12/14/2020

RUSSIA/SANCTIONS/TRUMP ADMIN/TURKEY: “The Trump administration on Monday sanctioned Turkey, a NATO ally, over its purchase of a Russian missile defense system – a long-awaited move that comes just weeks before President Donald Trump leaves office. The new sanctions include a ban on all U.S. export licenses and loans to Turkey’s defense procurement agency and an […]

Read More… from 12/14/2020

10/30/2020

GREECE/JOE BIDEN/NATURAL DISASTERS/TURKEY: “Jill and I send our prayers to the people of Greece and Turkey following today’s earthquake. We’re grateful for the brave rescuers saving others, and for the governments of Greece and Turkey putting aside their differences to support each other.“ ––Joe Biden, Twitter.com, October 30, 2020 10:45 am […]

Read More… from 10/30/2020

10/6/2020

TRUMP ADMIN/TURKEY: “The Trump administration must press Turkey to refrain from any further provocative actions in the region against Greece, including threats of force, to create the space for diplomacy to succeed. I also call on Turkish President Erdogan to reverse his recent decision to convert the Hagia Sophia to a mosque and to return […]

Read More… from 10/6/2020

9/29/2020

JOE BIDEN/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “With casualties rapidly mounting in and around Nagorno-Karabakh, the Trump Administration needs to call the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan immediately to de-escalate the situation. It must also demand others — like Turkey — stay out of this conflict.“ ––Joe Biden, Twitter.com, September 29, 2020 5:18 am […]

Read More… from 9/29/2020

8/20/2020

TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “We are a respected country again. They said that one of the leaders called up, top top leader of one of the countries. He asked me to call President Erdogan of Turkey, who I get along with very well. He said, ‘Sir, please, would you do me a favor? Call Erdogan.’ I […]

Read More… from 8/20/2020

5/7/2020

SYRIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “You know, we were guarding the border between Turkey and Syria, and for years, and we had thousands of people there. And I said, ‘Wait a minute, let me ask you this: Turkey, Syria, two big countries, they know how to guard their border. They’ve been fighting with each other for years. […]

Read More… from 5/7/2020

1/2/2020

LIBYA/MILITARY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “President Donald Trump on Thursday [1-2-20] warned his Turkish counterpart against sending troops to fight in Libya hours after the Turkish Parliament voted to authorize such a move. Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed several ‘bilateral and regional issues,’ according to a readout of the call released by the White […]

Read More… from 1/2/2020

12/4/2019

NATO/SYRIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “President Donald Trump on Wednesday [12-4-19] morning participated in an unannounced meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, following months of scrutiny over the administration’s posture toward Ankara and controversial shifts in Syria policy. The meeting, which was absent from Trump’s public schedule, appeared to occur on the sidelines of a larger […]

Read More… from 12/4/2019

11/14/2019

GOP/SENATE/SYRIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “At one point during his extraordinary joint press conference with President Donald Trump, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan turned his attention to the U.S. Senate. The chamber, he contended, would stop the ‘vicious cycle’ started by the House, which had passed biting sanctions on his country. But senators have a clear response […]

Read More… from 11/14/2019

11/13/2019

KURDS/RUSSIA/SYRIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday [11-13-19] pushed Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to walk away from the purchase of a Russian missile defense system, calling it a ‘very serious challenge’ to bilateral ties, even though he described a meeting between the two leaders as ‘wonderful.’ After the much anticipated meeting at the […]

Read More… from 11/13/2019

11/6/2019

ISIS/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “Just had a very good call with President @RTErdogan of Turkey. He informed me that they have captured numerous ISIS fighters that were reported to have escaped during the conflict – including a wife and sister of terrorist killer al Baghdadi….”  –Donald Trump, Twitter.com, November 6, 2019 3:15 pm […]

Read More… from 11/6/2019

10/30/2019

KURDS/MILITARY/SYRIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “Every day in northeastern Syria, waves of American troops are pulling out under President Trump’s order this month that paved the way for a Turkish offensive that included assaults on the Pentagon’s allies, the Syrian Kurds. And at the same time, a separate wave of American troops from the opposite direction is […]

Read More… from 10/30/2019

10/29/2019

HOUSE OF REPS/KURDS/MILITARY/SANCTIONS/SYRIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “The House voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday [10-29-19] to impose a series of sweeping sanctions on Turkey over its brutal assault on the Kurds in northern Syria, dealing its second bipartisan rebuke to President Trump this month for pulling back American forces to allow for the Turkish incursion. The measure drew […]

