Tuesday, February 1, 2005

I've Been Thinking:

Keep your eye on Turkey.

We need to spend significant time understanding, watching and asking Turkey for help.

Turkey is one of the key players in the Middle East. If we watch well, we will be rewarded with a superior understanding of the region.

Turkey is the only long standing democracy in the Arab world. It has a healthy yet mixed attitude toward the West.

Turkey's population is highly educated and highly motivated. It is home to a significant percentage of Muslim extremists.

Turkey borders Iraq, Iran and Syria.

Turkey and Israel have a developing relationship, with the usual ups and downs of official diplomacy.

Turkey can be the perfect liaison on almost every issue in the Middle East.

This week, Israel's Military Chief of Staff visited Turkey. It was the first time ever such a trip took place. Last year, the Turkish chief went to Israel. During the meeting I believe that they probably sealed a $1.5 billion arms deal and arranged for important joint training operations.

The better we understand Turkey, the better we will be able to predict the future.