The Leftist political and media elites were aghast at Trump’s letter to Erdogan, and heaped ridicule upon it. But it was really just standard American diplomacy: carrots and sticks. It was just phrased a bit more bluntly than diplomatic niceties usually allow. It is long past time for a fresh approach to diplomacy and a firm rejection of the multiply failed approaches that both Republican and Democrat Presidents have used for decades.
“U.S., Turkey agree to cease-fire to allow Kurdish forces to retreat,” by Saphora Smith and Dartunorro Clark, NBC News, October 17, 2019:
LONDON — Vice President Mike Pence announced Thursday that the United States reached a cease-fire agreement with Turkey to suspend its military operation in Syria to allow Kurdish forces to retreat from a designated safe zone.
Pence said that Turkey will suspend its military operations for five days to allow the Kurdish forces to leave the zone, and that U.S. forces will aid in the retreat.
The agreement comes amid growing global concern over Turkey’s military incursion in Syria after President Donald Trump ordered U.S. forces to withdraw from the country, leaving the Kurdish People’s Protection Units, or YPG — a U.S. ally in the fight against the Islamic State militant group — without support.
“I’m grateful for the president’s leadership. I’m grateful for the more than five hours of negotiations with President [Recep] Erdogan,” Pence said, adding that the parties “arrived at a solution that we believe will save lives.”
Trump told reporters ahead of an event in Texas that his unorthodox approach to the conflict helped make the deal possible, calling Erdogan “very smart” and a “friend.”
“Everybody agreed to things that three days ago, they would have never agreed to — that includes the Kurds,” Trump said. “This is a situation where everyone is happy.”
“If we didn’t go this unconventional, tough-love approach … they couldn’t have gotten it done,” Trump added.
Trump praised and defended Turkey in his remarks to reporters, saying the country was taking actions to secure part of its border with Syria where Kurds have been gaining influence and it had to have that area “cleaned out.”
“For many, many years Turkey, in all fairness, they’ve had a legitimate problem with it,” Trump said. “They’ve had terrorists, they had a lot of people in there that they couldn’t have. They suffered a lot of loss of lives and they had to have it cleaned out. This outcome is something they’ve been trying to get for 10 years.”
Earlier this week, Erdogan had said he would reject a cease-fire, according to The Associated Press. “They say ‘declare a cease-fire.’ We could never declare a cease-fire,” he told reporters….
Terry Gain says
Two adults spoke with Erdogan.
Rarely says
Trump and Pence did too.
CogitoErgoSum says
Two men.
Phil Copson says
Some people spoke to somebody….
Ned Kelly says
The letter worked, didnt it, so cut the BS against TRUMP< GOD BLESS HIM.
Ordinary Joe says
Erdogan is a despot in the making
DHazard says
Dependency breeds resentment, but in the end you’re still dependent.
mortimer says
TAQIYYA is jihad by other means … thus, TAQIYYA is verbal jihad.
Islam has a sacred doctrine of deceiving the non-Muslim about the Islamic conquest of the world in order to keep the non-Muslims trusting and unsuspicious. All Muslims practice VERBAL JIHAD or TAQIYYA or they are no longer Muslims.
Muslims do not tell the non-Muslims straightout about their world-conquest plan or the non-Muslims will be tipped off to it, and they will become suspicious, and even plan to take countermeasures against their jihad.
Muslims try to keep the non-Muslims off guard so they will not become suspicious of their jihadic, terrorist plotting. This is called TAQIYYA.
paul 316 says
Why is the Trump administration giving any credence to Turkey thinking they would do what the West is asking them to do? Erdogan wants nothing more than to have sharia the rule of all lands. What is your take on the ASSAM Congresses of which the Third Congress will be held December 19,20,21, 2019? Their focus, Establishment of Defense Industry Cooperation Procedures and Principles for Islamic Union.
gravenimage says
Turkey agrees to cease-fire days after Erdogan said he would never agree to a cease-fire
……………………..
Well, this is good, as far as it goes.
Infidel says
I love the text of Trump’s letter
As far as the complaints that we’re losing leverage there, it’s high time for us to not be a factor. Let Putin show how much of an ex-KGB brain is left in him by determining whether Turkey is a friend or foe of his! I’m sure he’s probably thrilled by his southern neighbors – the stans – becoming more and more allied to Turkey. I’m also sure that in the absence of the US, Turkey and Iran will continue not to tussle over Azerbaijan – both the independent country, as well as Iran’s north west province by the same name capitaled at Tabriz
At home, let’s have more delightful TV moments of kids being surprised when daddy or mommy suddenly show up at home. (In fact, it’s those sort of scenes that evolved me from a war hawk in the last decade to a Rand Paul/Donald Trump ‘isolationist’.)
