Terrorist attack outside US embassy in Turkey

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Breaking news on a terror attack outside the US embassy in Turkey's capital the State Department warning Americans to stay away from diplomatic offices in Turkey.

This after a homicide bombing inside a security check points.

At an entrance to the embassy and a security guard was killed the well known female television journalist was a wounded and that's.

This is an area that is under heavy security we should mention embassies for France and Germany are also located nearby.

As of right now there are reports this is a work -- -- domestic group from marks -- extremist group inside the country.

C wanna talk a little bit more about this with -- renowned former spokesperson for the last four US ambassadors to the -- -- -- joining us today.

It's an -- chopped -- he's the director for the Washington institute.

Turk is -- research program is an -- like to start with you because we had its initial report about a domestic group being responsible but we often know we have to be cautious.

With initial reports as well what does this look like to -- TU NN and who do you think is responsible for best.

The initial intelligence assessments suggest that this is indeed a Marxist group that's based in Turkey to small group it's a fringe movement.

It is what is left over from the more virulent and larger Marxist terrorist groups that existed in Turkey in 197 -- And the telltale signs of this group is that they do attack US targets and missions.

First for example during the first gulf -- detect US military personnel and killed two actually.

So I would say that there are some similarities and I was I would agree that.

This that this could indeed be the small Marxist group it's that it's a tiny group maybe a few hundred members only -- -- -- the anti American.

And this a lot of the science punt at the fact that as well the Turkish police is now saying that this could be that group behind the attack.

This a follow up on that quickly why now why would this group -- only take this action now.

Well first of all you have to remember that this group is anti America to death and they just hate the United States and they they think of this as more to the Cold War prison de de de -- like US.

Presence in the region they think of the US of the code including -- -- power and I think now it would make sense that we have sent troops or to Turkey to deploy.

NATO patriot missiles to defend Turkey and Syria.

You know they -- economic US presence in Turkey as something that always goes against their fundamentalists ideological thinking and I think that as a result of that.

-- group has be called into action so unfortunately.

As small as this group might be one could anticipate future targets on US interest in Turkey.

Should further NATO or US -- and hardware deployment to Turkey take place in the coming months.

A lot to think about -- wreck with what's an -- it is just talk to us about oh what he's saying is that correct United States' response.

Well first of all we have to be very serious this is a new attack on a NATO country inside a NATO country.

-- is a great ally they've been a member of NATO since 1951.

And this is a serious attack this is the eighth attack on an embassy under Hillary Clinton alone.

So we have to have a tough response I think that it's also very interest in that these attacks are happening.

When the US policy in the region is really withdrawn.

We are not active in Syria we are doing just little minor things around the edges and yet we're a target.

That Turkish Prime Minister aired a gun has been very vocal about.

Syria and -- -- brutal.

Crack down.

And yet the attacks are happening on an American embassy I think this just proves that America's always going to be a target whether we have a tough policy.

Like in the Bush Administration or -- week policy during the Obama administration.

I wanna get back to that they -- -- -- air as well as strict as mentioned many consider Turkey I had a good ally in the region but there's also been questions raised about Turkey and terror finance saying and where they really stand when it comes to issues regarding Iran.

So how do we navigate their way ahead with Turkey especially since you said we should prepare ourselves potentially.

For more attacks by this group inside that country.

-- He's the only NATO -- that borders Iran and Syria so it is that valuable ally and I think Turkey is headed back to the US in the last couple years erasing some of these concerns that you raised.

In the sense that the country now realizes that.

As the largest economy in that region of the world as as a rising power it needs the United States for security needs NATO because it has a civil war across from.

It's 510 mile long border with Syria and the civil war could easily -- to Turkey and maybe what we saw today is what these.

Initial -- effect so I think -- because you're gonna come back to the United States for further NATO -- line's protection.

And I think US policy obviously is that the Turkey is what the Red Line is the city the Assad regime in other words.

If this regime crosses that redlining targets Turkey you'll find not just the United States but in the entire NATO -- standing -- Turkey because that's where -- at last we drunk.

-- -- -- Do you think that's the line is being drawn -- now do you think -- -- is putting that fell lower than that is the Red Line.

And bring that bigger if you -- because this seems to be a situation inside Turkey but our national security sending that we we certainly talk about it -- a high priority on here as well so.

How does this sort of play in Sydney the year that were facing ahead not only in the region but for our own safety.

Well I think I think I'm in Turkey is is an interest in place of where this plays out because there is criticism that they're not doing enough with terrorist financing.

But the simple fact is is that we do work closely with Turkey -- freezing assets the question is whether or not we have an automatic freeze inside Turkey.

And the opposition groups are very nervous about an automatic freeze -- rather than having a judge come in and try to approve the the freezing of the assets that the government would recommend.

The opposition groups don't want the automatic freezing to happen because simply.

They don't trust the government.

And so this is a highly sophisticated argument inside Turkey but at the end of the day I think the Turks are doing what they can to help us.

Combat terrorism they recognize that they are on the front steps of this and I think the president and prime minister aired -- -- has -- a very good job.

You know it's worth noting now over talking about embassy security and we've talked about -- so much of the last six months.

This hasn't been a conversation piece if you look at the last several years and is still very rare.

That our embassies are being attacked overseas and that should be something -- note as we look at at the year ahead as well Rick is an air -- tiger expertise today.

-- we appreciate it very much.

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