Amnesty, HRW, PEN, Article 19 urge Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe to re-open monitoring of Turkey.

Amnesty, HRW, PEN, Article 19 urge Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe to re-open monitoring of Turkey.  (HRW).

Re: Addressing the serious deterioration of human rights in Turkey

Dear Assembly Member,

We are writing, ahead of the spring session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), to call on you to support the recommendation included in the report of the Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee) to reopen the monitoring procedure on the situation in Turkey until the grave concerns raised by the Rapporteurs are duly addressed by the Government of Turkey.

We believe that a decision by PACE to reopen the monitoring procedure would send a strong message to Turkey and indicate a commitment to holding the government and president accountable for their repeated failure to respect their obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights and as a member of the Council of Europe.

Only a decision to reopen full monitoring of the situation in Turkey would acknowledge the grave human rights violations documented in the country in recent years, including the severe restrictions on freedom of expression, association and assembly, the practice of torture and ill-treatment in detention, arbitrary detentions, prosecutions, dismissals, confiscation of passports and property, and continued violence and serious abuses in South East Turkey. It would allow for greater scrutiny by members of the Parliamentary Assembly and create a more appropriate forum to debate the actions the Turkish authorities should take to address the Assembly’s concerns. It would provide a recognition by the Assembly of the rapid deterioration since July 2016 of the functioning of democratic institutions and backsliding on human rights and the rule of law in the country.

Turkey is under a state of emergency imposed after a failed coup last July, allowing President Erdoğan to head the cabinet and rule the country by decree, with weakened parliamentary and judicial oversight.

Independent mainstream media in Turkey have been all but silenced, with over 160 media outlets and publishing houses closed down since July 2016, and around 150 journalists and media workers currently jailed pending trial. Over 100,000 civil servants have been summarily dismissed or suspended without due process and over 47,000 people have been jailed pending trial. They face charges of involvement in the coup plot and of association either with the Fethullah Gülen movement, branded a terrorist organization by the government, or with Kurdish political activism that the government considers is linked to the armed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Among those jailed are the two leaders of the opposition Peoples’ Democracy Party (HDP) and 12 other members of parliament from the party.

Read the full story here.

Podcast : Adam Shatz talks to Joshua Landis on Syria War.: Trump reverting to the Obama doctrine

For the latest instalment of our podcast, @adamshatz spoke to @joshua_landis about the Syrian War, listen/read here: https://t.co/UahinsDP6B

— London Review (LRB) (@LRB) April 21, 2017

Ancient stone carvings in Turkey's Gobekli Tepe confirm how comet struck Earth in 10,950BC.

Ancient stone carvings in Turkey's Gobekli Tepe confirm how comet struck Earth in 10,950BC. (Telegraph).

Ancient stone carvings confirm that a comet struck the Earth around 11,000BC, a devastating event which wiped out woolly mammoths and sparked the rise of civilisations.

Experts at the University of Edinburgh analysed mysterious symbols carved onto stone pillars at Gobekli Tepe in southern Turkey, to find out if they could be linked to constellations.

The markings suggest that a swarm of comet fragments hit Earth at the exact same time that a mini-ice age struck, changing the entire course of human history.

Scientists have speculated for decades that a comet could be behind the sudden fall in temperature during a period known as the Younger Dryas. But recently the theory appeared to have been debunked by new dating of meteor craters in North America where the comet is thought to have struck.

However, when engineers studied animal carvings made on a pillar – known as the vulture stone – at Gobekli Tepe they discovered that the creatures were actually astronomical symbols which represented constellations and the comet.

The idea had been originally put forward by author Graham Hancock in his book Magicians of the Gods.

Using a computer programme to show where the constellations would have appeared above Turkey thousands of years ago, they were able to pinpoint the comet strike to 10,950BC, the exact time the Younger Dryas begins according to ice core data from Greenland.

The Younger Dryas is viewed as a crucial period for humanity, as it roughly coincides with the emergence of agriculture and the first Neolithic civilisations.

"If you consider that, according to astronomers, this giant comet probably arrived in the inner solar system some 20 to 30 thousand years ago, and it would have been a very visible and dominant feature of the night sky, it is hard to see how ancient people could have ignored this given the likely consequences."

The research is published in Mediterranean Archaeology and Archaeometry. Read the full story here.

Related.

More info on this story can be found here: The Vulture Stone of Gobekli Tepe: The World’s First Pictogram?

The 'desire' to buy the Russian S-400 Air defense system, another Blackmail plot from Turkish Dictator Erdogan?

