It was U.N. week in New York, and we bumped into all sorts of world leaders. We have three on this show - must-see conversations. We begin with Turkey's prime minister. In making a break with Israel, he's altering crucial alliances in the Middle East and all over the world. He will explain his reasoning. Then, is the new Russia a friend or a foe? Sergey Lavrov served the Kremlin back when the USSR was our sworn enemy. He is now Russia's foreign minister. And later, the man who might save the euro. Jose Manuel Barroso is the president of the European Commission. He is faced with a tough task as the euro zone crisis worsens. All that, plus we'll tell you about political pirates and why they scored a surprising victory.
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Mr. Zakaria should have asked the Turkish PM about the horrors Turkey has inflicted on the Kurds.... what about forming a new country called Kurdistan, since he's so adamant about "Palestine"? What about acknowledging Turkey's genocide against the Armenians? Turkey has a lot of blood on its hands too.. hardly a moral representative to answer such questions.
well unlike the Palestinians the kurds have arms which they show no hesitation in using them against turkey ,on the other hand it's not about blood,it's about doing the right thing...at least he's being honest , don't forget that usa killed millions and all it keeps doing is pretending that it's calling for peace
The Palestinians don't have arms? They are not willing to use them? How can you expect anyone to take you seriously?
First, a little reminder from basic world history: There has never been an independent Kursdish state in the history. These romantic ideas of "giving some land to poor Kurds" is not any different than what British and French did after the First World War; drawing boundaries on the map and making up nations. We are still dealing with that issue in the Middle East aren't we? How are we to create a nation for these people who are living under the flags of 4-5 different countries in the region? They have always been used, abused and given empty promises to create instability in the region. Their terrorist arms -which western media would like to call "Rebels" – are just doing that now. Comparing the Kurdish issue with Palestine is simply insincere and ignorant.
There has never been a Palestinian state in history either – the more you guys talk about it the more obvious it is that the Kurds and Pals are similar, as are the actions of Turkey and Israel
So if Turks kill Kurds, it gives Israel to have a ball too? You are totally dumb. As Brian said, Kurdistan was never historically a country. A man in history whom West fantasized and call him an Arab warrior ,called Saladin, was actually a Kurd who took Jerusalem back during the second crusade. Kurds have always lived with Arabs in the region and with Ottomans. The fact of the matter is they are propped up to malign 5 countries in the region where they are spread. When Iraq attacked Kurds US helped Saddam with weapons! Should we place sanctions on US? Oh no, it was in our national interest! Why Erodgan can watch you in the eye and talk? he has proven himself in Turkey, taking it out of the deep plunge. Secondly, he knows American influence in the world is waning, so he needs to forge alliances with nations that Turkey never gave a hoot about, namely Egypt, Iran and Syria in Middle east and towards East Iran and Pakistan. He knows very well that he can afford to do that, rest his principled stand on 7 Turkish killings and no apology from Israel, is totally nationalistic. Theres no Islamic tag attached to it, but the west would love to call it that as the word "Islam" makes West shiver! a total stupidity!
@ Humanoid: You are pretty much spot on. I've been traveling through Turkey off & on for the past 13 years, and have come to adopt it as MY homeland. The Turks are hardly what one would call a religious bunch, let alone fanatics or extremists. What the Turks have done in the last ten years is to work diligently to become an independent nation, free from the "Yes Sir" Western politics that has influenced their policy for far too long. Of course their quest for becoming a strong & independent state forging their own way regarding their own interests began with their refusal to join the Evil Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld Monster in their illegal Iraqi invasion (a global corporate fascist plot based upon the greed of arms manufacturers & big oil). Turkey has demonstrated wonderfully it's willingness to adapt to many EU norms as it has changed it's entire system in accordance with the desires of establishing a secular democracy and ensuring equality and human rights for all, within their nation and indeed, the world at large - they'll be the voice that speaks for those who are allowed to only whisper - Turks will point out the double standards in regards to international atrocities. Turkey will indeed become a leading player upon the world's stage.
Who is naive and ignorant ? Was there ever a Palestinian state in the history ???? Was there even a mention of Palestinian people in history ??? NO. Palestinians are arab population who lived in the Palestinian mandate (Roman andl later on British term to describe the area) together with Jews and Christians. You might remember Jews were expelled first by Babylonians and then by Romans. After the Arab invasion, there has always been arabs living in the area.
