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| Europe |
| French military pact irks Turkey |
| 2007-03-05 |
| Posted by:anonymous5089 |
| #3 I would also add that Turkish officials have been increasingly pushy about joining the EU, as most of Europe -- France in particular -- has soured on the idea. So this could also be interpreted as a French reminder to Turkey not to get uppity. Furthermore, France is bent on establishing a common EU defense policy independent of NATO, and Turkey is better NATO team player than France. So, this could also be a message to Turkey that its bid for EU membership might go better if they were to turn their back on NATO as France has. |
| Posted by: exJAG 2007-03-05 10:55 |
| #2 In the case of a conflict, the French wouldn't be menacing for long if they tried, I think they will try to be menacing-like from a safe distance. |
| Posted by: twobyfour 2007-03-05 10:53 |
| #1 This is actually very important. One of the hidden goals of the US invasion of Iraq was that by setting up several large bases in Iraq, the US would have the equivalent of a "super aircraft carrier" on permanent station in the middle of the most potentially militarily troublesome part of the world. Exactly where we want to be forwardly deployed, if we wished to involve ourselves. Like we were in Germany, during the Cold War. France has realized this, and also that they need some way of both protecting their regional assets and force projection in the area, or else they are out of the equation entirely. With the ugliest possible scenario, the French could use this Cyprus airport to menace Israel, on behalf of the Arab allies. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2007-03-05 09:35 |