SAFI says
Infidel I fear if Erdogan has his way in Syria it will only fuel his appetite for more “glories”. The turkish government is totally unhinged. This is the kind of crazy $h!t the turkish “defence” Minister likes to post on his social media https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/israel/2019/october/pence-pompeo-meet-with-erdogan-turkish-defense-min-posts-map-of-turkey-taking-land-from-neighbors
Better put an end to Turkey’s imperial ambitions NOW before they get a chance to go nuclear.
Infidel says
SAFI, as long as US troops are in the region, the quasi Cold-War geopolitics b/w the US and Russia are gonna keep masking the underlying fissures in the region, while continuing to cost US blood and treasure. The US has no reason to remain there – even if it means ‘handing it over to Russia on a platter’ – which in fact won’t happen. No more than the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan made that a communist country.
Here is what I predict will happen if the US completely leaves. The current Russo-Turkish ‘friendship’ that’s there will collapse, as Russia will prefer Syria to Turkey (and is only pally w/ Turkey b’cos the US ain’t.) Also, as you may have heard, past is prologue, and Russia and Turkey do have a history going all the way back to the era when Tsar Peter the Great allied w/ Nader Shah of Iran against Suleiman the Magnificient of Turkey. Now that may not be the exact faultlines going forward, but Russia is gonna have conflicts w/ Turkey. First there’s the Turkic stans south of Russia which were proteges of Moscow under successor ex-Soviet leaders (like Karimov in Uzbekistan), but which Turkey has been trying to entice on racial grounds. You think Putin’s gonna tolerate a Turkic block on his southern border, from the west end of Mongolia to Sochi? Then there’s Turkey trying to oust Assad, which, if successful, will deny Russia the port of Ladakiya on the Mediterranean, bypassing Istanbul altogether.
The other aspect to the region is that while both Arabs and Turks hate US, in the absence of the US, they can’t and won’t even stand each other. Throw the Iranians into the mix, and you’ll have 3 US-hating blocs at each others’ throats. I foresee a play for Azerbaijan b/w Ankara and Teheran, which will put Turkey at odds w/ Iran. I don’t see Russia actually supporting sanctions on Iran getting lifted, b’cos the current instability in the Gulf keeps oil prices high and is to their benefit (besides making India a locked in customer). In the meantime, the Arab conflict w/ Iran will continue in places like Yemen and Iraq, while Turkey will keep backing the Muslim Brotherhood and their allies – Hamas, Sudan, Qatar and so on.
All of this is worth some good caramel flavored popcorn, but after we withdraw US troops completely from the region. If Russia thinks they can own them, good luck trying: they’ve already had a taste of it in Afghanistan, which is more germane to this than their historic success in destroying the Khanates of Khiva, Bukhara, Crimea, Tatarstan and Qashliq. Same thing for Turkey. Right now, Syria is backed by Iran, but if it looks like Turkish troops will threaten to re-enter Damascus, Aleppo, Homs and Tadmur, you can bet that the Arab League would swing into action, their hatred for the Alawites notwithstanding – that in addition to Russia and Iran. In fact, you may even see an Iran-Arab re-alignment against the Turks
Giacomo Latta says
If, in the letter, it sounds like Trump is dealing with an egotistical, childish, tyrannical, tempestuous, spoiled, nearly brain-dead doofus, well, …
Mr. Cohen says
Turkish Invasion Force Using Banned Incendiary
Weapons Against Civilians in Syria, Kurds Say:
http://www.algemeiner.com/2019/10/17/turkish-invasion-force-using-banned-incendiary-weapons-against-civilians-in-syria-kurds-say/
===================================
Mr. Ali Adi [an Arab who lives in Israel] said:
“The truth, which the entire Arab world already acknowledges,
that the Israeli army is the more humane and considerate
than the Arab armies, fills me with pride.”