Kurds are a nation of their own. They are not Turkish, they are not Arabs, they are Kurds. they always lived in the same area which they call their homeland. They have their own language, Kurdish, and they have their own history and culture.
After that refreshment of basic world history now compare Kurds to Palestinians.
the palestinians also never had a historical country of their own in that area,so they are almost identical in that matter to the kurds
Many countries have blood in their hands and in many cases the culprits were brought to justice.
The Nuremberg trials were the first examples as the Germans were defeated and had to comply.
Indeed justice on international level is like a political tug of war.
Turkey is self-assertive now and doesn't let itself be bullied by Israel.
Excuse me, but the Kurds were never invaded, occupied, and had atrocious human rights abuses rained upon them. They have all the rights of any Turkish citizen. What the Militant Kurds want is to do everything in their own language instead of the Turkish Language, and to break away to form their own state. IF you sincerely believe they should be given this right, then obviously you'd have no problem with giving the Southwest US back to the Mexicans, giving the Southeast US to the Blacks for their own state, GIVE THE REST OF AMERICA BACK TO IT'S NATIVE INDIANS and all people of European ancestry leaving North America for good. You can't compare apples and oranges, especially IF you're as ignorant to the history of the events, as you seem to be.
Yes they were !! by nobody else than Turks......go learn..............they have no big rich brothers to protect them like other Arabs do to Palestinians, as much as to annoy and attack Israel.......that's why nobody cares about Kurds.......
Also , Palestinians are not armed ? they don't kill civilian Israelis and Jews ??? is this a joke ????? Just few months ago they killed a family of five in their sleep, one was an infant and the other two were small kids.......at least Kurds attack the soldiers and Police for the most part............
And who were Palestinians invaded by ? Israel ? Israel took west bank from Jordan after all arab countries including Jordan attacked them. Should it give it back to Jordan then ?
We dont kill kurds they are living among us freely.Pkk killing civilians.Research a little before posting pls.
you dont kill Kurds? what a joke, Ata Turk killed hundreds of thousands of Kurds, you might want to read Sheck Saeed Piran revolt, he was hanged and thousands of other Kurds were massacrred along with him in 1920s. Kurdish language and culture was banned and anyone who tried to talk Kurdish, thier mother tongue, he or she would have been put into prison for years and even killed. This fascist system has continued even until this moment although with slight cosmetic reforms which was again to fool EU countries so that Turkey permitted to enter EU. People who pretend that they can fool the world by simply sayisng that Ata Turk's barbaric regime has treated Kurds with flowers are making childish mistake as it is the other way around.
I see where you are coming from, I used to think the same way as you did before I discussed this issue with my dad. My dad said that there is no such place as Turkey, if everyone would get their own share, meaning, Turkey was made up by taken pieces from other countries; and now it is struggling to keep it one united nation because nowadays. people are demanding high. That is why Turkey's PM has to fight Kurds to keep Turkey a stronger nation.
You guys need to smartly understand what is gone and going on around the world. Kurds are greatly loved people by Arabs and Turks, unluckly Kurds are rufused to have their Own nation by the Colonist not by Turks or Arabs, they are divided into Iraqs, Irans, Syrians and Turks, Becouse Kurds were Smart people and there was a great Islamic leader Namely SALAHUDIN EYUB. However, Those colonists are funding the PKK people, PKK hires youth and students to carry out weopen and end up gangs But Kurds in Turkey have their own cultural freedom, they have their own schools, TV Channels, Their children go to School, They have all the rights like Turkish people. This is not time to kill each other among Muslims, It's time to deeply learn QURAN and understand the colonial tactics and get ready to fight against them peacefully. To every one who hates Islam please take your chance to Read QURAN, it's the holy book that the great GOD (ALLAH) revealed to this world, It will be Greatly GOOD for you to Read QURAN and your heart feel amazingly the ALLAH's mercy.
