Pro-Palestinian Protesters Try To Storm Air Base Housing U.S. Troops In Turkey

Using gas bombs and water cannons, Turkish security forces disperse thousands demonstrating outside the US military base of İncirlik in Adana province in protest of the Israeli genocide campaign in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/nvH6mWxljM

— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) November 5, 2023

Reuters: Pro-Palestinian crowds try to storm air base housing U.S. troops in Turkey 

ADANA, Turkey (Reuters) - Turkish police used tear gas and water cannon as hundreds of people at a pro-Palestinian rally on Sunday tried to storm an air base that houses U.S. troops, hours before U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was due in Ankara for talks on Gaza. 

Turkey, which has stepped up its criticism of Israel as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has worsened, supports a two-state solution while hosting members of the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Since the Israel-Hamas war started, protests have erupted across the country. 

Earlier this week, the IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation, an Islamist Turkish aid agency, organised a convoy to travel to the Incirlik air base in the Adana province in southern Turkey to protest Israeli attacks on Gaza and U.S. support for Israel.  

Read more .... 

Update: Turkish police tear gas pro-Palestinian protesters at air base (France 24)  

WNU Editor: It should be noted that this base also houses nuclear weapons .... What Biden said about nuclear weapons at İncirlik base and what he can do (Hurriyet Daily News).

Turkish President Erdogan Change His Opposition To Sweden Joining NATO After President Biden Promised A $11 - $13 Billion IMF Credit Line To Turkey

US President Joe Biden meets with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, July 11, 2023. (Reuters)  

Seymour Hersh: Fear And Loathing On Air Force One  

Biden’s anxieties over the Ukraine War and the election in 2024 come into view. 

Let’s start with a silly fear but one that does signal the Democratic Party’s growing sense of panic about the 2024 Presidential election. It was expressed to me by someone with excellent party credentials: that Trump could be the Republican nominee and will select Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as his running mate. The strange duo will then sweep to a huge victory over a stumbling Joe Biden, and also take down many of the party’s House and Senate candidates. 

As for real signs of acute Democratic anxiety: Joe Biden got what he needed before the NATO summit this week by somehow turning Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan inside out and getting him to rebuff Vladimir Putin by announcing that he would support NATO membership for Sweden. The public story for Biden’s face-saving coup was talk about agreeing to sell American F-16 fighter bombers to Turkey.  

Read more ....  

Update: Biden traded IMF aid for Turkish consent to Sweden’s NATO membership — journalist (TASS)

Update #2: Biden offered Erdogan IMF money to ratify Sweden NATO bid – Seymour Hersh (RT)  

WNU Editor: Russia provides billions of dollars in natural gas to Turkey on credit. Russia also permits the export of Ukrainian grain via through Turkey. Something tells me this relationship is now going to change since it looks like Turkish President Erdogan has decided to abandon his close ties to Russia for this promised IMF credit line from President Biden. 

A prediction. The IMF credit line is a stop-gap measure that will only last a short time. Turkey's medium and long term economic interests would be better served by developing energy ties with Russia that in the end would dwarf whatever the IMF could offer.

Turkey Angrily Rejects US Request That It Gives Ukraine Its S-400 Air Defense System

Military vehicles and equipment, parts of the S-400 air defense systems, are unloaded from a Russian transport aircraft, at Mürted military airport in Ankara, Türkiye, July 12, 2019. (AP Photo)  

Middle East Monitor: Turkiye rejected US proposal to send Russian S-400 defense system to Ukraine: Foreign minister  

Washington once proposed that Turkiye send to Ukraine the S-400 missile defense system it bought from Russia but which the US objected to, but Ankara refused this proposal, said the Turkish foreign minister. 

As it claimed the S-400 system had to exclude Türkiye from the F-35 fighter jet program, the US proposed to Turkiye that it give control of the system to the US or another country, including Ukraine, as it tries to fight off Russian forces, said Mevlut Cavusoglu.

