Is it possible to politically play both sides when dealing with terroristic threats?

2015-07-28T11:52:03-04:00

NATO requests Turkey to use restraint when dealing with the Kurdish minority and at the same time showed solidarity in standing with Turkey by condemning attacks inside Turkey saying,"a global threat that knows no border, nationality, or religion — a challenge that the international community must fight and tackle together." Will words of the solidarity of NATO to support Turkey be enough to discourage future attacks in Turkey? I personally do not think so. I think we will see a ramping up of NATO forces to address this issue, http://www.aol.com/article/2015/07/28/nato-holding-rare-emergency-meeting-at-turkeys-request/21214848/

NATO proclaims 'strong solidarity' with Turkey against IS

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jul 28 at 2015 11:57 AM

2015-07-28T11:57:23-04:00

Cognitive dissonance is alive and well in the media CPT Private RallyPoint Member
Turkey is primarily interested in Turkey and has never supported other competing regional interests. They want to be number 1 and have been jealous of both Egypt in the past and Iran in the present. They slaughtered 2 million or so Armenians while the rest of the Europe was fighting WWI. They are very jealous of what is left of their territory after the breakup of the Ottoman Turkish Empire at the end of WWI.
The Kurds have been our allies but they are a thorn in the flesh for the Turks.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jul 28 at 2015 11:59 AM

2015-07-28T11:59:17-04:00

The Turks want it both ways. They've finally realized that DAESH is an existential threat after allowing almost free access across their borders and they also want to be able to attack the Kurds. Yes they want it both ways.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2015 12:11 PM

2015-07-28T12:11:14-04:00

I wish this guy was still our President.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jul 28 at 2015 12:44 PM

2015-07-28T12:44:59-04:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member I think LTC Stephen F. nailed it with his answer. I can tell you that when I was stationed in Europe (SHAPE, Belgium and Chievres AFB, Belgium) the Turks as allies were very dangerous individuals and couldn't be trusted. I was a Night Manager of the International Club on SHAPE, Belgium and I had to have an International Policeman (Turkish Enlisted) removed because he would not give up his side arm or his knife. Very dangerous and very untrusting individuals. So one hand it is good to have them as allies, because on the other they would be your worst enemy. I actually became friends with the Turkish IP that I had removed and he told me it is not uncommon for a young man to kill someone in his country as a right of passage before they are 18 or 19 years of age, sometimes earlier. I asked him if he had ever killed anyone when he was back home and he stated he had killed several individuals as part of his acceptance in his village. They are a special group.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 28 at 2015 1:45 PM

2015-07-28T13:45:08-04:00

Without a doubt bullies were admonished not to use violence, but they still slugged the weaker opponent.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jul 28 at 2015 3:55 PM

2015-07-28T15:55:41-04:00

Indecision only alienates both sides.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 28 at 2015 8:00 PM

2015-07-28T20:00:25-04:00

Strong solidarity by word or deed? If they slaughter the Kurds what will NATO do?