Erdogan’s bodyguards insulted, threatened and pushed the journalists. A scuffle was stopped only when local police intervened.
Later, it was revealed that Brookings President Strobe Talbott was going to call off the presentation by the Turkish leader following the assault by the Turkish security agents, despite the embarrassment that would likely have resulted.
“Following a stiff exchange between Mr. Talbott and Turkish officials, the security agents complied with our demand to stop their actions,” Gail Chalef, a Brookings Institution spokeswoman told Foreign Policy.
Many activists lashed out at the actions by Erdogan’s security detail, comparing those to the ongoing assault on the journalists in Turkey itself.
“We have increasingly seen disrespect for basic human rights and press freedom in Turkey,” Thomas Burr, the president of the National Press Club stated. “Erdogan doesn’t get to export such abuse.”
