From the BBC -

 

The Russian ambassador to Ankara, Andrei Karlov, has been shot and seriously injured while visiting a photo gallery in the Turkish capital.

 

Several other people were reportedly also injured in the attack, a day after protests in Turkey over Russia's military intervention in Syria.

 

Mr Karlov was taken to hospital to be treated for his injuries.

 

According to Russian TV, the ambassador had been attending an exhibition called "Russia as seen by Turks".

 

There are unconfirmed reports that he's been killed. Either way, it's not good. People are already semi-seriously suggesting that it's the spark that could ignite a World War 3.

Andrei Karlov to be the name of a popular Scottish band who rise to fame in 2106 ?

Andrei Karlov to be the name of a popular Scottish band who rise to fame in 2106 ?

 

It's very optimistic of you to suggest there's still going to be a world in 2106.

Oooooooooh fuuuuuuuuuuuuuck. Turkey are a NATO state aren't they? So the attack on one is an attack on all would be triggered by Russian state military retaliation and yeah I'd agree, WW3.

 

The 4 nuke powers involved all have a policy, on face value, of no first strike so let's hope we all mean it

Confirmed dead.

 

 

f*** f*** f***

Very f***ing scared by this - it could easily go the wrong way. The next 24 hours are going to be crucial in how the powers involved handle it.

This doesn't seem likely to lead to World War III. There is no clear objective to be gained from Russia launching a retaliatory attack on Turkey for inadequately screening its ambassador's security detail.

 

I mean before we forget, Turkey did shoot down a Russian plane two years ago for blipping over its airspace. Much more easily pinned on Turkish actions than an assassination motivated by objection to something Turkey assisted Russia with.

True, war doesn't seem certain but still, Russia will demand some answers as to why the ambassador wasn't protected. It's certainly going to make things frosty, and right before some important Syria talks. Both countries have a real vested interest in how that region turns out - it will set those back at least.

True, war doesn't seem certain but still, Russia will demand some answers as to why the ambassador wasn't protected. It's certainly going to make things frosty, and right before some important Syria talks. Both countries have a real vested interest in how that region turns out - it will set those back at least.

 

I've read that the shooter was his bodyguard.

 

This is worrying news but it's not quite WW3 hysteria... hopefully.

given Russia's assassination of it's opponents in the UK and other countries, bombing in Syria, invading Ukraine, shooting down a passenger aircraft (more or less due to them), twisting American election democracy, I hardly think the murder of an ambassador is going to start a world war when the other stuff hasn't. They'll just get a new one and pout and posture a lot.

 

More worried about what Obama is planning in terms of cyber attacks and Putin offshore bank accounts revelations I would guess...

It does have echos of 1914 and Franz Ferdinand and all that!