For years I have called for a reconfiguration of our international alliances to reflect new alliances. Now it is happening of its own accord. Rapidly re-Islamizing Turkey has not been a reliable ally of the US for years. It is long overdue that this sham alliance be brought to an end, and our alliances with foes of jihad in the region be strengthened.
“Erdogan warns Trump that Turkey will ‘find new friends’ as US row deepens,” by Josie Ensor, Telegraph, August 11, 2018:
Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned that Turkey would “seek new friends” after the US “upset and annoyed” Ankara with sanctions which triggered a major currency crisis.
Turkey’s president told counterpart Donald Trump to respect its sovereignty “before it is too late”, plunging relations between the Nato allies to their lowest in decades.
Writing in the New York Times – the broadsheet paper much loathed by the US president – Mr Erdogan said: “Washington must give up the misguided notion that our relationship can be asymmetrical and come to terms with the fact that Turkey has alternatives.
“Failure to reverse this trend of unilateralism and disrespect will require us to start looking for new friends and allies.”
The Turkish lira tumbled more than 16 per cent on Friday – a record low against the dollar – after Washington imposed sanctions as well as steel and aluminium tariffs to compel it to turn over a jailed American pastor.
Mr Trump announced the punitive doubling of tariffs, which were imposed in protest over the detention of Pastor Andrew Brunson, who was arrested on terrorism charges after the attempted coup against Mr Erdogan in 2016, saying: “Our relations with Turkey are not good at this time!”
The US is the biggest destination for Turkish steel exports with 11 per cent of the Turkish export volume.
The country has weathered several tough economic crises over the decades, but has traditionally always had Washington’s staunch support.
Mr Erdogan framed Turkey’s crisis as a “national battle” against economic enemies, including the US. “If they have their dollar, we have the people, we have Allah,” he said, appealing to his religious Muslim base. His supporters in the crowd ripped up one dollar notes in protest.
The president, who has consolidated unprecedented power through a series of referendums, advised Turks to show solidarity by converting any stashed-away gold or foreign currency to Turkish lira in a bid to wage a “war of independence” against America.
“It is wrong to dare bring Turkey to its knees through threats over a pastor,” Mr Erdogan told a rally in the Black Sea town of Unye yesterday.
“I am calling on those in America again. Shame on you, shame on you. You are exchanging your strategic partner in Nato for a priest.”
Mr Erdogan vowed there would be no easing of the law in Mr Brunson’s case: “We have not made concessions on justice so far, and we will never make any,” he said….
gravenimage says
Spot on, Jay Boo.
James P Sullivan says
Pussy
Paul says
Exactly right Jay Boo. Erdrogan is squelling now that Trump has shown he’s not Obama.
isntlam says
Fanatical much?
eduardo odraude says
Erdogan there almost sounds as if he is using the word “priest” with the kind of low regard, disparagement, or contempt that most people would reserve for a “thug” or “whore.” But maybe that’s how sharia-compliant Muslims tend to view people of other religions…
Agha Ali Arkhan says
Hmm. Still awaiting evidence from Muslims that clearly refutes your last sentence!
Aaron says
Although, this confused me because he is not a priest. In another place in the article, he rightly referred to by Erdogan as pastor.
Guy Forester says
New strategic partners? Like Iran and Russia? These three have been at odds for centuries over control of the black sea area, the Bosporus, and the neighboring weak states. This will be a short lived romance: Nominally Eastern Orthodox Russia, Shiite fanatic Iran, and now Sunni fanatic Turkey. Good luck and have fun.
Dear Mr. Trump:
Please close down all US military bases in that hell hole and send them to Greece and Cyprus. We will be welcomed there, they need the financial support, and it would tell Erdogan to leave them alone.