"The US asked us to send the S-400s to Ukraine, and we said no," he said, explaining that these proposals were unacceptable as they sought to infringe Turkish sovereignty.  

Read more .... 

Turkey Angrily Rejects US Request That It Gives Ukraine Its S-400 Air Defense System  

Türkiye rejected US proposal to send S-400s to Ukraine: Top diplomat -- Daily Sabah  

Deploy S-400 To Ukraine; Turkish FM Says US Offered Multiple Proposals To Get Hold Of Russia’s Top Defense System -- EurAsian Times  

Turkey rejected US proposal to send Russian S-400 defense systems to Ukraine: FM -- Al Arabiya News  

Turkey rejects US proposal to give Ukraine S-400 system -- Kyiv Independent

Turkey Angrily Rejects US Request To Give Ukraine S-400 Air Defense System -- Zero Hedge

US Secretary of State Blinken In Ankara Putting The Squeeze On Turkey To Let Sweden And Finland Join NATO

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu are meeting in Ankara [Cagla Gurdogan/Reuters]  

Reuters: Blinken, in Turkey, urges speedy Nordics accession to NATO 

ANKARA (Reuters) -Washington strongly supports Sweden and Finland's quick NATO accession given steps they have already taken, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday, even as his Turkish counterpart stressed the need for more concrete action. 

Sweden and Finland applied last year to join the trans-Atlantic defence pact after Russia invaded Ukraine, but faced unexpected objections from Turkey. 

Ankara says Stockholm has harboured what Ankara calls members of terrorist groups. Turkey recently indicated it would approve only Finland for NATO membership.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: US urges Turkey to green-light Sweden and Finland’s NATO applications -- France 24  

Update #2: Blinken urges Nordics’ accession to NATO in Turkey visit -- Al Jazeera  

WNU Editor: Turkey has responded .... Turkey rejects links between NATO expansion, F-16 deal (AP).

U.S. Senators Call On President Biden To Delay F-16 jet Sale To Turkey Until Finland And Sweden Allowed Into NATO

Master Sgt. Tristan McIntire/40th Flight Test Squadron/DVIDS  

CNN: Senators call on Biden to delay F-16 jet sale to Turkey until Finland and Sweden allowed into NATO 

A bipartisan group of senators urged President Joe Biden to delay the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey until Turkey agrees to allow Sweden and Finland to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). 

The letter comes at a time when Sweden and Finland are waiting for Turkey to approve their admission to NATO, of which Turkey is a member. Congressional sources previously told CNN that the Biden administration was preparing to ask lawmakers to approve the sale of F-16s to Turkey, which would be among the largest arms sales in years. 

The group of 27 senators wrote in their letter on Thursday, however, that Congress “cannot consider future support for [Turkey],” including the sale of the F-16 jets, until Turkey “completes ratification of the accession protocols.”  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Turkey has responded .... Türkiye warns of ‘price’ if US fails to deliver long-sought fighter jets (Daily Sabah). More here .... Türkiye to choose another way if the US preconditions F-16 sale: Spokesperson (Hurriyet Daily News). 

U.S. Senators Call On President Biden To Delay F-16 jet Sale To Turkey Until Finland And Sweden Allowed Into NATO  

Senators want to block Turkey F-16 sale until NATO expansion succeeds -- Defense News  

US says F-16 deal contingent on Turkey’s support for NATO expansion -- France 24  

Senators say no F-16 upgrades for Turkey if it blocks Finland, Sweden from joining NATO -- The Hill  

Senator Van Hollen says no F-16s for Turkey if Sweden, Finland not admitted to NATO -- Al-Monitor

Senior Democrat Opposes White House Plan To Transfer Fighter Jets To Turkey

(Photo Credit : Turkish Air Force) 

 Politico: Menendez vows to block plan to sell fighter jets to Turkey 

The senator blasted Turkey's human rights record in a statement. 

The chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is vowing to continue blocking the transfer of warplanes to Turkey unless Ankara improves its human rights record and ceases threatening U.S. regional allies. 