Every countries have skeletons in its closet. The Turkish PM is concern about whats going on now not what happen in the past . Today in the present Israel is murdering and enslaving the Palestinians
It seems like Turkey wants to muscle in and impose itself on Middle Eastern and regional politics. Even though the Turks have blood on their hands (most nations and powers do), the region experienced relative peace and calm for 400 years under Ottoman rule
We at least begin to see other side from the usual talking points generally discuss. Farid did face an unusual challenging facts delivered by Turkey PM mastering the Israel dilemma -only this interview enhance the wake up call received from a powerful adversary to bully Zionist actual Israel PM. Turkey isn't PA neither docile Egypt. Turkey make it clear that they will do whatever it's take to protect his citizens rights as well as showing leadership in their geopolotic sphere.
Mr. Zakaria seemed intimidated by Mr. Erdogan and overly cautious to challenge him, which is unfortunate because Erdogan left himself wide open in his criticism of Israel. Has Turkey paid reparations to the Armenians? Would they welcome an Israeli-led flotilla bringing humanitarian aid to the Kurds? Overall, Erdogan made a poor impression on this American viewer, coming across as just another power-seeking Middle Eastern leader, blaming Israel for all that ails his region. If Zakaria's goal was getting Erdogan to reveal this about himself, the interview was successful.
First Armenianissue has nothing to do with modern Turkey , its like saying waht about Indians that American killed . Kurdish issue you guys have to be educated. There are 15million kurdish people living peacefully all over westren Turkey . Turkey has seen Kurdish president kurdish FM"s and all sort of other level of goverment positions.Can you imagine seening a Palestenian president for Israel. Turkey is not same Turkey that 30-40 years ago.Economicly very strong socially very advance .Turkish airline is one of the best and most modern airline in europe , Turkish eloctronics are 3rd biggest producers in europe.etc etc
I was very happy to see that Fareed refused to cave in to addressing the mythology of the alleged Armenian issue. First of all, obviously the Modern Turkish State is NOT an Ottoman State - they're dead & gone. Secondly, when an ethnic group within a nation begins a civil war WITH THE HELP OF OTHER NATIONS (Russia), there is bound to be repercussions for their illegal secessionist actions. Many died horrible deaths on BOTH SIDES of this civil war, but to call it genocide is inaccurate. IF genocide was practiced against the Armenians, Why has it not been declared so by the UN and by every nation on Earth? Sure, a handful of nations have decided to legislate the history of other nations by catering to the "squeaky wheel" politics of greed, vote purchasing, and campaign donations . . . but not all. These reasons alone, should be proof enough that Modern Turkey has no reason to apologize for the actions of it's ancestors' attempts to squash a civil war WHILE they were fighting a World War.
Great coverage, great access. For those who want Fareed to be more critical, there are other programs for that. In this one we get the best access and the messages those leaders are crafting for the American public. This is not the end all and be all of journalism, but an essential part. And Fareed is smart enough to get in a good criticism now and then. P.S., Love the Vegemite comment. Thank you Fareed!
I listen to Erdogan talking in his elegant suit and calm demeanor and he sounds a reasonable man – but it is only when you listen to his words that you realize how dangerous he is – a new Hitler in the making? The Manmara incident was not a peace mission but an act of war against Israel. The Turks sent the ship with the express purpose of being aggressive against Israel. Now Ergodan wants Israel to apologise for defending its troops – and he wants the blockage of Gaza lifted? What else does this 'new Sultan' want? Why are people not asking him why he is supressing other peoples like the Turks and Armenians under his control? Israel does not need Turkey and no Israeli should set foot in that country.
haha... is this satire? because you can't possibly be serious. Mavi Marmara was an "act of war"? nine UNARMED humanitarian activists died at the hands of Israeli commandos in international waters. those commandos were defending an ILLEGAL Israeli blockade of Gaza (according to the UN)—a blockade that is 'SUFFOCATING' and 'DEVASTATING' according to Amnesty International. you might want to poke your head out of your Fox News/AM radio bubble, sir.
Please, you've been brainwashed by the deceitful Israeli propaganda machine. ONLY one simple fact needs to be looked at in regards to the Mavi Marmara incident: WHO THE HELL BRINGS A KNIFE TO A GUN FIGHT??? (that simple fact should equate to enough said) Your assertions that the people from 30+ nations on board that ship were looking to provoke Israel into a fight is ridiculously absurd, especially as it happened in International Waters 70 miles from Israeli OCCUPIED territory. As usual, the Israelis out of paranoia, over reacted and exaggerated everything just as their PR Machine AND hawkish, war mongering administration of "incessant & perpetual victims" requires.