The 'desire' to buy the Russian S-400 Air defense system, another Blackmail plot from Turkish Dictator Erdogan? (SP).

The Turkish leadership has indicated that Ankara is interested in purchasing the S-400 Triumf, one of the most advanced air defense systems designed and manufactured in Russia. Both nations stand to gain from the deal if it is finalized.

Defense analyst Mikhail Khodoryonok:

"The buyer will become attached to the country producing the weapon due to maintenance and professional training. Close military and technical cooperation will not allow Turkey to make aggressive political maneuvers against Russia. In addition, the purchase made by a NATO member will enhance the image of the Russian defense industry. It's hard to come up with a better ad," he told RIA Novosti.

Andrei Frolov, the editor-in-chief of Arms Export magazine, told RIA Novosti that Ankara is interested in enhancing its air defenses to protect itself from neighboring countries.

"Iran is Turkey's key opponent in the region. The Islamic Republic has a rather potent air force. At the same time, Iran is capable of protecting its territory from a retaliatory strike. Last year, Russia delivered four S-300PMU2 battalions to the country," he explained. "In addition, Ankara's relations with Damascus are tense to put it mildly. The Syrian government has long-range tactical missiles and short-range missiles, while Turkey's air defense systems are notoriously weak."

Although Turkey would benefit from adding the S-400 to its arsenal, Frolov expressed doubt that the deal would actually take place.

"Erdogan is more likely trying to pressure his partners in NATO by making these statements. He is essentially trying to blackmail them into selling European and American air defense systems under favorable terms," the defense analyst said. Read the full story here.

Video - ME Expert Elijah J. Magnier: 'Syria Cannot Counter Israel Now, Turkey’s switching position in Syria'.

Video - Syria Cannot Counter Israel Now, Turkey’s switching position in Syria. HT @EjmAlrai.

More from ME Expert Elijah J. Magnier, Al Rai Chief International and veteran War correspondent & analyst: EU, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya..Terrorism, CT. & Intl. SCUBA. HERE: Geneva talks doomed: Turkey’s changing position in Syria is pushing Russia into more aggression.

Turkish Human Rights Association IHD: "We are experiencing the worst period for human rights in Turkey".

Turkish Human Rights Association IHD: "We are experiencing the worst period for human rights in Turkey". (ANF).

IHD Co-chair Öztürk Türkdoğan: “We are experiencing the worst period for human rights. We are facing developments that never should have happened in a country that claims it’s democratic.”

Human Rights Association (Insan Hakları Derneği - IHD) Co-chairs Eren Keskin and Öztürk Türkdoğan met with the press in a breakfast in Cezayir Conference Hall. IHD Deputy Co-chair Gülseren Yoleri and Executive Committee members Mukaddes Şamiloğlu, Osman İşçi, Selahattin Okçuoğlu and Hatice Kalpaklı were also in the meeting.

IHD Co-chair Öztürk Türkdoğan called Turkey’s current situation an “autocracy” and said that Turkey is governed by a de facto presidential system. Türkdoğan pointed out that Turkey is being governed by an administrative model outside its constitution and added: “This actually shows that democracy has been shelved. We are experiencing the worst period for human rights. We are facing developments that never should have happened in a country that claims it’s democratic.”

Türkdoğan said IHD pushed for a democratic Constitution since the day it was founded, and added:

“Until the Constitution in Turkey brings freedom of expression and gender equality, until it solves the Kurdish issue, until it brings true freedom of faith and religion, it is not possible for us to support such propositions. The constitutional amendment proposed today will not only not solve these problems, but it will make them more chronic and turn the administration absolutely autocratic. We state once more that we don’t support this. Other than the eclipse of reason, we are talking about an absolutely irrational constitutional amendment. This is a group of people pushing their political stance on all of us.”

Türkdoğan also pointed out the following: “The dialogue started, but it never could turn into negotiations. On one hand, there is the ongoing war, and on the other, there are the amendments that will guarantee the administrators themselves. The most important issue Turkey is facing is the Kurdish issue. The political power doesn’t want there to be a discussion on peace. This is unacceptable. Thus, we have to continue talking about peace under such conditions. In this sense, we will continue our efforts.

Do you know that there are 12 soldiers and police officers PKK is holding hostage now? The President announced this as 31. The detention time for these people is getting longer and longer. There is no explanation on this matter by the political power. Think of a country that is as insensitive as this about their own officers. We have shown initiative to ensure these people are released and a return to peace.”

