has exceeded 600,000 and more than 400,000 of them are living outside Tensions Rise Near Syrian Border Over Wall Construction Villagers spoke up against the construction of a wall in Turkey – Syria border ?in order to prevent … Read more

WPost claim: Turkey blows Israel’s cover for Iranian spy ring… Progress Report aftermath…

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Turkey blows Israel’s cover for Iranian spy ring washingtonpost.com ? David Ignatius ? 10/16/13 ? The Turkish-Israeli relationship became so poisonous early last year that the Turkish government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is said to have disclosed to Iranian intelligence the identities of up to 10 Iranians who had been meeting   EU … Read more

FP roundup: Oh man… “Turkey says Israel hasn’t met all conditions for normalizing ties after 2010 ship attack

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Turkey says Israel hasn’t met all conditions for normalizing ties after 2010 ship attack Turkey’s foreign minister says there has been some progress in improving Turkish-Israeli relations but Israel has not yet fulfilled all conditions for normalizing ties.  Israel must do more to normalize ties with Turkey, FM Davutoğlu says Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said … Read more

European Court of Justice rules out visa-free travel for Turks…A FP roundup…

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European Court of Justice rules out visa-free travel for Turks Court of Justice of the European Union (ECOJ) has decided against Turkish citizens visa free travel right   Turkey slams Eurocourt ruling over visas A decision of the Court of Justice of European Union refusing to grant Turkish citizens the right to visa-free travel has … Read more

Syria updates as “A New Trio: US, Russia and Iran” emeges…

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Russia offers troops for Syria plan Moscow is ready to send troops to help in the proposed operation to eliminate Syria’s chemical weapons, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says. Assad survives It was already looking likely that President Bashar al-Assad?s regime would survive Interview with Abbas Vali on Syria, Kurds and Turkey “I think government?s wrong approach and calculation … Read more

Whining like a child: “Turkey will probably never become a member of the EU because of ‘prejudiced’ attitudes…

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    Turkey will probably never be EU member, Minister Bağış says Bağış has said Turkey will probably never become a member of the EU because of ‘prejudiced’ attitudes ********************** Turkish investors urge foreign policy revision The head of TÜSİAD calls for Ankara to return to being an honest broker in the wider region in … Read more

Syria updates. PM Erdoğan supports downing Syrian helicopter. Syria gives Russia ‘new evidence’ rebels behind chem attack… US says Russia ‘ignoring facts’ over Syria attack

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Army downed Syrian helicopter ‘according to rules of engagement,? Turkish PM says The gov’t has provided the Turkish army with the authority to act according to the rules of engagement in the event of any border violation, PM Erdoğan said Syria gives Russia ‘new evidence’ rebels behind chem attack The Syrian regime has handed Russia new materials … Read more

U.S. and Russia Strike Deal on Syria Chemical Weapons [WITHOUT asking Turkey (!)]… Syria updates…

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Al-Qaeda tells Syria fighters to shun secularists in sign of deeper rebel rift Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri has told the Islamist militants to avoid alliances with other rebel fighters Morning Brief: U.S. and Russia Strike Deal on Syria Chemical Weapons U.S. and Russia Strike Deal on Syria Chemical Weapons Top News: The United States and Russiareached an agreement Saturday … Read more

Majority of Turks against Syria intervention: Survey… Syria updates…

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War in Syria: A Timeline of Key Events Since Chemical Attacks The conflict in Syria started more than two years ago, but it reached a tipping point on Aug. 21 when President Bashar al-Assad‘s regime allegedly launched a deadly chemical attack in the suburbs of Damascus, violating international regulations and inciting worldwide EU foreign policy chief says evidence … Read more

Syria roundup: Strike delayed, Turkish Foreign Ministry must be so upset…

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Obama not ready to order Syria strike but gives up on UN U.S. President Barack Obama said he had not yet signed off on a plan to strike Syria Turkey: Willing for the coalition The chemical weapon attack in Syria caught the world?s attention ‘No 100% certainty’ on responsibility for Syria chemical attack: British PM … Read more

Turkey manages keep relations broken both with Syria and Israel;) A FP roundup….

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John Kerry statement on Syria polarises world leaders Iran and Russia stand alongside Assad regime while UK, France and Australia follow US lead As the US moves towards military intervention in the Syrian conflict, world leaders have issued a string of belicose statements, with Iran and Russia standing alongside the Assad regime against a western … Read more

Unfortunately, it seems, the War is coming… “Syria strike due in days, West tells opposition

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Syria strike due in days, West tells opposition: Sources Western powers told the Syrian opposition to expect a strike against President Bashar al-Assad‘s forces within days Turkey urges response to ‘crime against humanity’ in Syria Turkish Foreign Minister said a poison gas attack in Syria constituted a “crime against humanity” MAIN FOCUS: Syria intervention increasingly … Read more

Looks like US and Turkey are ready for the military action against Syria… A FP roundup…

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Syria crisis: international views on intervention A roundup of the diplomatic standpoints of Israel, Turkey, Russia, Germany and France after the Syrian chemical attacks Turkey not ?lonely? but dares to do so for its values and principles, says PM adviser İbrahim Kalın, a top foreign policy adviser to the Turkish prime minister said he had … Read more