Joy says
GREAT response!! And the suggestion to close our bases in Turkey and move them lock, stock & barrel to Greece & Cypress would put Turkey in an even greater bind. But wonder if either Russia or Iran will “rush in where angels fear to tread (Turkey)?” Erdogan, a total POS, had weakened Turkey immeasurably. Ataturk must be whirling with his dervishes in Heaven when he sees how much societal destruction Erdogan has caused his beloved Turkey (putting aside his – Ataturk’s – brutalities in Asia minor for the sake of argument…)
MARY PHILIPPS says
We’ve already got British bases here thanks – and our own domestic problems with Turkey since the ’74 invasion. Not sure Cyprus can be saturated with anymore regional bile from Nato superpowers or anyone else – we want to live a peaceful life where our democratic human rights and political issues are upheld and resolved, as any EU member state should be, in accordance with the UN security council resolutions that have not yet been met by Turkey. It’s time someone rapped Erdogan on the knuckles. But anymore military might on this island and I fear we might sink.
Guy Forester says
Thanks for the reply.
Two points:
1. I think Cyprus is firmly anchored to the earth’s crust.
2. There may be some room for a US base on the North Side.
🙂
Indiana Tom says
Let us all be good little dhimmis and bow down to out Islamic Masters. Turkey will be just like Iran soon.
Indiana Tom says
Brunson, 50, is a native of North Carolina and an evangelical Presbyterian pastor
Since when did the Presbyterians have Priests?
I do not think the Presbyterians believe in Transubstantiation.
gravenimage says
Yes–I was going to mention this as well. As usual, Muslims know nothing about other faiths–but that does not stop them from persecuting or murdering Christians and other Infidels.
Sons of Liberty says
Yes, gravenimage ! They even try to collect on their insurance policies after they have murdered them ,….like the Turks did when the murdered Armenian Christians in 1915 .
gravenimage says
Grimly true, Sons of Liberty.
Rufolino says
It’s because only Islam matters.
Westman says
“His supporters in the crowd ripped up one dollar notes in protest.”
It’s rumored that the surrounding stores ran out of cellophane tape shortly after Erdogan’s address….
cps says
lol….Turkey has regressed back to the 13th century …Islam and it’s hate policies has no room in civilized countries.
gravenimage says
Hilarious!
Jay says
I love that a Pres Trump plays hardball with disgusting dictators like Erdogan!! America first and foremost ! Thank you Mr President. ????????Keep America safe. Trump,2020 ????????
Andy says
AMEN
jack reynolds says
1) Turkey is a traitor to NATO and they provide no value what-so-ever.
2) Turkey still denies its responsibility in the slaughter of 2 MILLION Christian Armenians and Greeks.
3) Turkey helped ISIS volunteers to cross into Syria.
4) Erdogan gained power in Turkey, by promising reform, then shifted to the Muslim Extremist side.
5) Erdogan cannot be trusted.
gravenimage says
+1
A_M_Swallow says
NATO goes down to the Mediterranean. Turkey completed the wall of countries along the top of the Mediterranean. It helped prevent the USSR expanding into the Middle Eastern oils states.
Russia has different borders to the USSR. The modern need for Turkey can be re-examined.
A_M_Swallow says
Charles de Gaulle made France resign from NATO. It may be easier to get Erdogan to resign from NATO than to expel Turkey.
jack reynolds says
You’re just saying that because Turkey refuses to admit that it slaughtered 2 MILLION Christian Armenians and Greeks (1915 – 1923). You think it’s suspicious that the current Christian population of Turkey is 0.6%. Let bygones be bygones. Forgive and forget. Or if you’d rather not, that would be OK with me. Where can I sign-up?
jack reynolds says
As soon as Turkey is out of NATO, the Russians are going to give them a big warm hug (bear style). And the U.S. will do the same with Iran. You did know that Trump and Putin chat once-in-a-while, right?
gravenimage says
Putin is definitely playing footsie with Turkey, as well as with Iran.
Meanwhile, the US has reinstated sanctions on Iran, and is calling Turkey out here. We are no longer under Islamophilic Obama. Hadn’t you noticed?