“Currently, we are under the State of Emergency rule. It is pretty unlawful. Definitions outside our punishment and discipline legislation were brought in with the Statutory Decrees. The political power can define whatever framework they want,” said Öztürk Özdoğan and stressed that the Council of Europe should object these Statutory Decrees. Türkdoğan added that the tolerance the Council of Europe shows Turkey causes an increase in rights violations.

Türkdoğan also touched upon the detentions and arrests targeting the Peoples’ Democratic People (Halkların Demokratik Partisi - HDP) and Democratic Regions Party (Demokratik Bölgeler Partisi - DBP) and said: “There are close to 5 thousand arrested politicians. In Turkey, if you are aligned with the governing party, there is the will of the people, but if you’re in the opposition, there is no will of the people. The will of the Kurd is void, but the will of AKP voters is valid.” Türkdoğan stated that the pressure on the Kurdish politicians should be lifted.

Türkdoğan also spoke on the referendum process and said they foresee that the referendum will be held under strict “security” precautions with police and soldiers stockpiled. Türkdoğan warned that these extreme precautions may be provocative and stated that they will be election observers as an association in places with their branches and representatives, and that they will invite international committees.

Türkdoğan said the election process should be observed and added: “What we want is the referendum to be held in an atmosphere of ballot safety, and the election observation obstacle to be lifted for NGOs.”

Speaking after, IHD Co-chair Eren Keskin pointed out the rights violations in prisons and said: “Especially, cameras are set up in women’s wards. They can’t even fulfill their private needs.” Keskin stated that the most fundamental problem in Turkey is militarism and continued: “Militarism doesn’t mean that the soldiers are in government. It means it is organized in every aspect of life. Up to now, I have never seen a period of time when militarism was so widespread in society.”


Türkdoğan answered the question “What will happen when the outcome of the referendum is Yes or No?” and said: “Turkey will enter a new era. The peace table will certainly be set up to solve the Kurdish issue. Because this is now imposing itself and has become an international problem. If the outcome is Yes, or if it’s No, Turkey’s new constitution will be written at the peace table. This constitution is a move by the government. I believe in Turkey’s peoples’ commitment to democracy.”

Putin: "Moscow is ready to return to South stream project, but only if "guarantees" are provided."

Putin: "Moscow is ready to return to South stream project, but only if "guarantees" are provided." (novinite).

Russian President Putin said on Thursday his country didn't feel offended about Bulgaria and other countries' decision not to carry through the South Stream gas pipeline project due to their lack of "manliness".

Meeting Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in Budapest, he said Moscow was ready to return to the project - abandoned in December 2014 - but only if "guarantees" were provided.

What several countries failed to show courage about was defying the European Commission, TASS news agency quotes Putin as saying.

The Russian President chose Hungary for his first state visit for 2017 and who on Thursday arrived to Budapest for the second time in two years, said projects such as South Stream should be completely "depoliticized".

Before departing for the visit, he had suggested the options to join either Turkish Stream or Nord Stream would remain open to Hungary.

The Bulgarian Black Sea port of Varna was the landfall of South Stream, once designed to carry 63 billion cubic meters of gas to Central Europe via Bulgaria and Serbia.

But Sofia froze the construction of the pipeline in the summer of 2014, after a warning from Brussels, and for months refused to issue construction permits for the offshore section that enters Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea. Putin then announced the project was considered to be over, pitching an alternative "Turkish Stream" instead.

The European Commission deemed South Stream incompatible with its Third Energy Package of liberalization, which unbundles gas supply from the ownership of the infrastructure, meaning Russia would have to allow other suppliers into the pipes.

Last week, a Russian official revived the issue of a "pipeline to Varna", as a second route of Turkish Stream, could be considered by Moscow if Sofia wanted to go for it.

His words followed months-long negotiations with Turkey over the Turkish Stream pipeline, which substantially reduced the project in scope compared to the initial idea, with Ankara being offered limited options to serve as transit destination.

Iraqi Pm Abadi: 'We will not fight the PKK or tackle Êzidîs'.

Cemil Bayik, Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) guerrilla group leader, in Iraq

Iraqi Pm Abadi: 'We will not fight the PKK or tackle Êzidîs'. (ANF).

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al Abadi spoke during the Security Commission meeting at the Iraqi parliament and stated that they would not fight the PKK and their Iraqi supporters, or tackle Êzidîs and intervene in political partisanship.

Goran Movement parliamentarian and Iraqi parliament Security Commission member Hoshyar Abdullah issued a written statement on the most recent commission meeting, and recalled Abadi’s statement that Turkey and Hewler are intimidated by the PKK.

Abadi reflected upon his meeting with Turkish officials and reportedly told them that Iraq would not fight the PKK and their Iraqi supporters, or tackle Êzidîs and intervene in political partisanship.