Read More… from 10/29/2019

10/25/2019

KURDS/SANCTIONS/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “Turkey fully understands not to fire on the Kurds as they leave what will be known as the Safe Zone for other fairly nearby areas. I don’t have to repeat that large scale Sanctions will be imposed for violations. Going well! ISIS secured by Kurds with Turkey ready as backup…..” –Donald Trump, […]

Read More… from 10/25/2019

10/24/2019

ISIS/KURDS/OIL/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “The Oil Fields discussed in my speech on Turkey/Kurds yesterday were held by ISIS until the United States took them over with the help of the Kurds. We will NEVER let a reconstituted ISIS have those fields!” –Donald Trump, Twitter.com, October 24, 2019 10:25 am […]

Read More… from 10/24/2019

10/24/2019

MILITARY/RUSSIA/SYRIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “A ceasefire in northeast Syria seems to be holding ‘by and large’, as major powers gather in Geneva ahead of the first meeting of Syria’s Constitutional Committee next week, the U.N. Special Envoy told Reuters on Thursday [10-24-19]. Geir Pedersen said that envoys from 7 Arab and Western states backing the opposition, […]

Read More… from 10/24/2019

10/23/2019

KURDS/MILITARY/SYRIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday [10-23-19] a ceasefire in northern Syria is now permanent and lifted sanctions on Turkey as a result, rejecting criticism of his decision to pull out U.S. troops that allowed Kurdish allies to come under attack. In a White House speech, Trump described the truce as […]

Read More… from 10/23/2019

10/23/2019

ISIS/KURDS/SYRIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “Big success on the Turkey/Syria Border. Safe Zone created! Ceasefire has held and combat missions have ended. Kurds are safe and have worked very nicely with us. Captured ISIS prisoners secured. I will be making a statement at 11:00 A.M. from the White House. Thank you!”  -Donald Trump, Twitter.com, October 23, 2019 […]

Read More… from 10/23/2019

10/22/2019

CONGRESS/MILITARY/SANCTIONS/SYRIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “Congress vowed two weeks ago to impose sanctions on Turkey and rebuke President Donald Trump for withdrawing U.S. troops from Syria. But the Senate has struggled to make any substantial headway in condemning the Turkish government for its incursion into Syria and to convince the president to reverse course. Senate Majority Leader […]

Read More… from 10/22/2019

10/18/2019

KURDS/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY/WAR: “Just spoke to President @RTErdogan of Turkey. He told me there was minor sniper and mortar fire that was quickly eliminated. He very much wants the ceasefire, or pause, to work. Likewise, the Kurds want it, and the ultimate solution, to happen. Too bad there wasn’t…..” –Donald Trump, Twitter.com, October 18, 2019 […]

Read More… from 10/18/2019

10/18/2019

KURDS/MILITARY/SYRIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “The United States had encouraged its Kurdish allies to dismantle their defenses in northern Syria, saying it would make it easier to assure Turkey that the Kurds posed no threat. So in recent months, according to three American officials involved, the Kurds blew up tunnels and destroyed trenches, leaving themselves vulnerable as […]

Read More… from 10/18/2019

10/18/2019

FOREIGN DIGNITARIES/SYRIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey accused President Trump on Friday [10-18-19] of having broken with ‘diplomatic and political courtesy’ by sending him a letter threatening to destroy the Turkish economy if he did not behave in ‘the right and humane way’ in Syria…At the same time, Mr. Erdogan said, ‘we […]

Read More… from 10/18/2019

10/16/2019

FOREIGN DIGNITARIES/KURDS/SYRIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “U.S. President Donald Trump warned Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in a letter about Turkey’s incursion into Syria, ‘Don’t be a tough guy’ and ‘Don’t be a fool!’ The Oct. 9 letter was released by the White House on Wednesday as Trump battled to control the political damage following his decision to […]

Read More… from 10/16/2019

10/16/2019

KURDS/SYRIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “President Trump on Wednesday [10-16-19] defended his abrupt decision to withdraw American troops from northern Syria, seeking to counter international and bipartisan criticism as Turkey continued its offensive against the Kurds. Here’s an assessment of his remarks at two events on Wednesday. WHAT MR. TRUMP SAID ‘Now, the P.K.K., which is a […]

