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Rival Powers Use Islamists Against Each OtherReader comment on item: I Taught NATO to Stand Up to a Dictator Submitted by Dave, Oct 9, 2017 at 17:00 Sure, Dr. Pipes is totally right that autocratic, repressive, Islamist Turkey does not belong in freedom-loving NATO. So why is it that so many NATO officials are afraid to expel Turkey? At least partially it's because they do not want Russia to further strengthen its alliance with an alienated Turkey, nor do they want Turkey to totally commit to the Sino-Russian military block. Erdogan has already hooked up with an eastern economic block which exists as an alternative to the EU. The hope must still exist that Turkey can be used as a check on China and Russia. An even uglier alliance proved useful several years ago when the CIA supplied Stinger missiles to the mujihadeen fighting the Russians in Afghanistan. The Russians lost, the Soviet Empire collapsed, and our erstwhile Islamist allies pulled 911 in thanks. Realpolitik is often useful, but when it bolsters Islamists it can be self-destructive. Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments". Reader comments (37) on this item
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All materials by Daniel Pipes on this site: © 1968-2024 Daniel Pipes. daniel.pipes@gmail.com and @DanielPipes Support Daniel Pipes' work with a tax-deductible donation to the Middle East Forum.Daniel J. Pipes (The MEF is a publicly supported, nonprofit organization under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Tax-ID 23-774-9796, approved Apr. 27, 1998. For more information, view our IRS letter of determination.) |