In his written statement, Hoshyar Abdullah noted that Abadi drew attention to the petroleum sales of the Kurdistan region and said “We are aware that the Kurdistan region is selling 20 percent of Iraqi oil. They sell 1 million-1million 300 thousand barrels of oil every day, why can they not paid the salaries of civil servants and peshmergas? The parties in the Kurdistan region are silent because they are complicit on this issue.”


Regarding the PKK and Shengal, Abadi reportedly said “Turkey and Hewler are scared of and intimidated by the PKK. Our policy is clear and we told Turkey that they cannot use our land for war. We also told them that we won’t fight the PKK and we are not concerned by them. We told them that we cannot tackle Iraqi PKK supporters and Êzidîs, or intervene in political partisanship.”

Russia and Turkey are planning to develop a full-scale military-technical cooperation.

Russia and Turkey are planning to develop a full-scale military-technical cooperation.(SP).

On December 12-14, Russia and Turkey held the first meeting of an intergovernmental commission on military-technical cooperation since resolving the crisis in bilateral relations.

"The discussions were constructive…showing a serious drive to establish full-scale military-technical cooperation," Kozhin told reporters in Moscow.

Iran Has Bought Russia’s Most Advanced Fighter Aircraft MiG-29.

Iran Has Bought Russia’s Most Advanced Fighter Aircraft MiG-29 . (IFP).

According to a report by Mizan, as translated by IFP, Abolfazl Hassanbeigi, the vice-chairman of Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, referred to the history of Iran’s plane purchase from the Soviet Union, and then Russia, and said, “Iran has purchased Sukhoi and Mikoyan MiG-29 fighters before.”

“MiG-29 is manufactured in three ranges. The first is sold to small countries; the second to Russia’s allies, and the third to the Russian Army,” he added.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has bought the same MiG-29 fighter jet that the Russian army possesses, namely the most advanced type.”

Elsewhere in his remarks, he further referred to the negotiations with China, Ukraine and Russia for joint manufacture of fighter jets.

“However, we haven’t bought Chinese aircraft because they were not as advanced as we expected them to be,” he noted, dismissing the reports about Iran’s secret negotiations with China about fighter aircraft purchase.

“Nothing can remain secret in today’s world. […] The world will naturally know and announce anything purchased or sold by Iran,” he added.


“As Iran is aware of the large number of weapons sold by Germany, France, China and the United-States to ISIS allies, others know about Iran’s deals as well,” Hassanbeigi went on to say.

Trump's Election Triggers Deep Concern in Europe & EU politicians fearing for their future.

Source

Trump's Election Triggers Deep Concern in Europe & EU politicians fearing for their future. (Spiegel).

The European Union is facing what the Americans like to call a "perfect storm." Russian President Vladimir Putin is pursuing expansionism on the back of violence and propaganda, Turkey is transforming into a dictatorship and populists are driving Britain out of the EU and have risen to power in Poland and Hungary -- and may soon take the reins elsewhere as well.

Two days after the US election, Europe finds itself gripped by a mixture of disbelief and desperation, only imperfectly masked by formulaic messages of congratulations sent to Washington. Chancellor Angela Merkel even made her cooperation with Trump dependent on his adherence to fundamental values. A German head of government admonishing a newly elected US president to uphold freedom, democracy, the rule of law and human dignity? Normally such a thing would be the height of impudence.

But almost nothing seems normal these days -- neither in European relations with the US nor elsewhere. Current events in Turkey, for example, would likely be the top issue of concern for the EU if it weren't for Trump's election. With the civil war still raging in Syria, Turkey plays a key role in European security, but the NATO country is sliding toward a dictatorship and the refugee deal with the EU is threatening to collapse. Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is doing booming business with Putin and even hopes to discuss buying a missile defense system with the Russian president.

With Britain's departure, the EU is losing its second-largest economy and a country with a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. Europe's economy remains unstable and right-wing populists are on the rise in France, the Netherlands, Austria and Germany -- and they are already in power in Poland and Hungary. The European Commission believes the same values Merkel admonished Trump to respect are under threat in Poland.

Many in Brussels are concerned that the EU is facing the same fate as the US -- namely that Front National leader Marine Le Pen could end up being elected president in France and that Frauke Petry, head of the right-wing populist party Alternative for Germany, could even take over the German Chancellery. Such a thing might seem unimaginable, but many thought that Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential elections was unimaginable too.

The anger that many voters feel against government institutions and the establishment, the anger that propelled Trump to the presidency, is also widely present in Europe. 

