You have to really understand the NATO relationship with Turkey, Recep Erdogan and, well, essentially the Muslim Brotherhood, to understand the dynamics at play.
Turkish President Recep Erdogan is a perfectly Turkish man of notoriously intemperate disposition.
Erdogan wears many masks; however, unlike many leaders he does so publicly. He will say whatever is needed to make the ‘West’ think they have upper hand, while doing exactly the opposite.
Erdogan will decry terrorism, take in Syrian refugees and simultaneously kill Kurds, and provide safe harbor for the worst elements of The Muslim Brotherhood (political Islam). No one sleeps in Erdogan’s camp without one eye open and a weapon under their pillow.
The ‘West’ hates his duplicity and leverage. The Russians don’t trust him an inch. The Arabs think he’s sketchy, and the Persians tolerate him. However, Erdogan is centered in the Gateway between the Middle East and Europe; even Turkey’s geography is critical.
There is only one guy in global politics who interacts with Recep Erdogan in a way that generates mutual respect; that guy is Donald Trump. The skillset that Trump carries is his lack of pretending, his brutal honesty in every interaction. Trump could be standing next to Erdogan at a presser, answer a question and say, “He’s a strong man, he’s probably lying, but that’s ok, I like him, it’s strong politics, you can’t be weak we will figure it out.”…. To wit Erdogan won’t flinch an inch but smile inside.
In a weird way, 99% of the viewing public will not understand the dynamic of this relationship, but it’s funny. If there was one global leader who would be disliked by NATO more than Erdogan, it’s probably Trump. The two non-pretending leaders -absolutely critical for everything- have a great deal of mutual respect for each other. There’s a reason why the notoriously insufferable NATO manipulator met President Trump at the airport, with an official greeting. WATCH:
.
.
The sunglasses over his eyes are particularly apropos.
Similar to FJB’s.
Yes…Shades of Biden 🙂
Are you saying Biden was shady?
Ugh! Groan!
Let he who is without grin…
Cast the first groan. 🙂
<ARRRRGH!>
Do they have a growing friendship, or a groaning one?
Erdogan is showing his age via his walk.
Wonder about his health.
Yep – Yip Yap looking pretty old these days.
PDJT, in contrast, looking fit and strong.
PDJT4547 has a mission, and makes everyone’s health seem inadequate. He is the force we need, and the world’s leaders, like/dislike for him, knows he has our power behind him. H e is unafraid to ask, see, do whatever is necessary for his MAGA to succeed. GODSPEED, SIR!!!
Amen to that!!!
<Erdogan is showing his age via his walk.>
Erdogone 🙂
My thoughts exactly. I just looked up his age. Only 72.
He musta’ been “rode hard and put up wet”.
Looks more like set on fire and put out with a wet chain.
I know the feeling, being of a certain age, also. Two old f’ers who can barely walk, but still have the mutual respect to meet publicly, in person.
My take as well.
I am over 80, I recognize all over 80 sign which are well within normal.
.Keep your GD hand on the stair rails always. Biden refused to get the memo – first sign of dementia.
The eyes are window to one’s soul! The eyes never lie! I’m sure POTUS is an excellent body reader!
This is utterly fascinating. I never knew what to think about Erdogan but always wondered. Thank you very much Sundance!
When the Mullah’s were launching rockets and missiles in every direction early on in our latest engagement with them, I found it fascinating that they did not shoot towards Turkey despite a 350-mile direct border. It was only after a week or so that they lobbed a single ordinance in Turkey’s direction, almost as if Erdogan said: “Hey, Muhammed, you are making it a little too obvious we are in cahoots, why don’t you send one my way and let me know time and location so I can shoot it out of the sky…”
Then there is this…. He is as shady as they get….
Maduro Regime Unlawfully Sent Tons Of Gold To Turkey, Iran, Russia Over The Years: Report
Communists would never do that–they’re like Obama, philosopher kings!
Erdogan looks like he came out of Central Casting because he did.
he’ll be in the End Times casting, too.
Um, King of the North???
gog/magog, is beth-togarmah, tubal,gomer
And at the same time French President Macron is in Syria and a major attack has just taken place on the hotel he’s staying in- he’s reportedly safe.
