US-Turkey tensions escalate as Turkish Lira drops Turkey vows to defy US "threats" over a detained American pastor, with experts fearing the row in bilateral ties could deepen between the two NATO allies. Relations between the two NATO allies have sunk to their lowest point in decades over a string of issues including the detention of US pastor Andrew Brunson on terror-related charges, prompting the Turkish lira to hit record lows against the dollar. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES