TR-US relations

Joy for the Turkish Twitter and a sad day for the Pelikan trolls. The shameful #GeziTrial finally ends. All acquitted.

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Probably Turkish leadership is now trapped and is looking for some kind of rapprochement with the West. I cannot imagine any good intentions from the Turkish judiciary. Turkish Gezi park activists acquitted of terror charges in surprise ruling World news: Turkey by Bethan McKernan, Arrest warrants lifted for seven other defendants being tried over nationwide protests … Read more

Hectic in the US-TR relations: Sanctions, Genocide Bill, Threat of Base closures, Lira drops…

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U.S. Senate unanimously recognises Armenian Genocide | Ahval News (Updates with details, comments throughout) U.S. Senate has passed a bipartisan effort by Senators… U.S. Senate committee approves Turkey sanctions bill WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A U.S. Senate committee backed legislation on Wednesday to impose sanctions on Turkey after its offensive in Syria and purchase of … … Read more

War of words between Macron, Erdogan as “Turkey holds up NATO military plans over Syria dispute

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Exclusive: Turkey holds up NATO military plans over Syria dispute – sources Reuters – Robin Emmott – Nov 26, 7:15 AM BRUSSELSBRUSSELS (Reuters) – Turkey is refusing to back a NATO defense plan for the Baltics and Poland until the alliance offers Ankara more political support for its fight against Kurdish YPG militia in northern Syria, … Read more

A visual comparison of First Lady meetings. In the US and in Turkey…

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As can be seen, the US’ declining economy cannot compete with Turkey’s splendor.

Trump: “you’re sure you’re a reporter, you don’t work for Turkey?”

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Trump’tan Sabah gazetesinden Hilal Kaplan’a: Gazeteci olduğuna emin misin? Türkiye hükümeti için çalışıyor olmayasın? pic.twitter.com/8Yjj6gDEC9 — Yol TV (@YolTV) November 13, 2019 ‘I’m a Big Fan’: Trump Gives Warm Welcome to Turkey’s Erdogan NYT > Turkey  President Trump seemed unbothered by Turkey’s recent invasion of Syria, which prompted outrage in Congress and among Twitter accounts … Read more

As Erdoğan to meet with Trump, “Boom Times for Turkey’s Lobbyists in Trump’s Washington…

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Boom Times for Turkey’s Lobbyists in Trump’s Washington CNS Search – Adam Klasfeld – Oct 31, 9:48 PM MANHATTAN (CN) – Some five years ago, Turkey’s soft power suddenly swelled in the United States as the country’s lobbyists and pro-government charities received millions in newfound funding. That was the same year that leaked tapes appeared Erdoğan: … Read more

Decades of Turkey’s Lobbying in the US collapses as ‘Resolution Recognizing Armenian Genocide’ and heavy sanctions pass at the US House of Representatives

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In the meantime, John Oliver delivers one of his harshest: US House of Representatives Passes ‘Resolution Recognizing Armenian Genocide’ Bianet :: English The US House of Representatives has passed a “resolution officially recognizing Armenian genocide” by a 405-to-11 vote. Though the resolution is not legally binding, it still marks the first time that a house in … Read more

With the latest mayor arrests, millions of citizens are left unrepresented – and not a big deal for the nationalist alliance…

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Turkey dismisses four Kurdish mayors on terror charges | Ahval Turkey’s Interior Ministry on Monday removed four district mayors from office in the predominantly… Trustees appointed as mayors in southeastern province, districts The Interior Ministry of Turkey appoints new mayors in the southeastern Hakkari and Mardin provinces Journalist Demir’s Photo with Demirtaş Cited as Crime … Read more

A Crisis Group report: “Assessing the Fatalities in Turkey’s PKK Conflict [and a roundup]

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Assessing the Fatalities in Turkey’s PKK Conflict Crisis Group – Oct 21, 3:00 PM Turkey’s ruling party sees recent battlefield and electoral gains as vindicating its hardline policies toward the PKK. But these same policies fuel the Kurdish grievances that keep the fighting going. Ankara would thus be wise to consider exploring Trump is ‘fully prepared’ … Read more

The Letter. Trump could actually be arrested in Turkey for insulting the president…

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Turkey Rejects U.S. Call for Immediate Cease-Fire in Syria Wall Street Journal – David Gauthier-Villars – Oct 16, 2:54 AM ISTANBUL—Turkey rejected a U.S. call for an immediate cease-fire in northeast Syria, pressing ahead with its military offensive as senior Trump administration officials rushed to Ankara to try to resolve fighting triggered by the withdrawal Halkbank … Read more

US Sanctions raining on Turkey. Though I am not sure how effective they will be…

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Turkish Bank Charged In Manhattan Federal Court For Its Participation In A Multibillion-Dollar Iranian Sanctions Evasion Scheme Department of Justice – Oct 15, 1:41 PM Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, John C. Demers, the Assistant Attorney General for National Security, and William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant … Read more

Roundup: Turkish army advances… 100,000 flee homes… Jihadists kill a Kurdish politician…

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Turkey Syria offensive: 100,000 flee homes as assault continues BBC News | Europe | World Edition The UN says thousands of people are sheltering in schools as pressure mounts on Turkey to halt the attack. Kurdish politician among nine civilians shot dead by pro-Turkey forces in Syria World news: Turkey by Martin Chulov and Mohammed Rasool in … Read more

The 3rd Day in the “Operation Peace Spring”- Internet blockages are reported in Southern Turkey; 121 detained for critical remarks on social media…

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via Confirmed: Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram restricted in parts of southern #Turkey; real-time network data show social media now blocked in Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa and Hatay by TTNet amid #PeaceSpring military operations into northern Syria 📉 📰 https://t.co/zx4QGrE56B pic.twitter.com/jAO9YtM8vq — NetBlocks (@netblocks) October 11, 2019 Arrest News in Turkish here From EU to Erdoğan: We … Read more

The Turkish offensive into Northern Syria begins…

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Turkish troops launch offensive into northern Syria, says Erdogan BBC News | Europe | World Edition  The incursion announced by President Erdogan is to target Kurdish militias and create a “safe zone”. Exclusive: Official Who Heard Call Says Trump Got ‘Rolled’ By Turkey and ‘Has No Spine Newsweek – James LaPorta – Oct 7, 11:16 AM … Read more

Waiting for the War as “The U.S. Is Now Betraying the Kurds for the Eighth Time…

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The U.S. Is Now Betraying the Kurds for the Eighth Time The Intercept / The White House announced Sunday night that the United States is giving Turkey a green light to invade northern Syria, with U.S. removes Turkey from air tasking order in Syria | Ahval When ‘Get Out’ Is a President’s National Security Strategy … Read more