I’m really hoping our POTUS stays on his new plane and not in a hotel !!
Double-Tap Bombing Rips Through Damascus Near French President Macron’s Hotel
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/double-tap-explosion-rips-through-damascus-near-french-president-macrons-hotel#comment-stream
Macron has a bad sense of geography. I thought the meeting was in Turkey.
Shiite happens when their is no respect for Macron, viewed as being a weak leader and indecisive. Hezbollah must have been given the order to attack him by Iran, knowing he will cower to some safe room while wetting himself.
Gas attack when he heard Le Pen was running again.
Sundance says:
“He will say whatever is needed to make the ‘West’ think they have upper hand, while doing exactly the opposite.”
This is precisely what we’re seeing from the Iranians as well, which is why it’s very hard to get excited about all this ‘deal making’.
I’m sure there is a deal in place- until 5 minutes later when there isn’t one.
I think the pattern with all these people in that region is painfully clear.
Taqiyaa.
All day; every day!!!
Obamaa.
While I applaud President Trump and his team, I can’t help but feel a deal isn’t worth the paper its written on.
But it does show the world that they are just as untrustworthy as they imagined
Jaw jaw still beats bomb bomb, or O-BOMB-Ya
And if you know this, I know this, and others on X and here know this, we can be assured that Trump and his Administration know this, which is why I think it’s funny when I see the pearl-clutching over it.
In that region is a bit harsh. There are many ME allies, such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia, that present themselves as they are, especially the UAE. Their culture may be different, and people may not like that culture, but it is their country, not ours. They respect our culture, we respect theirs.
Everyone, including Turkey, knows Iran cannot be trusted- that’s the real reason no one stepped up to help them, including Turkey. Erdgon is as SD paints him, but he’s also not a complete fool.
No. ME countries do not respect our culture.
If they did they wouldn’t be sending their jihadis here to kill/convert us.
Stop being ignorant; not all of them send jihadis. FFS. Not all of them have jihadis. Ignorance knows no bounds, not even on CTH.
I think you both are right.
They are going to do whatever they think they can get away with- they do, they will and they are.
They are being what they are.. and hopefully we can end this and keep it ended.
I’d say that now that we’re so well aware of it all, this certainly helps.
They ALL have allegiance-overt and covert to the Muslim ummah and the Muslim creed
NONE are to be trusted
Taqiyya is written into their genes
Unconventional wars require unconventional surrenders.
There are four regimes concurrently “ruling” in Iran. The civilian leaders at the negotiating table in Switzerland will get shot by the IRGC upon return if they are quoted saying things unacceptible to the IRGC. So no clear message can be stated, possibly not until the people rise up (if the Kurds are indeed bringing them arms) and assert their sovereignty over the IRGC.
The best (and most humorous) explanation I’ve seen came from Brig. Gen. (ret) Blaine Holt in the first 04:40 of this podcast:
Reminds me of
The actor that portrayed Brasi was Lenny Montana (Leonardo Passafaro), a former pro wrestler and soldier/enforcer for the Colombo crime family. One of the behind the scenes stories about The Godfather: Montana was so starstruck and in awe of being in a scene with Marlon Brando that he got so nervous and couldn’t speak his lines. James Caan decided to help Montana loosen up and relax. As the story is related: “Caan had a wicked sense of humor, so he concocted a plan for Montana to play on Brando when he shot his scene with him. Caan instructed Montana to stick his tongue out when his character said ‘Don Corleone’. His tongue, apparently, had a piece of tape that Caan fashioned with the words ‘f*** you’. Understandably, Montana was reluctant. However, he ultimately went along with the plan, which immediately got the cast and crew rolling in laughter. This, apparently, was enough to calm Montana’s nerves, and he was able to shoot one of the most famous scenes in the movie”.
LOVE IT !
And pray that Trump doesn’t give the “strong man” and Turkey our crown jewel, the F-35.
President Trump has never given anything without a better deal for us.
It’s why so many of them are bitter, they want Daddy to keep bailing them out and give nothing in return.