Daniel Dagen says
Bravo! Go Trump. Can you ever imagine Obama doing this? Making Erdogan scream?
Nate Walters says
Wait, I thought he was a spy not a priest. I am so confused.? I guess this is just about persecuting a Christian.
Grizzly says
It’s always about persecuting Christians… or any non-Muslim.
It’s interesting that we are having renovations done to our house & our house painter was originally from Iraq. He was force with his family to flee from Iraq in 1984 while their was some kind of purge of Christians going on. He & his family actually had 4 choices 1) convert to Islam, 2) pay the jizzya (spelling?), 3) leave Iraq & leave all their possession, without ANY compensation (ie, stolen, war booty…), or death.
Of course they chose to leave. Destitute. They came to Canada in about 1985 & built lives for themselves with hard work & determination! No handouts! These people are the refugees I want!!! Not the human scum currently coming to our lands.
1984. Certainly easily within living memory. This is real Islam folks: time & space & place make no difference!
Guy Forester says
I agree. A few years prior to that, a coworker and his family had to move lock stock and barrel as well. It started when Saddam started to expand his military. This family started to send the kids out of country (Lebanon was still functional at that time) for college. The college they went to was linked directly to a set of US colleges. By doing this, they got out before things went downhill. All ended up in US.
Smart, hardworking, Christians.
jewdog says
I’m glad that Erdogan is sticking to his principles, but I’m not sure that he’ll get any virgins for suicide economics.
Dapto says
No difference between Erodog and Osama Bin Laden both want the same thing – No infidels allowed to exist.
A_M_Swallow says
Not quite. I strongly suspect that Erdogan’s real aim is secular power for himself. The religious part is just show to keep the Imams on his side.
gravenimage says
Erdogan to US: “Shame on you. You are exchanging your strategic partner in Nato for a priest.”
………………..
How blatant is this? Erdogan is not even pretending this is anything other than persecution of Christians.
Avenger says
You are 100% correct Graven. Turkey has for centuries, tortured and then put to death Armenian, Greek, Bulgarian, Serbian and Coptic priests with impunity. Erdo thinks he can do the same with this reverend but Pence and Trump will annihilate this piece of Turkish dog shit if he does.
Trump – bring our troops and war material home, dismantle our bases and allow turkeys neighbors to destroy them. They have zero allies except the USA.
gravenimage says
Putin is wooing Turkey now, which is disturbing.
But we should cut ties with them and kick them out of NATO.
aspirac says
Russia has been the enemy of Turks for the last 1000 years . Putin’s moves are tactical and will not last. Russia has some limited business interests in Turkey, such as building a nuclear power station but they want dollars not liras that are dropping in value every minute, or junk bonds . Turkey has no allies .
They have invaded or have had serious problems with every neighboring country , including Iran , for
Centuries now. They are on the verge of civil war and they are done for. Get rid of the communist government in Greece and the Greeks will be glad to let the us reopen its bases there . The us has already increased its presence there . Nobody needs Turkey. If the country goes totally bust Europe stands to loose 0.1% of its GDP. The US NOTHING AT ALL. Let us stop being dummies and dimmies and screw them over. Erdogan Caliph? Caliph my butt
Avenger says
The US is pushing Russia to form new or stronger alliances with China, Turkey, North Korea, South Korea and even Japan. I believe Trump is trying to show everyone at home that he has no personal ties with Russia and attacking Russia economically is the wrong way to show this.
Also, John Bolton who thinks we still need a Cold War with the Soviet Union (now Russia) is fighting the wrong war. Russia is our natural ally and anything that Putin has done, the USA under Clinton, Bush or Obama has done far worse. If you want me to rattle off the vile US foreign policy deeds, I’m happy to do so.
gravenimage says
Avenger, the US is not forcing Russia to appease Muslims. This is silly.