SOURCES:
I Embrace My Israeli Arab Identity by Ali Adi 2019 September 1
www (dot) israelhayom (dot) com/opinions/i-embrace-my-arab-israeli-identity/
www (dot) jns (dot) org/opinion/i-embrace-my-israeli-arab-identity/
www (dot) algemeiner (dot) com/2019/09/02/i-embrace-my-israeli-arab-identity/
===================================
Mr. Ali Adi [an Arab who lives in Israel] said:
If you ask any one of them [Arabs] during a casual conversation,
even the biggest hater of Israel will tell you honestly that they
prefer a conflict with Jews to a conflict with other Arabs,
which would naturally result in brutal, unchecked bloodshed.
The Arab citizens of Israel will admit that they prefer the Israeli
government to an Arab one, even if from their comfortable
positions at Israeli universities they prefer to call it “the occupation.”
SOURCES:
I Embrace My Israeli Arab Identity by Ali Adi 2019 September 1
www (dot) israelhayom (dot) com/opinions/i-embrace-my-arab-israeli-identity/
www (dot) jns (dot) org/opinion/i-embrace-my-israeli-arab-identity/
www (dot) algemeiner (dot) com/2019/09/02/i-embrace-my-israeli-arab-identity/
===================================
Lord Ian Livingston of England said:
“Whilst the Israeli Defense Forces are not
perfect, the obsession of focusing on them
despite being the most moral and professional
army in the Middle East is very strange.”
SOURCE: Ten Baroness Tonge
Pilloried at House of Lords Session She Initiated
on Israel’s Treatment of Palestinian Children
by Benjamin Kerstein, 2019 July 8, The Algemeiner
www (dot) algemeiner (dot) com/2019/07/08/itiated-on-israels-treatment-of-palestinian-children/
CogitoErgoSum says
Give Erdogan the room he wants so he can dump his Syrian refugees back in Syria. Then see what he does. Kurds you might be able to learn some things by studying Afghanistan.
The unexpected voice says
I starting to understand his decision now. May be he choose to let Turkey attack to show any idiot who still think that Turkey is a “secular” nation and is NATO allied. now the truth was revealed that Turkey intend to create a Caliphate with Turkish supremacist rule.
Infidel says
Except that he’s not on record as ever questioning Turkey’s bona fides: he’s questioned why the United States should remain a part of a military organization whose role ceased in 1991. You are projecting the doubts that increasing number of people have onto Trump
His only stand was that we’ve done our job in crushing ISIS, and no longer belong in Syria. If it’s our job to protect the Kurds from Turkey, Congress needs to pass a resolution requiring that, instead of passing one denouncing the president (which republicans ought to be ashamed of supporting)
The unexpected voice says
I’m very upset at this decision at first bacause it seems like he let Turkey acting cocky in the face of the West, but I’m kind of trust him after all. He’s better than naive liberal Democrats anyway.
SAFI says
“he let Turkey acting cocky in the face of the West” that is exactly what he did regardless of whether or not he realizes it. This will make Erdogan feel more invincible and will only add more fuel to his imperial ambitions. Trump needs to go ahead with the sanctions, if it turns out he’s bluffing again the US’s(and certainly Trump’s) credibility is done for
Lotus says
Slum landlord threatens non-paying tenant.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/17/unplugged-and-unleashed-what-the-letter-to-recep-tayyip-erdogan-tells-us-about-donald-trump
CogitoErgoSum says
I think Erdogan is the slum landlord who can’t get rid of his non-paying tenants (Syrian refugees). So he is going to kick them out (of Turkey) and dump them in Syria so they can leech off of some other landlord.
Infidel says
He should then work w/ Assad, since the bulk of refugees are from the Syrian heartland – Aleppo, Homs, Tadmur, not from the Kurdish areas that he wants to expel them to, also diluting the Kurdish population in the process
Lotus says
Trump’s letter is not couched in the language of diplomacy. He’s got staffers who know how to write properly and he should use them.
Even by the typical informal style of American English, the wording of this letter is completely inappropriate.
In the rest of the world a more formal style of address is normal, especially for diplomatic communications and even more so when addressing a head of state.
The letter Trump dictated is a diplomatic blunder, pure and simple.
mgoldberg says
and yet…. he got the deal that no one said he’d ever get, because they never got one nearly as good. How do you explain that?
His letter was not a blunder. It was frank and forthright and simply worked.
Lotus says
But the letter did not stop Erdogan. He went ahead with his offensive.
He may have stopped for the moment, but that is after having made some gains. He’s the one who is cracking the whip out there.
Trump’s administration is struggling to stay ahead of all this because Trump keeps sending out contradictory signals.
Trump is very erratic, and that is causing a lot of confusion in that region.