The Biden administration is considering a $20 billion transfer of 40 U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets to Turkey and, separately, F-35 fighter jets for Greece, a development first reported by the Wall Street Journal on Friday and later confirmed by a person familiar with discussions who spoke to POLITICO on condition of anonymity. 

Such a deal would require congressional approval and for Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, to end his longstanding opposition to sending fighter jets to Ankara. 

But in a statement Menendez’s office drafted for the media and obtained ahead of time by POLITICO, the senator said he hasn’t changed his mind.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Biden Administration Faces Resistance to Plan to Sell F-16s to Turkey -- New York Times  

Update #2: Top Democrat opposes Biden administration plan to sell warplanes to Turkey -- FOX News  

Update #3: US Lawmakers Object To F-16 Fighter Jet Sale To Turkey Over Its 'antagonistic Actions' -- Republic World 

WNU Editor: This is a major sale .... Biden administration preparing $20bn F-16 deal with Turkiye (The Cradle).

U.S. Officials Say Turkey's Airstrikes In Syria 'Directly Threatened' US Troops

A view shows the aftermath after Turkish warplanes carried out air strikes, in Derik countryside, Syria November 21, 2022. (Reuters)  

Reuters: Turkish air strikes in Syria threatened safety of U.S. personnel -Pentagon 

ISTANBUL (Reuters) -Turkish warplanes carried out air strikes on Kurdish militant bases in northern Syria and northern Iraq on Sunday, destroying 89 targets, Turkey's defence ministry said, in retaliation for a bomb attack in Istanbul that killed six people one week ago. 

The strikes targeted bases of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia, which Turkey says is a wing of the PKK, the ministry added in a statement. 

Ankara has blamed Kurdish militants for the blast on Istanbul's Istiklal Avenue on Nov. 13 that killed six people and injured more than 80.

No group has claimed responsibility for on the explosion on the busy pedestrian avenue, and the PKK and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have denied involvement.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The Pentagon is miffed because Turkey did not inform US officials on who/what/and where they were bombing in Syria. 

I can understand why the Turks kept the US out of the loop. They probably felt that if they informed the US on who are their targets, the US would then just warn the Kurds. 

U.S. Officials Say Turkey's Airstrikes In Syria 'Directly Threatened' US Troops 

US military says American troops were at risk from Turkish strike on base in Syria this week -- CNN  

Turkey strikes near US base in Syria after Pentagon calls for de-escalation -- Al-Monitor 

US says NATO ally ‘directly threatened’ American troops -- RT

Turkey Accuses US For Being Complicit In The Istanbul Bombing. Rejects US Embssy's House Condolence Message

The U.S. Mission in Türkiye is deeply saddened by the explosion in Istanbul this afternoon. We extend our deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wish a speedy recovery for the injured.

— U.S. Embassy Türkiye (@USEmbassyTurkey) November 13, 2022

The Hill: Turkey alleges US complicity in deadly Istanbul bombing, rejects condolence statement 

Turkey’s interior minister accused the U.S. of being complicit in a recent bombing in the city of Istanbul on Sunday that left at least six people dead and dozens of others injured. 

 Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu rejected a statement of condolence from the U.S. during a press conference with reporters near the scene of the attack after authorities arrested a Syrian woman with suspected ties to Kurdish militants.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The reason why the Turkish government rejected the US Embassy's condolence message stems from US support of the Kurdish PKK. The PKK is regarded by Turkey as a terrorist organization. 

Turkey Accuses US For Being Complicit In The Istanbul Bombing 

Turkey rejects U.S. condolences over deadly attack in Istanbul -- Axios  

Türkiye does not accept US condolence over Istanbul terrorist attack: Interior Minister Soylu -- Anadolu Agency  

Turkey Says US Complicit In Istanbul Bombing, Rejects Condolence Message -- Zero Hedge

U.S. Condemns Turkey-Russia Deal To Form A Natural Gas Hub

Presidents Erdogan and Putin apparently agreed to turn Turkey into a gas hub. Credit: Turkish Presidency

Euractiv: Washington rejects Putin’s call to make Turkey Europe’s gas hub 

The US has reacted negatively to a proposal made by Russian President Vladimir Putin to turn Turkey into a gas hub for the EU. 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan recently backed the Kremlin’s idea of creating an international gas hub in Turkey and urged his government on 14 October to quickly present implementation plans. 

