Turkey
Turkish media has been discussing U.S. bases after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s statement in a Dec. 15 interview that “if it needs to be shut down, we will shut down Incirlik [Airbase]. If it needs to be shut down, we will shut down Kürecik [Radar Station].”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan says he’ll seek his parliament’s support to send troops to Libya following a request from the U.N.-backed government in Tripoli.
Mashaal stepped down as Hamas leader in 2007, but Qatar and Turkey are reportedly supporting his bid to return to the post in the terror group’s elections this year.
The “Promoting American National Security and Preventing the Resurgence of ISIS Act” would sanction Turkey for purchasing Russian surface-to-air missiles, as well as prohibit the United States from selling Turkey F-16 or F-35 fighter jets.
Israel opposes the deal, though it’s unlikely to lead to conflict with Turkey • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will travel to Greece to finalize plans for a pipeline to export natural gas to Italy.
The planned gas pipeline is projected to meet 10 percent of Europe’s natural-gas demand • Move comes amid rising tensions with Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) led the effort to end the decades-old embargo, originally intended to prevent an arms race between the Greek and Turkish parts of Cyprus.
Israel is “extremely concerned” that Turkey is allowing Hamas terrorists to plan and direct attacks against Israeli civilians from its soil.
The upper chamber unanimously passed the measure recognizing Turkish massacre that took the lives of 1.5 million Armenians.
“If it is necessary for us to take such a step, of course, we have the authority,” says Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
“The Turks are trying to show that they are boss, and this is very worrying,” senior Israeli officials says according to Israeli media report.
It had been blocked before by Republican senators, reportedly at the request of the Trump administration, which has attempted to maintain good relations with Turkey.