Giving Turkey and the little Hitler Erdogan F-35 jets will not ultimately profit the U.S., and certainly not Israel. In case you haven’t noticed, Turkey is an enemy of Israel, and Erdogan is building a coalition of Islamic nations that also hate Israel and have now openly declared that the world would be better off without her.
“Little Hitler??” Oh my.
There are so many political leaders across the United States and around the world who deserve that description so much more than President Erdogan.
Many of them are so-called “allies” of the United States.
I think there are many people in the United States who need to rethink who are our friends, who are our enemies, and who deserves to be compared to Hitler.
I’ve got a sneakin’ suspicion that if we were ever to ‘give’ Turkey F-35s, they would last about as long as a fart in a hurricane.
My point is President Trump has a history of doing what’s best for the USA, in all his deals.
We trust him, not any of the ME countries. He has supported Israel more than anyone else.
He’s also worked harder at peace in the ME than anyone.
And it’s incredibly difficult, beyond anything we can know.
At the press Q/A, I heard Pres. Trump say he would – in response to that question.
Unless, of course, he was toying with the reporter.
Turkey has been a member of NATO since 1952. Why wouldn’t President Trump sell Turkey F-35’s?
If PDJT does sell Turkey some F-35s, they will absolutely be “export” versions. Tuned down and minus certain important capabilities.
YOU Nailed it –
EACH Operator has THEIR ” own ” Tuning
That’s the Selling Point of the F-35 – Open architecture
ie.
https://www.armyrecognition.com/archives/archives-aerospace-defense/defense-news-aerospace-2025/three-european-countries-expand-f-35-arsenal-with-new-joint-order-of-us-made-aim-9x-sidewinder-missiles
The F-35 IS NOT ” our crown jewel ” …
THINGS That Are VISIBLE – ARE Usually 2 Generations Behind the Latest Tech.
ie.
the F-117 ( the Wobblin’ Goblin )
the Tech that MIGHT BE at High Risk imo, would be
the Engine BUT CHINA HAS ALREADY STOLE THAT TECH by
Pratt Whitney
and has Parts of it made in Poland, Canada
AGAIN It Turns into REPRODUCTION of the Product, ie. METALLUGY, ELECTRONICS, MACHINING
ALL WHICH China HAS NOW
ie.
HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS = ” Craftsman “
The commands given out sound like someone severely constipated.
I know. Not appropriate.
MAGA POWER! 👊👊🇺🇸🇺🇸
The bosporus is pretty far from the atlantic. Just sayin…
Iran keeps firing on ships in the strait that are using the Omani side for transit
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/qatari-lng-tanker-hit-iranian-missile-hormuz-chokepoint
Well now that was interesting and entertaining. However, don’t ask me why because, unlike Sundance, I’ve no idea.
The guards are carrying wood-stocked M1 Garands.How thoughtful
Erdogan shuffles along like Biden.
He walks like he’s had both knees replaced.
I haven’t seen him in a while, my first immediate thought was how old and thin he now looks.
Now contrast that with our President that grows younger 🤣
Zelensky at NATO Summit in Ankara:
We have completely eliminated the very idea of Russia having a strategic rear.
And you know this country — for a long time, Russia believed it had a territorial advantage. No one else possessed a deep rear.
It could safely keep military production, military equipment, and everything its war depends on, believing no one could reach them.
And we have reached them. Just yesterday, Ukrainian drones broke through Russia’s defenses and struck a Russian oil refinery in Siberia.
And this is not an exception. It’s the new reality, and there is no major oil refinery left in Russia that has not been struck by Ukraine.
11:25 AM · Jul 7, 2026
25.6K
Views
That little twerp is such a hanger-on. He’s not a part of NATO – why is he there????
And he just makes things up as he talks. The drone strike he references, from Business Insider- Social media footage indicated that at least one major fire was started at the refinery; several columns of the refinery’s main processing unit, the ELOU-AVT-11, were filmed spouting smoke.
It was not as big a deal as he paints it…..he’s pathetic. The picture shared shows the fire being called major is even misleading.
He’s the bugger that sticks to whomever he can shake down.
