In this mailing: Khaled Abu Toameh: Arabs and Muslims to Turkey's Erdogan: "Why Don't You Protest Against Yourself?" Uzay Bulut: Are Turkey and Greece Heading for War? Arabs and Muslims to Turkey's Erdogan: "Why Don't You Protest Against Yourself?" by Khaled Abu Toameh  •  August 25, 2020 at 5:00 am       "Erdogan's Turkey has been normalizing its relations with Israel since the establishment of Israel." — Rawaf al-Soain, Saudi writer, Twitter, August 14, 2020. "Erdogan is trading in the Palestinian cause. Turkey has had relations with Israel for more than 70 years, but it has done nothing good for the Palestinians all these years." — Abdullah al-Bander, Saudi political activist, Twitter, August 18, 2020. "The statement was actually issued by Erdogan, the official sponsor of terrorist groups in the region. He uses these groups to destabilize the Arab countries, including Syria, Iraq, Libya, and Egypt.... Only the terrorist groups see him as the Emir of the Faithful and Caliph of Muslims... Where is his support for the Palestinian cause when he directs all his support to Hamas and ignores the Palestinian Authority? He hosts wanted terrorists in Ankara and allows them to establish radio and television stations to preach the Muslim Brotherhood ideology." — Adel al-Sanhoury, Egyptian columnist, youm7.com, August 21, 2020. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened to suspend diplomatic ties with the United Arab Emirates, in response to the UAE's agreement to establish normal relations with Israel. Judging from the broader Arab response to Erdogan's threat, the Turkish leader, rather than being perceived as any kind of Caliph, is perceived as a demented demagogue and a sponsor of terrorism. (Photo by Adem Altan/AFP via Getty Images) In a statement that has raised many eyebrows in the Arab world, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on August 14 that he is considering suspending diplomatic ties with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and withdrawing the Turkish ambassador from Abu Dhabi. Erdogan's threat came in response to the agreement ("Abraham Accord") between the UAE and Israel to establish normal relations between the two countries. A joint statement issued by US President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and UAE Crown Prince Mohammed Ben Zayed read: "This historic diplomatic breakthrough will advance peace in the Middle East region and is a testament to the bold diplomacy and vision of the three leaders and the courage of the United Arab Emirates and Israel to chart a new path that will unlock the great potential in the region." Continue Reading Article Are Turkey and Greece Heading for War? by Uzay Bulut  •  August 25, 2020 at 4:00 am       Turkey has threatened to invade the Greek islands in the Aegean since at least 2018. A recent Egyptian-Greek maritime deal appears to have escalated Turkey's regional aggression. "Turkey's policy is part and parcel of a broader strategy to expand Turkey's influence in the Middle East, the Gulf, and Africa. The aim is to impose geopolitical dominion: an undisputed regional hegemonic regime whereby Turkey is be able to determine big and important developments.... It appears willing to use military force in order to impose its revisionist plans." — Dr. Giorgos Kentas, Associate Professor of International Politics and Governance at the University of Nicosia, in an interview with Gatestone. "Turkey is currently attempting a similar policy of revisionism against Greece. The aim is to impose a hegemonic regime over Greece's maritime zones and/or maritime zones that Greece claims in Eastern Mediterranean." — Dr. Giorgos Kentas. "The Turkish economy found itself on its knees last time US President Donald Trump cared to send Erdogan a message over the arrest of American Pastor Andrew Brunson. What is keeping President Trump from doing that now?" — Anna Koukkides-Procopiou, a Senior Fellow and Member of Advisory Board of the Center for European and International Affairs of the University of Nicosia, interview with Gatestone. Turkey has threatened to invade Greek islands since at least 2018, and a recent Egyptian-Greek maritime deal appears to have escalated Turkey's regional aggression. On August 12, Greece's Prime Minister warned about the possibility of an "accident" in the Eastern Mediterranean, as Greek and Turkish naval forces deployed in the area after Ankara sent a vessel to conduct seismic research south of Greece's Kastellorizo island (pictured). (Image source: Chris Vlachos/Wikimedia Commons) The Greek Armed Forces are on high alert on land, sea and air, closely monitoring Turkish movements in the Eastern Mediterranean, according to Greek media. After Turkey last month restarted prospecting for oil and gas in an area overlapping Greece's continental shelf, Greece deployed warships between the islands of Cyprus and Crete. Since then, tensions have run high between Turkey and Greece. On August 12, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis warned about the possibility of an "accident" in the Eastern Mediterranean. Greek and Turkish naval forces deployed in the area after Ankara sent a vessel to conduct seismic research south of Kastellorizo. "The risk of an accident lurks when so many naval forces gather in a limited area, and responsibility in such a case will be borne by the one who causes these conditions," Mitsotakis said in a televised address. Continue Reading Article