In the US, a country chock full of evangelical megapreachers, Andrew Brunson was hardly a household name. The 50-year old from North Carolina moved to Turkey 20 years ago, living quietly in the port city of Izmir. His congregation numbers around 25 people.

And yet Pastor Brunson is now at the centre of a row that has divided two Nato members, caused a war of words between two firebrand presidents, and seen the Turkish economy plummet. 

Turkey and the US appear to be stuck in a dangerous stalemate.

Jay Sekulow, one of Donald Trump’s most senior lawyers, has taken up the representation of Pastor Brunson, and on Friday said he was hopeful that the two countries were “getting close to a resolution.” …