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Brunson affair becomes litmus test for Turkish-US ties

Uncertainty remains over whether the American pastor will be released from detention next week by a Turkish court.
US Pastor Andrew Craig Brunson (C), is seen inside a car escorted by Turkish plain clothes police officers  as he arrives at his house on July 25, 2018 in Izmir. - A Turkish court on July 25, 2018 ruled to place under house arrest US pastor who has been imprisoned for almost two years on terror-related charges in a case that has raised tensions with the United States, state media said. The state-run Anadolu news agency said he was being put under house arrest, although it was not clear if he had already lef

The strategic relationship Turkey has had with the United States for over half a century is in danger today over an issue of no strategic importance in itself, but which has turned into a war of nerves in which neither side is prepared to blink first.

The case of American pastor Andrew Brunson is not the main reason underlying present tensions between Ankara and Washington, of course. The sides are at odds over multiple issues that have not been resolved but that do have strategic significance.

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