Turkish Ambassador: Al-Qaeda not a terrorist organisation

[Zevico]

Well, you're now comparing Turkey to China. You're the one making that comparison.

My point is sound: Turkey is not best understood as an ally but as a power in transition from the West to an Islamist ideology throughout its society and institutions. A pro-Al Qaeda Turkish diplomat is a sign of the times.

[Lancer]

This is one guy in a third world ****hole running his mouth. One of the Kardashians farts, it makes "international news" If we had our panties in a bunch during the cold war like some people here, we'd have had World War 3 on a weekly basis.

Oh, North Korea made another video where they overran Seoul in 3 days and took 150k American hostages. Guess since they endorsed that we should start a war ourselves over it.

Where do I sign up? Might not fit into the fatigues too well after almost 40 yrs, might have to widen the shoulders...

[kentonio]

Ambassador positions in the US are often given to political donors. It's rather unfortunate. Apparently something like 80%? of Obama's ambassadors were major campaign contributors. "Hope and change!"

*sigh*

Mr. Obama has followed recent tradition in making appointments; like every president going back to Ronald Reagan, he has filled about 70 percent of the posts with career diplomats and 30 percent with political appointees, often but not always top donors.

[kentonio]

My point is sound: Turkey is not best understood as an ally but as a power in transition from the West to an Islamist ideology throughout its society and institutions. A pro-Al Qaeda Turkish diplomat is a sign of the times.

It's a little sad how keen you are to just write off a major western ally. I guess more than half a century of loyalty doesn't mean a lot to people like you when you can just take a cheap shot at some muslims instead.

[DinoDoc]

I guess more than half a century of loyalty doesn't mean a lot ...

In general, no. A great statesman from your area one said, “Nations have no permanent friends or allies, they only have permanent interests.” The rule of the game is what have you done for me lately.

[kentonio]

In general, no. A great statesman from your area one said, “Nations have no permanent friends or allies, they only have permanent interests.” The rule of the game is what have you done for me lately.

It's not about friends, it's about relationships that can be manipulated to aid the national interest. When you have an ally in the position of turkey, acting as a buffer zone between the West and the Middle East, the southern approach to the former soviet states, and lets not forget a pretty close partner to Israel most of the time, you'd be insane to let that go lightly. National interest plays out over decades and centuries, not weeks and months.

[DinoDoc]

I wasn't talking about letting them go over this. I was responding to your overly sentimental pap about a half century of loyalty.

[kentonio]

I wasn't talking about letting them go over this. I was responding to your overly sentimental pap about a half century of loyalty.

It's not sentiment you sap, half a century of loyalty means half a century of close national and personal relationships that can be invaluable.

[Sava]

Bioshock Infinite is an overrated game

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

Bumped over the 2005 threads.