“We have continued to urge our allies to take steps to diversify their energy sources, to reduce energy reliance on Russia. And in the case of Turkey, we are working with them closely to assist in their own efforts to enhance energy security in the long term,” US State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel said on Wednesday.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: US Ratchets Up Pressure on Turkey Over Ties With Russia (Bloomberg)  

Update #2: U.S. Slams Turkey-Russia Deal to Form a Natural Gas Hub (Greek Reporter)  

WNU Editor: Erdogan is being squeezed by the U.S. to drop his contacts with Putin. But it also looks like he is ignoring US demands .... Erdoğan says he'll work with Putin to develop gas hub in Turkey (Business Insider). But what is really going to sour U.S. - Turkey relations will be this .... Turkey Asks Russia to Build Another Nuclear Plant, Defying US (Bloomberg).

Will President Biden Meet Turkish President Erdogan At The NATO Summit To Discuss Finland And Sweden's Bid To Join NATO?

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan meets with U.S. President Joe Biden during the G-20 leaders summit, Rome, Italy, Oct. 31, 2021. (AP Photo) 

Zero Hedge: Biden-Erdogan Meeting On The Table As Turkey Vows 'Won't Back Down' At NATO Summit 

The 2022 NATO summit in Madrid, Spain is set to kick off Tuesday and run through Thursday of this week; however, US officials say they don't expected Turkey's concerns over Sweden and Finland's membership bids to be allayed. 

One European diplomatic official told CNN that there's hope of "last moment" Turkish concessions: "My best projection based on what I've seen is that they will run this to the wire at Madrid. They also always prefer if they're going to make concessions to do it at the leader level, they believe that enhances that status," the unnamed official said. "It is Turkey's standard operating procedure not to give concessions till the last possible moment. And that last possible moment is usually defined as a bilateral with the US president, followed by a leaders meeting." 

Read more ....  

Update #1: Erdoğan, Biden may meet at NATO summit to discuss Turkey's concerns (Daily Sabah)  

Update #2: NATO summit will test Biden's resolve to defeat Putin and pressure Erdogan (FOX News)  

WNU Editor: Erdogan and Biden will only meet if an agreement is reached on Turkey lifting it's hold on Sweden and Finland from joining NATO. 

My prediction. 

They will meet for a few minutes, but the issue of Sweden and Finland joining NATO will not be resolved.

US President Biden Meets Turkish President Erdogan At The G-20

 

Axios: Biden raises missile purchase with Turkey's Erdoğan 

President Biden raised concern over Turkey's purchase of a Russian missile system in a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Sunday, per the White House, saying their respective countries need to find an "effective way" to manage disagreements.  

Why it matters: Relations between the two countries have been tested over issues like a threat to expel foreign envoys, including a U.S. ambassador, that Erdoğan has since walked back, and Turkey purchasing Russian-made weaponry.  

The backdrop: In 2019, Turkey received "the first group of equipment" from a Russian S-400 air defense system despite warnings from the U.S., which said the system could compromise the alliance's security.  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: President Biden sitting down to deal with Turkish President Erdogan .... I so wish I was a fly in that room.

On one side we have a President who has trouble reading the teleprompter and cue cards while suffering problems with memory loss. And on the other side we have an authoritarian President who does not listen to those who do not agree with him. 

Pity the diplomats (on both sides) who will have to deal with this. 

