Free Republic

German defense manufacturing company Heckler & Koch will stop providing arms to Turkey. “We only want to deliver to reliable countries, also not countries that are unequivocal democratic, not corrupt, and are part of NATO or close to NATO,” an anonymous employee of the organization told the German newspaper Die Welt. Turkey as a result was removed from the customer list. The change of strategy was justified by the fact that exporting permits to human rights violating countries is difficult or nearly impossible, and also to prevent negative headlines in the media. “The moral criticism of such exports can be...

On Feb. 14, 1979, less than one month after the shah of Iran’s exile, the U.S. Embassy in Tehran was overrun by Iranian militants. Within hours, it was returned to U.S. hands. Now on notice that our diplomats were stationed on a vulnerable outpost in a sea of anti-Americanism, the Carter administration considered, but rejected, closing the embassy. In October, President Carter permitted the shah – despised by Iranians and the regime that replaced his – to enter the United States. Days later, Iranians climbed the embassy gates again, took the Americans there hostage and demanded the shah’s return, beginning...

Snip ...These days, however, the U.S. and Turkey see eye to eye on very little. The two countries are at odds over Syria and the urgency of removing Syrian President Bashar Assad; over support for Syrian Kurds who, in contrast to the Turks, have proved to be reliable U.S. partners in the fight against Islamic State; over the territorial sovereignty of Iraq; and over continuing sanctions on Iran.Though American officials privately acknowledge that Mr. Erdogan is “erratic,” they have given the Turkish leader extraordinary leverage over U.S. policy. The U.S. fear is that public pressure will result in even less...

The U.S. is moving forward with plans to remove its Patriot missile defense systems from Turkey despite recent escalations in the region, including Iran testing a new long-range ballistic missile over the weekend. Iranian Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Hossein Dehqan announced on Sunday the successful test of the newest Iran-made long-range missile, dubbed the "Emad," or Pillar, that could likely reach Turkey. In addition, the Russians are playing a greater role in the Syrian civil war, raging along Turkey's border. Despite that, the U.S. is continuing with plans made in August to remove all Patriot missile defense systems from Turkey,...

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the alliance was ready to deploy troops in Turkey. Meanwhile, Ankara threatened to terminate the natural gas contract with Russia. According to Stoltenberg, the NATO army may appear in Turkey to protect the country from threats coming from the south. The statement was made against the background of reports of violation of Turkish airspace by Russian fighter jets. According to Stoltenberg, NATO is ready to protect all of its allies, including Turkey, from any threats. He added that the Russian operation in Syria was a "cause for concern," Pravda.Ru reports. Turkey has accused...