Read More… from 10/16/2019

10/14/2019

COMMERCE/SANCTIONS/SYRIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “President Donald Trump on Monday [10-14-19] signed an executive order imposing ‘powerful’ sanctions against Turkey for its incursion into northeast Syria. The White House announced that tariffs on steel imports from Turkey will double, reverting to 50 percent from 25 percent. Trump imposed a tariff hike on Turkey last year after the […]

Read More… from 10/14/2019

10/14/2019

SYRIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY/WAR: “Syrian government troops moved into a series of towns and villages in northern Syria Monday [10-14-19], setting up a potential clash with Turkish-led forces in the area, as U.S. troops prepared to pull out. The Syrian army’s deployment near the Turkish border came hours after Syrian Kurdish forces previously allied with the […]

Read More… from 10/14/2019

10/14/2019

EU/KURDS/SANCTIONS/TURKEY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “….Kurds may be releasing some to get us involved. Easily recaptured by Turkey or European Nations from where many came, but they should move quickly. Big sanctions on Turkey coming! Do people really think we should go to war with NATO Member Turkey? Never ending wars will end!” –Donald Trump, Twitter.com, October […]

Read More… from 10/14/2019

10/14/2019

FOREIGN POLICY/IMMIGRATION/ISIS/NATIONAL SECURITY/SANCTIONS/SECRETARY OF STATE/SYRIA/TERRORISM/TREASURY/TRUMP EXECUTIVE ORDERS/TURKEY: “I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, find that the situation in and in relation to Syria, and in particular the recent actions by the Government of Turkey to conduct a military offensive into northeast Syria, undermines the campaign to defeat the Islamic State […]

Read More… from 10/14/2019

10/13/2019

ISIS/KURDS/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “The U.S. has the worst of the ISIS prisoners. Turkey and the Kurds must not let them escape. Europe should have taken them back after numerous requests. They should do it now. They will never come to, or be allowed in, the United States!”  –Donald Trump, Twitter.com, October 13, 2019 6:27 pm […]

Read More… from 10/13/2019

10/13/2019

CONGRESS/SANCTIONS/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “Dealing with @LindseyGrahamSC and many members of Congress, including Democrats, about imposing powerful Sanctions on Turkey. Treasury is ready to go, additional legislation may be sought. There is great consensus on this. Turkey has asked that it not be done. Stay tuned!” –Donald Trump, Twitter.com, October 13, 2019 8:37 am […]

Read More… from 10/13/2019

10/13/2019

KURDS/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY/WAR: “…..The Kurds and Turkey have been fighting for many years. Turkey considers the PKK the worst terrorists of all. Others may want to come in and fight for one side or the other. Let them! We are monitoring the situation closely. Endless Wars!” –Donald Trump, Twitter.com, October 13, 2019 8:09 am […]

Read More… from 10/13/2019

10/13/2019

IRAQ/KURDS/SYRIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “Do you remember two years ago when Iraq was going to fight the Kurds in a different part of Syria. Many people wanted us to fight with the Kurds against Iraq, who we just fought for. I said no, and the Kurds left the fight, twice. Now the same thing is happening […]

Read More… from 10/13/2019

10/13/2019

MIDDLE EAST/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY/WAR: “Very smart not to be involved in the intense fighting along the Turkish Border, for a change. Those that mistakenly got us into the Middle East Wars are still pushing to fight. They have no idea what a bad decision they have made. Why are they not asking for a Declaration […]

Read More… from 10/13/2019

10/10/2019

ISIS/KURDS/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “We defeated 100% of the ISIS Caliphate and no longer have any troops in the area under attack by Turkey, in Syria. We did our job perfectly! Now Turkey is attacking the Kurds, who have been fighting each other for 200 years…” –Donald Trump, Twitter.com, October 10, 2019 3:07 pm […]

Read More… from 10/10/2019

10/10/2019

KURDS/NATO/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “….the area and start a new war all over again. Turkey is a member of NATO. Others say STAY OUT, let the Kurds fight their own battles (even with our financial help). I say hit Turkey very hard financially & with sanctions if they don’t play by the rules! I am watching […]

Read More… from 10/10/2019

10/10/2019

KURDS/MILITARY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “Turkey has been planning to attack the Kurds for a long time. They have been fighting forever. We have no soldiers or Military anywhere near the attack area. I am trying to end the ENDLESS WARS. Talking to both sides. Some want us to send tens of thousands of soldiers to….” –Donald […]