It is interesting toknow # in today's information age ignorant people like Brian and Humanoid exist. I'm not sure where they get their information to state that Kurds never had a state in history. First of all I want to know what is their underesting of a 'state' is? Secondly I challenge them to prove it if the Arabs or Persian or Turks had the type of state they had in history that the Kurds didnt have? I refer you to Median empire the first largest empire in the world established by the Kurds' ancestors, is that not enough to prove your ignorant statements are baseless. I also want them know there is hardly been a period in history that the Kurds didnt have de jure or de facto control over their home land called Kurdistan. Take it from the Median through to the Ashkanians, sasanians, Shadadis, Ayubis who where all Kurdish and established their mighty states and even in the last 800 years where the Kurds always controlled their land and established tens of mini states. Lets hypothetically state that the Kurds did not have a state in the past, why would there be a condition of previously having a state for a nation of over 40 million in order to be able to have a state. This is not a legal argument but a cheuvenistic belief.
I think Erdogan is a pompous, agressive (under the reasonably polite surface), condescentent man – and dangerous! Hope I'm wrong!
Zakaria seemed a bit too bland in my opinion but I guess this was only about hearing Erdogan's point of view and not about Zakaria's. Interesting nevertheless.
Erdogan has a fiery temper. He burst out during a WEF meeting in Davos 2009 with Shimon Peres. Before the flotilla incident last year, his relationship with Israel was already frail.
Yes, I don't trust him for a minute. He has his own agenda for Europe and the rest of the world....
Erdogan is the best leader that Turkey has ever had. He did not fall under any terrorist lies. He always followed his own logic and what's best for the country. And, you are here saying that Erdogan is bad. I don't see a point where you have to prove that Kurds are innocent. I am NOT saying that ALL Kurds are guilty, they are not, but those who terrorize Turkey are mostly Kurds. They are the ones who bear arms and killed innocent people. I don't see why Kurds have to react that way. Whereas, they can live peacefully in Turkey and continue practicing their culture, Turkey is a civilized democratic nation, why look in the history and continue all this nonsense?
Mr. Zakaria, I religously watch GPS because you ask the tough incisive questions. Your understanding of the interplay of world events compelled me to read your books and articles in Newsweek then Time. None of that was on display in the Erdogan 'interview.' No challege to even the most outragous rants of an obviously dangerous man. It was not the same Fareed Zakaria I used to admire.
Finally someone talks about Israel as candidly as millions feel about it! Finally someone being allowed to do so without interruption on T.V.!! He isn't blaming the Israeli govt for all that 'ails his region'. He was asked about his r/s with Israel and that's all he talked about: the attack on their ship last year and the issue of Palestine! Not defending the Turkish genocide of the kurds, but if no country, that has ever committed such an act, should be allowed to speak about humanitarian crisis anywhere around the world, America should be the first to keep it's mouth shut. Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq....just to mention a few!
Ergodan talks the truth? He is stirring up the natives with his nationalistic pride nonsense. We have seen this before in history. If he wants to attack Israel let him.
Israel will pulverize the little mouth that roared. They do not go around shaking there fists and threatening war.
Israel is the real deal they do not have to threaten war with anyone. There response to turkey would only have to be one bomb shot from a neuclear sub and the threat will be neutralized.
This would be a terrible thing but it seems he is working the simpletons into a frenzy. Kind of like the old footage of Hitler giving a speech and people are lined up for miles. After the war they all said we did not know?
"There response to turkey would only have to be one bomb shot from a neuclear sub and the threat will be neutralized". You make me sick!
It is indeed a shame that so few actually understand the Proud nation of Turkey, it's culture, it's people and it's history. Americans generally know Turkey ONLY from the biased reports they read/hear from American media - hardly a gold standard with which to base any opinion regarding any issue. One must read international newspapers, and Turkish newspapers in order to better understand these extremely kind, hospitable, and secular people. Better yet, I suggest a lengthy trip to Turkey with lots of interactions with the locals in order to be able to form a more genuine opinion of this nation and it's politics. You will mind mosques, next door to Greek Orthodox churches, next door to synagogues . . . You'll find locals enjoying a beer with their meal as the call to prayer rings out across the city . . . You'll find the most helpful & generous & RESPECTFUL people on the planet . . . One will SURELY be surprised to see the REAL & TRUE Turkey has no resemblance to the Turkey one reads about in American publications.
