The Washington Post reported that on Tuesday, Prime Minister of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan chaired a military meeting in Ankara after the nation’s top four commanders quit last week to protest the arrests of retired and active-duty officers accused of plotting a coup. In eastern Turkey, meanwhile, security forces combed a rural area where three soldiers were killed a day earlier by suspected Kurdish militants. The Ankara meeting, which started Monday, will select new commanders in a process aimed at sealing civilian authority over the generals, whose predecessors once staged coups in the name of stability or secularism. But discussions about handing more power to the police in domestic security matters such as the Kurdish conflict could reduce the military’s operational clout.
The Los Angeles Times published the article headlined “To Punish Iran, Seize Its Embassy.” It says that the Treasury Department accused the Iranian government of aiding Al Qaeda and blacklisted six Qaeda operatives for funneling money through Iran. Although Treasury’s announcement, coupled with existing sanctions, has put some pressure on Tehran, much more can be done. Indeed, the White House should take action in its own backyard. Tehran remains the legal owner of several buildings in Washington, although the United States government has taken them over. The State Department has become the legal guardian of the embassy and three residences, renting them out and using the proceeds to maintain them. Seizing Iran’s assets and barring its officials from the United States would send a strong message that Washington aims to stop Iran’s nuclear program by any peaceful means necessary.
The Turkish information agency Hurriyet reported that fault lines remain between the military and government as the top council meets to discuss key promotions following high-profile resignations. This year’s Supreme Military Council, or YAŞ, which started Monday, marks a power shift in favor of the government in the wake of the resignations of nearly the entire top military echelon. Three main problems could cause difficulties between the army and the government during the meeting, starting with the appointments to head the land, air, naval and gendarmerie forces. Many believe that Kıvrıkoğlu is not the government’s preferred figure and a low-ranking military official could be appointed to the post as head of the Land Forces. The second problem facing YAŞ is the government’s insistence on forcing military personnel under prosecution to retire from the army. A third problem could emerge in the promotions of lower-ranking personnel.
“Iran urges West action on terrorism” is an article published by the Iranian information agency Press TV. It says that Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast has called for serious non-discriminatory action against terrorism, urging the West to stop providing a safe haven to terrorist groups. The spokesperson called on Western countries sheltering terrorist groups to take action against them and urged them to prosecute members of the groups. He also warned against the spread of terrorism and said, if terrorism gains more power to further spread throughout the world, it will not be restricted to certain borders and it will even haunt those countries supporting it. Mehmanparast further reiterated that the Islamic Republic will not allow any terrorist groups to operate against its territory.
The same agency reported that Iran's Majlis (parliament) will discuss votes of confidence to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's candidates for four newly established ministries. In a letter to the Majlis on July 27, President Ahmadinejad introduced Mehdi Ghazanfari, Rostam Qasemi, Mohammad Abbasi and Abdolreza Sheikholeslami for the posts of ministers at the Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade, Ministry of Oil, Ministry of Sports and Youth and Ministry of Labor, Cooperatives and Social Welfare, respectively. Iranian lawmakers will hold a session on Wednesday to debate plans proposed by the four nominees and their confidence votes.