David Mirza says
And don’t forget the Assyrians, especially the Assyrians
Avenger says
You are correct David,
the Assyrians and Yazidis have been assaulted and murdered by Turks, Muslim Arabs and Kurds for centuries. As soon as our Kurd allies recaptured towns and villages away from ISIS they immediately put these people under dhimmi status.
jack reynolds says
Turks thought we’d just forget that between 1915 and 1923, they slaughtered 2 MILLION Christian Armenians and Greeks. Turkey’s current population is 0.6% Christian. Canada and European countries need to deport Muslim immigrants, until they are reduced to 0.6% too. If that doesn’t happen, the traditional solution of good old fashion European Ethnic Cleansing will resolve the problem and we’re heading in that direction quickly now.
gravenimage says
True, David, Avenger, and Jack.
Toader says
Hahahaha…., Erdo doesn’t understand the value of life . For him people are pawns to pushed around and disposed for the sake of the sultan’s political game.
BTW, if I remember correctly , he’s eager to exchange the priest for an imam, political foe that currently lives in USA !! LOL
Sons of Liberty says
The US does not need a country that believes in the evils of Islam as a NATO partner or ally .
gravenimage says
+1
David says
No. No, the shame is on you. Now you know what America stand for. That’s the different between the power of the Lord and the evil.
R Russell says
Usual tantrums from the Sultan of the revived Ottoman Empire because Trump hasn’t submitted to Dhimmitude.
Erdogan made his own position clear when he asked the leaders of the other 56 Islamic countries to join him in the invasion of Israel. It wasn’t NATO he called on, but Islam.
I am in no doubt the intention of the house arrest of Pastor Brunson is to see him murdered by a Turkish Islamic zealot.
andrew mckendrick says
“Who will rid me of this turbulent priest” comes to mind.
gravenimage says
Actually, he was not causing any trouble at all.
Tony Holland says
seems that Erdo’s threatened war between the red crescent and the CROSS is getting ever closer,that threat was made for closing,what was it,7 mosques in Austria who can hardly be considered a military superpower,bit different if he throws down the gauntlet to Trump,big as Turkey’s standing army may be, but anyway it would probably lead to civil war in that country and a resurgence of the ‘overthrow regime’ so he’d be contending with two ‘fronts’ against him,–curtains for Erdo I think.
utis says
Trade our “partner” Erdogan for a priest? Hell, I’d trade him for a priest, shaman, or bonze. And I’m still an atheist.
Baucent says
This maniac with with the motormouth has caused the Turkish currency to go into free fall. It could bankrupt Turkey and it’s all because of the inflated ego of Erdogan who seems to think he is Allah’s chosen one. Trump should turn the screws and keep up the pressure and publicly support a Kurdish autonomous state inside Turkey. That should send Erdy off the scale.
Avenger says
Excellent thought Baucent!
Erdo the rat would foam at the mouth if Trump supported a Kurdish homeland.
jack reynolds says
Sorry ERDO, but this is a matter of integrity, that you will never understand.
Telh says
Erdogan you have Allah. Your future must be wonderful. Stop whinging and have faith in your moon god.
dan christensen says
Could be that Trumps attack on Erdogan will save Europe from being contaminated with Turkey.
EU is unlikely to consider Turkeys membership as long as the raving Erdogan is on the loose.
Imagine 80 million turks invading the EU, besides 1½ million illegal migrants in Germany and 2 million africans – everybody with an insatiable hunger for plundering the European welfare systems!
Elizabeth Lawson says
This arrogant, jumped up nobody, is nothing if not audacious. Under his tutelage, he has single handedly turned back the clock on the advancement of Turkey’s political, cultural, democratic and religious history, bought and paid for by a far better man, Kamal Attaturk. Erdogan’s guiding hand has brought the Islamist nightmare to his citizens, and unquestionably, the persecution of non Muslims in Turkey, most notably, the Christian people. He claims that he is a NATO ally – well, not so much! With an ally like Turkey connected to anything European, the United States, and Europe, do not need an enemy. I support President Trump’s stance on Turkey’s intransigence – completely. My only question on this issue would by, why did it take so long? If Mr. Erdogan thinks that he is going to twist President Trump’s arm to send his adversary, Mr. Gulen to his death in Turkey, by illegally holding an innocent Christian pastor in prison, he is very much mistaken. Trump always Trumps silly fools like this.
