there was a lot of anti Ciller PR in the NYTSince Ciller used the religionists to form a coalition government a few years back, almost causing a coup, she has lost any political appeal she might have had. She barely made it into parliament during the last elections.
I don't really believe Russia has that kind of international influence today. They might, but my belief is they don't.Agreed. Their clout did exist back in the day when it helped pry Greece and the rest of the Orthodox nations loose from the Ottoman empire. Their influence persisted throughout the Cold War, but has disappeared since the fall of the USSR. The terror organizations they sponsored within NATO countries, however, still exist. I am curious who pays November 17 today?
That was my point about China. They have a way of stepping into a void.
I understand your point about Orthodox assisting Orthodox to rebel and gain freedom from the Ottoman Empire. That was most definitely the case. The Moscow Patriarchate had an idea not unlike the Crusaders that is was their responsibility to liberate Istanbul and return as much of Anatolia and Europe to Christian control as they could.