Ottoman Fantasies
Claire Berlinski, Ed. ·
Jun 6, 2011 at 1:52am
Michael Totten, who is as good an interviewer as he is a writer, asked me if he could interview me about Turkey. You can read the result here. Thanks, Michael, for asking such good questions.
(Some of you may recognize parts of this interview: I posted parts of this on the Member Feed and asked for Ricochet's help in figuring out which parts should go in an article I was writing about Turkish foreign policy. Long story, but that article never made it into print. That happens a lot in journalism. I thought the points I made were worth making, though, so I made them here.)
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Comments :
Jan '11
Re: Ottoman Fantasies
If you can't plagiarize yourself, then who can you plagiarize?
Oct '10
Re: Ottoman Fantasies
Without implying any sort of vast, fifth column, Caliphatic conspiracy, might not the understandable tendency of Muslims to assume other Muslims have the best of intentions be a problem? Is there really a big difference between being formally allied with violent jihadists and being, as Claire describes the AKP, "genuinely naïve enough to think all Muslims can be trusted"? It's the definition of useful idiot.
Regarding the PKK, I think if they either attacking the entire world (al-Qaeda), or doing a better job portraying themselves as victims (Palestinians), they would be getting more attention.
The PKK is essentially involved in the infamous 'local land dispute'. If leftists and progressives around the world start sympathizing with the leftist ideology of PKK over the 'conservative' AKP, the PKK attacks might get more attention, but the coverage would probably not be what Claire envisions. A leftist terrorist is always a noble freedom fighter.
Edited on Jun 6, 2011 at 7:03amFeb '11
Re: Ottoman Fantasies
It sounds like Turkey is bumbling its way toward a confrontation with Iran that's not gonna end well. This interview should be required reading for all members of our Middle East/Central Asian diplomatic corps.
Thanks Claire