Posted on 12/22/2011 11:15:02 AM PST by Eleutheria5
Your contribution further demonstrates the complexity of the issue; a complexity lost on the simplistic general public narrative of the case. Thanks; for what you have added.
I was not trying to either absolve or lay blame on any party.
The Russian element was simply an element that has been generally absent (among others) from what was in reality a complex set of events - the withering of the Ottoman empire and establishment of the state of Turkey within the context of late 19th and early 20th century European wars; and the “Armenian issue” within that larger context.
You see I am old enough to remember and know about the entire Cold War and a little before. I know what a valuable ally Turkey was and I am aware of the sacrifices that Turkey was prepared to make should the Soviets invade Europe.
IMO and I emphasize IMO the reason it seems so simple as genocide period to many is because Armenia as a "republic" in the U.S.S.R. had the benefit of decades of Soviet disinformation about our ally and NATO member the modern Republic of Turkey.
This does not lessen the horror and wrong that happened to the Armenians in any way. Nor should that horror be used to conceal the horror and wrong that happened to others. IMO.
“This does not lessen the horror and wrong that happened to the Armenians in any way. Nor should that horror be used to conceal the horror and wrong that happened to others. IMO”
I know; and thanks for your understanding that it was never my intent to do that.
As everyone should realize, like you, I simply appreciated learning about the larger context of the whole affair.
One of my college chums married someone who had relatives on the receiving end of Ottoman/Turk violence against the Greek millet and Armenians. Once the spouse learned of my STUDIES, just plain what I was studying, my bud and I had to break off even knowing each other.
I was studying all things Islamic, but I wasn’t Muslim.
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