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2005-06-10 Terror Networks & Islam

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Posted by too true 2005-06-10 09:43|| || Front Page|| [10 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Turkey is one of the "schizophrenic nations" of the world, culturally and politically split between competing philosophies, peoples and values. However, there is a new salvation just over the horizon: A Middle East Common Market. There being no other good comparison, Turkey and Iraq show prospect of being in a way like France and Germany, the heart of a unified economic zone. Potentially encompassing Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Egypt, Saudi, Yemen, UAE, Algeria, Jordan, Oman, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and several others, though Iran is questionable; it could rival or exceed the EU in population, and could re-create the region economically into a modern confederation. I am hesitant about including Iran, because it holds much the same position to the MECM as does Russia to the EU.

Posted by Anonymoose 2005-06-10 11:49|| 2005-06-10 11:49|| Front Page Top

#2 After 9/11 Turkey should have huddled with the US and Isreal and come up with a plan. (a) Isreal makes noises on the Syrian border to draw Syrian troops south (b) US makes noises on the Iraqi southern border to draw Saddam's troops south, and aircover, (c) Turkey invades Syria and Iraq.

Being an Islamic nation Syria would have gotten a lot less heat over such an invasion, could have set up strongmen, could have been satisfied that Kurdish issues would be dealt with to Turkish satisfaction. Could have gotten a big fat American paycheck and political cover to support the Peacekeeping. Could have been heroes in Europe (still not members of the EU though) for stabalizing the area and keeping the Americans out.

Turkey could have been a contender, instead they became a turkey.

Posted by RJ Schwarz 2005-06-10 15:14|| 2005-06-10 15:14|| Front Page Top

#3 Instead, feeling unloved in Brussels and Washington, and under growing pressure at home from those who favour Islamic solidarity over Western alliances, the leadership is looking elsewhere.

Surely these dimwits can't be wondering WHY that would be......

Posted by Bomb-a-rama 2005-06-10 15:23|| 2005-06-10 15:23|| Front Page Top

#4 From a sheer gaming standpoint the mess Turkey has made of things is annoying. In every game of Dipolomacy I've participated in Turkey eneded up with the whip hand. Jeeeez what foul ups.

So, in case Avalon Hill every gets going in Rantburg, I declare for Turkey right now here today. Dibs!

Posted by Shipman 2005-06-10 18:35|| 2005-06-10 18:35|| Front Page Top

#5 The USA and Britain will never allow either Radical Islam nor the Kurds to take hold in Turkey, neither will the Russians. The USA needs Turkey to be a regional democratic capitalist linchpin/bedrock and model for the newly independent Central Asian Moslem states plus the post-WOT democratic Middle East in general.

Posted by JosephMendiola">JosephMendiola 2005-06-10 22:59|| n/a]">[n/a] 2005-06-10 22:59|| Front Page Top

23:55 Ricky bin Ricardo (Abu Babaloo)
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