Read More… from 10/10/2019

10/9/2019

ISIS/KURDS/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “In case the Kurds or Turkey lose control, the United States has already taken the 2 ISIS militants tied to beheadings in Syria, known as the Beetles, out of that country and into a secure location controlled by the U.S. They are the worst of the worst!”  –Donald Trump, Twitter.com, October 9, […]

Read More… from 10/9/2019

10/9/2019

SYRIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY/WAR: “President Trump on Wednesday [10-9-19] called a Turkish incursion into Syria ‘a bad idea’ but reiterated his opposition to ‘endless, senseless wars,’ striking a far milder tone than outraged members of Congress, foreign allies and officials in his own administration, who said the offensive must be stopped. And later in the day, […]

Read More… from 10/9/2019

10/8/2019

KURDS/MILITARY/SYRIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “….understands that while we only had 50 soldiers remaining in that section of Syria, and they have been removed, any unforced or unnecessary fighting by Turkey will be devastating to their economy and to their very fragile currency. We are helping the Kurds financially/weapons!” –Donald Trump, Twitter.com, October 8, 2019 7:55 am […]

Read More… from 10/8/2019

10/8/2019

MILITARY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “So many people conveniently forget that Turkey is a big trading partner of the United States, in fact they make the structural steel frame for our F-35 Fighter Jet. They have also been good to deal with, helping me to save many lives at Idlib Province, and returning, in very…..” –Donald Trump, […]

Read More… from 10/8/2019

10/7/2019

FOREIGN POLICY/KURDS/MIDDLE EAST/SYRIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “President Trump threw Middle East policy into turmoil on Monday [10-7-19] with a series of conflicting signals after his vow to withdraw American forces from the region touched off an uprising among congressional Republicans and protests by America’s allies. Defending his decision to clear the way for a Turkish military […]

Read More… from 10/7/2019

10/7/2019

ISIS/MILITARY/SYRIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “President Trump’s sudden blessing of a Turkish military operation in northern Syria and his announcement of an American troop withdrawal from that region raised questions about the fate of thousands of Islamic State detainees that the Turks’ targets, American-backed Syrian Kurds, have been holding in makeshift wartime prisons. Mr. Trump insisted that […]

Read More… from 10/7/2019

10/7/2019

ECONOMY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “As I have stated strongly before, and just to reiterate, if Turkey does anything that I, in my great and unmatched wisdom, consider to be off limits, I will totally destroy and obliterate the Economy of Turkey (I’ve done before!). They must, with Europe and others, watch over…” –Donald Trump, Twitter.com, October […]

Read More… from 10/7/2019

10/7/2019

TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “RT @hughhewitt: Stream of stories in @Jerusalem_Post about @realDonaldTrump and Turkey: https://t.co/iTl0I0iIpd Now breaking news of an Erd…” –Donald Trump, Twitter.com, October 7, 2019 10:25 am […]

Read More… from 10/7/2019

10/7/2019

FOREIGN POLICY/KURDS/MIDDLE EAST/SYRIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “President Trump threw Middle East policy into turmoil on Monday [10-7-19] with a series of conflicting signals after his vow to withdraw American forces from the region touched off an uprising among congressional Republicans and protests by America’s allies. Defending his decision to clear the way for a Turkish military […]

Read More… from 10/7/2019

10/7/2019

NATO/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “…..again said ‘NO,’ thinking, as usual, that the U.S. is always the ‘sucker,’ on NATO, on Trade, on everything. The Kurds fought with us, but were paid massive amounts of money and equipment to do so. They have been fighting Turkey for decades. I held off this fight for….” –Donald Trump, Twitter.com, […]

Read More… from 10/7/2019

6/20/2019

ARMS-WEAPONS/G20/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, holding a rare meeting with international journalists, said on Thursday [6-20-19] that he expected to resolve disagreements with the United States, particularly his purchase of the Russian S-400 missile system, in a one-on-one meeting with President Trump at the end of the month. The two leaders […]

Read More… from 6/20/2019

2/27/2019

JARED KUCHNER/MIDDLE EAST/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “White House adviser Jared Kushner discussed his Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday [2-27-19], and the two also discussed increasing U.S.-Turkish cooperation and ways to boost economic conditions in the region. Kushner, who has responsibility for Washington’s Israel-Palestinian policy, has said the peace plan will address […]

