2019-12-13T05:00:00Z
What Happened: Turkish political parties have condemned a U.S. Senate resolution to recognize the 1915 Armenian Genocide, the Hurriyet Daily News reported Dec. 13. The U.S. House of Representatives already approved a separate resolution in October.
Why It Matters: The non-binding resolution will inflame U.S.-Turkish tensions as both sides find themselves at odds over several bilateral and regional security issues. Ankara said Dec. 13 that it was close to reaching a deal with Russia for the second delivery of S-400 surface-to-air missile launchers that could also result in the joint production of the system, which could further raise U.S. sanctions pressure.
Background: Although Turkey has been somewhat successful in preventing U.S. lawmakers from passing a bill recognizing the Armenian Genocide, its October offensive in northeastern Syria and the purchase of the Russian S-400 systems has reinvigorated U.S. congressional pushes to raise pressure on Ankara.