But nobody has yet found an answer for how to oppose it. The skepticism, she adds, isn't just fueled by concerns about having been left behind by globalization, but also by the desire to return to nationalist identity. Hmmm.......They all ignored the voters their complaints thought they could do without the voter now the time of reckoning is coming. Read the full story here.

Talks on prospects for Israeli gas export to Europe.

Source

Talks on prospects for Israeli gas export to Europe. (taz).

It's not going to be easy for Israel to break into any of the gas markets in regions surrounding it, Jim Krane, Middle East energy analyst, Rice University's Baker Institute, Houston, told Trend Oct.31.

The development of Leviathan and further expansion of Tamar gas field were put on hold by the principal license holder, Noble Energy of Houston, after the Israeli antitrust commissioner backed out of a deal under which Noble and its Israeli partner, Delek company, would sell off their interests in smaller undeveloped fields to avoid being labeled monopolists.

“In the meantime, Egypt has seized the initiative with its own mega-field,” said Krane. “Egypt's big discovery last year of the Zohr field has undermined Israeli hopes for exports to Egypt or use of spare Egyptian liquefaction capacity.”

Zohr field also reduces Israeli prospects for "gas diplomacy" with its gas-short neighbors, according to Krane.

Earlier, senior officials from Italy, Greece, Cyprus and Israel agreed to advance talks on a pipeline from Israel to Europe after an EU-sponsored study showed the project would be very feasible.

The study showed the pipeline, which would traverse Cyprus and Greece before reaching Italy, would cost about 5 billion euros ($5.5 billion). Read  the full story here, more here and Here.

Iranian Justice Minister Calls for Revision of efficiency of Death Penalty.

Iranian Justice Minister Calls for Revision of efficiency of Death Penalty. (IFPnews).

According to a report by ICANA, as translated by IFP, Iranian Justice Minister Mostafa Pour-Mohammadi said that death penalty can’t be removed, because there are corrupt people inside the country who can’t be corrected with any other type of punishment.

Therefore, he added, capital punishment should not be rejected given the Islamic law and numerous experiences of other countries.

However, Pour-Mohammadi noted, this type of punishment has not been effective in recent years, and should be revised.

The view is also accepted by the Iranian Judiciary, he said, adding that Judiciary officials are now looking for ways to punish criminals in the best and most effective way possible.

Capital punishment will remain on the Iranian Judiciary’s agenda, but it won’t be implemented as much as it is now.

The Justice Minister’s remarks came one month after 150 lawmakers signed a motion to stop execution of minor drug traffickers.

"Russian Campaign Saved Syria from Becoming Part of New Ottoman Empire": PYD co-chairman Saleh Muslim.

"Russian Campaign Saved Syria from Becoming Part of New Ottoman Empire": PYD co-chairman Saleh Muslim. (IFPNews).

Russia’s aerial campaign in Syria has reinforced Moscow’s positions among other countries and contributed to the multi-polarity in the world, Syria’s Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) co-chairman Saleh Muslim said.

“The Russian campaign in Syria has strengthened country’s positions in the world affairs. I believe, this was the end of the uni-polar world. We can talk about multi-polar world now,” Muslim said, as reported by Sputnik and covered by ISNA.

He added that Moscow’s aerial campaign had also changed Washington’s perception of terrorists, pushing the United States to change its stance with regard to several militant groups in the region.


According to the PYD co-chairman, Russia’s support of Syria prevented the Middle Eastern nation “from being cut into pieces and becoming a part of a new Ottoman Empire.”

Ankara said it wants to push at least 40km deep into Syria, it’s already showing signs that it may exceed this.

Ankara said it wants to push at least 40km deep into Syria, it’s already showing signs that it may exceed this. HT: offiziere.

The ongoing Turkish operation “Euphrates Shield“, launched on August 24 to keep both Islamic State (ISIS) and Kurdish forces off Turkey’s northwestern border, shares some important similarities to the 1982 Israeli Operation “Peace for Galilee” which are worth exploring and pondering.

There is one small distinction in this broad comparison: Israel used an attack by a non-PLO group against one of its ambassadors as the main justification for taking immediate action against the PLO. Turkey was actually attacked by ISIS. However, when Turkey went into Syria it was clear that its primary aim is preventing Syrian Kurdish forces, who haven’t leveled terrorist attacks against Turkey, from making any more advances in that region.

While it’s unclear how far Operation “Euphrates Shield” will go – Ankara incidentally has said it wants to push at least 40km deep into Syria to create a large buffer to keep the Syrian Kurdish Cantons of Kobanî and Afrin separate – it’s already showing signs that it may exceed its mandate of making a limited push into Syrian territory to occupy that country’s northwestern border from Jarabulus westward to Azaz.

