“Unlike the US and Europe, Erdogan didn’t seem so picky about who benefited from his largesse, often choosing conservative Islamist rebels, rather than moderates.”
The US wasn’t really “picky” either under Obama, and armed plenty of jihadis.
And Erdogan himself has dismissed any distinction between “extremists” and “moderates,” saying a Muslim is a Muslim. So why shouldn’t he arm Muslims who believe in an Islamic state, as he does?
“Istanbul terror attack: A bloody end to a grim year for Turkey,” by Nic Robertson, CNN, January 2, 2017 (thanks to Jerk Chicken):
(CNN)In Istanbul’s horrific New Year terror attack the message is clear: 2017 has begun, expect more of the same to come….
The year 2016 had already laid a terrible and bloody foundation of terrorist mayhem for Turkey’s citizens: Dozens of attacks, from Europe’s easternmost tip in Istanbul through to Turkey’s southern border with Syria.
At times last year it felt that barely a week went by between strikes, from a brazen gun and bomb raid at Istanbul’s main international airport to carnage on the city’s tourist-filled streets, to the assassination of Russia’s ambassador in the capital, Ankara, 12 days ago.
Such was the crescendo of attacks in the last few months of 2016 that the terror at Reina nightclub had a feeling of inevitability about it — if not there precisely, then someplace similar: upmarket, secular, serving alcohol.
Barely two months ago, the US State Department warned that “extremist groups are continuing aggressive efforts to attack US citizens in areas of Istanbul where they reside or frequent.”
In a year, Turkey has gone from popular tourist destination to disturbingly dependable terror venue. That’s not a reputation any country wants — and particularly not Turkey, with its economy struggling following an attempted coup last summer. This has not come out of nowhere.
There are two brands of terror targeting Turkey now: Kurdish and radical Islamist.
It would be easy to lay the blame for the growth of both at the feet of Turkey’s increasingly autocratic and powerful President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, but that would be to oversimplify the upheaval underway in this once secular country.
Yet Erdogan shapes Turkey’s destiny more than any other single person….
In the early years of the Syrian uprising, Erdogan sought to unseat his onetime friend President Bashar al-Assad by backing Sunni rebels.
Unlike the US and Europe, Erdogan didn’t seem so picky about who benefited from his largesse, often choosing conservative Islamist rebels, rather than moderates.
As ISIS grew in strength, they profited from Turkey’s policy toward rebels. Thousands upon thousands of ISIS recruits transited Turkey on their way to the war.
Near-open borders allowed ISIS fighters and their weapons to pour across, and most damaging for Erdogan, resupply hubs, escape routes and safe houses to develop right under his nose.
Before the country belatedly tightened its border security, Turkey became riddled with ISIS….

Angemon says
Much like Assad did, when he allowed Syria (which is 75% sunni) to become a highway for jihadis going to Iraq to kill Americans. And, like Assad, Erdogan now lives to regret his decisions.
EmHotep says
He does not regret …. This is the plan, when you realise what erdogan prepares it will be too late. I am warning you for the Incirlik Base, it will be bridged and taken by ISIS and SADAT (erdogan special ops).
Europe has already been infiltrated by 11.000 isis members trained by Turkey. Erdogan has a big time plan while we are chatting here.
There will be blood shed and he will become the caliph..
kessler says
And yet – the Turks love this guy.
Feel free to leave a comment here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6aq8yJQ53M
Turkey is mainly Sunni. The fact that it has re-islamized with support of the majority of the population, means that they are in the process of ideologically aligning themselves with the Sunni islamists in Syria and elsewhere. The secularism and remains of a democracy is being stamped out. The terror attacks by ISIS are inconveniences and part of a process. Erdogan is full aware that defeating them is not an option – there are too many within the Turkish borders ready to strike, and more importantly, the Islamist ideology represented by ISIS and other jihadi groups fighting unbelievers is growing among the Turkish citizens. Welcomed and encouraged by Erdogan himself.
The only grievance he has against these groups is the competition for the rule – ISIS would require Erdogan to submit to their caliph. But Erdogan wants power for himself and his “pious generation”.
I predict that eventually they will find a way to join forces and work together to eradicate the non-Sunni elements in the region standing in the way of a sunni-led Sharia supremacy. That includes the Kurds which is on top of Erdogan’s hate list.
With this in mind, it is extremely worrying that people still consider granting the Turks free access to Europe. It’s either people who have a genuine hate towards our society and want to see its demise, or it is people severely brainwashed by leftist media and education system/universities.