More News On US President Biden Meeting Turkish President Erdogan At The G-20

 Biden Meets Erdogan amid Simmering Tensions -- VOA  

Biden raises concerns over Russian missile system with Turkey's Erdoğan -- The Hill  

Biden talks F-16s, raises human rights at meeting with Turkey's Erdogan -- Reuters  

US-Turkey: Biden says Erdogan's request for F-16s has to go through process -- Middle East Eye  

Joe Biden kicks of second day of the G20 with face-to-face meeting with Turkish president Erdogan who he confronts over country's purchase of Russian missile system and pushes human rights -- Daily Mail  

Turkey, US agree on formation of joint mechanism to strengthen ties -- Hurriyet Daily News

Turkish President Erdogan Says US Proposed F-16 Sales In Return For Turkey's F-35 Investment

F-35 and F-16  

Bloomberg: U.S. Offering F-16s to Turkey as Reimbursement, Erdogan Says 

The U.S. has offered Turkey a fleet of upgraded F-16 fighter jets, according to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, potentially unlocking a standoff between the two NATO allies over a blocked order of more advanced F-35s. 

The offer is being made to reimburse Turkey for the $1.4 billion payment it already made for the canceled F-35s, Erdogan said at a press conference in Istanbul on Sunday. 

The move follows a formal request to the U.S. made by Turkey last month to purchase 40 new F-16 Block 70 aircraft from Lockheed Martin Corp. as well as 80 kits to modernize its existing fighters, two Turkish officials familiar with the matter said last week. 

The order was seen as a compromise after the U.S. blocked the F-35 purchase because of Turkey’s decision to buy an S-400 air-defense system from Russia. Turkey wants to solve the problem with the U.S. through dialog and “is working on reimbursement for the F-35 payment,” Erdogan said.  

Read more .... 

More News On Turkish President Erdogan Saying The US Proposed F-16 Sales In Return For Turkey's F-35 Investment

Turkey's Erdogan says U.S. proposed F-16 sales in return for its F-35 investment -- Reuters  

Turkey: US proposed to sell it F-16 fighters -- Defense News  

Turkey 'continuing talks' with US over F-35 payment, F-16 purchase -- Daily Sabah  

Turkey's Erdogan says US proposed F-16 sales in return for F-35 investment -- Jerusalem Post 

Erdogan says US may sell F-16s to Turkey -- DW  

Erdogan Says US Offered to Sell F-16s to Turkey in Return for Investment in F-35 Programme -- Sputnik

Erdogan Now Demanding The U.S. Pay $1.4 Billion For Kicking Turkey Out Of The F-35 Stealth Fighter Jet Program

This file photo shows an F-35 joint strike fighter, marked AA-1, landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California, on Oct. 23, 2008. (Photo: U.S. Air Force / Senior Airman Julius Delos Reyes)  

Axios: Turkey's Erdoğan criticizes Biden, asks for money back on F-35 

Fresh off his first visit with Vladimir Putin in over a year, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan accused a top Biden official of "supporting terrorism" and demanded the U.S. pay $1.4 billion for kicking Turkey out of a stealth fighter jet program.  

Why it matters: Erdoğan's belligerence and deepening cooperation with Russia is sending a key U.S. relationship in the wrong direction, serving up yet another foreign policy headache for President Biden.  

Driving the news: Speaking to reporters on his way back from Sochi, Erdoğan condemned Brett McGurk, the White House coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa and former anti-ISIS envoy, for allying the U.S. with Kurdish militias in Syria that Turkey considers a top threat to national security.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Turkey wants compensation for ouster from US-led jet program (AP)  

Update #2: Turkey Demands U.S. Deliver Fighter Jets or Return $1.4 Billion Payment for Them (Newsweek)  

WNU Editor: Turkish President has calculated that the benefits of buying weapon systems from Russia is worth having a troubled relationship with the U.S. .... Erdoğan believes S-400 purchase worth tensions with US (Daily Sabah).

President Biden Tells Turkish President Erdoğan That He's Planning To Recognize Armenian Genocide

CNN: President Biden told Turkish President Erdoğan he's planning to recognize Armenian genocide 

(CNN)President Joe Biden told his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Friday he plans to recognize the 1915 massacre of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire as a genocide, according to a person familiar with the conversation. 