BEGGING, as usual. His time on the world stage is coming to an abrupt halt sooner than he can anticipate, wanting his exit parting funding in hand before his is escorted out of all foreign meetings.
Russia has been fighting this war with on hand behinds its back, It has rarely struck the capitol. It took out the bio labs which was one main objective. I believe it could kill the twerp anytime it wants but if it did, there would be no one else to talk too and the war could go on for ever.
to
Erdogan has long had a reputation and a “strongman” with evil proclivities. I note that he appears fragile physically, while our righteous leader, Donald Trump looks robust even in his eighties. I must say, this was a wonderful greeting ceremony which our President Trump certainly deserves!
A 21-gun salute.
Contrast it all against the Chyna reception- or lack of one.
Trump wears his pragmatism on his shirt sleeves. He knows and understands other people and how to deal with them. Democrats are always bending the knee because they are cowards and sycophants. Democrats ARE NOT LEADERS.
Dimms are stiffs!
Anyone know who the female was at the airport with the white igloo on her head…Erdogan’s wife?
Interpreter?
Monica Crowley, U.S. Protocol Administrator
Monica was bare headed, in a white dress and black detailing at the bottom of the skirt. There was another woman, wearing a suit and a light colored headscarf that appears to have been with the Turkish group.
Crowley was wearing the white dress and was off to the right.
There seems to be a fundamental flaw in the whole concept of electing/appointing leaders, and that is that there is a strong negative correlation between the goodness of the men that aspire to lead countries and the success of those aspirations – i.e. most of those that are elected/installed are of questionable morality and character. We are very blessed in that Trump is an extreme exception to that rule. He is a once in a generation leader.
I’ll always think of him as “Yip Yap”. It just resonates.
Magog, Meshech, Tubal, Gomer and Togarmah are primarily in Asia Minor or today’s Turkey. In the book of Revelation John reveals that these are the ones who will attack Israel.
Just recently, Andy Woods, an excellent pastor out of Texas as reported the turkey government claiming that they will give Israel and out and take them over helping them through their trials and tribulations.
I know there’s some Israel haters in this group, but they are God’s people and I also know there are some questions in this group. We are to study the Bible daily so that we can wait for Jesus watching for him daily in anticipation of his return. Back to God‘s people he chose this wild Bunch. They did not choose him. This is what we are to understand and use them as the prophetic time peace as to the lead up to the great tribulation.
I truly believe that Trump‘s second term is giving us a little bit of a break before all the craziness happens and it will. The Bible is never wrong however, as a man, I could be wrong as I want Jesus to come back more than anything else because I know that will be the beginning of the end of corruption in the beginning of his thousand year rain and that my friends is going to be awesome. God bless you all. Keep watching he’s coming.
Maranatha, thank you brother! Jesus is Risen !
Salvation and the Gospel come from the Jew – that’s just how it is – they were chosen by GOD. Not the Japanese, not the Arabs, not any other ancient people. The Bible, entirely written by Jewish authors (as instructed by GOD). The world would be wise to bear in mind GOD’s warning, “I will bless those who bless thee [Israel], and curse those who curse thee.” (Gen. 12:3)
Keep praying that God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven — as Jesus told His disciples and His believers to do Matt 6:9-10. If something is going on in the earth that is not God’s will (corruption, pedo networks, cheating, stealing elections etc.) pray against it.
Christians have the authority to pray against evil on the earth and bring down the wicked spiritual forces — see Eph 6. Only then can God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven.. When God’s will is done on earth, Jesus can return for a bride without spot or wrinkle.
I should add that Jesus already defeated death, hell and the grave and gave us (Believers) the keys. What more can God do?
Now we must pray and act in faith believing that Jesus would not have told us to pray that God’s will be done on earth if it was not possible for God’s will to be done on earth (BEFORE JESUS RETURNS)!!!
God bless you Articman.
If they are God’s people, what was their response when Christ, the Messiah, came?
I see your point however the Bible is clear God chose them and will not break his word ever. He is the same yesterday, Today and Tomorrow for that I am Grateful.
They had him killed.
Thankfully our redemption is from Jesus.
