Podesta Postscript
My post about Podesta shouldn't be taken quite as literally as you're all interpreting it. I understood it as--possibly--part of the very complicated backstage diplomatic dance that's going on in these parts. Basically, I read it this way:
Obama to Erdogan, possibly through indirect channels: Congress is seriously going to cancel the F-35 if this keeps up.
Erdogan to Obama: So what. We'll go to China. (Cue Anatolian Eagle.) (Too bad, Uighurs.)
Obama to Erdogan, via a number of messengers, possibly including Podesta: That was really uncalled for. I'm not, actually, a bunny rabbit. I won't say this to your face, because I can't walk back from that, but I swear I'm going to level that place, and you just can't be sure I won't, so think about it, buddy ... if it turns out you've underestimated me, it won't end well for you. Back away from China.
A commitment, it is not. A signal, possibly. To what end, hard to say. But we local tea-leaf readers were snoozing until we heard that. That made us bolt upright. It is definitely a notable phrasing and those who follow these things closely know it.
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Aug '10
Re: Podesta Postscript
Obama has been signaling in every possible way that he can live with a nuclear Iran. He's fine with containment. Maybe Podesta isn't so sanguine and just decided to step off the reservation. Could the signal actually be to his own boss?
Oct '10
Re: Podesta Postscript
For me, it is troubling that we are offering F-35s to a country whose accession to membership in the EU is not entirely welcome, and had a hand in the Gaza flotilla this past summer.
F-15s, even -16s, would be a better choice. Solid enough to get the job done, not quite advanced enough to threaten our other allies with a technological advantage should Turkey ever get into a conflict with one of our other allies (much like the Hawk batteries we sold to Iran in the '70s). And, it would give the factories and personnel dedicated to these platforms a little more longevity.