SAFI says
yeah I agree about the “contradictory signals” part…
mgoldberg says
The naysaying is missing key points. Everyone of the ‘critics’ was saying there would be a ‘slaughter’ if the US left, and there would never be any negotiations if the US left.
That was the definitive idea. This from all those who never wanted the US to forcefully assert a military strength there- never bellowed when the ‘Red Line’ was laughed at, et al.
Now… they all want to act like though guys.
Meanwhile back to the previous supposition- there would be a slaughter and no negoitations.
So what happened, There was no slaughters ( by their terms) and now there’s a likely successful negotiation- unless the kurds reject it and then that’s not on Trump.
You speak about faux pas’s of Trump??? Are you for real? ABC news ran a fake news piece about how the slaughters of the Turkish invasion, heaping abuse on Trump and it turned out to be a film from a Kentucky gun range. And that howling laugher of fake and utterly false news was quickly forgotten….
It may yet turn into a Turkish, Kurd war, but that was always the reality as it has been for 60 yrs and why we are not the one’s to end it. I’m for fighting wars and winning them, which is what is absent from the whole discourse. The left, the dems and the never trumpets have no such interest, only in opposing him. As for blunder… this was no blunder by Trump.
Brian Hoff says
Lotus you are correct Trump is stewing up. In world war one military commander where allow to make temperity crease fire to recover wound men and burry the dead Saudi Arabia is trikig of going with Russia not with America
SAFI says
I actually liked the “don’t be a tough guy, DON’T BE A FOOL” part. It’s like Trump’s twitter but on paper (so as to help Erdogan realize that this is serious)
SAFI says
That was a little unexpected… until yesterday Ergogan was saying he wasn’t even going to meet Pence. I’m not sure how much of their wounded prestige and influence the US can still salvage. The “zone of influence” they had worked for in Eastern Syria is gone and the Russians have already been going around warning everyone to stay away from the duplicitous Americans and partner with them instead. There’s certainly a lot of secret negotiations and deals currently being made. It’s likely that the Kurds will eventually be double-crossed by Assad who’ll reach an “understanding” with Erdogan on how to deal with their common PKK-YPG secessionist threat. Erdogan may not end up achieving the maximum he was aiming for, but at least he will have defeated the threat of the Syrian Kurds achieving statehood (this will probably also come as a big relief to Tehran.)
Lotus says
That sort of informal language is ok when you’re in a bar with your buddies. But it is not the way to address a head of state.
In fact, with a prickly autocrat like Erdogan it most likely had the opposite effect. I can imagine his reaction: ‘Who the hell is he to talk to me like that? I’ll show him I’m not his lackey.’
In other words, far from dissuading Erdogan, the insulting, patronising tone of Trump’s letter would have merely inflamed Erdogan and made him more determined to show he can’t be pushed around.
When a diplomatic letter has the opposite effect to what was intended, it has to be considered a a failure.
SAFI says
Actually I don’t think politeness is the way to go with Erdogan. He’s the type of guy that tends to interpret politeness as a sign of weakness. The EU always uses “polite” diplomatic language towards Erdogan and it ends up being ignored. In case you haven’t noticed Erdogan’s language is usually pretty uncouth and full of threats perhaps he’ll “appreciate” someone talking back to him in a similar style he likes adressing others
SAFI says
If it indeed “has the opposite effect” that probably means Erdogan thinks that Trump is bluffing. In that case Trump should go ahead and demonstrate that is not the case
CogitoErgoSum says
The letter seems clear, concise and to the point to me. I don’t see any spelling mistakes or grammatical errors. Trump addresses Erdogan by his official title, i.e, Mr. President. Trump lets Erdogan know he will be calling him later to work out a deal. I don’t see the insult. In my opinion the insult will come from Erdogan should he refuse to reply to the letter or to accept Trump’s phone call.
Lotus says
Well, Cogito, I’m glad you don’t work for any diplomatic service, haha.
Think of it this way. In an American court the judge is referred to as ‘Your Honor’. Imagine if in court an attorney repeatedly addressed the judge as ‘Joe’. It would be a faux pas, not at all likely to incline the judge favourably towards that attorney.
Attorneys always try to get on the good side of a judge, and that is why they take care to observe the court conventions and address the judge respectfully. It works in their favour.