The Turkey you are referring to exists in your dreams. You are repeating the same mistakes Turkey has been making for tens of years which is nievely thinking they can fool the whole world. Turkey is a country established through genocide and since then repeatedly committing genocide whether of Armenians at the start of twentieth century or the Kurds during and after Ata Turk's rule only to false borders intact. Perhaps you are mistaken by the shores of marmara or the turist spots of Istanbul. It would be a fact finding mission for you to visit east Turkey or more correctly Kurdistan. You will then find what oppressive regime you are trying to fool us about. Israel has never committed even 1% of the crimes that Turkey has committed against the Kurds. The Zilan valley incident is a good example. Decades ago Turkish government decided to wipe out all Kurds from the so called Turkey. They asked many Kurds to come to Zilan valley so that they give them freedom. when thousands of people gathered there, they did not give them freedom but bombarded them with heavy weapons killing thousands of people. Now explain to us whether Israel has done such a barbaric act of genocide to the Palestinians.
It is a shame that your intent is to spread lies and hate to inflame situations - I actually feel sorry for you. By the way, I've kept an apartment in Sanluifra and Istanbul for 13 years - I KNOW the people, the history, and the politics. Your attempts to distort the TRUTH and Praise Israel, a nation that has had more UN Resolutions against it than any other nation is hard to swallow - so, I and the other educated others in the blogosphere will ignore your tripe.
Steve! This shows how mistaken you are, it seems you need some reading listens or someone teaching you about reality! I didnt defend Israel, what I said was that Israel's crimes agaisnt Palestinians are way less than Turkey's crimes against Kurds. Secondly if you cant bother doing the trip then I suggest you check Amnesty International or Human Right's Watch websites or simply google Turkish Governments crimes against Kurds. If you are after the truth you will then change your mind. Just read about Turkish governments barbaric treatment of the Kurds, their genocide... you wil knowaboutl hundreds of thousands of Kurds being massacred at the hands of Turkish barbaric army, over 5 thousand villages being destroyed, millions of Kurds displaced, even now thousands of political prisoners are in jail going through all forms of torture. why dont you write about language and culture ban on Kurds. Kurds were not able even to talk in their mother languange, they couldnt wear their national costume, they could bring the word Kurd or Kurdistan onto their tongue, if you did you would have been in jail for years or even killed, is this human right or the country you are defending, go on your fact finding mission and talk about real world. Otherwise people will just ignore you like a fascist instrument!!!!
God bless you Erdogan for courageously talking about Israel. The world needs and must know how they are treating those poor Palestinians. Thank you Fareed Zakaria for exposing the truth on all fronts
God bless Ergodan for what? Making Threats of war. The little runt has an opinion on everything and will tell you what he thinks like it or not.
History has seen this type before, as of now he appears to be steaming up the Turkish citizens. You know the ones whose blood will be spilled if he takes you to war. Be careful with blind allegance when you make a man your master
he will get you destroyed.
Your interview with President Erdogan: His desire for an apology from Israel for the deaths on the ship to Gaza. The ship was en route to fight any borders of the ship. An apology was offered in the way of Israel;s regrets. The balance of his needs for Israel to stop defending itself against bombings from Gaza. Hamas places bombers in front of innocent Palestinians and Israel in defending itself is accused of excessive power. The Israelis have the right to defend themselves and Hamas refuses to recognize Israel as a true homeland for Jews. Erdogan should moderate his demands.
Mr Zakaria, I agree whole-heartedly with the post by David Balint. This was a particularly poor set of interviews by yourself, particularly in light of your article opposing the Palestinian bid.