25 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, “Now I will restore the fortunes of Jacob and have mercy on the whole house of Israel; and I will be jealous for My holy name.
26 They will forget their disgrace and all their treachery which they perpetrated against Me, when they live securely on their own land with no one to make them afraid.
27 When I bring them back from the peoples and gather them from the lands of their enemies, then I shall be sanctified through them in the sight of the many nations.
28 Then they will know that I am the LORD their God because I made them go into exile among the nations, and then gathered them again to their own land; and I will leave none of them there any longer.
29 I will not hide My face from them any longer, for I will have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel,” declares the Lord GOD. (Ezekiel 39:25, NASB)
I had Turks reporting to me for a few years during my career. They were treacherous and untrustworthy. I don’t know what it is, there’s something about their culture that causes this.
Weasel is a word that comes to mind to describe them.
Even worse were the Ukes.
“HELLO MY GOOD FRIEND !! welcome to Istanbul…..come, let me show you some beautiful rugs…… I LOVE AMERICA my brother lives there !!”
(Heard about 5 or 6 times on my 1st visit to that incredible city) 🤣 👍🏻 🥸
I’ve only been to Antalya (1998). There, you had to deal with these refugee kids wiping vaseline on your shoes, then saying you owed them for the shine. Or they’d shove a flower in your hand and say you had to buy it.
Our ship showed us Midnight Express right before we pulled in, so we were all pretty worried about ending up in a Turkish jail. That changed real quick, though.
A couple of Turkish army soldiers saw the kids harassing us. They walked over, started talking to us about the US Navy, told us a bit about the Turkish Army, and then straight up said nobody likes the refugees and we should just hit them if they bothered us.
We were kinda puzzled and walked off, maybe 10 feet away. Next thing we know, another kid runs up and wipes vaseline all over my shipmate’s shoes. Out of nowhere, that same soldier comes over, cracks the kid in the head with the butt of his rifle, bends down, grabs him by the leg, and just tosses him off to the side like a sack of $h1t.
He looked at us, smiled, and said none of them would bother us in that area for the rest of the day. The other kids took off running.
Hahaha….! Good one…..I hadn’t heard of that one……..
I was there around the same time period ! Friends recounted a similar experience in Portugal …. where the tour guide told them if mobbed by “adorable street urchins” anywhere ….. punch the first one in the face as they were really organized mass EXPERT PICKPOCKETS….. 😳
The guide (an American ex pat) then got to demonstrate shortly there after…..appalling some of his group….! 🙄(Likely the DemocRATS 😝🍿🍿🍿👍🏻)
Erdogan or the Euro-weenies? Now there’s a choice.
MYSELF
i WOULD TAKE – ERDOGAN
NO ILLUSIONS of COMMONALITY in ULTIMATE GOALS -> Erdogan’s Vision of ” REBUILDING THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE ”
-> NOT my or The UNITED STATES Goal.
Wild. This has got to bother the crap out of the rest of the cool kids from the EU.
Thank goodness for our reliable European allies and Canada. Just kidding. Do they have a term rationalizing telling us what we want to hear and then doing the opposite? They make Turkey look good which wasn’t an easy task.
Erdogan is walking in a way an 85 year old would. He’s only 72. Anyone else notice that?
Yep – its very clear. And with robust PDJT standing/walking along him, its even more apparent.
SOME 85-year olds. I am 91 tomorrow, and could actually run rings around even PJDT, so do not ‘generalize’.
Would that I could dobthat, even at sixty. I had to buy a cane last year and have been trying to avoid using the thing!
Well, I’m 85 and can’t walk nearly as well as you or DJT, but I am thankful that I am still verticle.
Congrats – you’re blessed and a blessing.
💪
I hope I can keep up!
👍😆
Happy Birthday, Sturm!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TOMORROW!!
Man that SS guy at the bottom of the steps looks pretty scary. You don’t want to mess with him.
IMESHO, this is a outstanding summary of problems with NATO, and the fourth paragraph is a succinct summary of a real concern. Likewise, the UN is useless for similar reasons, and we should quit wasting our money on it.
“Keep your friends close – and your enemies closer.”
