Not surprising given the problem with French (and other European) citizens going to Syria but I was a bit taken aback by the level of security going to IST this weekend.

On departure, I was asked by immigration why I was going to Istanbul. It was tourism...no problem. BTW I am an Italian citizen.

But returning was very tense. Three stern gendarmes were at the jet bridge checking passports assiduously with magnifying glasses and white light... looking at every single page and seeing if they were completely intact (no pages missing)... wow. Every single passenger screened too.

Nothing on the Turkish side that was visible at least...