“[I]rritation with the directions of Turkish policy seems to be one of the few areas that Republicans and Democrats come together… I expect more punitive measures, especially if the current crisis is unresolved.”
“Some inside the regime see [lawyer and prospective presidential candidate] Khaled Ali as somebody who could mobilize public opinion, who has a public profile. They want to make a move that would disqualify him from running.”
“Getting rid of the mayors might bring fresh blood, but it is more likely to be Erdogan loyalists, which doesn’t solve the basic problem of demonstrating to wavering supporters that the AKP can still connect with their needs and concerns.”
“[R]elations with the US are likely to grow more rather than less tense. Trump’s protestations of goodwill won’t change basic divisions over Syria. And they are likely to sharpen…Congressional determination to intervene in US-Turkish relations.”
“The alliance between Houthis and Saleh is officially over and it will only get worse. The result of this conflict will determine the future of Yemen… Get prepared for another humanitarian disaster.”
“If the Trump administration truly wanted to send a strong signal to Sisi’s government on human rights, they could have used the authority in the law to cut [instead of delaying] this $195m in military aid to Egypt.”
“The charges are themselves are absurd. Targeting foreigners has become part of Turkey’s strategy for pressuring Western powers. Although the Trump administration has prioritized the Brunson case, there are many Americans detained.”
“This is an alliance of convenience to get rid of common enemies. It lasted this long only because of the Saudi-led military intervention. The alliance was never sustainable because Saleh and Houthis are enemies and they never trusted each other.”