Erdogan is as trustworthy as the Iranians and should be treated the same way. He will stab Trump in the back (figuratively, of course) the first chance he gets. Worse than Democrats.
What I found fascinating was that both videos that Sundance included showed pretty much just the two leaders greeting and walking without the usual entourage, important potentates, generals, politicians, or cabinet members–Just the two leaders.
When was the last time you saw the President in ‘The Beast’ alone without multitudes of ‘necessary travel security vehicles’?
It was just The Beast surrounded by Turkey’s mounted guard that made the procession from airport to destination. Then when PT arrived it was just PT who got out of the Beast and just Erdogan alone waiting to meet him as the gates closed behind the Beast. And only PT and Erdogan walking alone to review the troops during this ‘state arrival ceremony’.
Just two strongmen together, without all the usual political and diplomatic ‘Bells and whistles’ for a NATO meeting–Quite a serious statement on both their parts compared to the upcoming NATO silliness and political, protocol BS.
I agree-
I would think our president’s protectors know what and when to do their job.
President Trump and President Erdogan have a mutually respectful relationship because they are both extremely intelligent alpha males who don’t waste time with pretending or with meaningless blah blah.
The leaders of Europe (I include Canadian Carney here) aren’t even beta males.
They are low IQ children pretending to be adults. They think stupid things, say stupid things do stupid things, and pretend that they are smart.
They are like little kids dressing up as Superman or Captain America at Halloween.
Presidents Trump and Erdogan probably enjoy talking to each other. Both men have so few real adults to talk with.
Agree!
IMO, Trump, Putin, Xi, and Erdogan are among the smartest leaders. Adel al-Jubeir is impressive, also. Many of the others don’t even come close.
Erdogan phonied up a military coup in order to eliminate the guarantor of Turkey’s secular government (from the time of Kemal Ataturk). He’s an ambitious snake who doubtless realizes that Trump would look askance at an attempt to re-establish the Turkish Empire.
2016 – ” the Gülen movement Attempt ” and Erdogan Govt Suppression
Erdogan is a Turkish Wade Munny, only without the redemption…
🦁👑= G.O.A.T. 🇺🇲💕
Holy Orthodox Christian New Martyrs under the Turkish Yoke pray for us.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan welcomed Trump at the Presidential Palace (Beştepe) with a 21-gun salute!
A welcome similarity Xi’s. Respect.
After the Ottoman Empire fell after it was defeated in WWI Turkey’s new leader, Atatürk, pulled Turkey towards the west, saying its future was in the west, not the east. He brutally cracked down on dissidents, the most organized being the Islamists, had to put his boot down on them to force western notions of modernity on the nation. And Turkey became the most secularized Muslim nation in the world. Strict prohibitions on religion in affairs of the state.
Turkey became an important member of NATO. But longed to be embraced by the rest of Europe, the west, more than just a military buffer state. Seeking economic alignment. As the EU began to form, first as an economic bloc, then a governing bloc Turkey’s secular leadership made entrees to join. That were rebuffed. They were told they had to end their repression of religious freedoms, welcome Islamists into their government, overturning constitutional prohibition. Turkey’s leader complied, freeing the like of Erdogan from persecution and prison and allowing them to participate in government. And still the EU balked; they didn’t want Turkey in their club.
As that reality became clear the Turks began to look back to their east. The rejection by the west was profound, like when a crush on person you desire is rebuffed, the jilted forlorn desire turned them back to their first love. It was at this same time when the Shrub’s Iraq War invasion was being planned. the two-front strategy of a pincer from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia on one side and Turkey from the other.
Turkey’s secular leaders, smarting from the EU’s most recent snub, with the Islamist faction that Erdogan was part of agitating in the streets with their newly acquired political power decided to deny Shrub the northern front. Forcing the last-minute recalibration of the attack on Iraq into a one-front war. That allowed the insurgency to fester in the northern parts of Iraq that a northern attack front would’ve prevented.
