In their first phone conversation since 2010, the Israeli PM has apologized to Turkish PM Erdogan for deaths in the Gaza flotilla raid, Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said. Israel also agreed to compensation for bereaved families. Recep Tayyip Erdogan accepted the apology and agreed with his Israeli counterpart on the need to normalize the relationship that deteriorated after the UN report in 2011... 

Assad: Not a civil war, terrorism my enemy, no regrets for now In an exclusive interview with RT, President Bashar Assad said that the conflict in Syria is not a civil war, but proxy terrorism by Syrians and foreign fighters. He also accused the Turkish PM of eyeing Syria with imperial ambitions. Assad told RT that the West creates scapegoats as enemies – from communism, to Islam, to Saddam Hussein.... 

Turkish security sources quoted Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan as preparing to go beyond abusive rhetoric against Israel and considering using his navy to break Israel’s siege of Gaza or even sailing aboard the next flotilla to break the blockade in person on the assumption that Israel would not dare stop him, Debka reported. The Obama administration is in contact with the Turkish PM and...