Free Republic

By Mehmet Kalyoncu This provocative analysis of Turkey's nuclear ambitions, informed by current political realities and a historical summary of the country's previous plans and nuclear partnerships, asks the devil's advocate question: what do the US and EU plan to give Turkey to keep it from going nuclear? Recent heated statements of a nuclear variety made by both Iran and Israel toward each other introduce a whole new dimension for Turkey’s security concerns in its neighborhood. Given the current circumstances, Turkey could even be considered late in developing nuclear capabilities for defense purposes. However, that Turkey can and that Turkey...

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia : A bleak picture of weakness and disarray in the Muslim world was painted by foreign ministers meeting here ahead of the biggest Islamic summit since the September 11 terror attacks on the United States. Islamic countries stand accused of terrorism and are threatened by sanctions, plagued by economic problems and ethnic strife, while some are under foreign occupation, speakers noted at the opening session of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) meeting. OIC secretary general Abdelouahed Belkeziz warned that the "dangers" confronting Muslims were "unprecedented in (their) contemporary history." Belkeziz said "Muslims are filled with feelings...