Posted on 09/19/2018 7:06:50 PM PDT by Texas Fossil
Turkey has become the primary threat to U.S. interests in the eastern Mediterranean, not Russia, Syria or Iran, said Michael Rubin, resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and a former Pentagon official.
Turkey’s military build-up on and around the island of Cyprus should not be tolerated by Washington, and nor should its attempted pillaging of Cypriot natural gas resources to prop up its ailing economy, Rubin said in an opinion piece for the Washington Examiner.
Rubin cited Turkish plans to build a permanent military base in Northern Cyprus, which it has occupied since the 1970’s, as stark proof of Turkey’s increasingly expansionist policies under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Consequently, relations within NATO and further economic sanctions against the country should be considered, he said.
“It’s time the Trump administration and Congress warn Turkey: Any base on Cyprus will mean not only increased sanctions, but also an unprecedented provision of military platforms to Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and Egypt with which to counter the Turkish threat.
“When Turkey becomes as much a threat as NATO adversaries, it also means cutting off cooperation with Turkey within the NATO context. Politicians might prefer political theatrics to protecting American security, but U.S. adversaries do not cease their activities whenever the circus comes to Washington. It’s time for a concerted effort to stand up for Cyprus.”
(Excerpt) Read more at ahvalnews.com ...
I agree with Michael Rubin's assessment.
True, but only because of a mad man at its helm, Erdogan, and only because of the evil “religion” he subscribes to, Islam. Turkey tried to reform itself and its religion under Ataturk, outlawing the fez and a few other measures. Unfortunately, there is no reforming this evil religion and that is the problem. Turkey should not be in NATO; Israel can hold Turkey’s part better and with nary a problem.
I was in Turkey in 1982. I thought they were an enemy, even that far back.
1 - Iran
2 - Turkey
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~ - Syria
On some levels the problem is Erdogan, certainly the problem with siding with the Islamist Jihadi Terrorists are Erdo’s fault.
But, the acts of massacre and genocide long predates Erdo. All governments in turkey have committed them and they continue to deny all of them.
Most recent was under Erdo, in Efrin (Afrin) Syria. At the hands of ISIS, al Qaeda, al Sham and rest of the FSA employed by Turkey. Murder of civilians, kidnapping, rape, sex slavery, pillage, demand ransom for captured civilians and on and on.
Erdogan is Obama’s best friend. Go Figure.
Well, you were right.
No argument from me.
Professional courtesy, one Islamist to another Islamist.
At that time, we didn’t have the information available, that we do today. Yes, I thought, even then, that Turkey was an enemy. I just didn’t know enough about it, to form an educated opinion. Now, I do. 👍 My educated opinion is, Turkey is not our friend. Don’t think they ever have been. Tons of muslims there.
Last time I read a report, 98% Muslim. (note: some are only Muslim to avoid penalty or punishment)
Turkey hasn’t been our friend for decades. Why we put up with them is beyond me. We need to get out people out of there and destroy any supplies, buildings, etc. left behind. There are other countries more deserving of a US base.
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