Turkey

Submitted by Ron Rotem (Israel), Dec 6, 2007 at 04:15

Having travelled to Turkey numerous times over the last 5 years I have witnessed a very real move towards a more Islamist state. It appears in many forms starting with " Green Foods", conversations which all of a sudden ask why you deny the "prophet" and the disappearance of liquor from restaurants that previously served wines and other alcholic drinks with dinner. The closing of the casinos all over turkey.

The fear expressed by some of my friends of the government and its direction eastward and the less than friendly reception when one mentions working in Israel or with Israeli companies, when Israeli's were making a big percentage of the tourism which brings in money to Turkey.

Erdogan is far from a friend to the US and the West and is using stealth to hide his real goals. I do not see a tie with Iran or the Arabs, as they are both hated by the Turks, but when the choice is put between Islam and the Crusaders then Turkey will stand firmly in the Islamic camp with the present government.

Stripping the Army of its power will be the first and clearest indication of where Turkey is going.

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