What I'd like to see in US diplomacy toward Turkey...

Submitted by Rick House (United States), May 15, 2007 at 18:35

Dr. Pipes,

Thanks for the great general overview of conditions in Turkey. You made a complex situation simple and straightforward.

With that said, I'd like to see the US State Department get out ahead of the situation for once and say exactly what the US would like to see in Turkey and our reasons for our views. This reacting to choices of a electorate is no way to operate a successful long-term foreign policy. The costs are too high because the policies of our allies are constantly changing with each election. Democracy does have its shortcomings and this is one of them.

Condi should quit the current "expanding democracy" approach and get out there and promote the US's vision for Turkey and the region. Here's her chance to be a statesmen. Will she take it? I hope she does.

Rick House

Denton, TX

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