Turkey’s presidential spokesperson Ibrahim Kalı has announced that “Biden’s transition team is eager to develop a good relationship with Ankara.” But in “an unusual snub for a powerful NATO ally,” Biden has (at the time of this writing) flatly ignored Erdogan’s request for a phone call.
The Trump administration placed sanctions on Turkey over its purchase of Russian s-400 missiles. On the face of it, it seems unlikely that Biden would remove those sanctions:
In an interview last January, Biden called Erdogan an “autocrat,” criticized his actions toward the Kurds and said that the Turkish leader “has to pay a price.” He also suggested the U.S. should support Turkish opposition leaders “to be able to take on and defeat Erdogan. Not by a coup, but by the electoral process.”
Turkey’s enthusiasm about a healthier relationship with the US may be premature.
“Turkey urges ‘review’ of US sanction decision over S-400s,” Al Jazeera, January 14, 2021:
Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar has called on the upcoming Biden administration in the United States to engage in a dialogue with Ankara and to review a decision to sanction the country over its purchase of an advanced Russian air missile defence system.
“We are saying let’s not break things up in this way. Let’s sit down and talk and find a solution,” Akar said on Wednesday.
That request comes even though Washington has made clear that there can be no waiver of the sanctions until Ankara disposes of the Russian technology.
Speaking to reporters late on Wednesday, Akar would not be drawn into a question on whether Turkey would consider disposing of the Russian S-400 system amid US pressure. But he said he was hopeful that a solution can be found “through common sense before coming to that point”.
“It is a very problematic situation to turn back from the point we have come to. We invite [the US] to distance themselves from threatening language such as sanctions,” Akar told journalists in Ankara.
“We want the solution of problems through dialogue. If the US side wants a solution, a solution could be found with work on the technical level,” he said.
Second consignment of the S-400s?
Akar also said talks with Russia on acquiring a second consignment of the S-400 were continuing.Ties between the two allies took a turn for the worse when in April 2017, Turkey signed a contract with Russia to acquire the state-of-the-art missile shield….
mortimer says
A ‘healthier’ relationship with Biden simply means that Turkey may in future act belligerently and aggressively without US interference and without consequences. Turkey will also increase their internal crackdown on dissidents … something Biden and his crew want to do in the US.
Heaven help us if we disagree in public or in private with the Biden administration … the corrupt Bidens.
Walter Sieruk says
In the future President pretender Joe Biden will be a blessing as well as good news for and to the committed jihad -minded president of Turkey Erdogan, and also a blessing to the other aggressive and hostile Islamic countries that despise Israel ,America and the other Western countries .
By contrast. the future President imposter Biden will be a cruse and disaster to Israel ,the USA and the other Western nations,
So in the future, bogus President Biden and his administration will be a catastrophe and calamity for America that it will no longer be said “God Bless America” but instead people will say “Please God, have mercy on America.”
curious george says
?
Right on Walter.
This is the calm before the storm. Batten down the hatches, the worst is yet to come.
somehistory says
In the photo above, which creep is shaking hands with the devil?
Snakes eat bunny rabbits after the bunny keeps the snake warm through the winter cold. Snakes cannot keep warm on their own as they are cold-blooded.
er-snake-a-wan is very cold-blooded and has bloodied hands.
biden is a slimy crook; and his henchmen/henchwomen are out to take away the freedoms that God gave us, and that the Founders promised the government would protect.
And I can answer for the turkey…”NO.” “No, we won’t get rid of the russian weapons; and what is more, we will get more of them and use them against the U.S. when we decide to act.”
St. Croix says
LOL, somehistory, don’t hold back!
Notice in the photo, the practiced smile of one (the same smile I’ve seen him take off immediately as he turns away from the podium), and the grim glum sourpuss of the other (at least he’s not faking).
Turkey will never concede anything, but they expect the whole world to bend to them.
jirtu says
It boggles the mind how America bends to the will of dictator who is contemptuous of the Western world, has allied with NATO enemy Russia and is trying to establish an empire which would battle America and the Western world. America should take lessons from Israel. Israel has done the Bronx cheer to recent Turkish moves to become friends. Why would America say “Yes, Sir” to every Erdogan demand when Turkey is broke and would become a fourth-world country in less than a year if Germany, Italy, Spain, and England stopped trading with it
jirtu says
I don’t know what it will take American presidents and administrations to perceive the dangers Turkey poses to the West.
