Christmas in Eastern Europe

6 January: The Former Turkish Chief of the General Staff Gen. İlker Başbuğ was arrested by an Istanbul Court this morning after being interrogated on accusations of “managing a terrorist organisation” and “attempting a coup” (agencies)

Istanbul proposed as venue for talks on Iran's Nuclear Programme as Davutoğlu concludes visit to Tehran

5 January: EU member states have agreed in principle to ban imports of Iranian crude oil to put pressure on the country over its nuclear programme.The move is expected to be announced formally at an EU foreign ministers' meeting at the end of January

5 January: Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davitoglu is expected to meet the Iranian President Ahmedinajad at the end of his short visit to Tehran. A press conference scheduled yesterday after the Minister's meeting with his Iranian counterpart was ca

Commentary

4 January: The Turkish ambassador to France is set to return to Paris within days to coordinate Turkey’s efforts to prevent the passing of a controversial bill in the French Senate penalising the denial of Armenian genocide allegations (Hurriyet Daily New

4 January: The White House has dismissed belicose statements from Iranian miliatry officials, including a warning to keep a US aircraft carrier away from the Gulf. White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters “Iran is isolated and is seeking to divert

News

3 January: The Russian Embassy in the Moldovan Capital Chisinau has promised a full investigation after a young Moldovan was killed by Russian Peacekeeping Forces at an incident at a road block on New Years Day. The incident sparked street protests yester