The Turks can go pound (or eat) sand. The stabbed the US in the back in the lead-in to the Iraq war after our having supported them for decades.
Exactly. This is the same Turkey that slaughtered allied troops in WW1, could not find itself to fight Hitler in WW2 and have done nothing to help free Iraq from its past.
If they want to push this problem, bring em on, they could find themselves fighting Americans who they have such a low opinion of. The Kurds along with Israel are our only real allies in the region and I say we defend them against all invaders.
The Turks tried to extort us for $33 billion dollars for use of their bases near the Iraqi border, $33 billion! Yeah, real great “ally.” (nauseating sarcasm)
We’re payin’ their bills, they can go fly a kite - I’m in your corner on this.
If they want to survive they have reason to do so.
IIRC, the Turks were pretty strong allies of ours as well, until recently. I seem to recall them agreeing to house U.S. strategic missiles over the strenuous objections of the USSR. Not to mention, they helped out in Korea and were staunch anti-Soviets (although they did get help from the Soviets in the years immediately following WWI). In terms of support, I believe that they receive far less than other allies who have done far less to further U.S. interests.
I’ll admit to having a soft spot for the Turks, but I see no problem with them cracking down on the PKK, a group that we all agree should be listed as a terrorist group.
We are right to complain about how Pakistan isn’t dealing with the jihadis on their border regions. Many on here have suggested that America take matters into her own hands and attack the jihadis in violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty. How is Turkey’s situation different? They have a “terrorist” enemy that probably is making use of the fairly porous Iraqi-Turkish border, and an Iraqi government that has said that they’ll deal with the problem but hasn’t done anything to address it. I know that the Iraqis are in no position to deal with the PKK, but from the Turkish viewpoint it must look like they’re doing nothing while Turks get blown up and ambushed at will.