1) The Erdogan interview was exceptionally weak. At no point was the possible hypocrisy between the stance Turkey is taking on the Palestinians vs the continuing crackdown on Kurdish people put to Mr Erdogan. And yet this is quite an obvious question to ask. Perhaps you did, but it did not pass editing. The reasons Israel gives for the continued blockade of Gaza, and indeed for the general breakdown in the peace process is that there clearly remains a significant proportion of the population, particularly in Gaza, who remain supportive of Hamas and supportive of continued rocket attacks. And yet the Turks, who use the same excuses to justify a lack of negotiations and strong-handed tactics towards the Kurds, seems to think it acceptable to criticise Israel for not being able to transcend their legitimate security concerns. Why was he not asked about this???
2) Mr Barroso's interview was UNBELIEVABLE. You let this man get away with some truly terrible statements. 1) That there is no opposition, no dissent within Europe against the mantra of 'ever close union', and 2) That the Euro is a STRONG currency?????? This man lives on a different planet, as do many of the European elites. Your piece about the Pirate Party, and the general discontent of the people towards their elite should have formed and appropriate foundation for questioning Mr Barroso about HIS legitimacy! Who elects Mr Barroso? Why has Europe moved towards a post-democratic age and still thinks it is not hypocritical to criticise other nations on democratic deficit? How can he say that the Euro is a strong currency considering that 3 countries have had 4 bailouts, with Italian and Spanish bonds at 6-7%? How can he justify this? How can he POSSIBLY say that support remains strong amongst the people of Europe for this political vanity project? How, and why did you not ask him about this.
Very disappointing.
are you going to let him get fired like former cnn employee Rick Sanchez and Octavia Nasr?.
Baruch Goldstein: the hero of the settlers in the West Bank.. I know it because I talked to them
I found it disturbing that the Turklish leader was given free rein by GPS to spout his anti-Israel views without being challenged. Surely journalistic honor requires a probing of his views, and the acknowledgement of the massive elephant in that interview room – that Turkey has (and continues) to treat its minorities woefully – Armenians, Greeks, Kurds, political dissidents. We need to hear Erdogan's views but not in a deferential manner.
Mr. Zakaria, Aside from the Turkey – Israel matter, I would also like to understand Mr. Erdoğan's reasoning regarding his and his Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ahmet Davutoğlu, constant and may I add shameless polemic threats against Cyprus. It has already being established that Cyprus drilling his own blocks alongside its partners, Texas' Noble Energy and Israel's Delek, for natural gas exploration, is in accordance to every international law and falls within Cyprus sovereign rights.
Yet Mr. Erdoğan, even after reprimanded by the international community including the EU, UN, Russia and even President Obama himself, continues to act in a rather irresponsible manner for a man who is in control of a NATO member nation which is also a veritable military superpower in the peripheral Mediterranean, by trying to cause instability in several fronts which previously included threats towards Noble Energy's platform, and now after being diplomatically chastised, turning to Greece by trying to dispute its Exclusive Economic Zone.
I would like to know how is Washington viewing this kind of behaviour and what kind of results do they expect it to yield, considering that President Obama announced that Israel will always be supported by the US in any conflict, while Turkey remains at arms length, and continuing to fulfill US' foreign policy requirements not only by acting as a geostrategic bridge between Europe and Middle East, but also by maintaining stability in the area in any way its NATO membership mandates, including providing intelligence for US' 6th fleet and Israel regarding Iran, through NATO's latest radar installation in its grounds.
Do they foresee further deterioration of the secular state being caused by the continuously faltering talks between the European Union and Turkey generated mainly by Turkey's failure of EU's requirements fulfillment, as well as the growing immigration problem, further accentuated by Europe's growing anti-Islamic sentiment? Or do they expect the Europe – Turkey strong trade and economic relationship to overcome the probable cultural differences? Do they view the current situation regarding Cyprus – Israel energy relationship as an opportunity to de-leverage from Turkey's energy dependence vis-à-vis its Nabucco pipeline, or do they believe that it should still be exploited separately as it will create profit by supplying gas from the gas-condensate fields in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, thereby directly competing with Gazprom's Nord Stream.
I would be interest in an opinion regarding Turkey's Prime Minister, Mr. Erdoğan, and its recent Middle East tour, as it clearly served as a way to leverage not only the recent "Arab Spring", but the ever-growing anti-Israeli sentiment in the area, with the ultimate goal of building strategic alliances and further strengthening its strategic position in the area. Does America sees this as a "controlled" situation, as Mr. Erdoğan's influence was meant to keep the current Arab instability at bay, with its supposedly more pro-Western stance and its NATO credentials, despite Egypt's political administration and the Muslim Brotherhood's defensive stance by stating that Mr. Erdoğan's "proprietary" brand of Islam fused with Western capitalistic elements isn't the democracy they envision.
