UN Report on Gaza Flotilla

[mawilson 2,133]

Buh bye EU, Turkey knows which side its bread is buttered on.

Turkey's growing rift with the West started with their refusal to allow the US to use their airspace to launch attacks on Iraq and the EU's rejection of membership talks.

Their "other friends" (Islamic nations) are not very happy about Turkey's military ties to Israel.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Does Turkey's heated hostility toward Israel help it gain more credibility in the EU (dealing more harshly with its own burgeoning Muslim populations). I think not.

I don't think so. Turkey desperately wants to attain full membership of the EU. The Middle East is not the impediment they face in that regard - Cyprus is.

EU News link

[Pooky 3,827]

What if the next Flotilla comes with a Turkish Navy escort ?

If the hypothetical Turkish Naval escort attempts to prevent, by the use of force, the Israelis acting to enforce the blockade, then it is likely that Turkey will need a new navy.

The technological disparity between the Turkish armed forces and the IDF is pretty wide, despite Israeli defence companies being responsible for many Turkish systems and equipment upgrades. Any miltary engagement is likely to be distinctly one sided, that close to mainland Israel.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Israel knows how to lose friends in the region, and it does so very well.

Turkey's growing rift with the West started with their refusal to allow the US to use their airspace to launch attacks on Iraq and the EU's rejection of membership talks.

Their "other friends" (Islamic nations) are not very happy about Turkey's military ties to Israel.

I doubt that Turkey would have to face Israel alone. Besides, Israel's ability to defend itself militarily is overrated.

If the hypothetical Turkish Naval escort attempts to prevent, by the use of force, the Israelis acting to enforce the blockade, then it is likely that Turkey will need a new navy.

The technological disparity between the Turkish armed forces and the IDF is pretty wide, despite Israeli defence companies being responsible for many Turkish systems and equipment upgrades. Any miltary engagement is likely to be distinctly one sided, that close to mainland Israel.

[Pooky 3,827]

Does Turkey's heated hostility toward Israel help it gain more credibility in the EU (dealing more harshly with its own burgeoning Muslim populations). I think not.

I don't think it makes much difference, where EU membership is concerned. There is little pro-Israel sentiment in Europe, and the Cyprus issue is, and always has been, the sticking point to Turkish membership. The Turkish invasion of 1974 and their susequent stubborn intransigence has harmed their European ties far more than their attitude to Israel ever could.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

The latest from Turkey:

and:

So the reaction we have so far:

1. Turkey expels the Israeli Ambassador and downgrades diplomatic relations to the "lowest level possible"

2. Turkey suspends all military agreements with Israel

3. Turkey announces its Navy will patrol the Eastern Mediterranean and it take whatever measures it deems necessary for the freedom of navigation

4. Turkey does not recognize Israel's blockade of Gaza and will take the case to the International Court of Justice, as well as start an initiative at the U.N. in September

5. The Turkish Navy will escort future Flotillas to Gaza

6. Turkey will take legal action in international courts representing the families of the victims killed on the Mavi Marmara against the Israeli soldiers and officials involved in the Flotilla attack

All this because Israel refuses to make an apology and pay compensation to the victims' families. This could get very interesting very quickly.

If the Turks are half as badass as they were in previous conflicts, the Israelis don't stand a chance.

Edited September 3, 2011 by Crusty Old Perv

[Sofiyya 1,687]

There is weight against Turkey's brewing anti-Israel stance, especially as an opportunistic Greece has grown closer to Israel.

I don't think it makes much difference, where EU membership is concerned. There is little pro-Israel sentiment in Europe, and the Cyprus issue is, and always has been, the sticking point to Turkish membership. The Turkish invasion of 1974 and their susequent stubborn intransigence has harmed their European ties far more than their attitude to Israel ever could.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

He ain't going anywhere unless Israel lets him, unless he's planning to cross over from Egypt via a Hamas weapons smuggling tunnel

Turks are not Arabs, or Egyptians.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Israel needs desperately to stop believing its own propaganda and get real if it wants to survive.

If the Turks are half as badass as they were in previous conflicts, the Israelis don't stand a chance.

[Pooky 3,827]

If the Turks are half as badass as they were in previous conflicts, the Israelis don't stand a chance.

You're kidding, right?

[Sofiyya 1,687]

What is the stance that Israel is unbeatable based on?

[Pooky 3,827]

There is weight against Turkey's brewing anti-Israel stance, especially as an opportunistic Greece has grown closer to Israel.

Greece and Turkey have a "disagreement" over Cyprus.

Is it at all surprising that Greece might make nice to a country that has p!ssed off the Turks?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

You're kidding, right?

Oh, no. Not at all. Perhaps you haven't paid attention to history, even as recently as the Korean Conflict

[Sofiyya 1,687]

I've been aware of their disagreement since grade school. I called Greece "opportunistic" for a reason

Greece and Turkey have a "disagreement" over Cyprus.

Is it at all surprising that Greece might make nice to a country that has p!ssed off the Turks?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I've been aware of their disagreement since grade school. I called Greece "opportunistic" for a reason

Greece has more need of the EU, than Turkey it appears. You think Turkey may have remained Israel's ally long enough, and perhaps wants to take advantage of the Arab Spring, to reassert the Ottoman's presence in the area?

Did you notice Turkey has remained the one country the US has not been able to bully into submission?

Edited September 3, 2011 by Crusty Old Perv