"The Cold War is over - what made the glue of such alliances - fear of the USSR - no longer exists - get used to it."
Eggsackly. Turkey screwed us out of using the 4th ID as planned, which contributed to the effectiveness of the establishment of the Baathist insurgency. Had they been deployed quickly from the north as planned, instead of having to go aroung Robin Hood's barn to come in from the South, the immediate effect on the war and its extension would have been dramatic.
We owe Turkey nothing, and Turkey will soon realize it has little that we want. As it slides back into islamism, it will become a problem mainly for the euro's not us.
What shocked me was not that Turkey said no but that Washington assumed the Turks would say yes - after they were paid off billions in bribes that Wolfowitz promised the Turks.
I am sorry to say this but if the State Dept/Pentagon were caught surprised by Turkey's rejection then that does not bode well for the ability of those that advise Bush.
"We owe Turkey nothing, and Turkey will soon realize it has little that we want."
Turkey? Turkey who? Where's Turkey? /sarcasm
You are right Turkey HAD a strong ally in the United States, but now I can see no reason to go out of our way in this relationship.
Holtz
JeffersonRepublic.com
We need to turn up the support we give to Armenia and Greece and start beating the drum for an independent Kurdistan. That will send them a message.