Jigs
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-Congress Asks Obama to Challenge Turkey over New Ties with Iran and Hamas | Before It's News
Members of Congress recently sent a bipartisan letter to President Obama concerning Turkeys new ties and support of Iran and Hamas.
Turkey has been a major ally of the US and Israel and a part of NATO since the end of WWII. Congress is calling on the President and his administration to confront Turkey over some of their recent actions.
Now the formerly secular government seems to be drifting towards radical Islam under PM Erdogan and recently completed treaties with Iran and Syria. Now Turkey is turning away from Israel and offering open support for Hamas.
Turkey recently showed their real colors by opposing sanctions for Iran and by their recent involvement and support of Palestinian flotillas trying to break the Israel weapons blockade of Gaza. In the midst of that confrontation they recalled their ambassador from Israel and sent Israeli ambassador packing.
Leaders in Congress are wondering if the US should continue to give Turkey military support and weapons in light of this new alignment. They are asking the President and his administration to address and confront Turkey over some of these issues.
Rep. Mike Pence observed:
The complicity of Turkey in launching a flotilla to challenge the blockade in Gaza, the ensuing violence that occurred, the grievous loss of life is deeply troubling to those of us who have supported the U.S. Turkish alliance in the past. Turkey needs to decide whether its present course is in its long-term interest.
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates responded to Congressional concerns:
Ill be honest, I was disappointed in Turkeys decision on the Iranian sanctions. That said, Turkey is a decades-long ally of the United States and other members of NATO. Turkey continues to play a critical part in the alliance. We have a strong military-to-military relationship with Turkey. We obviously have facilities in Turkey. So allies dont always agree on things.
Members of Congress recently sent a bipartisan letter to President Obama concerning Turkeys new ties and support of Iran and Hamas.
Turkey has been a major ally of the US and Israel and a part of NATO since the end of WWII. Congress is calling on the President and his administration to confront Turkey over some of their recent actions.
Now the formerly secular government seems to be drifting towards radical Islam under PM Erdogan and recently completed treaties with Iran and Syria. Now Turkey is turning away from Israel and offering open support for Hamas.
Turkey recently showed their real colors by opposing sanctions for Iran and by their recent involvement and support of Palestinian flotillas trying to break the Israel weapons blockade of Gaza. In the midst of that confrontation they recalled their ambassador from Israel and sent Israeli ambassador packing.
Leaders in Congress are wondering if the US should continue to give Turkey military support and weapons in light of this new alignment. They are asking the President and his administration to address and confront Turkey over some of these issues.
Rep. Mike Pence observed:
The complicity of Turkey in launching a flotilla to challenge the blockade in Gaza, the ensuing violence that occurred, the grievous loss of life is deeply troubling to those of us who have supported the U.S. Turkish alliance in the past. Turkey needs to decide whether its present course is in its long-term interest.
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates responded to Congressional concerns:
Ill be honest, I was disappointed in Turkeys decision on the Iranian sanctions. That said, Turkey is a decades-long ally of the United States and other members of NATO. Turkey continues to play a critical part in the alliance. We have a strong military-to-military relationship with Turkey. We obviously have facilities in Turkey. So allies dont always agree on things.