NEWS FLASH

Senators To Obama: ‘Mount A Diplomatic Offensive’ Against Turkey | Seven U.S. Senators sent a letter to President Obama urging him to use an upcoming meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to “mount a diplomatic offensive” against Turkey. The letter said recent moves by Turkey “call into question its commitment to the NATO alliance, threaten regional stability and undermine U.S. interests.” The former allies’ relations soured in the aftermath of an Israeli raid on a Turkish flotilla to the Gaza Strip that left 8 Turks and one American dead. “[I]t appears that Turkey is shifting to a policy of confrontation, if not hostility, towards our allies in Israel,” the Senators wrote, advising Obama to inform Turkey that its policies will “negatively reflect on U.S.-Turkish relations and Turkey’s role in the future of NATO.” Sens. Mark Kirk (R-IL), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Mark Warner (D-VA), Scott Brown (R-MA), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Joe Lieberman (I-CT), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) signed the letter.