It is the same in diplomatic circles. You never advance your case by discarding the appropriate forms of address or measured diplomatic language. That only raises hackles.
gravenimage says
With all respect, I’m not sure the main problem here is that Trump is not being polite enough to Erdogan…
CogitoErgoSum says
I don’t see where Trump addressed Erdogan as “Joe.” The salutation to Erdogan in Trump’s letter is “Mr. President.” Also, I have seen business letters where the sender will strike through the formal salutation and change it to the first name of the intended recipient (if the sender and receiver are on friendly terms). But you are right that’s it’s a good thing I’m not a diplomat. I couldn’t stand all the bs that must go with the job.
Giacomo Latta says
Oh, right, Lotus. I forgot what a genteel diplomat Erdogan is. Trump’s brutal tone has probably sent the sensitive Erdogan into a crying frenzy, which apparently only lasted half a day before he started bombing Kurds and anybody else who happened to find themselves under his bombs.
Brian Hoff says
Turkey is the real winer they keep the area they contest already while the kuek have 120 hours to pull out of zone turkey.
gravenimage says
Turkey is a “real winer”, all right–although I would have spelled it “whiner” or “wiener”…
Brian Hoff says
The Turkey president get everything he want without fighting for it
gravenimage says
Erdogan is a vicious thug–*of course* “Brian Hoff”–really, “DefenderofIslam”–admires him.
Brian Hoff says
Graveimage in the 1938 cerch crise when the English and Franc agree to give Hitler what he want Hitler a pect the offer.
gravenimage says
What is a “cerch crise”? Who knows? Is “Brian Hoff”–really, “DefenderofIslam”–drooling over Neville Chamberlain’s clueless “Peace in our time” speech? Could be.
He has mentioned before here how much he admires the evil Adolf Hitler–this should not surprise. *Ugh*.
Lotus says
GI, I don’t know who Brian Hoff is. He’s got an English name but he clearly is not a native speaker of English.
To be honest, I find his posts puzzling. I don’t really know what he is trying to say.
gravenimage says
He is a vicious Muslim apologist, Lotus–he posted here for years as “DefenderofIslam”. He claims to be an American convert–if so, this is indicative of the kind of semi-literate slob who converts to Islam.
Lotus says
GI, thanks for clarifying that. I haven’t been posting here very long, so I don’t know about this person’s history on this site.
Ernie says
Hahaha , whiner or wiener , Gravenimage , I’m SHOCKED !
Brian Hoff says
Turkey is the winner they keep the land they took and the kuek have 120 hours to leave the zone turkey wanton they border .
Lotus says
The situation in that area is very complex and fluid at the moment.
Here’s the Guardian’s take on what is going on. They see it as a win for Erdogan.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/18/trumps-turkey-deal-hands-power-to-ankara-and-leaves-syrian-kurds-for-dead
SAFI says
It is a win for Erdogan. (and even if it wasn’t he can always present it as such since he has almost total contro of the media in Turkey)
At the very least he’s managed to prove the world that Turkey is an independent power that can act on its own unconstrained by the will of the big NATO boss USA and defiantly ignored all threats of santions by both the US and the EU over the past several months proving those to be nothing but bluffs. Turkey’s credibility has increased while the West’s has plummeted.
PS. Did you notice in the guardian’s picture that the turkish sponsored FSA bearded jihadis is giving the islamist one finger salute… (btw that guy doesn’t look he’s even Syrian at all)
Lotus says
Yes, well spotted SAFI. Erdogan is the regional bully-boy and Islamic supremacist, so it’s not surprising some jihadis have gone along for the ride.
Erdogan will get his buffer zone, which is what he has been after all along. Trump’s threats were no more than bluster and Erdogan saw through them.
An extract from the very clear and detailed Guardian article:
// The Republican senator and usual Trump loyalist Marco Rubio said on Twitter that it “doesn’t appear the ‘ceasefire’ signals change in Erdogan’s goal. He still plans to rid area of Kurds and create a ‘security zone’, but it’s giving Kurds an ultimatum: they can leave voluntarily or leave dead.”
The Democratic senator Chris Murphy was even more blunt. “Let’s be clear: this essentially gives Erdoğan everything he wants – it ratifies a Turkish takeover of a huge swath of the country and calls on the Kurds to abandon their territory or else the slaughter will continue,” Murphy said. “This isn’t a diplomatic victory – it’s the capstone on Trump’s abandonment of the Kurds.” //
Also, Putin’s influence in the region remains powerful and even increases.
CogitoErgoSum says
Maybe the Muslim countries in the Middle East can become part of a new Soviet Union.