Read More… from 2/27/2019

1/14/2019

TURKEY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “Spoke w/ President Erdogan of Turkey to advise where we stand on all matters including our last two weeks of success in fighting the remnants of ISIS, and 20 mile safe zone. Also spoke about economic development between the U.S. & Turkey – great potential to substantially expand!” -Donald Trump, Twitter.com, January […]

Read More… from 1/14/2019

1/13/2019

IRAN/ISIS/RUSSIA/SYRIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “….Likewise, do not want the Kurds to provoke Turkey. Russia, Iran and Syria have been the biggest beneficiaries of the long term U.S. policy of destroying ISIS in Syria – natural enemies. We also benefit but it is now time to bring our troops back home. Stop the ENDLESS WARS!” -Donald Trump, […]

Read More… from 1/13/2019

1/13/2019

ISIS/SYRIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “Starting the long overdue pullout from Syria while hitting the little remaining ISIS territorial caliphate hard, and from many directions. Will attack again from existing nearby base if it reforms. Will devastate Turkey economically if they hit Kurds. Create 20 mile safe zone….” -Donald Trump, Twitter.com, January 13, 2019 5:53 pm  […]

Read More… from 1/13/2019

1/8/2019

SYRIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TRUMP PEOPLE/TURKEY: “US National Security Advisor John Bolton made ‘a serious mistake’ telling reporters that the United States would only pull out of Syria if Turkey pledged not to attack its Kurdish allies there, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Tuesday…The extraordinary public rebuke comes as the US has been sending starkly divergent […]

Read More… from 1/8/2019

1/8/2019

SYRIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TRUMP PEOPLE/TURKEY: “National security adviser John Bolton left here in frustration Tuesday [1-8-19], with the U.S. and Turkey locked in a political standoff that threatens President Donald Trump’s plans for a troop withdrawal from Syria. Bolton left Turkey without seeing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who then publicly called earlier comments the top […]

Read More… from 1/8/2019

12/23/2018

ISIS/SYRIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “President @RT_Erdogan of Turkey has very strongly informed me that he will eradicate whatever is left of ISIS in Syria….and he is a man who can do it plus, Turkey is right ‘next door.’ Our troops are coming home!” -Donald Trump, Twitter.com, December 23, 2018 11:54 pm […]

Read More… from 12/23/2018

12/23/2018

ISIS/SYRIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “I just had a long and productive call with President @RT_Erdogan of Turkey. We discussed ISIS, our mutual involvement in Syria, & the slow & highly coordinated pullout of U.S. troops from the area. After many years they are coming home. We also discussed heavily expanded Trade.” -Donald Trump, Twitter.com, December 23, […]

Read More… from 12/23/2018

12/22/2018

ISIS/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “….going to be there for three months, and that was seven years ago – we never left. When I became President, ISIS was going wild. Now ISIS is largely defeated and other local countries, including Turkey, should be able to easily take care of whatever remains. We’re coming home!” -Donald Trump, Twitter.com, […]

Read More… from 12/22/2018

12/18/2018

MUSLIMS/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “U.S. President Donald Trump told his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan that Washington ‘would take a look at’ the possibility of extraditing a U.S.-based Muslim cleric who Ankara suspects of being behind a 2016 coup attempt, but he made no commitment, the White House said on Tuesday…Turkey’s foreign minister said on Sunday that […]

Read More… from 12/18/2018

11/30/2018

G20/MEDIA/SAUDI ARABIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “President Donald Trump spoke briefly with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Friday [11-30-18] on the sidelines of the G-20 summit, a move that could further inflame tensions both in the United States and abroad. The exchange between the two leaders was not scheduled, and comes after U.S. and Turkish […]

Read More… from 11/30/2018

10/23/2018

CIA/FOREIGN POLICY/MEDIA/SAUDI ARABIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “President Donald Trump offered his most stinging indictment yet of a Saudi effort to silence a dissident journalist, calling the series of events that led to Jamal Khashoggi’s death ‘the worst cover up ever’…Later Tuesday [10-23-18], Trump went further, calling the episode a ‘total fiasco.’ The rebuke of Saudi Arabia’s […]

Read More… from 10/23/2018

10/22/2018

MEDIA/SAUDI ARABIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “President Donald Trump said Monday [10-22-18] he’s not satisfied with the explanations he’s heard about the death of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi and is awaiting reports from U.S. personnel returning from the region. Khashoggi, who lived in the United States and wrote critically about the Saudi royal family, died earlier this […]

