How Turkey Was Lost

Townhall.com ^ | 10/19/09 | Caroline Glick

[Nuc1]

Some years ago when I first commented at FR it was about Turkey electing Islamists to high office. I predicted Turkey's loss to them absent military intervention. Sadly it looks like it has come to pass.

[jessduntno]

“Once the apotheosis of a pro-Western, dependable Muslim democracy, this week Turkey officially left the Western alliance and became a full member of the Iranian axis.”

I thought that happened when they stalled us on their border and allowed Saddam’s thugs to melt into the gen pop?

[gitmogrunt]

http://www.greek-genocide.org/index1.html

[Eyes Unclouded]

It’s another one of the poor outcomes of the Bush Administration insistence on democracy. Voting gives a voice to the people, which is a good thing only if the people themselves are good. The people of Gaza voted in Hamas! The military of Turkey is pretty secular and does not like the re-islamization of their country all that much. I don’t know why we stopped backing up strongmen in these countries to do what is best for America...

[Mark17]

Some years ago when I first commented at FR it was about Turkey electing Islamists to high office. I predicted Turkey's loss to them absent military intervention. Sadly it looks like it has come to pass.

I was at Incirlik Air Base in 1982, and I wondered then how it was that they were an ally. I am not surprised by this either.

[Paladin2]

Uh, because there hasn’t been a Crusade for a millennium?

[Paladin2]

"The people of Gaza voted in Hamas!"

The people of the GOP voted in McCain and the people of the US voted in Zer0.

[UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide]

I want Hagia Sophia back.

[Nuc1]

Sad and interesting. Like communists I see no way to deal with Islamists except force of arms.

[Nuc1]

Voting gives a voice to the people, which is a good thing only if the people themselves are good.

Just so as we have discovered of late.

[Nuc1]

Indeed. Perhaps Ann Colter has the right of it.

[Eyes Unclouded]

Good point how someone could say the same thing about the US. Made me chuckle and smile... now I’m kinda sad though.

[Digger]

Some years ago when I first commented at FR it was about Turkey electing Islamists to high office. I predicted Turkey's loss to them absent military intervention. Sadly it looks like it has come to pass

I'm not knocking your intelligence but an average mind could determine this outcome. Just as where this nation is going & anyone with a rosy outlook is delusional. A large discourse here should be how we survive under slavery.

[Nuc1]

Yes, the hangover after the chuckle. Quite familiar with that as of late.

[Stonewall Jackson]

There was a Turkish movie, Valley of the Wolves: Iraq a couple of years ago staring Billy Zane and Gary Busey that depicted a Turkish secret agent defending the Iraqis from horrific atrocities by the Americans, including massacring civilians and prisoners and harvesting organs from captives.

Here is some of the Turkish response to the movie:
The film has pulled in record audiences on its release in Turkey, capitalizing on widespread opposition to the Iraq War.
When asked about the factual nature of the scenario, Bülent Arınç, the Chairman of the Turkish Parliament replied "yes, this was exactly as it happened". He called the movie "an extraordinary film that will go into history".
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul states that "the film is no worse than some of the productions of Hollywood studios".
Istanbul Mayor, Kadir Topbaş told the Associated Press that the movie "was very successful — a soldier's honor must never be damaged."
The reception in the Turkish media was split. Some called it a milestone for the Turkish film industry — others warned the movie might lead to a strengthening of religious extremism.
Mehmet Ali Birand, a prominent Turkish columnist and anchorman, said he admired the filmmakers. "They have played with the inner feelings, unsatisfied feelings of Turkish public opinion, and they are making money."

[Nuc1]

I was hammered pretty hard back then for the comment. The gist was essentially that I was being alarmist. As you say, I thought it was quite plain to see even back then.

[Nuc1]

I remember that SJ now that you prompted me. Not much in the way of push back from the Turkey Government, their media, nor their citizens. At the time I was a bit suprised at their seemingly casual acceptance of the movie premiss. Shouldn’t have been.

[RJR_fan]

I see no way to deal with Islamists except force of arms.

Well, we can ask God to discredit Islam. It could happen overnight -- many of us who grew up under the shadow of The Bomb were pleasantly surprised with the fearsome Soviet beast imploded.

The question then becomes, will we be ready for our opportunities when a billion folks turn to us and ask, "Now what?" May God grant that we be ready! Learning Turkish is a long lead-time project, so now is a good time to start!

[cizinec]

“I want Hagia Sophia back.”

Ah yes. Turkey was lost in the 15th century. We supported a government that committed genocide against Armenians and Greeks and refuse to admit it. We worked with them and we both got something out of the deal. Let’s stop pretending we “lost” a friend and accept that Turkey now wants more out of the deal than we will give.