Already extra Turkish tanks are reportedly entering Syria near the border at al-Rai, bringing the total number of Turkish tanks in Syria approximately to 80, where they may well punch further south to ISIS-occupied Al-Bab to head-off any advances by Syrian Kurdish-led forces in that area.

Such an advance would bring them at least 40km south from their border, putting them deeper into Syria’s war-wrecked Aleppo province, where just another 40km down the road from Al-Bab is the city of Aleppo, the largest battlefield in the Syrian war. Hmmm........Never , ever Trust a Turk. Read the full story here.

Related?

#Saudi Prince Bin Salman to officially visit #US administration on Monday

— Joumana Gebara (@JoumanaGebara) September 10, 2016

@allnews2nite @carrieksada @JoumanaGebara One word #Syria

— MFS - The Other News (@MFS001) September 10, 2016

Does the Turkey-Russia-Iran deal mean the end of the Kurdish independence dream?

Does the Turkey-Russia-Iran deal mean the end of the Kurdish independence dream? (Rudaw).

Russian President Vladimir Putin was one of the first world leaders to call his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan only hours after the July failed coup attempt, expressing his full support for Ankara and his government. That phone call became the basis for a new understanding. On his visit to Moscow this month, Erdogan explicitly told Putin that his phone call on the night of the coup provided a psychological boost for him.

  An understanding on resolving the Middle East crises, especially in Iraq and Syria, is fast coming into being among Turkey, Qatar, Russia and Iran. Saudi Arabia and the United States will not play a main acting role in this scene.  With regard to the US, the Obama administration seems intent on keeping out.

With built-up grievance and criticism against the West, Erdogan traveled to Moscow with a high-level delegation, where he had a day-long meeting with Putin and Russian officials.  There, it was decided that ties should return to where they were before they were soured by the shooting of a Russian fighter jet over Turkey, and that every aspect of relations should be better than ever before.

Soon after this Moscow visit, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif arrived in Ankara, where he and his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu warmly embraced more than once and were all talk of a new understanding between the two countries. According to Cavusoglu, most of the calls on the night of the coup were made to Zarif.

A day after Zarif’s visit, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim invited his country’s media for a conference where he told them: “If you see significant changes in the coming months in Syria, don’t be shocked and be prepared!”

Turkey feels it is imperative to find a way to come out of the diplomatic isolation it had recently faced. Turkish leaders expected great support and sympathy from their US and NATO allies in the aftermath of the shooting down of the Russian jet. But there was no such response. The refugee and migrant crisis only further complicated Turkey’s relations with Europe.

Like a wounded tiger, Erdogan is now after scoring politically against Europe and he sees no better field for that game than that of Russia. Not only has his luster for the EU vanished, even leaving NATO has now become a subject.

The shooting down of the Russian jet cost Turkey $10 billion and a 43 percent decline in its trade ties with Russia.

Russia for its part is seeking to fill the vacuum left by the US, particularly its nonintervention in Syria and a similar one in Turkey. It is Putin’s dream to weaken NATO at any cost and by any means, and Turkey is a good start both as a NATO member and as a corridor for Russian natural gas.

Above all, Russia and Iran must find a political settlement in Syria and save themselves from the giant expenditure they have undertaken in support of Bashar Assad’s regime. For this they need Turkey, and Ankara is more than happy to become part of this new equation and act as an envoy of the West.

The heart of the Turkey-Russia-Iran meetings is: Iraq and Syria’s territorial integrity, a political settlement for Syria, hitting ISIS and the Nusra Front (now called Jabhat Fateh Al-Sham), strengthening economic ties -- especially the energy sector -- and the establishment of a joint defense mechanism.

As far as the Kurds are concerned, this means they will be pushed back to their state of several years ago. In Turkey the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) will be compelled to return to the peace process and quit its dream of self-rule and violence.

In Syria, the Kurdish region will be seen as an inseparable part of that country: the autonomous Cantons will be dashed, entered into the political process and likely included in the Geneva talks. As a first indicator of this scenario, Salih Muslim, head of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), has already told Russian media that he is ready for friendly ties with Turkey.

This new Middle East alliance will similarly impress upon the Kurdistan Region the integrity of Iraq, and through Turkey they will apply pressure for the postponement of the referendum and Kurdish independence project. There will be pressure on Erbil to resume ties with Baghdad and keep the country’s stability. In return, Turkish companies will find themselves invited to the world of post-ISIS reconstruction.