Read More… from 10/22/2018

10/21/2018

MEDIA/SAUDI ARABIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “Top U.S. lawmakers turned their ire on Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Sunday [10-21-18] and said they believed he ordered the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, although the Trump administration maintained a more cautious stance…Corker, who received a classified briefing on the case on Friday [10-19-18], said he […]

Read More… from 10/21/2018

10/19/2018

MEDIA/MIKE POMPEO/SAUDI ARABIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “President Donald Trump denied Friday [10-19-18] that his secretary of state was ever provided recordings of the alleged murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, refuting a Friday report by ABC News…ABC News cited a senior Turkish official who told the network that Pompeo heard an audio recording of Khashoggi being […]

Read More… from 10/19/2018

10/18/2018

FOREIGN AFFAIRS/GOP/MEDIA/SAUDI ARABIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TRUMP PEOPLE/TURKEY: “Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Corker warned the Trump administration on Thursday [10-18-18] that its information ‘clampdown’ on the alleged killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi can’t go on. The Tennessee Republican said in an interview he sought to view recent U.S. intelligence on Monday and Tuesday regarding Khashoggi’s […]

Read More… from 10/18/2018

10/16/2018

MEDIA/MIKE POMPEO/SAUDI ARABIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday [10-16-18] that Saudi Arabia’s crown prince intends to expand an investigation into missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi and that the prince did not know what happened in the Turkish consulate where Khashoggi apparently disappeared. ‘Just spoke with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia who […]

Read More… from 10/16/2018

10/18/2018

MEDIA/MIKE POMPEO/SAUDI ARABIA/STATE/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “President Donald Trump will meet Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday [10-18-18] as the White House struggles to contain a spiraling crisis over a journalist’s apparent death at a Saudi consulate. Trump stressed Wednesday [10-17-18] that he does not want to abandon Riyadh as it comes under increasing pressure […]

Read More… from 10/18/2018

10/17/2018

MEDIA/SAUDI ARABIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “President Donald Trump said Wednesday [10-17-18] that his administration has asked for any video or audio intelligence from Turkey’s investigation into the disappearance of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, who Turkey says was killed at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul…Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist who had been critical of Crown Prince Mohammed […]

Read More… from 10/17/2018

10/16/2018

MEDIA/MIKE POMPEO/SAUDI ARABIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “The Trump administration pushed back on Tuesday [10-16-18] against rising condemnation of Saudi Arabia and showed support for its crown prince, who has been linked to the disappearance and possible murder of a leading dissident journalist inside a Saudi consulate in Turkey. In his strongest language to date over the […]

Read More… from 10/16/2018

10/16/2018

MEDIA/SAUDI ARABIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “A Saudi mission that resulted in the apparent death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul was organized by a high-ranking officer with the General Intelligence Presidency, Saudi Arabia’s main intelligence service, three sources familiar with the case told CNN. One of those sources described the officer as close to the inner […]

Read More… from 10/16/2018

10/15/2018

MEDIA/SAUDI ARABIA/SUPREME COURT/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “President Donald Trump Tuesday [10-16-18] criticized rapidly mounting global condemnation of Saudi Arabia over the case of missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi, warning of a rush to judgment. In an interview with The Associated Press, Trump compared the situation to the allegations of sexual assault leveled against Supreme Court Justice Brett […]

Read More… from 10/15/2018

10/15/2018

SAUDI ARABIA/STATE/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “Just spoke to the King of Saudi Arabia who denies any knowledge of whatever may have happened ‘to our Saudi Arabian citizen.’ He said that they are working closely with Turkey to find answer. I am immediately sending our Secretary of State to meet with King!” -Donald Trump, Twitter.com, October 15, […]

Read More… from 10/15/2018

10/13/2018

PRISONER/RELIGION/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “Big day! Pastor Andrew Brunson, who could have spent 35 years in a Turkish prison, was returned safely home to his family today. Met in Oval Office, great people! Then off to Kentucky for a Rally for Congressman Andy Barr. Tremendous crowd & spirit! Just returned to White House.” -Donald Trump, Twitter.com, […]