1. Erdogan went into bed with Putin.
2. He bought the $4-billion missile system from Russia.
3. Russia is building a couple of nuclear reactors in Turkey.
4. Erdogan made shambles of much of Middle East countries (Syria, Iraq, Libya)
5. Erdogan encouraged Azerbaijan’s Aliyev to attack Armenia and provided NATO-trained generals and other Turkish officers to direct the war. When the Azeri forces beheaded Armenian POWs, Erdogan didn’t stop them.
6. Erdogan threatens Greece and Cyprus.
7. It’s hard to find an European nation/leader who hasn’t been insulted by Erdogan.
8. In the presence of his assistants, Erdogan threw Trump’s letter into the garbage contemptuously.
9. Broke the Iran sanctions to the tune of billions of dollars.
10. He and his sons stole Iraqi and Syria oil and architectural artifacts.
11. Threatened Europe (and now receives) with sending refugees to Europe unless the EU paid him billions of dollars.
12. Corrupt Trump wouldn’t hurt Turkey because Trump owned properties in Turkey and shares of more than 100 businesses.
curious george says
“We all hear that the president is not above the law, but Congress is not above the law: When Congress impeached the president earlier this week, they committed six independent violations of the Constitution,” Dershowitz told “Saturday Report.”
https://www.newsmax.com/newsmax-tv/constitutional-alan-dershowitz-free-speech-violations/2021/01/16/id/1005883/
somehistory says
But, he also said they can’t be sued for what they did that was unconstitutional.
Breaking the law and lying on the “floor” of Congress actually does kind of put them “above the law,” as far as the citizen is concerned.
If the citizen lies to Congress, that one can be prosecuted. If a senator or rep lies, well, it’s just par for their course.
Kind of like two separate laws…one for us and one for them and they don’t have to be obedient.
Infidel says
Critical as I am of Biden, if he decides to give Erdogan the cold shoulder, I’ll give him due credit on that for being better than Trump at least in this one aspect. (Doesn’t mean I’ll switch sides, just that I’d give credit where credit’s due, even if his motivation is that it’s the opposite of what Trump did)
mortimer says
CORRUPT BIDENS:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9jABGnZf98
Walter Sieruk says
This Biden/Erdogan alliance is alliance is a recipe for a cartstrope.
This photograph of those two sinister characters ,Biden and Erdogan, standing next to each and joining hands together is a firm reminder the the Bible informs its reader “Though they join hand, the wicked shall not go unpunished” Proverbs 11:21. [K.J.V.]
Walter Sieruk says
This European Union declaration of fully restoring that old Obama/Iran nuclear “deal” is a omen of a coming catastrophe.
Brian Hoff says
The sanctions againt Turkey will be drop.
gravenimage says
Of course “Brian Hoff”–really, “DefenderofIslam”–is salivating over Biden’s enabling of violent Islam. *Ugh*.
Kay says
gravenimage,
This is off-topic, but I am writing for your advice. The weight of the world is getting to me. I have not even read this site for some time but I remember that your comments have always been both informed and kind.
(I also know many other commenters here are highly knowledgeable.)
Anyway, I wish I knew more history.
With the current situation of censorship and narratives, I am wanting to get some books (real paper printed books) in my possession that have accurate history. Obviously I can’t own a library, but if there are just a few good resources you can recommend, I would appreciate it.
Phil Copson says
“… He also suggested the U.S. should support Turkish opposition leaders “to be able to take on and defeat Erdogan. Not by a coup, but by the electoral process….”
———————————————————————————————————————
“Not by a coup, but by the electoral process….” ???
As Biden has just abundantly demonstrated, to his mind that’s “a distinction without a difference….”
OLD GUY says
Erdogan is a dangerous dictator and Biden is a fool, guess who wins.
Crusades Were Right says
“Turkey” is a threat to Christian nations that border it (and even ones that are further away.)
How about Western countries RECOGNIZE that fact and then…
…DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!
(Before it’s too late!)
Crusades Were Right says
“Turkey” is a member of NATO, a military alliance that is primarily concerned with containing Russia…
…and also a recipient of missiles from Russia.
Presumably Mr Putin does not envision these missiles being used against Russia… so I guess it’s time for “Turkey’s” neighbours to figure out which of them is about to get the “Armenia” treatment…
…assuming, of course, it’s not Armenia again!
..
Crusades Were Right says
“‘healthier’ relationship”
The only “healthy” relationship that can exist between “Turkey” and a Christian country is one based on DISTANCE…
…the greater the distance, the “healthier” the relationship! (See Armenia, Greece, Cyprus, etc, for details.) lol