Readouts from the White House and Turkish presidency did not mention the issue. 

The call was described by the person familiar as "tense." Bloomberg was first to report that Biden told Erdoğan of his intentions. 

CNN previously reported Biden was preparing to recognize the century-old atrocities against Armenians as a genocide, fulfilling a campaign promise. 

Biden's predecessors in the White House had stopped short of using the word, wary of damaging ties with a key regional ally. 

 Read more ....  

Update #1: Biden tells Erdogan he’ll recognize the Armenian Genocide – Bloomberg (Public Radio Of Armenia) 

Update #2: Biden Informs Incensed Erdogan Of Armenian Genocide Recognition In Friday Phone Call (Zero Hedge)  

WNU Editor: Both leaders are meeting in June .... Biden, Erdogan to hold meeting in June: White House (Anadolu News Agency).

President Biden To Formally Recognize The Armenian Genocide

 

CNN: Biden preparing to declare massacre of Armenians a 'genocide,' risking break with Turkey  

(CNN)President Joe Biden is preparing to declare the massacre of an estimated million or more Armenians under the Ottoman Empire a "genocide" this week, risking a potential fracture with Turkey but fulfilling a campaign pledge to finally use the word as President to describe the mass killings after a series of his predecessors stopped short. 

Two people familiar with the decision said the President was expected to make the declaration as part of an official statement on Remembrance Day, which falls on Saturday. 

Both said it was possible he would change his mind before then, and issue a statement merely recognizing the event without describing it as genocide.  

Read more .... 

More News On Reports That President Biden Will Formally Recognize The Armenian Genocide  

Officials: Biden preparing to recognize Armenian genocide -- AP  

Biden expected to recognize massacre of Armenians as genocide - sources -- Reuters  

Joe Biden set to formally recognize Armenian genocide, officials say -- The Guardian  

Biden to Declare Atrocities Against Armenia Were Genocide -- New York Times  

Biden expected to formally recognize Armenian Genocide: report -- The Hill  

Biden to Formally Recognize Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Empire, Reports Say -- Sputnik

US Imposes Sanctions On Turkey Over Its Purchase Of A Russian S-400 Missile System

The advanced S-400 Russian air defense system. (AA Photo) 

Daily Sabah: US sanctions on Turkish officials over S-400s come into force 

The United States' sanctions targeting some Turkish officials and institutions over the country's purchase of the advanced S-400 Russian air defense system will be in force as of Wednesday, the State Department announced late Monday. 

"The Secretary of State has determined, pursuant to the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act of 2017 (CAATSA), that the Turkish entity Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), formerly known as the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM), has knowingly, on or after August 2, 2017, engaged in a significant transaction with a person that is part of, or operates for or on behalf of, the defense or intelligence sectors of the Government of the Russian Federation," the statement said. 

Read more .... 

Update #1: US Hits Turkey with Sanctions Over Russian S-400 Missile System (Greek Reporter) Update #2: US Sanctions Turkey for 'Significant' Transaction With Russia, State Department Says (Sputnik) 

WNU Editor: A company and four of its top executives are being sanctioned. From my perspective that is not even a slap in the face.

Biden Administration Will Not Lift The Trump Administration’s Ban On Turkey Buying F-35 Stealth Fighters

An F-35 Lightning II assigned to the 34th Fighter Squadron at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, takes-off during Red Flag 21-1 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., on Jan. 26, 2021. USAF photo by Senior Airman Dylan Murakami. 

Defense One: Biden Extends Ban on Turkey Buying F-35 Stealth Fighter 

Pentagon spokesman urges Ankara “not to retain” an advanced Russian air-defense system. 

The Biden administration will not lift the Trump administration’s ban on Turkey buying F-35 stealth fighters, a punishment for Ankara’s 2019 purchase of a Russian air-defense system, a senior Pentagon official said Friday. 