To sum up, does Washington still thinks that Turkey will continue evolving both economically and culturally in order to sustain a growing middle class and a stable democracy, or was last decade's growth possible due to Mr. Erdoğan's cunning concealment of his more conservative Islamic ideals shrouded in the dying remnants of a Kemalist Turkey, and which will inevitably initiate a rapid decline of the already fragile secularization in order to gain domestic support from the conservative Muslim majority? If so, do they see Turkey's leader envisioning the revival of a neo-Ottoman Empire and a peripheral military superpower as a justifiable threat or will the US' foreign policy be able to maintain the much needed sensitive balance in the area, thusly avoiding a very possible coming turmoil?
I would be grateful if any of the above questions receives a response, if time permits; thank you in advance.
You clearly have no idea about the Cyprus problem or the inner dynamics of the Greek Cypriot administration at the moment. There have been proposals and negotiations in the Greek-administered south part of Cyprus for at least 2 decades now about possible natural gas and oil drilling off the south-west coast of Cyprus which indeed does fall within the sovereign region of that administration. However, these plan have not been executed due to the ongoing cease-fire state in Cyprus – between the north and the south (Turkish and Greek communities respectively) – and the uncertainties about the reverberations of the discovery of such a big oil bed within the island territory. The fact of the matter is that, the Turkish Cypriots which are the natives of the island and the citizens of the Cyprus Republic should also be given their fair share of any natural resource discovery on the island territory which belongs to all Cypriots. What the current Greek administration wants to do is to eliminate Turkish Cypriots from the equation completely and act like the entire island belongs to the Greeks in an entirely political, anti-democratic and chauvinistic move. This is what you cannot seem to grasp and what Turkey is opposing. It is not drilling that they are opposing it is the unilateral declaration suggested by this kind of a move that any possible resource found on the island belongs to the Greek side. The Hristofias government (PM of the Greek side) is playing this game to win back some of the popularity that they lost as a result of the massive preventable naval base explosion which killed tens of navy personnel and left the entire south side of the island without electricity for weeks. He is completely bombarding the peace talks ongoing at the moment with such a populist, racist, and divisive political move that it is incomprehensible. You should listen more to the former ministry of foreign affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Rolandis, who suggested that if ever there should be drilling, (which he said there shouldnt be in the first place during ongoing peace-talks) around 20% of the profits from any found natural resource should be put into a protected escrow account for Turkish Cypriots for their use in the future. However, that does not have to be the percentage and the only way to settle this issue is negotiating, not despotically declaring it all yours. This is what Turkey is against, they are protecting the rights of the Turkish Cypriots on the island. Turkey's invasion, transfer of settlers and military atrocities are separate matters to be discussed. Hristofias badly sabotaged the peace-talks which weren't going good anyways with this move. He can practically kiss any reunification deal and the entire 1/3 North part of the island of Cyprus goodbye at this point. Too bad he sold the interests, the dreams and the memories of 100s of thousands of displaced Greek Cypriots who had hoped for the past 37 years that they could one days return to the land that they grew up in.
Thank You Evrim for replying to this poster's ignorance. Additionally, I've just read in Greek & Turkish Newspapers that Greece Cypriots have been forced to announce the will share the revenues with Turkish Cypriots IF any oil is found. ALSO, the world sadly fails to remember that Turkish Cypriots voted for the Annan plan to unify Cyprus and the intransigent and belligerent Greek Cypriots voted NO, and still were allowed wrongly to enter the EU as a divided nation, totally against EU Protocols! The world also refuses to chide the EU for not keeping their promise to Turkish Cyprus to lift the international isolation imposed against them as a reward for voting YES on the referendum. Seems racism and bigotry still trump the facts and rewrite history daily . . . although, some of us do know better.
Mr. Zakaria, what exactly is it that you're trying to accomplish here? As a journalist how can you let a politician go on ranting without you challenging him? what value does such journalism achieve?
