I have spent some time in Turkey and interviewed Turkish businessmen. This is THE Muslim nation that could change the world for the better. Turks see entrepreneurship, world class education, and economic growth as major forces in Turkish life. I have worked with Turkish academics and they strive and succeed as excellent examples not only to Turks but to American and other intellectuals. They have their own terrorist problems to deal with and live in a sometimes tense world between the Black Sea and Greece. There is a world of difference between Turkey and Iran or Syria. I even met Israeli businessmen operating in Istanbul. Don’t reject Turkey because they are Muslim—Turkey could be the key to a better future for both West and East.
But, don’t for a second do I think BO knows what he’s doing. If BO was guiding the entry of Turkey, I believe he would set Turkey AND the EU back. He appeals to the retrograde elements around the world, not the forward and freedom-loving peoples. Turkey would be well advised to eye his support warily.
To those Europeans who have had problems with Turkish immigrants, I note that those immigrants may be the same folks who flood Istanbul and cause the same problems in Turkey. Turkey itself has as similar problem as France or Germany.
Just my observations—no insults intended.
Well, you might be right about Turkey, as it made great efforts to be “westernized” and was expecting to be admitted into the EU. But, that “time” for it to have been done (I think) has passed and Turkey appears to be moving the wrong way now. It’s backing off of the advances that it has made in the past and it’s moving to be more like Iran than like another EU nation (although it’s got a long ways to go before it’s “Islamisized” like Iran... LOL...).
I couldn’t say for sure because I’ve never been over there. But, the Bible does indicate that Turkey will be in the confederation of nations that attack Israel in the future, which sort of indicates to me that it won’t be getting into the EU, and will be moving more solidly towards those other Islamic nations in the Middle East.
The Islamic fundamentalists are increasing their influence in Turkey, including the government. It is becoming less Westernized as a result. I will also remind you that it was Turkey that stopped the US 4th ID from entering Iraq from the north transiting Turkey.