“Turkey is a longstanding and valued NATO ally, but their decision to purchase the S-400 is inconsistent with Turkey’s commitments as a U.S. and NATO ally,” Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said during a Friday afternoon press briefing. “Our position has not changed. The S-400 is incompatible with the F-35 and Turkey has been suspended from that program. We urge Turkey not to retain the S-400 system.” 

Read more .... 

Update #1: Biden’s Pentagon to Keep Turkey Out of F-35 Program (Air Force Magazine)

Update #2: Biden administration maintaining tough stance on Ankara over S-400s (Ahval) 

WNU Editor: Turkey will upgrade its F-16 fleet since it will not get the F-35 .... Turkey Prepares To Extend The Life Of Its Massive F-16 Fleet After F-35 Embargo (Warzone/The Drive)

Turkey’s Interior Minister Says US Behind 2016 Failed Coup

Interior Minister Soylu, middle, claims that EU was also enthusiastic over the coup attempt of 2016 [Murad Sezer/Reuters] 

Al Jazeera: Turkish minister says US behind 2016 failed coup: Newspaper 

US State Department calls the accusation by Turkey’s Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu ‘unfounded and irresponsible’. 

Turkey’s interior minister has accused the United States of being behind a 2016 failed coup that Ankara has blamed on a US-based Muslim preacher and businessman, Turkish daily Hurriyet reported, at a time when Turkey is seeking improved ties with its NATO ally. 

In a prompt response to the comments on Thursday, the US State Department said the accusation was “wholly false”. 

Read more .... 

Update #1: Turkish minister says U.S. behind 2016 failed coup: Hurriyet (Reuters) 

Update #2: Interior Minister Soylu claims US behind coup attempt in Turkey (Daily Sabah) 

WNU Editor: The US has rejected these claims .... US rejects Turkish minister's claim it was behind 2016 coup attempt (Middle East Eye). More here .... U.S. rejects Turkish minister's statement that U.S. was behind 2016 coup attempt (Reuters).

US Calls For The Immediate Withdrawal Of Russian, Turkish Forces From Libya

Haftar failed in his bid to wrest control of Tripoli last year, ultimately leading to stalemate with GNA (AFP) 

Middle East Eye: US calls on Turkey and Russia to 'immediately' withdraw forces from Libya 

The deadline for withdrawal of foreign troops and mercenaries passed on Saturday with no movement observed on ground 

The United States has called for the immediate withdrawal of Russian and Turkish forces from Libya after a United Nations-mandated deadline for them to leave was left unanswered. 

Under a United Nations-brokered ceasefire signed in October last year, foreign troops and mercenaries were mandated to pull out of Libya within three months. 

That deadline passed on Saturday with no movement to leave announced or observed on the ground. 

Read more .... 

Update #1: US calls for withdrawal of Russian, Turkish forces from Libya (AFP) 

Update #2: US diplomat criticizes Russia, Turkey, UAE for intervening in Libya (Al-Monitor) 

WNU Editor: Here is an easy prediction. Both Turkey and Russia are going to ignore this U.S. demand. But this does signal a more aggressive stance by the Biden administration against Turkey.

Will The Biden Administration Sanction Turkey Over Its Purchase Of The Russian S-400 Missile DEfense System?

S-400. Sputnik  

Reuters: Turkey again calls for joint U.S. study on Russian S-400 systems 

 ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey is ready to discuss U.S. concerns about the technical compatibility of Russian S-400 defences and U.S.-made F-35 jets, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said Thursday, repeating Ankara's proposal for a joint working group with Washington on the issue. 

 U.S. President-elect Joe Biden is expected to be tougher on Turkey than was Donald Trump, particularly over its foreign and defence policies, and domestic human rights record. Biden could back U.S. congressional efforts to sanction Ankara over its purchase of the Russian S-400s missiles.  

Read more .... 

Update: Turkey Pleads For US To Rethink F-35 Program Suspension Before Biden Enters White House (Zero Hedge)  

WNU Editor: What also concerns Turkey are reports like this one .... US To Supply Stealth F-35 Jets, Originally Planned For Turkey, To Arch-Foe Greece: Reports (EurAsian Times).