I am puzzled. You let this politician, more correctly this dishonest politician go on accusing Israel of killing 100s of 1000s of innocent Palestinians when apparently Palestinians have killed 1 Israeli. How may I ask you can sit there and not remind this "honourable" Turkish politician that Palestinian terrorists have killed thousands of innocent Israelis in suicide bombings?
How can you let this Turkish leader get away with not being challenged with confronting the real crime of genocide against the Armenians, why did you not mention about the long overdue APOLOGY to the Armenians for this horrendous crime?
Why did you not challenge this Turkish leader about the fake "democracy" that exists in Turkey which has sent more than 3000 journalist, like you, to jail because of lack of freedom of speech in Turkey.
What is the purpose, again, of your jounalistic services at the CNN ?? can we kindly have an answer from you to the posed questions??????? I think we, as your listeners deserve an answer to every single question posed above.
If you come to Istanbul you should really cuise on the Bosphorus. Thank you a lot to Bosphorus Cruise , which was recommended by my friend, booking on internet. I went to a full day tour Bosphorus and Dolmabahce Palace. At the both sides of Bosphorus there are many historical places and incredibly beautiful scenary. My advise is to look at the side about which your guide is giving information because the facts given by the guide were short and fulfilling http://www.privatetoursinistanbul.com our tour started without delay and we visited different places. Especially Dolmabahce Palace was perfect with its architectural features .My other favorite place was Camlica Hill where you can take a look at the Bosphorus and other side (Europian one) and take a deep breath and relax. The scenary was wonderfull. We returned at our hotel on time and this is important for me, we did not have any delay. You may think that when you return to the hotel you will feel tired. Well I am not sure about that because the Bosphoruse Tour is really relaxing. I almost forgat J the lunch was a squere meal with so many variations of Turkish food. It was delicious. It was an unforgetable day.
To Zionist:
To speak of using nuclear weapons to "pulverize" nations is the height of unchecked arrogance and power that Israel has. These are human you speak of.
By the way, do you know of any other nation, say of the muslim persuasion that may possibly reply to a nuclear attack on Turkey with its own weapons. It would take only one or two of these missles to to get through you know.
And if reports are accurate they have hundreds. Hint: look for another flag with the same Cresent Star.
The game is up, for the love of Abraham's God make peace while you are strong and lets get on with our lives!
More people live in Calcutta than your whole Damned Israel/Palestine. We are tired of your continuous BS about "world persecutionz" sucking up the worlds energy!
Regards
Aaaahhahahaaaaa! Woah! People...NEVER pick a fight against Israel. Especially now or in the very near future.
I am going to leave it at that.
Of corsue, B.Poster, innocents were not dying at Gitmo. Indeed, the guilty were being detained in conditions that exceeded what was required under US and international law.But other than the fact that the two situations were so completely different as to be beyond rational comparison, they are exactly the same!
There is a great discussion here. Bunch of you diluting the discussion inserting Armenian, Kurds problems. I think those belong to an another form. But, I am surprised some of you writing about Palestinians never had state on those territories. How about Jews. Have they ever had a state there( maybe once for a little awhile, but that was it.) Jews were there always under the rule of Egyptians,Romans,Ottomans,British and now with the big brother US protection. Just because their bible says it is their holly land is not good enough in this century. They can believe anything they want. World is not the same any more. It is ridiculous to see Bib Natenyahoo coming on to talk in UN how his name was mentioned in the Bible.Soo what?
Zakaria you’re the worse!!!!! you are practically an idiot you let this Erdogan say things like this on your show no wonder Jews are no longer interested in CNN altogether. How come you didn't asked him what if Israelis flotilla to the Curds would have sailed freely without Turkey stopping it????? Zakaria you should change your profession in a rush.
Thanks much to Jacqui for akinsg and thank you Ken for the update to your biography. Great stuff...
CNN you are to blame for this Monster interviewer. As a Jew I am very offended.
It's sad to see so many comments for supporting Israel. It seems Israel is derived directly from heaven . So, it can not do anything wrong. Even in the case they killed a US citizen , it not not a crime since he was a naturalized citizen from a non European non christian decent.
@ Moshe as a Turkish I am offended by your comment . Do you think all Jews are descended from heaven ? Nothin can be said against you even though you are doing wrong. what a hypocrite!!!