CogitoErgoSum says
Yeah, the Soviets could have most of the Middle East in exchange for leaving eastern Europe alone. The Soviets could keep the Muslims from getting nuclear weapons too. Tell me the downside.
Lotus says
Trump is a money man. He hasn’t got the backbone or the attention span to prosecute a military campaign.
He’s basically a blusterer. Look at the rhetoric he used against Iran, but what has it come to? Nothing.
I think both the Iranians and Erdogan have correctly judged Trump as someone who talks tough but who will not follow through.
Trump reminds me of the Faro dealer in the movie ‘Tombstone’ – someone who thinks he’s tough but who really isn’t.
Skin that smoke-wagon and see what happens! Lol.
Check out the link to that scene.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=j5YlT_K3wYI
CogitoErgoSum says
Right. Erdogan is Wyatt Earp. I like the way his “diplomacy” worked. That was pretty slick the way he “negotiated” 25% of the house take too. Oh yeah! I didn’t know Muslims liked cowboy diplomacy. Ha!
Hugh Fitzgerald says
Someone has been reading Lord Byron’s Don Juan:
“And whispering “I will ne’er consent,” — consented.”
Lotus says
Latest from a press conference:
Erdoğan says Trump’s letter showed lack of respect
We were discussing this earlier and most posters thought it was not important. But Erdogan clearly thinks it is.
// The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, said that Trump’s letter to him urging caution in Syria showed a lack of respect, and he warned that he would respond to it in time.
Erdogan said the letter was not in line with usual diplomatic customs and showed a lack of respect. The Turkish president, who is meeting with Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, said: “When the time comes, necessary steps will be taken.” //
SAFI says
Erdogan is used to throwing in jail whoever “disrespects” him. His inability to do the same with Trump must have made him feel frustrated, impotent, resentful… but that is not what made him launch the invasion… he’d been planning this for many months if not years. This after all is only the 3rd time Erdogan invades Syria in those past few years. Before “Peace Spring” there had been operations “Euphrates Shield” and “Olive Branch” (although those were smaller). That said Erdogan(and others) would still probably use that letter to attack the US in his propaganda.
CogitoErgoSum says
What did Erdogan mean by “necessary steps will be taken?” Is that a usual diplomatic custom — being vague and stalling for more time so you can strengthen your military position? I see. Of course the person in the weaker position always thinks customary diplomacy must be followed and every little detail must be respected.
CogitoErgoSum says
I wonder what it would be like to play poker with Trump. I wouldn’t be able to find out what it’s like to play the game with Erdogan because Muslims are not supposed to gamble — but I think they might sometimes.
Lotus says
Cogito says: // What did Erdogan mean by “necessary steps will be taken?” //
I don’t know either. Maybe he will go to the mattresses or go to the baseball bats. 🙁
Demsci says
Lack0fRespect complaint about Trump? Thus LackOfRespect complaint about America? But respect is a 2way street. The Turkish press, sycophantic towards Erdogan, is very disrespectful to America, for as long as Erdogan is in power.
In regard to Trump; he gets contempt and insults all the time, domestic and international. He counterpunches, he gives as good as he gets, although he gets far more than he gives. If Erdogan responds in kind Trump will counterpunch against him too. As long as it is verbal, it is allowed and only fair. And Trump, and America, it seems to me are for more on the receiving end than the sending end. Also because in America and the Western world free speech is allowed, but in autocratic countries criticism is censored.
In general I see in all this emphasis on the faults and responsibility of Trump and America (also by the Democratic Party and mainstream Western media) this nasty “discrimination of lower expectation”. As if Trump and America are the only ones with free will or with the most free will. But Erdogan, Putin, Assad, Khamenei and their followers also have free will. They are not apes or so that cannot choose different when they interact with Trump and America.
If only Trump and America are called out, or about 90 % of the time are called out, when both sides are playing roles in a drama in the Middle East, it looks like they are the only ones that can choose wiser, better courses. As in the analogy that it is foolish to criticize and admonish apes. If the criticism only or for about 90 % goes to Trump and America then to me that implies Erdogan and followers/ allies are the “apes” but I don’t think they are.
Brian Hoff says
French was than paper tiger that lost the will to fight after ww1 Hitler was the Sunland from the Czech Republic than Germany military was strong enpught to take it by fotce. Bit when the UK and France want to avoid than other WWI
Hitler decide to use diplomat to gain what he want.
CogitoErgoSum says
Hitler’s diplomacy was called “blitzkrieg.”
Angemon says
I know, right?