Read More… from 10/13/2018

10/13/2018

PRISONER/RELIGION/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “There was NO DEAL made with Turkey for the release and return of Pastor Andrew Brunson. I don’t make deals for hostages. There was, however, great appreciation on behalf of the United States, which will lead to good, perhaps great, relations between the United States & Turkey!” –Donald Trump, Twitter.com, October 13, […]

Read More… from 10/13/2018

10/13/2018

PRISONER/RELIGION/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “Pastor Andrew Brunson, released by Turkey, will be with me in the Oval Office at 2:30 P.M. (this afternoon). It will be wonderful to see and meet him. He is a great Christian who has been through such a tough experience. I would like to thank President @RT_Erdogan for his help!” –Donald […]

Read More… from 10/13/2018

10/13/2018

GUNS/MEDIA/SANCTIONS/SAUDI ARABIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “President Donald Trump says he doesn’t want a $110 billion arms deal he brokered with Saudi Arabia to unravel over allegations the Gulf kingdom murdered a journalist at its consulate in Turkey. But his comments are missing the mark on a key fact: Saudi Arabia has so far only followed through […]

Read More… from 10/13/2018

10/13/2018

PRISONERS/RELIGION/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “President Donald Trump touted the release of Pastor Andrew Brunson while speaking at a rally in Lebanon, Ohio, on Friday [10-12-18] night…Brunson was released by a Turkish court on Friday, two years after he had been detained and charged with helping to plot a coup against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Earlier […]

Read More… from 10/13/2018

10/12/2018

MEDIA/SAUDI ARABIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “Donald Trump may be positioning himself, and by extension the American people, yet again, on the wrong side of another profound moral divide — defending an utterly criminal regime in the Middle East to which he plighted his troth from the earliest days of his presidency — the kingdom of Saudi […]

Read More… from 10/12/2018

10/12/2018

PRISONER/RELIGION/SANCTIONS/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “When a Turkish court released American Andrew Brunson after two years of confinement, it was a profound moment for Christian evangelicals, who had made the pastor a symbol of religious persecution worldwide. In Brunson’s case and others, they had prayed for deliverance. And President Donald Trump, they said, delivered. Trump on Friday […]

Read More… from 10/12/2018

10/12/2018

MEDIA/SAUDI ARABIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “President Donald Trump told reporters on Friday [10-12-18] that he has not talked to Saudi Arabia’s King Salman but will call the royal leader soon, as questions mount about the disappearance of prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. A delegation from Saudi Arabia has now arrived in Turkey as part of a […]

Read More… from 10/12/2018

10/12/2018

PRISONER/RELIGION/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “President Donald Trump on Friday [10-12-18] said he hoped U.S. Christian pastor Andrew Brunson would be home safe soon, shortly after a Turkish court ruled to release him after a two-year detention…A Turkish court passed a 3-year and 1-1/2 month sentence on Brunson, who had been charged with terrorism offenses, but said […]

Read More… from 10/12/2018

10/12/2018

CONGRESS/MEDIA/SAUDI ARABIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “Sword dancers. Gleaming palaces. Military jets streaming red, white and blue trails. President Donald Trump soaked up the grandeur of Saudi Arabia on his first foreign stop as president last year and envisioned huge benefits for the United States in building closer ties with the repressive and oil-rich desert kingdom. Now, […]

Read More… from 10/12/2018

10/11/2018

RELIGION/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “US officials believe they’re on the verge of securing the release of Andrew Brunson, the American pastor jailed by Turkey on accusations he helped plot a coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, according to a source familiar with the matter. The source cautioned that US officials are counting on Turkish officials to […]

Read More… from 10/11/2018

10/11/2018

GOP/MEDIA/SAUDI ARABIA/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TURKEY: “The suspected murder of a prominent Saudi journalist exposed a growing rift on Thursday [10-11-18] between the White House and Congress over American policy on Saudi Arabia, as Republican lawmakers demanded an investigation of Jamal Khashoggi’s whereabouts even as President Trump declared his relations with Riyadh ‘excellent.’ The Saudi-led, United States-backed […]

Read More… from 10/11/2018

10/11/2018

FOREIGN POLICY/JARED KUSHNER/MEDIA/MIDDLE EAST/SAUDI ARABIA/TURKEY/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “President Donald Trump and Jared Kushner are learning that hyper-personalized family diplomacy and throwing in their lot with foreign strongmen can come at a damaging political price. The disappearance and possible murder of the US-based dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul is primarily a […]

Read More… from 10/11/2018