NikMorgan

Thank you as always for your time and thoughts @aykan_erdemir

Halkbank is the story that just won't go away for Erdogan. It is also quiet thorn in U.S-TR ties that if anything gets deeper each time it returns to the news cycle.https://twitter.com/ahval_en/status/1225079263050653696 …

Of the two, #Erdogan has to look more assertive for his domestic audience who worry about a refugee influx. #Putin will reserve any criticism of #Turkey for his emissaries to deliver but himself appear above any disagreements.

It's predictable at this point to know what #Turkey and #Russia will say in their press statements after a call. #Erdogan: Assertion of #Turkey's intention to protect its interests even w #Russia #Putin: "We're talking it out."

It's an easy narrative to sell if anything given Turkey's past dalliance with jihadists that opposed Assad. Russia's atrocities in Syria are in the news frequently enough and they deny them so casually they aren't an effective I/O riposte

Mustering so many fighters in such a short period of time is impressive, but only on the surface. Many are reportedly shanghai'd through training and sent to fight. Other Turkish measures like A2 and building functional air-fields are more important.https://twitter.com/LibyaReview/status/1224726512080998400 …

Blame is mostly on the regime but it is a marked shift in blame on #Russia for the situation in #Idlib. Albeit much more measured than what's been said by Erdogan. The tango goes on.

Turkish FM Çavuşoglu says agreements with Russia have been harmed (Guess Astana isn't dead despite RTE saying so) but in the same briefing emphasizes that Russian-Turkish relations are multi-dimensional.

Promises to oppose Assad's rehabilitation "The United States will do all in its power to block any reintegration of the Assad regime into the international community until it complies will all provisions of UNSCR 2254, including a nationwide ceasefire which incorporates Idlib."

Call for humanitarian access and aid "We call for an immediate ceasefire and full access to the affected areas by humanitarian organizations to alleviate the suffering of the hundreds of thousands that have fled the incessant bombing. "

"… as called for an UNSCR 2254, and the safe return of hundreds of thousands of displaced persons in northern Syria to their homes." Cont'd

On need for a ceasefire along the lines of UNSCR 2254 "The destabilizing actions of Russia, the Iranian regime, Hizballah, and the Assad regime are hindering the establishment of a nationwide ceasefire in Syria..."

"…We stand by our NATO ally Turkey against these actions, send condolences to the Turkish government on the death of their people, and fully support Turkey’s justified self-defense actions in response. We are consulting with the Turkish government on this matter." Cont'd

On the attack on #Turkey's forces "These attacks have also now killed multiple Turkish personnel serving at observation posts, which are positions in Idlib used for coordination and de-escalation.