Turkey is a ticking time bomb and we need to understand why in order to prevent a disaster.
Christianblood says
(..Thousands upon thousands of Islamic State recruits crossed Turkey on way to caliphate..)
That is true but let us also acknowledge that they did this with the total support and backing of the Turks, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, US, UK, France and Nato. Without those enthusiastic supporters it would have been impossible for the tens of thousands of international islamic jihadist mercenaries to go to Syria through the Turkish border and wage a murderous barbaric jihad war against the Syrian government and its people. Let us also acknowledge the fact that the so-called ‘US Coalition’ has been destroying Syrian infrastructure and even bombing the Syrian military since 2012 as the Russian MoD acknowledges on the link below: Read it:
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201701041049251083-us-coalition-syria-russia/
EmHotep says
This is also true .
Angemon says
Christianblood posted:
“That is true but let us also acknowledge that they did this with the total support and backing of the Turks, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, US, UK, France and Nato. Without those enthusiastic supporters it would have been impossible for the tens of thousands of international islamic jihadist mercenaries to go to Syria through the Turkish border and wage a murderous barbaric jihad war against the Syrian government and its people.”
Citation needed. One only needs to take a cursory look into JW articles to come across numerous cases of instances where the US, Briton, French, German, etc, governments barred individuals from travelling to Syria or Turkey on the grounds they suspected them to want to join “extremist” groups. Oh, and CB? According to you, is there any Syrian citizen who might have been discontent with Assad’s regime? Anyone who might legitimately want to oppose him? Or are you asserting that any and every person in Syria who wants Assad out of power is a foreigner with nefarious purposes sent in by whatever nation/organization you’re trying to defame? Do you agree or deny that Assad has enacted violence on the Syrian people?
Christianblood says
Angemon
To understand the real meaning behind the war in Syria please watch the video below:
Angemon says
So basically, you won’t answer any of my questions – just kick up sand.
Now – and again – CB:
Is there any Syrian citizen who might have been discontent with Assad’s regime? Anyone who might legitimately want to oppose him? Or are you asserting that any and every person in Syria who wants Assad out of power is a foreigner with nefarious purposes sent in by whatever nation/organization you’re trying to defame? Do you agree or deny that Assad has enacted violence on the Syrian people? Oh, and are you still living in a Western nation?
Angemon says
Oh, yeah – and are you still living in a Western nation?
Singh the Sikh says
Putrid Islamic cesspool that’s dragging in the rest of civilization.
Sam says
Obama needs to give a hug to Erdogan and send Kerry to Turkey for discussion of middle east problems like building apartmens in Israel. All will be OK.
Are we living in a real world I wonder?
EmHotep says
Thank you very much it is excellent to see somebody who really sees the reality. Both erdogan and gulen are enemies of humanity … Sometimes I think gulen is more dangerous, since we’ve been watching them for the last 2 decades… When the time comes people will understand.
firefox says
Erdogan is right: “a Moslem is a Moslem”! Now if only Obama and every other dhimmi leader and dhimmi citizen in the world would listen and learn. There is no distinction, and it is only time or chance that determines which one will act on their faith and on Mohammed’s commands. I now know too much about Islam to trust any Moslem again. Mohammed says they can lie to and deceive the kafir, they all are taught they are supreme and above each and every kafir, and they are allowed to kill a kafir and allah won’t hold it against them, they all believe that Sharia Law is their first alllegience, and they are instructed to not befriend the kafir. Why oh why would any free country want them if they really won’t assimilate, will continue to hold themselves as separate and supreme, and are at risk of committing a religious terrorist act upon the people of the welcoming nation. It may be too late, and it may prove to be a grave mistake, but EVERY FREE COUNTRY NEEDS TO BAN SHARIA LAW. BAN IT AS TREASON, A THREAT TO THE NATION’S LAWS, A PARALLEL LEGAL SYSTEM. AS WELL BAN ALL RELIGIOUS CONCESSIONS MADE TO ISLAM. There is a separation of church and state – if you need to pray 5 times, pray twice in the morning at home, and 3 times in the evening at home. No other religion gets concessions. Nor should Islam. Islam’s command to moslems to dominate the world and establish Sharia everywhere is clear as day. Why are our leaders and so many citizens so flippin’ stupid in their denial?? Sharia MUST NOT be allowed to establisha foothold!!