Well-placed sources have revealed that the Iranians had told a visiting KRG delegation that the new deal with Turkey is of the highest importance because they see that as the only remaining hope for stability in the region, and that they are also against an independence referendum and a Kurdish state.

Turkey is willing to help Iran keep Iraq’s territorial integrity and Iran would do the same in Syria.

In realpolitik terms, central governments -- weak though they may be -- still have a say in their countries’ affairs and internationally they will be preferred over regional and non-state actors.

The fruit of this new rapprochement shall be seen in the next six months, and its work has already kicked off. The Ankara-Moscow operation room is active and in daily contact. Iraqi and Turkish delegations have also already met twice in a European country to normalize ties.

All eyes are now trained on the next six months because, as Iran’s Zarif said in a tweet from Ankara: “More cooperation for peace is ahead.”

Russian 'NUCLEAR WEAPONS' will not be stationed permanently at Khmeimim airbase in Syria.

Russian 'NUCLEAR WEAPONS' will not be stationed at Khmeimim airbase in Syria on a permanent basis. (RT).

Russia’s military base in Khmeimim, Syria, will be converted to make it a permanent site, a Russian senator has said. After various questions are agreed with the Syrian authorities, the base will have extended operational capabilities.

Moscow is committed to project its military power into Syria and transform the Khmeimim airfield into a full-fledged military base with a permanently deployed task force, Deputy Head of the Upper House Committee for Defense and Security Frants Klintsevich told Izvestia daily.

The task force currently deployed at Khmeimim “is sufficient, yet it could be expanded in accordance with bilateral agreements” with Syria, the senator noted.

The Khmeimim base requires renovation of its infrastructure, the installation of new stationary air traffic control systems and modernization of the airfield to enable it to accommodate all types of military aircraft, including strategic aviation.

“Nuclear weapons and heavy [strategic] bombers will not be deployed there on a permanent basis, because it would contradict international agreements and raise repudiatory ire,” Klintsevich said.

“When making a deal to stand together with the West failed, we [decided to] cement relations with regional players: Syria, Iran and Iraq,” Klintsevich said, stressing that Khmeimim air base will maintain the security of both Russia and its allies.

The Persian Gulf monarchies will most likely be displeased with President Vladimir Putin's decision to keep a task force in Syria permanently, torpedoing as it does their plans for the future of Syria and its president, Bashar Assad. Hmmmm......Nukes in Syria.....What could go wrong. Read the full story here.

Iran & Russia map out rival route to Suez Canal.

Iran & Russia map out rival route to Suez Canal. (IFP news).

A major project to foster trade connectivity through a less trodden path straddling a promising market is about to feature prominently in discussions when presidents of Iran, Russia and Azerbaijan meet in Baku on Monday.

The International North-South Transport Corridor (NSTC), a multi-model route to link India and the Middle East to the Caucasus, Central Asia and Europe, is being nurtured for significantly reducing costs and travel time and boosting trade.

“Our talks will focus on a flagship project – the International North–South Transport Corridor with a total length of 7,200 kilometers,” Russian President Vladimir Putin was quoted as saying on Friday.
“It aims to provide the best possible opportunities for transporting transit cargo from India, Iran, and the Persian Gulf states to Azerbaijan, the Russian Federation and further to northern and western Europe,” he said.

The NSTC concept was formalized by India, Iran and Russia in 2000 but it has not taken off in a big way yet. Western trade sanctions on Russia and Iran in recent years have provided a new impetus to put steam on the project.


Both Iran and Russia as well as Azerbaijan are seriously dependent on oil revenues which have sharply fallen due to the price collapse. The new transit route offers them a unique alternative to diversify their economy.

It also helps them as well as India and other regional countries reduce their dependence on traditional markets in the West where there is currently not much demand.

The corridor, instead, offers access to growing untapped markets in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
The ship, road and rail route connects India’s Mumbai to the Iranian port of Bander Abbas and further to Baku in Azerbaijan as well as Astrakhan, Moscow and St Petersburg in Russia before stretching to northern Europe and Scandinavia.

Besides Iran, India and Russia, countries that are on board to integrate into the transit network include Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Turkey, Tajikistan, Oman, Syria and Bulgaria.

“We believe that this cooperation serves the interests of the peoples of Iran, Azerbaijan, and Russia and, of course, the interests of the entire region,” Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has said.

According to Zarif, the countries were discussing the “final details” of the project.


Dry runs of the route were conducted in 2014, from Mumbai to Baku and Astrakhan via Bandar Abbas. Results showed transport costs had been reduced by $2,500 per 15 tonnes of cargo. Hmmm.....They have some great fiction writer at PressTv. . Read the full story here.