The European says
7 reasons why Turkey should be kicked out of NATO and why negotiations about its EU membership must be ended once and for all.
1.Turkey is an Islamic country. Once it had been a bridge between the West and Muslim countries, half-Islamic, half-West, but those times are gone. For the last 30 or 40 years Turkey has gradually rediscovered its Islamic roots, re-islamisation and turkification have almost reached its zenith, while the megalomaniac Erdogan is planning the rebirth of the Ottoman empire. Such a country can never be a reliable partner of the West.
2. Turkey is a dictatorship. Human rights are flouted, liberty of press has been abolished, dissidents and critical journalists are in prison, political parties which oppose Erdogan are gagged and bullied. A country which does not respect the basic rights of democracy cannot be part of NATO.
3. Turkey is a sponsor of Islamic terrorism. Evidence has been produced time and again that Turkey has been providing aid and abet for ISIS; Jihadists volunteering for ISIS have crossed Turkish terrritory, injured jihadists have been taken care of in Turkish hospitals, ISIS has sold stolen antiquities to Turkish businessmen and trucks with ammo Bound for ISIS crossed the border with the connivance of Turkish authorities. Turkey is a rogue state, very much like Iran and North Korea. Should NATO be friends with rogue states?
4. Turkey is a warmongering state. Erdogan has set his sights on the oil reserves which had been found in the Medirterranean Sea. Unfortunately for him, the sites where the oil is are Greek territory- the Greek islands of the Aegean. So, if he wants to exploit the oil reserves, he will have to seize these Islands. Thus, war with Greece is inevitable, and consequently, Turkish warships and Turkish aircraft never miss an opportunity to provoke a major incident with Greece. A member of NATO trying to drag another NATO country into war, that is outrageous, and Turkey should be forced out of NATO for that alone.
5. Turkey has a destabilising effect on European countries like France, the Netherlands and Germany. There are strong Turkish minorities in those countries, and Erdogan uses them as a kind of fifth column
to cause mayhem in those countries. Mosques being used as hideouts for arms and motorcycle gangs like the “Osmanen Germania” who are masterminded by the Turkish secret service MIT are just to examples of what might by in store for us if we don’t show Erdogan who is boss. Erdogan is working against us, his place can no longer be with us.
6 Turkey has a long history of religious intolerance and persecution. Anatolia has once been the heartland of Christianity. Today, there are 0.2% Christians left. Armenian Christendom, Greek Christendom, Syro-Chaldean Christendom, Turkish Muslims have wiped out almost everything of it. Can such a country be part of the West and its military alliances?
7. Turkey is playing extortionist games. Imprisoning foreign journalists and reverends Erdogan tries to use them as leverage. In Germany, Erdogan wasn’t allowed to speak at party rallies of the AKP in Germany. Then, a German journalist of Turkish origin, Deniz Yüksel, has been thrown into a Turkish prison. Recently he has been released and Erdogan is free to campaign for the AKP in Germany. What a coincidence! Of course, he is trying to do the same with the US regarding Mr.Gülen and the American pastor. Erdogan is a high jacker, a hostage-taker, not someone you want to have as an ally.
gravenimage says
+1
Giacomo Latta says
Erdogan always looks like he’s having an aneurism. Alas, …
Horseman says
The pastor is nothing more than a bargaining chip for Erdo to get back Fetullah Gulen for prosecution. The pastor is being detained on bogus charges and everybody knows it.
gravenimage says
Spot on.
David Mirza says
No. No, the shame is on you. Now you know how great America is and what does it stand for, orospu..