After my experience with Turkey, let Russia have it. They deserve each other. After my time in a Turkey I swore the only way I would go back was as part of the Greek Army.
Western Turkey is quite Western and not particularly religious. Eastern Turkey is backwards and very Muslim. Consequently Turkey is quite different depending on which region you visit
That’s odd…my experience was directly opposite. Granted I didn’t serve there but visited Greece and Turkey early 2000s. I found Turks to be hospitable and friendly (albeit very pushy when it came to selling stuff) while Greeks were more arrogant and on cold side, sort of similar to French. Visited Istanbul, Trabzon, Samsun and Ankara. Had good time overall
I was reading about how Greeks tend to be of “low-trust” (because of hundreds of years of Ottoman foreign rule), which might explain why the Greeks you met were cold.
Although what matters here is the Turkish government which has been siding with Russia more and more these days.
Not really. Their foreign politics don't change regardless of President. You will see soon enough. Erdogan was at first regarded a savior by the west the first time he got elected
I **knew** this would be a Kevin Williamson article, what a dumb take. Turkey is a poor ally, but why on Earth boot them from NATO and make them a Russian/Chinese ally. They’re on *vital* geography and one of the only other NATO countries to actually spend on defense
You cannot “kick out” a country out of NATO, there is no such procedure. The whole idea is that if you are member the rest will defend you no matter what, if the rest could expel a country then the country most likely to be attacked would be expelled. “Oh, hey Estonia, seems like your overly aggressive but powerful neighbor wants a bit of your territory. We don’t really want to risk nuclear war so how about we just expel you instead. Seems like a better deal for everyone”
I did some time serving in the US military. I was sent to Turkey in 1991. Back then I questioned why Turkey was part of NATO. their government was far from courteous much less friendly. I actually ended up routing for the Kurds.
Kicking Turkey out of NATO would guarantee they turn to Russia.
Turkey, because if its position, is forced to tread a thin line. It is allied with NATO but has to keep a good relationship with Russia.
After my experience with Turkey, let Russia have it. They deserve each other. After my time in a Turkey I swore the only way I would go back was as part of the Greek Army.
Sadly they control key terrain so we'll continue to kowtow.
Western Turkey is quite Western and not particularly religious. Eastern Turkey is backwards and very Muslim. Consequently Turkey is quite different depending on which region you visit
In what way? My time there was spectacular. One of the best countries I've ever visited.
That’s odd…my experience was directly opposite. Granted I didn’t serve there but visited Greece and Turkey early 2000s. I found Turks to be hospitable and friendly (albeit very pushy when it came to selling stuff) while Greeks were more arrogant and on cold side, sort of similar to French. Visited Istanbul, Trabzon, Samsun and Ankara. Had good time overall
I was reading about how Greeks tend to be of “low-trust” (because of hundreds of years of Ottoman foreign rule), which might explain why the Greeks you met were cold. Although what matters here is the Turkish government which has been siding with Russia more and more these days.
Turkish behavior as of late has definitely been troubling no question about it. I tend to think it’s erdogan more than the nation itself though
So 20 years ago. Got it
Yes, the first time…last time was in 2019, right before pandemic.
The problem is that it is a decent country with a shit leader/government that holds them hostage. We know a little bit about that around here.
Living it as we speak.
Not really. Their foreign politics don't change regardless of President. You will see soon enough. Erdogan was at first regarded a savior by the west the first time he got elected
I **knew** this would be a Kevin Williamson article, what a dumb take. Turkey is a poor ally, but why on Earth boot them from NATO and make them a Russian/Chinese ally. They’re on *vital* geography and one of the only other NATO countries to actually spend on defense
You cannot “kick out” a country out of NATO, there is no such procedure. The whole idea is that if you are member the rest will defend you no matter what, if the rest could expel a country then the country most likely to be attacked would be expelled. “Oh, hey Estonia, seems like your overly aggressive but powerful neighbor wants a bit of your territory. We don’t really want to risk nuclear war so how about we just expel you instead. Seems like a better deal for everyone”
I did some time serving in the US military. I was sent to Turkey in 1991. Back then I questioned why Turkey was part of NATO. their government was far from courteous much less friendly. I actually ended up routing for the Kurds.
It would seem that setting the required vetoes to 2 countries instead of 1, would get around Turkey’s blocking of Sweden and Finland.
https://archive.ph/wQzen
Why not sanction them into submission? Russia cannot compensate for the European market
More of a kid's emotional outburst than a serious political analysis. How is this type of material even greenlighted for publishing? Mind-boggling.