Turkish Army coup bid crumbles, at least 265 killed.

#TurkeyCoupAttempt: How it developed https://t.co/DFnEiqDAq1 #Turkey pic.twitter.com/Pq97LSyI1h

— RT (@RT_com) July 16, 2016

Detained #TurkeyCoup commanders pic.twitter.com/SNatfn1HJQ

— Joumana Gebara (@JoumanaGebara) July 16, 2016

Turkish Army coup bid crumbles, at least 265 killed.(AlAhram).

Reports; Former commander of #Turkish Air Force, General Akin Ozturk, said to be behind coup attempt in #Turkey pic.twitter.com/rbHIMonUEl

— Joumana Gebara (@JoumanaGebara) July 16, 2016

An attempted Turkish military coup appeared to crumble in the early hours of Saturday after crowds answered President Tayyip Erdogan's call to take to the streets to support him.

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Saturday 161 people, excluding putschists, were killed and 1,440 wounded in the coup attempt against the government. He added that 2,839 soldiers are now detained on suspicion of involvement.

Yildirim described the putsch bid as a "black stain" on Turkish democracy. He was speaking outside his Cankaya palace in Ankara flanked by top general Hulusi Akar who was held during the coup attempt.

Nearly 200 unarmed soldiers at the Turkish military headquarters have meanwhile surrendered as special troops are currently securing the complex, an official said. In addition, some 104 coup plotters were killed, the acting army chief General Umit Dundar said in televised appearance on Saturday.


Erdogan, who had been holidaying on the coast when the coup was launched, flew into Istanbul before dawn on Saturday and was shown on TV appearing among a crowd of supporters outside the airport, which the coup plotters had failed to secure.

The uprising was an "act of treason", and those responsible would pay a heavy price, Erdogan told reporters at a hastily arranged news conference. Arrests of officers were under way, and it would go higher up the ranks, culminating in the cleansing of the military, Erdogan added.




Gunfire and explosions had rocked both the main city Istanbul and capital Ankara in a chaotic night after soldiers took up positions in both cities and ordered state television to read out a statement declaring they had taken power.

But by early Saturday, Reuters journalists saw around 30 pro-coup soldiers surrender their weapons after being surrounded by armed police in Istanbul's central Taksim square.

They were taken away in police vans as a fighter jet repeatedly screeched overhead at low altitude, causing a boom that shook surrounding buildings and shattered windows. Hmmm........The army coup failed......The Islamist coup succeeded. 

The Nazi's had their Kristallnacht, the #Turks have their 'day of Democracy'. #IslamistDictatorship

— MFS - The Other News (@MFS001) July 16, 2016

#Erdogan's #democracy of hitting soldiers to death https://t.co/fJSfzzuCal

— Joumana Gebara (@JoumanaGebara) July 16, 2016

Kadyrov demands from Turkey to extradite Chechen terrorists gives list of names.

Kadyrov demands from Turkey to extradite Chechen terrorists gives list of names. (CaucasianKnot).

President of Turkey should decide on extradition of natives of Chechnya, involved in terrorism and hiding in his country, Ramzan Kadyrov has stated.

The message about this has arrived today at the SMS-service of the "Caucasian Knot". "Kadyrov in the Instagram asked Erdogan to give out the terrorists from Chechnya living in Turkey," wrote the author of the message.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on June 28, a terror act was committed at the Istanbul airport. It was reported that three explosions triggered by suicide bombers killed more than 40 persons and wounded 239 others.

Sources reported about detained natives of Dagestan, Chechnya and Azerbaijan.

According to Kadyrov, earlier in Ankara he "personally warned the Turkish Interior Minister Beshir Atalay about the threat posed by terrorists," but "the talk resorted to promises of extradition."

"If the Turkish authorities need data about terrorists, I call them once again. Write down:

1. Tarkhan Gaziev, 
2. Akhmad Umarov, 
3. Akhmad Pataev,  
4. Shirvani Basaev, 
5. Makhran Saidov, 
6. Rizwan and Usama Yakubov, 
7. Aslambek Vadalov, 
8. Movsar Chataev, 
9. Khadi Alaskhanov, 
10. Rustam Naurbaev, and their ideological mentor Movladi Udugov. 


They feel at ease on the 'Turkish coast'," Kadyrov wrote today on his page in the Instagram.

The Acting Head of Chechnya has noted that "the Turkish-Russian relations are returning to normal track," and that he "had once again asked the Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to decide on the extradition of terrorists."

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.

Source: http://eng.kavkaz-uzel.ru/articles/36131/