[Joe 6-pack]

"According to the history books, getting into a war against the Turks is a very bad idea."

A century ago, the Ottoman Empire was, "The sick man of Europe." If they can resist EU membership, and it's socialist overtones, Turkey may re-emerge as one of the most vital, healthy nations in the region. Turkish loyalty is not given lightly, and cultivating their unwavering friendship would be, IMHO, well worth the effort.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Right on, I spent some time in Turkey when I was in the Navy. Turkey is without some of the modern conveniences, but I didn't see them as some screwey 3rd-world country, either. I had a good time, they treated the American soldiers very well. The Turks are a good, strong people. And, they're good allies!

[mathurine]

The peregrinations of history are fascinating, and one thing that has particularly fascinated me is what would have happened if the declining Ottoman Empire of the late 19th Century had become the beneficiary of the oil in its boundaries. Would it have rebounded? Or would the oil simply have allowed an obsolete system to have a new lease on life, hence no Attaturk or modernity?

[Light Speed]

The Turkish embrace came slowly..as of 1990 financial exchange between Israel was nearly non-existant..then the change..
Since that time amazing things have taken place between the two nations.
In 1997 nearly 300,000 visits by Israeli's to Turkey..tourists and business.
Israel has participated in modernization upgrades on Turkish fighters..the F-4 Phantom..F-5..and F-16's
As of 1997..trade between Israel and Turkey was at 1 Billion annually.
The Turkish military now exchanges pilots with Israel for computer sim training..while Israeli pilots get some flight time over high mountains in Turkey.
From the sale of advanced Israeli missile systems..to the return to Turkey of Sephardic Jews[Over 20,000 1997]..Israel and Turkey quietly form a frienship and produce a testimony..that Israel and Islamic states can co-exist.