It was in that political/geopolitical reality that Erdogan rose to power. That was the context. Which means that Erdogan-led Turkey was the byproduct of the EU’s decisions. First unleashing the Islamist political power that Ataturk had worked so hard, so many sacrifices to repress, to make Turkey a western nation. Then rebuffing Turkey from their club. This is the Turkey that Trump is trying to find a way forward with. The Turks know they can NEVER trust the Europeans. Yet they need the economic relationship with them. It is purely transactional, no loyalty. Because they know that Europeans have no sense of loyalty or honor for that matter. They are looking to the east for their long term future, while the straddle the west for present.
Everyone says they are a gangster until a real gangster (our President) walks into the room.
Turkey in 20th-21st century historical context. What Trump is dealing with, complexity of EU’s duplicity, instigation.
After the Ottoman Empire fell after it was defeated in WWI Turkey’s new leader, Atatürk, pulled Turkey towards the west, saying its future was in the west, not the east. He brutally cracked down on dissidents, the most organized being the Islamists, had to put his boot down on them to force western notions of modernity on the nation. And Turkey became the most secularized Muslim nation in the world. Strict prohibitions on religion in affairs of the state.
Turkey became an important member of NATO. But longed to be embraced by the rest of Europe, the west, more than just a military buffer state. Seeking economic alignment. As the EU began to form, first as an economic bloc, then a governing bloc Turkey’s secular leadership made entrees to join. That were rebuffed. They were told they had to end their repression of religious freedoms, welcome Islamists into their government, overturning constitutional prohibition. Turkey’s leader complied, freeing the like of Erdogan from persecution and prison and allowing them to participate in government. And still the EU balked; they didn’t want Turkey in their club.
As that reality became clear the Turks began to look back to their east. The rejection by the west was profound, like when a crush on person you desire is rebuffed, the jilted forlorn desire turned them back to their first love. It was at this same time when the Shrub’s Iraq War invasion was being planned. the two-front strategy of a pincer from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia on one side and Turkey from the other.
Turkey’s secular leaders, smarting from the EU’s most recent snub, with the Islamist faction that Erdogan was part of agitating in the streets with their newly acquired political power decided to deny Shrub the northern front. Forcing the last-minute recalibration of the attack on Iraq into a one-front war. That allowed the insurgency to fester in the northern parts of Iraq that a northern attack front would’ve prevented.
It was in that political/geopolitical reality that Erdogan rose to power. That was the context. Which means that Erdogan-led Turkey was the byproduct of the EU’s decisions. First unleashing the Islamist political power that Ataturk had worked so hard, so many sacrifices to repress, to make Turkey a western nation. Then rebuffing Turkey from their club. This is the Turkey that Trump is trying to find a way forward with. The Turks know they can NEVER trust the Europeans. Yet they need the economic relationship with them. It is purely transactional, no loyalty. Because they know that Europeans have no sense of loyalty or honor for that matter. They are looking to the east for their long term future, while the straddle the west for present.
Sorry long text wall, but abbreviated the best I could.
Great Cooment
I lived in Turkey as an Expat in the 1980’s when the EEC (European Economic Community), the forerunner of the EU, spit in President Everen’s and PM Ozal’s faces more than a few times as they bent over backwards, with reforms and economic efforts, to qualify for membership.
Your comment on the fake coup to purge the Armed forces of Secular oriented leadership is right on the money. The Armed Forces of turkey were the guarantors of the secular republic … the West never reported that each time they intervened in the Turkish Government that it was a master reset event to cleanse the Turkish Government of Islamist’s and Socialists bent on wrecking the secular republic.
Turkey is the only nato member with an army that could actually do something.
Erdogan looks a bit fragile and he’s only 72.
Where did Turkiye get star wars clones?
If Turkey loses Israel, they soon lose Anatolia.
Historic fact.
Thanks, SD. With all of the worldwide Deep State being exposed it is almost gratifying that these two cats come together.
The “rules based international order” is over and I am grateful.
Trumps four years in ‘the wilderness’ was Divine, I believe. It gave him time to plan accordingly.
As one’s neighbor once said, you can be Muslim and you can be good, but you can’t be both. Real Muslims have a disdain for peaceful ones and others not like themselves
US Constitution and sharia are incompatible, period
Two excellent showmen doing what they do, show the world